Castles are an important part of the Disneyland-style theme parks, with the first being Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in 1955. 16 years later in 1971, Cinderella Castle would open at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. It would be replicated for Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. The next Disney castle, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, opened in 1992 at then-Euro Disney Resort (now Disneyland Paris).
In 2005, Sleeping Beauty Castle (now the Castle of Magical Dreams) opened at Hong Kong Disneyland. This was followed by the sixth Disney castle, the Enchanted Storybook Castle at Shanghai Disneyland in 2016.
Over the years, Disney castles have changed their look or have received overlays for the holiday season and other special anniversary milestones.
During the “Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles” panel at Destination D23, Imagineers looked back at the various overlays and color schemes for Cinderella Castle over the years. Imagineers also shared a rendering for the new Cinderella Castle color palette, which is inspired by the classic and original look of the castle.
The updated paint will feature grays, creams, blues, and touches of gold aiming to enhance the castle’s architecture. While the project team is still putting the finishing touches on the paint design process, we wanted to share the incredible amount of research and care that goes into this project.
Around the globe, there are six Disney “Castle parks,” where the castles serve as the heart of the parks —the landmarks that draw guests in, the backdrop of cherished family photos, and the icons that represent the magic of Disney around the world. 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.
No matter the season or the perspective, Cinderella Castle is designed to be picture-perfect, much of which can be attributed to the paint and themed finishes. Because of that, the paint we use has to undergo accelerated UV and weather testing, simulating years of sun exposure. This rigorous process ensures that the castle’s colors stay vivid for years to come.
For hard-to-reach locations, such as the roofs, Disney uses high-performance paint that is actually used for cars! The paint is durable and long-lasting, reducing the need for touch-ups.
Sheen also plays an important role. Subtle variations help the castle feel more lifelike: stones are finished with a lower sheen to appear natural, while rooftops and gold accents shine with higher gloss, giving them a decorative sparkle. Gold is used strategically around the spires, to catch the last reflections of sunlight.
No date as to when the change to Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom will be made. Stay tuned to Daps Magic for more information as it becomes available.
What do you think of the changes coming to Cinderella Castle? What has been your favorite Castle look? Let us know in the comments.
