Disney has officially confirmed that the long-anticipated repainting of Cinderella Castle will begin in January 2026, with the project expected to continue through to late 2026.
The refurbishment was first announced back in August, but we now have clarity on timing and what guests can expect once work gets underway at Magic Kingdom Park.
What will happen during the repainting?
Work will begin with the draining of the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle, allowing crews to prepare the structure for painting. Once the project is in progress, cranes will be used during overnight and early morning hours, but Disney has confirmed they will be lowered and out of sight by midday to minimise the visual impact for guests visiting the park.
The full repainting is scheduled to be completed later this year
A return to classic colours
When finished, Cinderella Castle will once again feature its classic grey, cream, blue, and gold colour palette, closely matching the look longtime fans will remember from before the 50th anniversary celebration.
The castle was last fully repainted in 2020 as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, adopting brighter pink and royal blue tones along with enhanced gold detailing on the spires and turrets. While the gold accents were later removed after the anniversary festivities ended, the bolder colour scheme remained and received mixed reactions from guests.
This upcoming repainting marks a clear shift back to the more traditional appearance many fans have been hoping for.
Are you happy to see Cinderella Castle returning to its original colours, or did you prefer the 50th anniversary look?