In time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, the resort’s most recognizable symbol is getting an update. 

As announced on the Disney Parks Blog, Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom will be receiving some aesthetic enhancements, including repainting the turrets a darker shade of blue and adding golden accents throughout the castle. 

“Cinderella first transformed into a princess 70 years ago this week when the animated classic was released—and ever since, her courage and kindness have been inspiring guests and cast members alike,” Jason Kirk, Magic Kingdom’s vice president, wrote on the Disney Parks Blog. “We are excited to share that her story has inspired a bold, shimmering and royal makeover of her namesake castle at the heart of Walt Disney World Resort.”

Comparing the current Cinderella Castle (left) and concept art for its slight makeover (right) (Disney)

The new touches will be added through the summer. According to Kirk’s post, work on the castle enhancements will not interfere with the nightly “Happily Ever After” fireworks or the “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” stage show. 

It’s not the first Cinderella Castle has been altered since it debuted as the icon of Magic Kingdom in 1971. The 189-foot-tall castle was infamously transformed into a giant birthday cake for Disney World’s 25th anniversary and covered in toilet paper in November 2004 to mark the opening of the Stitch’s Great Escape attraction. 

Cinderella Castle during the Happiest Celebration on Earth (Wikimedia Commons)

From May 2005 to September 2006, the castle was decorated for the company’s Happiest Celebration on Earth promotion, which commemorated 50 years of Disney theme parks. This redesign also featured plenty of gold trim accents, though to a greater degree than the current concept art.

Unlike past redecoration projects, this one is expected to be permanent, lasting past Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration that begins in 2021. Disney’s original castle, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, received its own permanent makeover that relied on darker blue turrets and gold trim in 2019. 

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