Reliving Fond Memories
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Return of the Castle
The colorful castle, with opalescent paint!
Traveling to Disneyland at the end of summer, something didn’t feel right. The crowds were light, yes, and attraction access was short. But because Sleeping Beauty’s Castle was under a blue tarp while it underwent a new coat of paint reminded me of what an important part the Castle played in the Disneyland landscape.
The castle plays an important part in many legends and fairy tales. It signifies the end of a journey, where the princesses are rewarded for their perseverance. Castles are safe places, secure against the unknown howls in the forbidding woods. They are admired up on the green hills by the little people in the valley. Behind the turrets there would be no more hunger or want, since rich enjoyed such thick walled luxury. Castles were usually the stolid homes of an important family, expected to live within its walls for generations. In all, the castles represented that tangible dream home, separate yet very much part of the world, symbolic of familial success, announcing to all that the princess had made it home safe and sound from her harrowing experiences at the hands of the cruelly indifferent world.
So Walt Disney putting a castle at the epicenter of his new park was no accident. It acts as the magnet, drawing you up Main Street, from any of the corners of the park. All roads lead to the castle, all roads lead to safety. Small wonder the castle is also the symbol of the Disney Empire.
When the castle was getting its opalescent new paint, it felt like a shade had been put over the jewel of the park. The center had become invisible, the wheel wobbled without its hub. I bet many visitors were upset to come to the park and find its most visible landmark covered in plastic, protected with construction scaffolding. When I visited, the park felt different. Without seeing the towers as I rounded the Emporium’s corner, Main Street seemed a little darker, a little more remote. Truly, the castle is an anchor on the time honored Disney magic.
The colors even glitter in the moonlight
Congratulations on the new paint job. The castle looks lovely with the gold trim. I like the opalescent paint, so the castle shimmers in the daylight. Even by the pale full moon, the castle glittered amongst the lighted trees. Now the hub is secure, the castle radiantly holding court to an also newly painted candy colored Main Street. I’m loving the new work being done to the park. I can’t wait to see what they’re going to do next!
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-- David Mink
Reliving Fond Memories is normally posted the third Wednesday of each month.
The opinions expressed by our David Mink, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted November 17, 2004