Bavarian castle

Now that we aren't in Boliva WHAT exactly is THE question?
A castle name? If a tent is needed? What castle was supposedly used by Walt to design Cinderella's Disneyland Castle?

Denise, Further to my other reply in your "Bolivia" thread, I assume you're referring to Neuschwanstein? To plan your visit there, I'd suggest having a look at the Germany 2012 Guidebook. You should be able to find a copy in larger bookstores or your local Library. If you happen to be in the Seattle area, stop by ETBD headquarters in Edmonds and use their free Library. That will also allow you to get information from Rick's travel experts. A few points to note.... Visitors to Neuschwanstein MUST take the "official guided tour", which is arranged by appointment only. Photos are not allowed inside the Castle. You can either walk uphill to reach the entrance, or take one of the horse drawn Wagons. I can't recall if there's a Hotel at the bottom of the hill but if there is, it's likely very expensive. Most visitors to the Castle either stay in nearby Füssen or take a day trip from Munich. You won't need (or want) a Tent or a Backpack that folds out to a Cot. Happy travels!

I don't remember the names, but there's at least one and possibly two small hotels at the bottom of the hill, near where you purchase your tickets.

Thank you for all of the information. Yes, that is the right place. Wasn't this the castle that Walt modeled his castle after? I saw it on tv, maybe Rick's show, and then read about it on one of Disney's websites or somewhere. I can look it up online again. So you have to go with the tour. I am glad to hear that there is a tour. I thought I was going to be walking up by myself and needed something.

I saw your reply, but I didn't see that it was from Germany, thank you, and I saw Canada. That was very nice, thank you. You did mention that I wouldn't want to take a backpack tent or cot. I am going to look up some pictures and see why, thank you.

Thank you for all of your information. It looks like the backpack information is more important than I thought. It was good to find out that you can't take a backpack in to the castle. Thank you.

Neuschwanstein is the one that gets sited as inspiration for the Disney castles, although they actually used themes and motifs from several castles in France and Spain as well. Hohenschwangau is a smaller castle that sits in the same general area. Some contributors to this website scoff at both because they're not "authentic medieval castles", but I say, who cares? They're still pretty cool, if you ask me. Looking on Google Maps, the names of the two hotels right by the ticket kiosk are Hotel Alpenstuben and Hotel Müller. There are any number of hotels in nearby Füssen and on the road between the castles and Füssen. Just so you understand... you get your tickets from a sales counter at the bottom of the hill. The tickets give you an entrance time for Hohenschwangau and/or Neuschwanstein, and your tour begins inside the castles. You still have to walk up to the castles yourself. If you ride the horse-drawn carriage up to Neuschwanstein, it takes you most of the way up hill to the castle, but you still have to walk the last stretch. And what is all this about a tent and backpack?

Thank you again, that is very helpful to me. The backpacks are not suppose to be an issue, but I thought it would be miles or something, and since Rick has topics on light weight travel equipment, I thought I'd ask if one of those backpacks that make into a tent or cot would be a good idea. For years every time I see someone getting ready to go to Europe, they have a big backpack piled real high, and I wanted to ask before I go, because I am a hotel and tour rider myself, and wanted to cross backpacks off my list. I was glad to hear you guys say there was a hotel and tour ride, or horse carriage. I am not a back packer. I could never figure out how they could carry all of that stuff over there, and never see anyone carry all that stuff back. I wondered how their trips went. A new show for Rick could be back packers, did they ever make it back.

One thing to add. From the ticket center there is a third option up the hill, you can also catch a bus that s you off just up hill from Neuschwanstein. Take the bus, follow the signs to Marienbrueke (Mary's bridge) for a great view of the castle. Then walk down to the castle entrance for your tour. One of the places near the ticket building (too big to be called a booth) is called Jaegerhaus, I can't recall if it's a hotel, restaurant or both. I would expect anything right there is going to be really expensive. Hohenschwangau has more of a history as a castle. Neuschwanstein was built based on King Ludwig's fantasy of a perfect castle. He was planning an even bigger, more fantastic, castle before he was done with Neuschwanstein - but was declared insane and drowned before construction could began.

As for hotel, there is not one by Neuschwanstein. But there are five in the village of Hohenschwangau, at the the base of the hill. They are listed on the website www.hohenschwangau.de, under hotels in the L.H. menu, along with Schwangauer Hof, which is in the neighboring village of Schwangau. Backpacks are not allowed in the castles, but there are lockers (Garderoben) at the castles themselves, although for Neuschwanstein that means carrying the backpack up the hill. There are no lockers in the ticket kiosk. The people in the Tourist Information office next to the bus stop told me you can stash them behind the counter while you visit the castles. There are also lockers at the Füssen Bahnhof.

All good info here. I like Tom's post especially (Germans are always so smart!). Both castles are great and the area is gorgeous. Of the two, I think the interior of Hohenschwangau is the more interesting. So if you only have time to see one (inside). There are numerous small hotels and inns in the area and good train connections to other parts of the country. And yes, the "Mad King's" castle was the primary inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland and to a lesser extent, for the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. I believe one of Walt Disney's "Grand Old Men", Herbert Ryman, (whom I had the pleasure of meeting once) was one of the Disney castles' designers (this coming from an ex-Disney tour guide!) Ross (Jacobsmeyer) Denver, CO
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