Although Sleeping Beauty Castle has already undergone several refurbishments over the past three decades, this is the first major refurbishment since its opening in 1992. The castle – which was built in accordance with Europe’s cultural heritage that inspired Disney movies – has been subject to renovation works that were as significant as those performed on historical monuments
Tracy Eck works as Art Director, Walt Disney Imagineering Paris – Design & Show Quality. She supervised this project, in collaboration with the teams in charge of renovation works at Disneyland Paris. “It was the first time we undertook something so monumental. Certain effects have even been improved so that the castle’s structure will be even more resilient in the upcoming years,” she said. “It took nearly a year to complete these works on-site with all of the teams. Painters, electricians, gilders, craftspeople in charge of the tiled roofs… It was a hive of activity.”
Disneyland Paris has a long-standing history of collaborating with French and European craftspeople to build and look after the various décors of the Parks. To successfully carry out this large-scale project, while complying with the design and level of detail that make the resort’s reputation, Walt Disney Imagineering Paris – Design & Show Quality and Construction teams have called upon the services of recognized French experts in the field of historical monument refurbishment. Nine suppliers – who all came from France – were hired to perform the works, especially in terms of carpentry, roofing, painting, and ironworking.
The fifteen tarps that covered the scaffolds throughout the duration of the works were designed by Walt Disney Imagineering Paris – Design & Show Quality to make it possible for guests to continue to take perfect souvenir photos from Main Street, U.S.A. while being under the impression that they were in front of the real castle.
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Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter @iamcg83