Princess Aurora (Briar Rose) slept for 100 years in Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
I have studied classic films and fairy tales for years. I can clearly explain who slept for 100 years Disney? and why that idea stuck in pop culture. Read on for a clear, trustworthy guide that covers the film, the tale’s roots, character details, cultural impact, and helpful facts.

Who Slept for 100 Years in Disney? — The quick context
Disney’s version names her Princess Aurora. She is also called Briar Rose while hidden by the three good fairies. In the classic 1959 film, Aurora falls under Maleficent’s curse and sleeps until Prince Phillip breaks the spell. If you are asking who slept for 100 years Disney?, the short answer points to Aurora, the film’s heroine.
Disney keeps the 100-year idea as part of the fairy tale tradition. The story blends older written versions with Disney’s own visual style. Fans still ask who slept for 100 years Disney? when they want to know which character embodied the long sleep.

Origins of the 100-year sleep
The idea of a long, enchanted sleep goes back centuries. Early versions of the Sleeping Beauty tale use different numbers for the years of sleep. Some retellings say 100 years. Others leave the span vague. Disney borrowed elements from both Perrault and other folk versions to build the film’s lore.
The 100-year number is symbolic. It signals a long pause in time. It also highlights the idea that true love or fate will eventually restore life. When people search who slept for 100 years Disney?, they tie the number to that timeless charm.
How Disney portrayed the 100-year sleep
Disney chose a lyrical and visual approach. The film shows Aurora as innocent and graceful. The curse plays out through vivid color and dramatic music. Maleficent’s witchcraft causes Aurora’s deep sleep. Prince Phillip fights through danger to reach her and break the spell with true love’s kiss.
Disney trimmed and smoothed older, darker plot points. The studio focused on music, art, and a clear good-versus-evil arc. This clean telling helps viewers answer who slept for 100 years Disney? with confidence: it was Aurora, placed under a deep, long sleep.
Character profiles: Aurora, Prince Phillip, and Maleficent
- Aurora
- Also called Briar Rose while she lives in hiding. She is the one who sleeps for decades under the curse.
- Prince Phillip
- The hero who fights to wake Aurora. His role ties to the theme of rescuing love.
- Maleficent
- The villain who casts the 100-year curse. She is one of Disney’s most famous antagonists.
Each role supports the idea behind who slept for 100 years Disney?. The characters make the myth feel real and simple.
Themes, lessons, and cultural impact
The long sleep highlights several themes. It shows fate and destiny. It explores the power of curses and redemption. It also raises modern questions about agency and consent when true love’s kiss is the cure.
Disney’s version shaped many later films and books. The visual of a sleeping princess under vines is now a common cultural image. People still ask who slept for 100 years Disney? because the image is so well known.
My experience watching and teaching Sleeping Beauty
I first saw the film as a child and later taught its themes to students. The movie’s art and music stood out then and still hold up now. When I explain who slept for 100 years Disney? to readers or students, I use clips and simple notes to show how the curse moves the plot.
A tip: focus on the scene when the fairies hide Aurora. That moment explains why the long sleep matters. It also shows Disney’s choice to soften the tale for family audiences.
Why the question "Who slept for 100 years Disney?" still matters
This question taps into how stories shape memory. People use it to find quick facts about a classic film. It also opens deeper talk about how old tales change when they become movies. Asking who slept for 100 years Disney? invites both simple recall and deeper study.
Disney turned a centuries-old plot into a clear image. That clarity is why the question keeps returning in searches and conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions of Who slept for 100 years Disney?
Who exactly is the princess who slept for 100 years in Disney?
Princess Aurora is the Disney princess who sleeps under Maleficent’s curse. She is also called Briar Rose while living in hiding.
Did Disney say the sleep lasted exactly 100 years in the film?
The film does not emphasize an exact countdown, but it follows the tradition that the sleep is very long. The idea of 100 years comes from older tale versions and popular retellings.
Who broke the 100-year sleep in Disney?
Prince Phillip breaks Aurora’s sleep with a kiss after fighting Maleficent and her forces. His act restores Aurora and ends the curse.
Is Aurora the same as other Sleeping Beauty versions?
Yes. Disney’s Aurora combines names and plots from older written tales. The film simplifies some elements for a family audience.
Why do people keep asking who slept for 100 years Disney?
The image of a sleeping princess is strong in pop culture. People ask the question to find a quick fact or to start deeper conversations about the story’s meaning.
Conclusion
Disney’s Sleeping Beauty put Princess Aurora at the center of a long, enchanted sleep that many call a 100-year slumber. The film shaped how modern audiences picture the tale and keeps the question who slept for 100 years Disney? alive in searches and chats. Takeaway: if you want simple facts, Aurora is the answer; if you want depth, the story opens rich themes about fate, courage, and storytelling. If this helped, leave a comment, ask another question, or subscribe for more clear guides on classic films.
Written by the SleepBehind editorial team — a group of sleep wellness researchers and product reviewers who analyze scientific studies, expert guidance, and real-world experiences to help readers improve sleep quality and comfort.





