This week, Jason Kirk, Vice President of the Magic Kingdom Park announced that big changes would be coming to the Magic Kingdom’s most iconic landmark, Cinderella Castle. The announcement, which was made to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the release of the Cinderella animated film came as a shock to many.
What Will The Castle Look Like?
According to Kirk and the mockup posted on the Disney Parks Blog, the gray and blue motif that we’ve all come to know and love will be updated with a new color scheme. After its makeover, the castle will be painted in pale pink with navy blue and gold accents. While this will be a big change for Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, the new color scheme will more closely match the other Disney castles around the world.
Of the seven castles around the world, all but two have a pink, blue and gold motif. Currently, the only two castles painted gray and blue are the Cinderella Castles at the Magic Kingdom in Florida and at Disneyland in Tokyo.
Makeover Schedule
Cinderella Castle’s “Royal Makeover” is set to begin in the coming weeks and continue through the summer. According to Kirk, painting of the castle is scheduled to be completed before the summer’s end.
During renovations, regularly scheduled events at the castle will continue and the Royal Table restaurant will remain open. Additionally, guests will continue to be able to receive makeovers of their own at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique located inside the castle.
Both “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” and “Happily Ever After” will also continue as regularly scheduled throughout the castle makeover.
For guests planning a visit to Disney World during this renovation period and who are concerned about the makeover affecting castle photos, Kirk has confirmed that the castle will not be fully covered during the royal makeover. On February 19th, Kirk stated to several concerned guests that, “while temporary construction equipment may be present while Cinderella Castle receives its royal makeover, it will remain uncovered.” This is welcome news for first-timers or those planning special photos in front of the castle.
Why The Sudden Change?
While Disney performs regular maintenance on the castle, it is unclear why park executives decided to make such a drastic change to the castle that has been an icon at the Walt Disney World Resort for over 68 years. It is also unlike Disney to announce such types of renovations with such little notice to their guests. While we’re not certain what prompted this sudden change, the 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom is coming up October 1, 2021 and it’s possible that Disney felt that this was the perfect time for an update.
While traditionalists may be displeased with the idea of the castle going through this royal makeover, the mockup of the newly colored castle does look brighter and more cheerful. And as one commenter noted, we do not know if this makeover will be a permanent change or if Cinderella’s Castle will return to her original classically regal appearance after the park’s anniversary celebration.
How do you feel about Cinderella Castle’s makeover? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Katherine Rand
DVC Shop Editorial Team
