A Disney World icon is getting a makeover.
One of the original Walt Disney World attractions, Cinderella Castle, was completed just before the theme park opened in October 1971. Over its more than 50 years as the centerpiece of the Florida entertainment resort and the heart of Main Street U.S.A., the castle has had several overlays and color schemes, including my personal favorite, the birthday cake which celebrated the park’s 25th anniversary.
The castle’s current look, which features gray walls at the lower level but pink walls and royal blue turrets with gold accents, has been in use since 2020. Prior to that, the castle had a more classical look, with creams and grays and blue accents that were more subdued than the current shades in use. It closely resembled the castle as it was when the park opened.
And it’s that color palette to which Disney World just announced the castle will soon return.
In a post about the makeover, Disney Parks Blog said, “At Walt Disney World, the castle’s iconic look is built on a timeless color combination: deep, handsome blues paired with radiant golds. These colors were chosen to reflect the Florida sunshine in a way that makes the castle shimmer from every angle.”
But because of that Florida sunshine, it requires a lot of thought and research before teams can just decide to paint the castle. The castle experiences a lot of UV and weather exposure, and the paint and trim have to stay stunning and vivid for several years.
Also, no one wants their magical photos ruined by scaffolding or lift trucks, so Disney specifically selects paint that will be long-lasting and durable.
This news, which was part of the company’s Destination D23 event in Florida over the Labor Day Weekend, was met with wide praise from the Disney faithful. During a panel entitled “Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles,” Imagineers talked about what goes into picking the colors of Cinderella Castle and how it has changed appearances over the years.
A timeline for the updated appearance was not announced, but Disney is always working on something new and exciting, so we can’t wait to see what the final result will be.
