Pack away the pinks and prepare for some serious nostalgia — because Walt Disney World just dropped some major news about the most iconic structure in the entire resort: Cinderella Castle is getting a brand-new look, and by “new,” we mean old-school classic.
That’s right — after a few years of sporting the shimmery rose-gold, royal blue, and glittering gold from the 50th anniversary celebration, Cinderella Castle is headed for a complete color re-do, and fans of the OG 1971 aesthetic are going to love what’s coming.
The announcement was made during Destination D23, the annual fan event at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, where Imagineers pulled back the curtain on a wide range of updates coming to Walt Disney World. And while there were some exciting teases for things like a new Walt Disney animatronic and movie previews, the real moment came during the “Beyond the Spires” panel.
That’s when Imagineers Ali Rubinstein and Colleen Meyers stepped on stage to talk castles — specifically, Cinderella Castle’s next chapter. And according to the duo (and a now-viral video clip from Drew Smith), the castle’s current look is being swapped out for something far more timeless.
“We’re gonna put together our most classic castle ever,” Rubinstein shared during the latest episode of We Call It Imagineering — Disney’s ongoing behind-the-scenes video series.
Walt Disney Imagineers Ali Rubinstein and Colleen Meyers discuss Cinderella Castle’s new color palette in the latest episode of We Call It Imagineering:
“We’re gonna put together our most classic castle ever.” pic.twitter.com/U0olnCmhLp
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) September 8, 2025
Let’s break it down.
From “EARidescent” to Elegant: Why the Castle Is Changing Again
Back in 2021, Walt Disney World celebrated its 50th anniversary with a major park-wide makeover. New decor, specialty treats, fancy name tags — and yes, a castle glow-up that took the original gray-and-blue design and turned it into something straight out of a royal fantasy.
Gone were the soft pastels and cool stone. In came bright pink hues, a deep royal blue rooftop, and bold gold accents that turned heads and inspired plenty of social media photoshoots. It was flashy, dramatic, and perfect for a party.
But ever since the celebration ended, the chatter hasn’t stopped. Fans have been begging Disney to bring back the original Cinderella Castle look — you know, the one that debuted when Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, with softer blues, muted grays, and understated elegance.
Apparently, Disney was listening.
✨JUST ANNOUNCED✨ Cinderella Castle at @WaltDisneyWorld is getting a new color palette inspired by the classic and original look of the castle https://t.co/cTAfEIuoho pic.twitter.com/z4Z24iCTBX
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) August 31, 2025
The New (Old) Look: What to Expect
The new color scheme won’t be totally identical to opening day, but it’s close. Here’s what Disney shared so far:
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The castle will feature grays, creams, and soft blues instead of the vibrant rose and cobalt.
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Expect touches of gold, but way less metallic shine than what we’ve seen the last few years.
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According to Disney, the goal is to enhance the architecture of the castle — not cover it up with color.
That last point is key. Imagineers emphasized that this update is about honoring the castle’s details — making the structure feel more classic and timeless rather than trendy.
In short, this is the elegant, fairytale castle we grew up with… not the party-ready, jewel-toned centerpiece of a limited-time anniversary event.
Will the Castle Be Closed During the Transformation?
Good news for parkgoers: so far, there’s no word of any major closures or show cancellations during the castle’s upcoming refresh.
Disney hasn’t announced exact dates for when painting will begin, but fans and media outlets (like Inside the Magic) have spotted a new construction permit filed for Cinderella Castle, which likely points to the project getting underway soon.
If history is any guide, this kind of work usually happens in phases. That means you’ll probably see scaffolding and barriers here and there, especially during overnight hours, but Magic Kingdom will still operate as normal.
Still, if Cinderella Castle is your go-to photo spot or proposal location, you might want to get your perfect shot beforethe transformation officially kicks off.
Part of a Bigger Throwback Trend?
The castle makeover wasn’t the only nostalgia-packed announcement at Destination D23. Disney also revealed that Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress — another opening-day attraction — is getting a long-awaited update. And yes, it’s getting its own Walt Disney animatronic, similar to the one featured at Disneyland’s “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” exhibit.
When you zoom out a little, it’s clear Disney is leaning into something deeper here: a return to its roots. Whether it’s storytelling, park design, or even snack offerings (have you seen how many retro treats are back lately?), the vibe is clear: Disney is going back to basics.
And honestly? That’s a smart move.
So, When Can We See It?
The big reveal date for the new castle look hasn’t been announced yet. Disney says details about the timeline and process are still being finalized, so guests should keep an eye on official channels for more updates in the coming months.
In the meantime, if you’re visiting Walt Disney World soon, enjoy the current version while you still can. It won’t be around much longer — and when the paint starts to roll, we’ll be ready.
Cinderella Castle is the symbol of Walt Disney World. Whether you’re a first-timer or a lifelong Annual Passholder, it’s the centerpiece of every trip — the thing you see first and remember forever.
So when it changes, it’s a big deal.
This next chapter for the castle might not be as bold or flashy as the 50th anniversary version, but that’s kind of the point. Disney’s not just repainting a building — it’s reconnecting with its own legacy.
And if you ask us? A touch of nostalgia never looked so good.
