News PHOTOS - Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom to receive enhancements this summer

[Samantha?]

Darn it, you're right. I guess I had conflated the idea that more things potentially being added for WDW's 50th to mean this entire paint scheme is temporary. But looking back, apart from some chatter that the gold accents on the stone pieces would only be for the 50th, that doesn't seem to be the case. If the pink is indeed the permanent look going forward, then my dislike only increases.

I'm sorry, but I do not think this looks attractive (pic from the Laughing Place tweet). The contrast between the blue and pink is jarring, and the overall color treatment of the pink, at this stage, is way too close to the spires of Big Thunder Mountain in the background.

Yes! And this! Focal points are Design 101.

If Cinderella's castle in WDW isn't supposed to be a focal point, then I don't know what is. In this pic your eye travels over to... Big Thunder?

We expect Disney to employ the best, not someone who would have had a solid C average in art class.

The contrast within colors on the castle itself is jarring rn too, agreed.

 

[gmajew]

I was not a fan when I saw the first pictures as the progress continues it is growing on me.... Like I said originally we need to wait until it is done before we judge.... Do I love it no but it is also so different then what I am use to and as my wife tells me it takes me time to like stuff.

 

[Father Robinson]

I don't mind it and will be happy to judge it in person and when it is actually finished. And also, the new Disneyland castle is STUNNING and beautifully done. The heat for it is pretty bonkers to me.

The Disneyland castle (imo) can get away with it a little more merely because of its height. At 77 feet, shorter than the Great Movie Ride building, the pink look is far more subtle and charming. Our castle in FL is over 100 feet taller so the look is far more exaggerated. Also this isn't anything like hints of pink and gold, this full-on, in your face pink. And I don't think they really understand the value of subtlety. Less sometimes really is more. Imagine for a moment if you will that one day the powers that be decided, "we're going to give the statue of liberty a makeover for her 200th anniversary..we're going to paint her gold with silver accents." I don't think I need to go into his much uproar there would be, and to a certain extent, our complete dislike for this idea and so far, the look is completely justifiable. They've taken a completely iconic structure, the most photographed thing on the planet, and completely changed her look. There really can't be much surprise for backlash over a radical change like that.

 

[Father Robinson]

Darn it, you're right. I guess I had conflated the idea that more things potentially being added for WDW's 50th to mean this entire paint scheme is temporary. But looking back, apart from some chatter that the gold accents on the stone pieces would only be for the 50th, that doesn't seem to be the case. If the pink is indeed the permanent look going forward, then my dislike only increases.

I'm sorry, but I do not think this looks attractive (pic from the Laughing Place tweet). The contrast between the blue and pink is jarring, and the overall color treatment of the pink, at this stage, is way too close to the spires of Big Thunder Mountain in the background.

Whoever thought of this has way too much power in the Disney company.

 

[616.1314]

I’m glad an anonymous internet person is here to let us all know that the colors they chose are wrong and that everything is wrong. I was close to thinking it was ok and maybe hold judgment till I see it in person, but no need for that now, as this person has informed me it’s all wrong. Saved me some thinking on my own!

Huh? That's just my opinion - and you can have yours.
I was not trying to informing you or anyone about anything.
I was just simply expressing my viewpoints - I was disappointed because Cinderella Castle has always held an important position to me so IMO the repaint "ruined" it. Doesn't mean you have to think the same.

 

[BigDlover]

In the weeks and even days leading up to Hong Kong's reopening, the new Castle of Dreams was looking pretty rough in photos. When it reopened and it was mainly finished, it looked a lot better, esp. in videos. I bet Cinderella Castle at WDW will be the same way. I have faith that they will make it beautiful when it's all done!

 

[TJJohn12]

In the weeks and even days leading up to Hong Kong's reopening, the new Castle of Dreams was looking pretty rough in photos. When it reopened and it was mainly finished, it looked a lot better, esp. in videos. I bet Cinderella Castle at WDW will be the same way. I have faith that they will make it beautiful when it's all done!

Wait - you're pointing at the giant, weird monstrosity that is the Castle of Magical Dreams to try to assuage fears? In HK they took the classic and classy Sleeping Beauty Castle then plopped a gigantic mish-mash of... stuff behind it. It still looks pretty rough, even though it looks relatively "finished."

Save a white wash across the whole of Cinderella Castle to tone down the strip mall stucco look - and the equipment doesn't look set up to do much more than finish the roof striping - then this is it.

And it's not good. Cinderella Castle's scale and scope just don't work with the brightness of this pink. The old grays and white scheme fed the detailed French accents and architectural style really well - it's a complex structure and the muted tones allowed the architectural elements themselves to shine. That's in stark relief to Sleeping Beauty Castle, which is a relatively simple structure that is significantly smaller with less adornment (thanks to Neuschwanstein). The pink color actually helps give it more depth. But this pink-gold erases many of the smaller elements of the castle from the eye - it looks flatter, more cardboard.

 

[tirian]

But that's exactly what this current version is, no?

That’s not confirmed yet. The company won’t publicly commit to whether this is a long-term paint job. But in a few years the castle will inevitably need to be repainted, and when that happens, who knows what the new scheme will be?

 

[tirian]

I figured they'd incorporate gold for their golden anniversary, but this looks cheap so far imo (which the park certainly is not). If you're wondering if the interior also includes brassy light fixtures from the 90's and a strip mall Chinese restaurant, then I'm not sure that "magic" has been achieved.

