Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Underway at Magic Kingdom

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Friday May 15, 2026 6:59am ET · "Cinderella Castle"
Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Underway at Magic Kingdom
Crews are now refinishing the rockwork at Cinderella Castle's base, with the moat drained dry to allow access. Paint containers, sprayers, and tools fill a workbench set up in the moat area.

Gallery / 6 Photos
Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress

Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress

With the Cinderella Castle repainting complete, crews have moved on to refinishing the rockwork at the base of the structure.

Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Photo: WDWMAGICCinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress

Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Photo: WDWMAGICCinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress

The moat remains dry to allow access to the rock formations that sit around the castle's base. You can see workers and equipment positioned throughout the moat area as the refinishing work progresses.

Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Photo: WDWMAGICCinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress

Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Photo: WDWMAGICCinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress

A workbench set up in the drained moat holds a large number of paint containers, sprayers, and tools in multiple colors, giving you an idea of how much work goes into recreating the natural look of the rock surfaces. 

Cinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress
Photo: WDWMAGICCinderella Castle Rockwork Refinishing Progress

Conversation

Discuss on the Forums
View all comments →

HMFJul 15, 2026

Apparently not from what my understanding is. Thankfully, they ultimately decided not to do it.

RainemanJul 15, 2026

Were they planning on putting this castle in Tomorrowland? Yikes.

BocabearJul 07, 2026

I can understand the thought of why they were looking at alternitives...but like you, I am very glad they decided to go for the Fairytale look...but on steroids. That is really the most beautiful of the Disney parks...

owlsandcoffeeJul 07, 2026

See I actually love this but it would've ended up looking tacky I think. The castle as it ended up looks gorgeous. But this is most certainly appealing to a different nostalgia more in line with the Belle Epoque and such. France has different cultural associations than we do here in the states. They also have ... actual castles so I can see why WED was considering alternatives.

BocabearJul 07, 2026

I like the castle as it is, but the previous version would have been richer... more of a historic looking structure with an implied history than the fantasy structure we have now... I am happy with what they built... the discarded plan would certainly have been even more beautiful. Nice to see it... The different concepts they originally had for Disneyland Paris (Euro-Disney) were kind of shockingly off-model. I am very glad they went to a Sleeping Beauty Castle instead of the stranger ideas they were coming up with....

BrianJul 07, 2026

Maybe I'm biased by what came to be, but I prefer the castle as is. I've never looked at it and thought that it's missing something. This concept seems like it would be too "busy." My eyes don't know where to look. In a lesser, but similar way as Hong Kong Disneyland's atrocity of a castle.

Animaniac93-98Jul 07, 2026

From a presentation by former Imagineer Tom Morris, the original Cinderella Castle plan from 1967 before it was revised for budgetary reasons. Note the chapel on the East side along with other embellishments throughout. Full video (with other unused MK concepts) here:

MickeyMania26Jun 26, 2026

Just like with Thunder Mountain, missed opportunity, to showcase that or the castle on the cover, I don't get them.

DCBakerJun 26, 2026

Here's a look at the new Magic Kingdom Guide Map with updated Cinderella Castle colors: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55357443182_0d1c078cf9_o.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55358538323_b187a61b06_o.jpg

owlsandcoffeeJun 22, 2026

I do remember fun and whimsy. But that was also the transition out of the Paul Pressler days... it was a time of rides being out of operation, large swaths of the park underutilized, and cheaping out whenever possible. I did like getting signatures from the walkaround characters. I still have my book of them.

MisterPenguinJun 19, 2026

It's marketing. A good and cheap way to do marketing. It highlights the talent of the artists and Imagineers. It gives theme park nerds chills. It reminds everyone of the recent work that's been done or is in progress (remember how we have forumites here who freak out when there's no updates?... well here are your updates). And most importantly, it highlights that Good ol' Josh has heard that we hate the salmon and so, did something about it. Disney's C-suite loves us!!!

HauntedPirateJun 19, 2026

The video on 'The American Adventure'? Give me videos like that.

danlb_2000Jun 19, 2026

I love stuff like this, I wish they would do more of it.

JD80Jun 19, 2026

Yeah I love videos like this.
View all comments →

Latest Photo Galleries
More photos →

Indiana Jones Temple Facade — Aerial Construction Photos August 4 2026

Indiana Jones Temple Facade — Aerial Construction Photos August 4 2026

1 day ago5 photos
Scat Cats Club

Scat Cats Club

1 day ago14 photos
Fall Flavors: New Snacks and Drinks Around Walt Disney World

Fall Flavors: New Snacks and Drinks Around Walt Disney World

2 days ago19 photos
Lightning McQueen and the Cars-Themed Safety Car

Lightning McQueen and the Cars-Themed Safety Car

2 days ago4 photos

Most Read
More news →

1EPCOT's Coral Reef Restaurant Reopens November 2026
20 hours ago

2Indiana Jones Temple Facade Shows Dramatic Progress — Painted Mayan Pyramid Sections Revealed
1 day ago

3Last Weekend to Visit Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Before Its Seasonal Closure
1 day ago

4Slinky Dog Dash Open Again at Disney's Hollywood Studios, But For How Long
1 day ago

 FOLLOW
 WDWMAGIC

Advertising

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Change Cookie Consent

Affiliate Policy

 INFO

Attractions

Calendar

Dining

Events

Recreation

Refurbishments

Resorts

Shopping

Transportation

Trip Planning

 FORUMS

Register

Help

 NEWS

Guides

Photos

Video

 SEARCH
 WDWMAGIC App
WDWMAGIC.COM is an unoffical Walt Disney World fan site and is in no way part of The Walt Disney Company. Some parts Copyright © The Walt Disney Co.
No parts of this site are to be reproduced without permission.
MADE IN ENGLAND.