Walt Disney World’s Cinderella castle will soon look a little different. Inspired by a variety of different real life castles around the world, the fairy tale home of Cinderella has been one of Disney World’s most distinguishing characteristics since 1971.
The iconic castle is also the centerpiece of the Disney logo, making it arguably one of the most recognizable corporate symbols on the planet. Even those who don’t know the castle by name associate it with Disney, and at 183 feet tall, it is more than 100 feet taller than Sleeping Beauty castle, which is found at Disneyland in California. Over the years there have been numerous films and characters that have gained a wider fanbase than Cinderella has, yet the eponymous Disney character and her rags to riches tale has remained a pop-culture sensation ever since it was made into an animated feature film back in 1950. Today the film has forever cemented itself as an essential part of cinema, thanks to its use of the onscreen makeover – a technique still used today to emphasize a character’s transformation from geek to chic. And with 2020 having the distinction of marking the 70th anniversary of Cinderella’s release, Disney has decided that something special needs to be done to mark the occasion.
This being Cinderella, Disney understands the character’s substantial importance to their brand. Seventy years is a very long time for a character to still hold relevance in the eyes of the public and to celebrate this feat, Cinderella’s castle at Walt Disney World, Florida is undergoing its own makeover. The new look won’t be a drastic change, however, but will keep things tasteful and appealing, without altering the internationally recognizable structure of the castle. You can check out the first image of the transformed castle’s concept art below, thanks to Disney Parks Blog.
As can be seen in the image, the makeover will transform the structure’s colors to a light shade of pink with royal blue and just the right amounts of gold trim. Work on the makeover is set to begin very soon and will continue throughout the busy summer season. Those planning a visit to Disney World during this time need not worry about missing out on any of the live entertainment that takes place in front of the beloved castle, however. Performances of both Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire and Happily Ever After will continue throughout the summer, ensuring that while the castle gets ready for its big reveal, the work still won’t stand in the way of guests’ enjoyment.
For die-hard Disney fans, Cinderella’s castle is one of the most essential elements of all that is Disney. It’s great to see the famed amusement park honoring such an integral part of its history, especially since the 2015 live-action remake of the animated film didn’t quite reach the same heights of other, more recent Disney live-action adaptations. Nonetheless, this is one makeover that is sure to make an impression on visitors of all ages to the most visited vacation resort in the world.
Source: Disney Parks Blog