Magic Kingdom has a way of keeping fans talking, especially when something unexpected pops up—or disappears. And that’s exactly what happened when Disney released its full 2026 calendar.
Guests were eager to see when two of the most anticipated updates in the park’s future would take place: the long-awaited repainting of Cinderella Castle and the major transformation planned for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. Instead, both were absent. Completely.
For projects that were front and center during Destination D23, their sudden disappearance from the schedule has sparked plenty of curiosity. Fans know these upgrades are coming, but now everyone’s left wondering when the work will actually begin.
A Castle Refresh That’s Ready to Begin… But When?
Cinderella Castle is due for a fresh color palette inspired by its classic, original appearance. Imagineers have already unveiled the rendering, showcasing elegant grays, creams, blues, and hints of gold—tones meant to bring back the castle’s timeless look after years of the pink 50th-anniversary scheme.
The work is happening. That much is clear. The only missing piece is the timeline. And while Disney hasn’t offered a specific reason for omitting the repaint from the 2026 lineup, it’s not hard to see where the hesitation may come from. Painting the castle is a large-scale undertaking involving cranes, staging, and visual disruption right at the heart of the park.
And Disney definitely wouldn’t want scaffolding wrapped around the castle during the 2026 holiday season, the time of year when guests flood Main Street, U.S.A. for their most memorable photos. So if the repaint is starting in 2026 at all, it almost certainly won’t begin late in the year.
Tomorrowland’s Classic Attraction Awaits Its Biggest Update in Decades
The missing Carousel of Progress timeline is just as surprising. Disney announced that this iconic Tomorrowland show will receive a brand-new pre-show featuring a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic—an emotional and meaningful addition that honors the attraction’s roots. The final scene is also being reimagined to better reflect the present and near future, making this the most substantial update the attraction has seen in 30 years.
But despite the excitement surrounding that announcement, the official 2026 slate doesn’t mention it at all. No closure date. No completion date. Nothing.
What the Omission Really Suggests
Disney doesn’t typically forget to list major updates. When something isn’t on the calendar, that silence usually means the timeline is flexible—or still in flux. It’s entirely possible that both projects will begin sometime in 2026, but won’t be finished until 2027. That aligns with how Disney often handles multi-phase refurbishments that require careful pacing around holidays and peak seasons.
For now, fans are simply watching and guessing. But one thing is clear: these upgrades aren’t canceled. The castle repaint and Carousel overhaul were announced with confidence and enthusiasm, and both were presented as key updates to Magic Kingdom’s future. Their absence from the 2026 list just adds a new layer of mystery.
And honestly? That mystery is only making people more eager to see how—and when—these transformations finally unfold.
