13 photos show how Disney World's Cinderella Castle has changed throughout the years

Amanda KrauseMay 13, 2020, 20:30 IST

A view of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom in 2019.Disney Parks

Since Disney World opened in 1971, Cinderella Castle has become a landmark of the Orlando, Florida, theme park.
Though its always maintained its regal structure, the landmark has changed quite a bit over the years.
In 1996, for example, the castle temporarily resembled a pink birthday cake.
And starting in 2007, Disney World began to celebrate winter holidays by decorating the castle with thousands of sparkling lights.
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Nothing says you've arrived at Disney World quite like seeing Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom.

Since the theme park first opened in 1971, the iconic landmark has welcomed both longtime parkgoers and first-time guests. However, it hasn't always looked exactly the way it does in pictures.

From a pink birthday overlay to new lighting features, here's how Cinderella Castle has changed over the years.

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In April, Disney World shined blue lights on Cinderella Castle in honor of healthcare workers.

Parkgoers surround a blue Cinderella Castle on April 7, World Health Day. Orlando Sentinel/Getty Images

Disney had made tons of progress on the renovations, though they had to halt work on the castle in March due to coronavirus restrictions.

A view of Cinderella Castle during renovations on March 12. Orlando Sentinel/Getty Images

Soon, however, Cinderella Castle will look very different.

The new-and-improved castle will likely be complete before the start of 2021. Disney Parks

As of last year, Cinderella Castle looked a lot like it did when Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.

A view of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom in 2019. Disney Parks

In 2011, Disney World introduced a nighttime show that saw Cinderella Castle covered in projections.

A view of "The Magic, The Memories, and You!" on November 9, 2011. Handout/Getty Images

Cinderella Castle is often decorated for the annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.

The Jonas Brothers perform in front of Cinderella Castle on December 6, 2009. Handout/Getty Images

For the first time in 2007, Disney draped twinkling lights over Cinderella Castle.

A view of Cinderella Castle covered in lights on November 5, 2017. Handout/Getty Images

One of the most surprising castle changes happened in 2005, when Disney World introduced Stitch's Great Escape.

Cinderella Castle was temporarily "vandalized" by Stitch in 2005. Hilary White

The castle was decorated again in 2005 as part of a worldwide Disney celebration.

Parkgoers celebrate Disneyland's 50th anniversary on May 5, 2005. Robert Sullivan/Getty Images

In 1996, however, Disney covered the landmark with a pink birthday-cake overlay to celebrate the park's 25th anniversary.

Cinderella Castle remained pink for more than a year. Chris O'meara/AP

The castle maintained its iconic appearance in 1995, more than two decades after the park first opened.

A view of Cinderella Castle in Orlando, Florida, on April 28, 1995. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images

By opening day, Disney imagineers had created a building actually worthy of a princess.

People walk around Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, on September 22, 1972. Charles Bennett/AP

Cinderella Castle was constructed over the course of 18 months in 1970.

Magic Kingdom was practically barren during construction in 1970. Disney Parks/YouTube

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