My Interview with Cinderella Castle: Part II - 2025
It’s been 16 years since I’ve had a chance to touch base with the Cinderella Castle but perhaps the wait was worth it.
For this updated interview, I decided to try and talk to my old friend in similar but quiet surroundings so we arranged to conduct this interview without an audience and at Midnight in The Magic Kingdom.
MS: So old friend it’s been a long time since we have spoken.
CC: Too long Mike….too long.
MS: Well a lot has changed since 2009 and I’m sure my audience would love to hear your take on all that has happened these last 16 years.
CC: LOL…how much time do we have?
MS: I hear ya…well we probably won’t be able to touch upon everything but we’ll at least hit the big ones and also what is coming down the road.
CC: I’m all spires…erhh, ears.
MS: Well there’s a lot to cover and the best place to start is the Fantasyland expansion that took place. Let’s start with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that opened in 2014.
CC: So far, so good. I think the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a hit. Who doesn’t like a thrill ride that’s well-themed? It’s kind of short but we wanted to handle a large number of guests per hour so hence the length of the ride…but no complaints so far.
MS: A few years before the Dwarfs ride we saw the opening of Enchanted Tales with Belle which offered the guests an interactive storytelling experience where guests join Belle and Lumière for a live-action re-telling of Beauty and the Beast.
CC: You cannot go wrong with anything that involves one of our princesses meeting with guests and we think this was a home run, especially for the young princesses who visit us. I pushed hard for that attraction.
MS: In the same year Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid opened. That seems to be popular.
CC: I do think that the star of the show may be the Under the Sea attraction. It has everything you’d want in a “dark” ride, color, music, a storyline, and a pretty cool finale. Another home run.
MS: Sort of being under the radar is Princess Fairytale Hall which opened in 2013.
CC: Again, another indication of the importance of meet-and-greet opportunities for the guests. These are the moments that the guests take home with them. the goal was to consolidate the princesses in one spot.
MS: Of course we would be remiss not to mention the Be Our Guest Restaurant which opened in 2012.
CC: With the Fantasyland expansion and park capacity rising we needed another restaurant and why not theme it around a popular Disney movie?
MS: I agree. Wow there is so much to cover. I almost forgot; wasn’t there a minor refurbishment to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh?
CC: Good catch. It was right after our first interview Mike. We did a few things like upgrade some effects and throw in a few more Pooh storybook elements.
MS: Were you sad to see Mickey’s Toottown Fair go?
CC: It’s always sad to see some areas being sacrificed to make way for new things in the park. The toughest part about the removal of Mickey’s ToonTown Fair was that it also removed some character meet-and-greets. It was tough to say goodbye to Mickey and Minnie’s homes.
MS: The Storybook Circus was quite an addition.
CC: It was and we wanted to cater again to the young guests which is why we doubled the Dumbo attraction and added Goofy Barnstormer. The area with the spurting water is pretty popular in the Summer time as well so that was a win-win.
MS: I almost forgot about another change. I am talking about Mickey's PhilharMagic.
CC: Oh yes, and the update has been immensely popular. You are talking about the Coco addition I believe. Boy has that gone over well with the crowds. It definitely added a new touch to that film.
MS: A new parade surfaced. In 2014 the Festival of Fantasy Parade made its debut and it remains today.
CC: Yes that parade is a decendant of so many daytime parades. I like it because it introduced more modern floats and most of all it used current popular characters like the Frozen float with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf.
MS: Speaking of parades the new Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade made its debut this summer. Do you like it?
CC: What’s not to like? It’s a nighttime parade and we have not had on in forever. It’s colorful; it has new technology; and it’s fresh and a long awaited nighttime entertainment. Everyone should see it.
MS: There were some under the radar changes over these last few years too, weren’t there?
CC: Right and for the most part many of the guests did not realize these minor refurbs occurred. for instance, in 2009, Space Mountain went through a major refurbishment, including updated lighting, sound effects, and smoother ride mechanics. It was closed for a portion of time to install these improvements. In 2018 Pirates of the Caribbean saw an update to include Captain Jack Sparrow from the movie franchise. Additionally, the animatronic figures were updated to more closely resemble the characters from the films.
MS: I almost forgot to ask you about TRON.
CC: Yeah TRON has taken The Magic Kingdom by storm. It may very well be the most popular attraction the park these days…of course until the next new attraction opens.
Fireworks
MS: Of course the star of the Magic Kingdom at night has always been the nighttime spectaculars, the fireworks. Can you reflect back since 2009 regarding the fireworks?
CC: Sure. I guess we can start with Wishes which ran from October 2003 to May 11, 2017. I have always considered Wishes to be the most nostalgic of the nighttime spectaculars. Maybe it was hearing "When You Wish Upon a Star" that did it for me. I doo miss it. Wishes was replaced by Happily Ever After in May, 2017 and ran until September 2021. It featured a combination of fireworks, projections on yours truly, and a music mix from beloved Disney films. The show celebrated the theme of following your dreams and finding your “happily ever after.” The show ended in 2021 as part of preparations for the Disney Enchantment debut and to make way for new offerings during the 50th anniversary celebration. Disney Enchantment ran from October 2021 to April 2023 and was created for the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort and featured a mix of projections, fireworks, and music. The show highlighted Disney stories from both classic and newer films, with a focus on Disney’s themes of hope and magic. It was a tribute to Walt Disney World and its legacy, marking the resort’s milestone birthday. Once the 50th anniversary ended, Disney Enchantment was retired to make way for new shows. We then brought back Happily Ever After with a new twist with advanced lighting and projections and we still have it running today.
