It is actually the other way around: Disney's iconic castles were inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps. Built by King Ludwig II (the "Fairytale King") in the 19th century, its Romanesque Revival architecture, slender turrets, and dramatic cliffside location captured Walt Disney's imagination during a visit to Europe. Neuschwanstein served as the primary visual model for Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland (1955) and influenced the broader "Disney style" seen in Cinderella Castle. Today, Neuschwanstein is one of the most visited sites in Germany, often referred to by tourists as "the real Disney castle." While Walt’s versions added more "fairytale" symmetry and vibrant colors, the core silhouette of high peaks and ornate balconies is a direct homage to Ludwig's masterpiece.