Something Important is Missing from Cinderella Castle in Disney World

If you have a trip to Walt Disney World coming up, manage your expectations. The change to Cinderella Castle might be disappointing if you go in unprepared.

Disney 100 Years of Wonder

Disney 100 Years of Wonder will be the largest cross-company global celebration in the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company. Disney Parks around the world will celebrate the 100th anniversary, with the heart of the celebration at Disneyland Resort.

Already we are starting to see touches of Disney 100 Years of Wonder decor popping up all at the Magic Kingdom. You can see the changes that have taken shape at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom right here!

Changes at Cinderella Castle

It wasn’t long ago that Disney filed a work permit to change Cinderella Castle. You can read the full story here. This was bound to happen as the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary came to an end. And, change is already underway!

For example, the 50th Anniversary medallion that graced the castle has been replaced. The clock has reappeared. And, it looks like the work will continue.

A Disappointing Development

It is inevitable that there will be a bit of a transition period as the work required to transform Cinderella Castle takes place. Unfortunately, it will take a little more than a wave of the Fairy Godmother’s Wand. And, the road to completion may not be a completely pleasant one.

Several days ago, Walt Disney World began draining the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle, presumably in preparation for work. Now, the moat stands completely drained and nearly dry. There is also some scaffolding in the moat.

This might not matter to everyone; however, it may be a bit of a disappointment for visitors hoping to capture a magical photograph in front of the castle or perhaps a shot of the glorious Magic Kingdom icon all by itself. After all, it looks beautiful with its reflection in the water.

But, don’t worry! There are plenty of other beautiful shots you can grab. Just be aware that if you are visiting Walt Disney World soon, you might want to be sure to get those once-in-a-lifetime Cinderella Castle photos from angles that don’t display the dried-up moat.

The moat surrounding Cinderella Castle has been drained.

How Long Will This Last?

So far, there is no official projected timeline for when the moat might be refilled. When the 50th decorations were installed on the castle, the moat was drained for a few months. While this is not necessarily predictive of how long the current castle transformation will take, it does mean that we might have a wait ahead of us.

Hopefully, that wait will not be as long as it was the last time. One thing is for sure, it will be exciting to see Cinderella Castle when the transformation is complete! If you want the latest clue as to what the final version will be like, head over here.

Do you know someone who has a trip to Walt Disney World coming up? Be sure to pass this information along so that they can manage their expectations. Also, feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments.