Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World

Cinderella's Castle is arguably the most iconic landmark at Walt Disney World. Standing at the center of the Magic Kingdom, it's hard to imagine the park without this majestic structure. But have you ever wondered about the history of Cinderella's Castle? How did it come to be and what went into creating this beloved icon? 

Walt Disney's Dream

To understand the history of Cinderella's Castle, we have to go back to the beginning of Walt Disney's dream. Walt always wanted to create a place where families could go to escape the realities of the world and immerse themselves in a magical experience. He dreamed of a park where people could ride attractions, see shows, and meet their favorite Disney characters. Walt's vision for this park included a grand castle at the center, inspired by the fairy tales that had captivated him since childhood. Walt believed that a castle would be the perfect symbol of the magic and fantasy that he wanted to create in his park. 

The First Castles

Construction on Cinderella's Castle began in the late 1960s, as Walt Disney World was taking shape in Florida. The castle was designed by Herbert Ryman, an artist and Disney Legend who had previously worked on the concept art for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

Ryman's initial designs were based on the castles that had inspired Walt Disney as a child, including the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and the Castle of Chinon in France. The castle was also influenced by the illustrations in the original Cinderella storybook, which featured a grand palace with a soaring tower. 

As construction on the castle began, it quickly became apparent that the initial designs were too small to make the impact that Walt had envisioned. So, the design was scaled up to create the impressive structure that we know today.

Building the Castle

Constructing a castle as large and complex as Cinderella's Castle was no easy feat. The castle is over 189 feet tall and is made up of over 600 tons of steel and concrete. It took a team of over 600 workers to construct the castle, and the project took over 18 months to complete.

One of the most impressive features of the castle is the mosaic that adorns the walls of the castle's entrance. The mosaic tells the story of Cinderella in intricate detail, and it was created by a team of Italian artisans who spent over two years creating the artwork. 

Another impressive feature of the castle is the stained glass windows that adorn the upper floors. The windows were created by a team of artisans in France and feature scenes from the Cinderella story.

The castle was finally completed in 1971, just in time for the opening of Walt Disney World. At the time, Cinderella's castle was the tallest structure in Florida, and it quickly became a beloved symbol of the park.

Expanding the Castle

Over the years, the castle has undergone several renovations and expansions. In the early 1990s, the castle was transformed into a stage for the nighttime spectacular, "The Magic, the Memories, and You!" The show featured projections and special effects that brought the castle to life, transforming it into a canvas for Disney's most beloved characters and stories.

In 2005, the castle underwent another major renovation, as the upper floors were expanded to create a suite fit for a princess. The suite was designed as a private retreat for special guests an was decorated with luxurious furnishings and whimsical details that pay tribute to the Cinderella story.

Experience the Castle Today

Bring even the smallest members of your family into the fun and enchantment of Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World with this free coloring page. Other ways that you can incorporate the magic of Disney and Cinderella's Castle can include designing your own castle, researching castles, building an edible castle, and more!

Thinking about seeing the castle for yourself? Reach out today for a free quote!