First Look: Newly Repainted Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World has shared a few photos of the newly repainted Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. The photos, shared via their social media, noted that this was an “updated look at the almost complete Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom.”

As you likely know, Cinderella Castle has long served not only as Magic Kingdom’s park icon, but also as that of Walt Disney World. The latest transformation marks a return to something that most of us would consider familiar. After months of work, the nearly completed look is stunning. The color palette feels refined and elegant. Might I say, it’s celebratory in a way that’s not pink? 

The updated design replaces the previous rose-toned exterior with a combination of soft grays, layered blues, and warm creams, all accented with gold. The result is a castle that reflects light differently throughout the day. In the morning, the tones appear subdued until the light hits the castle in just the right way. By early evening, the gold accents begin to shine, drawing attention to the spires and more intricate details.

You may remember that the castle repaint project was first announced in August of 2025 at the Destination D23 event. The announcement was well received. After the holiday season wrapped up, work began on the repaint in late January of 2026. Some cranes were visible during early morning hours, but for the most part, they were well hidden out of sight. On our visits during this time, we felt that the project came off as almost unnoticeable, even though such a big undertaking was literally taking place 

Of course, the repaint was not necessarily a quick refresh, with work taking approximately 4-5 months to complete. Prep work, like draining the moat that surrounds the castle, had to be completed before any of the actual painting began. There were a few other changes that took place, such as a reduced schedule for Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. One permanent change was the loss of the Let the Magic Begin welcome show, that’s been entirely removed from the park’s schedule.

I believe that the castle now has a much more balanced look with a tone that’s friendly and welcoming to all. As far as the former pink, it was introduced when the park opened back up to the public for the first time after the COVID-19 shutdown. We were there, and for some time, the pink color was shocking to see. Then, about a year or so later, the castle underwent an even more extensive change as decorations were added for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, which lasted almost two years.

Thankfully, this new update doesn’t introduce any major style or design change to the castle. Instead, Cinderella Castle has a restored look that is in alignment with the original version. We personally couldn’t be more pleased.

As always, Cinderella Castle remains one of the most photographed icons in the world. The castle is also the backdrop for stage shows, family photos, and nighttime entertainment. So don’t forget to take a few new pictures on your next visit.

This is one of many recent updates for the parks this year. For more details, see our overview of What’s Coming to Disney World in 2026.

In the Comments

What do you think of this first look at the newly repainted Cinderella Castle? Do you love it? Let us know below in the comments.