Not a fan of the pink either, it looks a little Mattel (not really a company known for their attention to craftsmanship and detail - values that Disney supposedly prides itself on), and the two together is hmm. The turrets could Maybe pull it all together, and hopefully the clashy blue isn't the final look.

I'd honestly prefer the 25th anniversary birthday cake. It was so garish it became kitschy, and therefore fun, endearing, and excusable. Right now the Magic Kingdom just looks like it should be getting an HOA complaint from it's neighboring parks.

As a temporary overlay, I didn’t hate the Castle Cake.

 

[tirian]

The Disneyland castle (imo) can get away with it a little more merely because of its height. At 77 feet, shorter than the Great Movie Ride building, the pink look is far more subtle and charming. Our castle in FL is over 100 feet taller so the look is far more exaggerated. Also this isn't anything like hints of pink and gold, this full-on, in your face pink. And I don't think they really understand the value of subtlety. Less sometimes really is more. Imagine for a moment if you will that one day the powers that be decided, "we're going to give the statue of liberty a makeover for her 200th anniversary..we're going to paint her gold with silver accents." I don't think I need to go into his much uproar there would be, and to a certain extent, our complete dislike for this idea and so far, the look is completely justifiable. They've taken a completely iconic structure, the most photographed thing on the planet, and completely changed her look. There really can't be much surprise for backlash over a radical change like that.

Quick sidebar: the Statue of Liberty was originally golden! But now her oxidized color is timeless. If you ever take the tour inside, you can still see some of the original copper. (I’ve walked up those stairs way too many times with different groups of friends.)

 

[BigDlover]

Wait - you're pointing at the giant, weird monstrosity that is the Castle of Magical Dreams to try to assuage fears? In HK they took the classic and classy Sleeping Beauty Castle then plopped a gigantic mish-mash of... stuff behind it. It still looks pretty rough, even though it looks relatively "finished."

Save a white wash across the whole of Cinderella Castle to tone down the strip mall stucco look - and the equipment doesn't look set up to do much more than finish the roof striping - then this is it.

And it's not good. Cinderella Castle's scale and scope just don't work with the brightness of this pink. The old grays and white scheme fed the detailed French accents and architectural style really well - it's a complex structure and the muted tones allowed the architectural elements themselves to shine. That's in stark relief to Sleeping Beauty Castle, which is a relatively simple structure that is significantly smaller with less adornment (thanks to Neuschwanstein). The pink color actually helps give it more depth. But this pink-gold erases many of the smaller elements of the castle from the eye - it looks flatter, more cardboard.

I was saying that we really shouldn't judge it until it's done and we see it from multiple angles and videos and ideally in person. And to each their own. Might not be your cup of tea but it might end up looking nice.

 

[MagicWDI]

That’s not confirmed yet. The company won’t publicly commit to whether this is a long-term paint job. But in a few years the castle will inevitably need to be repainted, and when that happens, who knows what the new scheme will be?

It actually has been confirmed as a "marketing gimmick" as being done as part of Cinderella's anniversary.

 

[BubbaisSleep]

I wish they kept the same colors but made them a bit more vibrant as the colors were great just really faded. There's also a certain elegance that's gone now. But it does resemble a more fantasy-like castle now.

I just googled the cartoon Cinderella's castle and I never noticed that it doesn't look much like WDW's castle anyways. These new colors don't resemble the castle from the movie at all though, at least the old one was close.

 

[Father Robinson]

Quick sidebar: the Statue of Liberty was originally golden! But now her oxidized color is timeless. If you ever take the tour inside, you can still see some of the original copper. (I’ve walked up those stairs way too many times with different groups of friends.)

Last I checked, copper is not gold in color. A brand new penny is quite easy to distinguish as copper, as a gold coin is easy to distinguish as gold.

 

[brb1006]

I think a major reason for the castle being colored pink and gold is because Disney needs to find someway to create special anniversary merchandise/promotional material featuring the castle for next year. (Similar to the castle cake being prominent during the 25th Anniversary celebration)

They already gave a glimpse at early merchandise for WDW's 50th Birthday last D23.

A closer look at the logo

Judging by these images, I'm having a feeling glitter will be a major theme for the anniversary. Similar to DL's 60th Anniversary being diamond themed.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Quick sidebar: the Statue of Liberty was originally golden! But now her oxidized color is timeless.

I can understand how people can think a shiny metal based on a hue of orange v. yellow might be the same, but, shiny unpatinaed copper is very different from gold...

 

[Rescue Ranger]

WDW has a unique castle now! Wasn't the one in Tokyo a copy?

 

[brb1006]

WDW has a unique castle now! Wasn't the one in Tokyo a copy?

Yes, I believe the Tokyo castle was smaller.

 

[TJJohn12]

Yes, I believe the Tokyo castle was smaller.

Tokyo's Cindy is 168 feet versus MK's 189 feet.

 

[tirian]

@TJJohn12 @brb1006

It’s most noticeable in side views.

Before Shanghai, the company chose to keep Cinderella Castle the tallest as a tribute to Walt’s last dream*. But when the Chinese government said it wanted the tallest castle, Iger agreed.

*yes, I know the city of EPCOT was his dream and he wasn’t particularly involved in the MK. Blah blah blah. That doesn’t change the reason the Imagineers made that decision.