Good morning from Magic Kingdom, where the Cinderella Castle repainting project continues. Today was the day that many fans, us included, had circled on the calendar as the date where the project would conclude. The thought was that the return of the normal entertainment schedule signaled that the moat would be refilled and work would be complete. That’s not the case. Here’s a look at the current state of the project, including some temporary lighting elements.
Cinderella Castle Repainting Project Continues at Magic Kingdom
While there doesn’t appear to be any new paint on the Castle itself, the moat remains drained this morning, with equipment and scaffolding in the basin and surrounding rocks.
Current Status: What Guests Will See Today
Cinderella Castle itself looks great. The classic grey and blue color scheme is restored, and guests taking photos from the hub and along Main Street, U.S.A. should have clear sightlines without cranes or major construction equipment in the frame.
However, a few things are still ongoing:
- The moat remains completely drained
- Equipment and scaffolding are still visible in the moat basin and surrounding rocks
- New temporary lighting rigs have been installed in the hub and along the walkways leading up to the castle, likely unrelated to the repainting
- The walkways on either side of the castle are blocked by shrubs
The lighting rigs are a new addition, though it is unclear exactly what they are for. They are likely temporary and should not be around for long.
The refilling of the moat will be the clearest signal that the project is truly complete.
Here’s a look at Cinderella Castle and the surrounding areas from our visit to Magic Kingdom today.
Why Today Was Expected to Be the Finish Line
The Cinderella Castle repainting project has had a closely watched connection to Magic Kingdom’s entertainment schedule from the very beginning.
When work began back in late January 2026, Disney shifted the entertainment schedule so that Mickey and friends were not performing in front of the castle while cranes and crews worked behind them. That scheduling change became one of the most reliable indicators, we thought, of where the repainting project stood.
When the entertainment showtimes shifted again in April, it signaled to many that the project was nearly complete, and today became a widely anticipated finish date. The entertainment schedule has indeed returned to normal this morning, but the construction work has not fully wrapped up. Today was a near miss, not the finish line.
How the Repainting Project Unfolded
The Announcement
Disney revealed the new paint scheme at the August 2025 Destination D23 Expo, a Walt Disney World-focused fan event. The plan was to bring back the classic look that had been beloved for decades.
A quick note on the history: the rose pink color that many guests grew up with was not actually introduced for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration. It was first announced in February 2020 as a “Royal Makeover” tied to the 70th anniversary of the animated Cinderella film. A March 2023 announcement confirmed the pink would remain beyond the 50th celebration, making the return to the classic grey all the more welcome for longtime fans.
Work Begins: January 2026
Crews kicked off the project in late January 2026. Disney committed to keeping the visual impact on guests minimal, with cranes lowered out of sight by noon each day so that afternoon and evening photos remained unobstructed.
Continued Progress: February 2026
By mid-February, the first signs of the new paint were visible from the front of the castle, with hints of grey appearing along Main Street, U.S.A., and the golden entrance freshly repainted. Progress moved quickly from there.
Body Nearly Complete: March 2026
By early March, crews had nearly eliminated all of the pink paint, with workers pushing to restore the classic grey tone across the castle walls.
Rooftops Repainted: April 2026
By early April, the Cinderella Castle rooftops were nearly all repainted in dark blue, with final work focused on detailed painting across select rooftops and the forecourt turrets.
One interesting detail from the painting process: Disney used a high-performance paint typically used in automotive applications to cover hard-to-reach areas like the rooftops. Subtle differences in sheen played an important role in the finished look, with stone surfaces painted at a lower sheen to appear natural, while rooftops and gold accents were finished at a higher gloss. Gold paint was applied strategically around the spires to catch the last light of the setting sun.
No More Pink: Late April 2026
The last section of rose pink paint was removed in April, officially ending the pink era for Cinderella Castle. Shortly after, the high-reach cranes were pulled from the moat as the project appeared to be nearing its final phase.
What Still Needs to Happen
The repainting itself is complete. What remains is the cleanup and restoration of the moat area, including:
- Finishing the rock work within the drained moat
- Removing remaining scaffolding and equipment
- Refilling the moat
Once the moat is refilled, the project will be effectively done. Photos from the front of the castle are already looking great, and guests should not encounter any cranes or large construction equipment during their visit.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!