Overview
- Disney confirmed the repainting finished when the castle moat was fully refilled on June 4, 2026, marking practical completion and returning the landmark to a deeper blue, gray and gold scheme inspired by its 1971 look.
- The company published extended behind‑the‑scenes coverage on June 18, including a nearly 30‑minute Disney Unscripted episode and a Parks Blog feature that document the project’s timeline and technical details.
- Crews drained the moat, built temporary dams, craned seven boom lifts into the basin, and worked from harnesses up to about 150 feet to repaint trim, walls and rooftops while also repairing corroded roof fasteners.
- Teams used 3D previsualization and color‑calibration work so the castle’s nighttime projection shows would read correctly against the new paint, and cold weather forced several painting delays during the months‑long job.
- Multiple Walt Disney World groups led the effort—Imagineering, Facility Asset Management, Live Entertainment, Project Development, Operations and PhotoPass—and operations kept cranes out of guest sightlines by midday so visitors could still take photos.