The German castle that was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle – and you can visit it yourself
The 19th German century castle is thought to have inspired Walt Disney to build his own version in 1955
DISNEY fans who want to experience the real Sleeping Beauty Castle should head to the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
Built in 1869, it inspired Walt Disney to build his own version at Disneyland after travelling to the castle with his wife during a trip to Europe.
Walt and his wife Lillian visited the castle when they were on a tour of Europe before Disneyland was built.
They loved it so much that they used elements in the Sleeping Beauty castle which you’ll find nowadays at Disneyland.
Brits can head to the beautiful location - which is also the castle they fly over in 1968's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - from the UK with flights less than two hours to Bavaria.
Sadly Ludwig II, the king who built the original castle, didn't get much of a happy ending as he was found drowned in waist-deep water 1886 in mysterious circumstances.
Ludwig was known as the “fairytale king” due to his love of all things fairytale.
Set amongst mountains, the castle, near to Füssen in southwest Germany, is actually unfinished on the inside.
It's 213 feet tall, but looks taller because of its positioning on a hill.
There are only 14 rooms finished on the inside which are available for the public to view – although King Ludwig’s plans were for 200 rooms.
The castle is currently undergoing renovation work, resulting in scaffolding and building work throughout the grounds.
The castle gets 1.5million visitors a year.
You can’t book online to visit – instead you’ll have to visit the castle’s ticket office which is at the foot of the hill it’s on.
It’s €13 (£11.37) to get in for adults and free for those under 17 - with strictly no photography allowed.
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If you want to visit the castle then easyJet flights come in at £58pp return in June to Munich.
for £42pp per night based on two sharing, including breakfast.
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