The Disney castles are one of the most recognisable parts of visiting a Disney park and Disneyland Paris doesn’t disappoint!
However, most people don’t realise that not only can you walk inside the Disneyland Paris castle but that there are several different parts to explore, and even a hidden secret underneath.
You won’t regret exploring the castle whether you’re a group of adults or a family with young children.
It’s a great option to get a break from the chaos of Disneyland, get some downtime, escape the weather, or provide a distraction on the long walk for lunch or back to your hotel.
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Where is the castle and can you go inside?
The castle at Disneyland Paris is located central to the rest of the park right at the bottom of main street. The rest of the park is built around the castle so you can easily get to any part of the park from here.
You can go in the castle, either from the front from Main Street or the back from Fantasyland, these can act like a cut through to get to the back of the park from the front.
A walk through of inside the Disneyland Castle
There are several different parts to the Disneyland Paris castle,
Entering the interior: inside the Disneyland Paris castle there are intricate details everywhere, from the ornate staircase to the stained glass windows.
The shops: there are two shops situated inside the walls of the Disneyland Paris castle – La Boutique du Château and Merlin l’Enchanteur. La Boutique du Château is an all year round Christmas shop and Merlin l’Enchanteur sells Disney inspired glassware and souvenirs.
The balcony viewpoint: outside you’ll find a large balcony where you can get some great pictures across Fantasyland.
The dragon: underneath the castle in a completely different entrance to everything else lies a giant animatronic dragon that wakes up and roars at the audience.
What makes the Disneyland Paris castle different?
The Disneyland Paris castle is a fairytale wrapped in one attraction!
From the grand interior to the Rapunzel style balcony, and the evil dragon lying in wait underneath.
The castle at Disneyland Paris is well known as being the most beautiful of all of the Disney castles. This is because every single detail had to be carefully designed to compete with the other beautiful real castles dotted across Europe. Some of the quirks of this special castle include the different shades of pink on the castle walls, the style of trees surrounding the castle, and the tiny snails on the golden turrets.
Tips for visiting inside of the Disneyland Paris castle
With no queues or set route there’s no need to rush around the castle so take your time. You can even use the castle as some down time to escape the chaos of Disneyland somewhere a bit more peaceful!
Things to do near the Disneyland Paris castle
The castle at Disneyland Paris is right in the centre of the park so you can easily fit it into your schedule.
- Exit through the front of the castle to walk straight out onto main street.
- Exit through the back of the castle into Fantasyland next to rides such as Blanche-Neige et les Sept, Les Voyages de Pinocchio and Le Carrousel de Lancelot.
La Tanière du Dragon
Living underneath the castle is a huge animatronic dragon that moves, growls and roars as children look on from the walkway.
You can get access to the dragon through a different entrance to the rest of the castle, instead you need to find a small passage to the left hand side of the castle.
FAQs
Is the Disneyland Paris castle suitable for kids?
The Disneyland Paris castle is very child friendly as there are lots of little bits to explore and there are no queues, making it ideal for short attention spans!
How long will you need to spend in the Disneyland Paris castle
There are many different parts to the castle to see so you need to make sure you leave enough time to explore all of it.
La Galerie de la Belle au Bois Dormant: 15 minutes to spend time looking through all of the stained glass windows, tapestries and books that tell the story of Sleeping Beauty.
The shops: 20 minutes to properly explore both shops
The balcony viewpoint: 10 minutes to get the best pictures and selfies!
La Tanière du Dragon: 10 minutes as it’s a short walk through
So in total you should aim to leave around 35 minutes to explore the castle but you could split the dragon off and do this at a different time.
What’s the best time of day to visit?
It’s normally quieter in the Disneyland Paris castle than most of the park so it’s a great option as a stop off between rides before lunch
The only time to avoid is straight after the parade as people can use it as a cut through to get to the other side of the park.
Is it free to visit the castle?
Yes, entering the Disneyland Paris castle is free and no advance booking is required.
Is the castle scary for kids?
The only part of the castle that may be scary for sensitive children is the dragon underneath. There’s no need to worry though, you’ll find plenty of space between you and the dragon and if they do get scared you can easily exit the attraction.
Do you need a guided tour of the castle?
No, you don’t need a guide for the castle as it’s easy to navigate and you can explore at your own pace.
Are you planning a trip to Disneyland Paris?
We’ve pulled together our best tips, reviews and general advice to help you plan your own trip to Disneyland Paris,
- Get access to our top Disneyland Paris tips after years of visiting with kids
- Learn all about the two Disneyland Paris parks and which one is best for you
- Learn how to visit Disneyland Paris on a budget and save money when you’re there
- Explore the top toddler rides at Disneyland Paris that are suited to 5 year olds and under
- Plan ahead with this list of the best rides for kids at Disneyland Paris
- Get the low down on all the underrated and hidden attractions at Disneyland Paris
- Read of review of the Hotel Cheyenne at Disneyland Paris to see why this Wild West theme stay is our family favourite
- Dreaming of staying onsite without the hefty price tag? Read our review of the Santa Fe Hotel at Disneyland Paris
- We answer the question, is it possible to visit both Disneyland Paris parks in one day? Hint – it is, and we’ll show you how
- Planning a day trip to Disneyland Paris? Use our one day Disneyland Paris itinerary to get you started
Summary
The inside of the Disneyland Paris castle is one of the many hidden secrets at Disneyland Paris, and definitely the coolest! Here are the main things to remember if you’re planning to go inside the castle,
- There are no queues so you can fit it flexibly into your schedule.
- It doesn’t need to be the main destination, plan it as a walkthrough to get to your next area of the park or on your way out.
- Head up to the balcony on the top floor for instagrammable views across Fantasyland.
- Don’t forget the dragon underneath.
Hopefully after reading this you’ll add the castle to your itinerary and know what to expect and what parts of the castle to explore first.