MS: So which is your favorite?
CC: Sigh, that’s a tough one. Wishes is certainly up there but you know…there is something about Fantasy n the Sky that I cannot let go.
MS: How do feel about the parties like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
CC: You know, sometimes I get bored with the same thing night after night so when the Halloween and Christmas seasons come I love it. It really shakes up things and of course the parades and the fireworks for these parties are pretty inspiring to me, although I will admit sometimes it’s hard for me to get excited for Halloween in August.
MS: Let’s talk about some recent changes, and let’s start with the closure and replacement of Splash Mountain just a few years back.
CC: That’s a tough one. I know you were here for the opening of Splash Mountain back in 1992 and that became one of the most popular rides in the park. I understand why the change to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and for the most part it has done well. The drop is the big deal for that attraction not to mention the length of the ride. I have heard a few grumblings regarding the lack of storytelling on the ride but you can’t please everyone.
MS: There is one change that I think is under appreciated and that is the reimagineeing of Country Bear Jamboree. How do you like it?
CC: I absolutely agree with you. After all these years it was time to update the songs so that the younger guests would recognize and perhaps sing along with the bears. I think it’s a hit and encourage guests out there to come and see the new show.
MS: By the way, did you enjoy the 50th Anniversary Celebration?
CC: Honestly, I was a bit underwhelmed and I am not sure why.
Technology
MS: Technology always plays a big part when it comes to everything Disney. Can you talk a bit about the technology advances since our initial interview?
CC: Wow, where do I start? I think first and foremost we have to put at the top of the list MagicBands. They were introduced in 2013 as part of the MyMagic+ system, they became a more integral part of the guest experience after 2009. These wristbands serve as park ticket, room key, and a payment method all in one. as a matter of fact, beginning in late 2012, Walt Disney World started converting the last of its turnstiles to accept RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology and we started using touch points which allowed guests to enter by touching their ticket, Annual Pass, or MagicBand to touch point terminals.
CC: In November 2013, turnstiles were removed from all parks, making Walt Disney World a "turnstile-free" resort, a system that continues to this day.
CC: Let’s see. In 2017 we introduced mobile ordering via the My Disney Experience app, allowing guests to pre-order food at quick-service restaurants, cutting down wait times. That’s been a success.
CC: Finally, the other major technological change has been the changeover from FastPass to Genie+ (which replaced FastPass+). Genie+ is of course a paid system that allows guests to book access to attractions with shorter wait times. This system also introduced Lightning Lane as a separate pay-to-skip-the-line option for some of the most popular attractions. Those are the big three.
Upcoming Changes
MS: There are some minor and major changes coming down the road and I would ike to hear what you think of them. First is the refurbishment of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. It’s more like an overhaul, isn’t it?
CC: Correct. We talked about doing a few things but decided a major refurb is due to upgrade the technology within the attraction. We’re gonna add things like redesigned ride vehicles, detachable blasters, LED targets, haptic feedback, updated animatronics, a new ride scene, and advanced scoring. With all that don’t be surprise if Buzz becomes way more popular in 2026 when it reopens.
MS: There is one refurb I want to hold off until the end so let’s talk about your upcoming facelift.
CC: Well, you should always look your best and they tell me I am in line for a paint job with a return to classic tones—greys, creams, blues, and gold highlights. I’m excited because frankly the pink-blue palette introduced in 2020 just didn’t do it. Not sure when this new color makeover is coming but it cannot come soon enough..
MS: You’re going to look great. Okay, finally before we go we need to talk about the Frontierland Revamp with the cars-theming and of course some big removals.
CC: This is a tough one because since opening day I have seen many changes but this one requires my fingers, err, spires to cross in the hopes that it works. By now I’m sure those of your guests who have visited me within the last month or two have noticed a few things. Tom Sawyer Island has closed, the Liberty Square Riverboat is gone, and the Rivers of America has been drained. What’s coming is a new Cars-themed land (Piston Peak National Park), complete with at least two new attractions and themed spaces. From what I understand we will have rally-style, terrain-based rides and a mini "visitor lodge" vibe. I am holding my breath in the hope that it all works out.
MS: I think you speak for all of us in that regard. Again, I want to thank you for taking the time to talk with us…we certainly covered a lot. We’ll have to schedule a visit once the Frontierland Revamping is completed.
CC: I’d like that. Don’t be a stranger.
MS: So for the Cinderella Castle this is Mike Scopa saying we’ll see you next time on The View from Scopa Towers.
CC: Scopa Towers?!? Did they rename Pop Century already?
MS: LOL