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It’s formally Christmas at Magic Kingdom! While the park is decked out for the vacations, one beautiful staple is lacking from Walt Disney’s World’s winter lineup for the third straight yr: Cinderella Castle’s Dream Lights, which is the dazzling show that transforms the icon right into a shimmering ice palace.
We’ll degree with you. “Will the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights come back for Christmas 2023?” is NOT a standard reader query. Other entries in our “guest inquiry series,” like these concerning the Disney Dining Plan and Annual Passes, had been written so we didn’t must continually, individually deal with reader questions. Honestly, that’s not the case right here…which is exactly the issue.
While we’re requested concerning the Disney Dining Plan every day, I can’t recall anybody asking concerning the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights this yr. The final two Christmases, it was undoubtedly a considerably frequent query–but it surely’s dropped off precipitously as of this yr’s vacation season.
Accordingly, this submit is being written with ulterior motives. (In my protection, not less than I’m being upfront about it and trustworthy with you.) The Cinderella Castle Dream Lights was one among our favourite issues about Christmas at Walt Disney World for the final decade-plus previous to them being cancelled in 2020.
We spent many a late evening on Main Street, merely gazing down at these resplendent lights, savoring the scene. I misplaced rely of what number of instances we did this over time–most likely over 100. And but, it nonetheless one way or the other feels that we took the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights without any consideration and didn’t take pleasure in them fairly sufficient.
When Walt Disney World started its phased reopening within the second half of 2020, rather a lot was lacking for that first vacation season. While disappointing, it was additionally comprehensible–capability was capped at a low degree and issues had been a good distance from regular.
In explaining the choice to droop sure choices for the yr, equivalent to Candlelight Processional and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Walt Disney World indicated that “holiday experiences that draw big crowds will be on hiatus this year.”
To my information, Walt Disney World by no means drew an specific connection between the necessity for bodily distancing or avoiding crowds and the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. However, it was comparatively apparent to anybody who had visited the parks through the vacation season that they triggered precisely that.
Colossal crowds congregate for “A Frozen Holiday Wish,” which options Anna, Elsa, and different characters in a present on the Castle Forecourt Stage. That twice-nightly present culminates in Queen Elsa utilizing her unbelievable powers to current a present to everybody within the kingdom, reworking Cinderella Castle right into a glistening ice palace for the vacations.
While “A Frozen Holiday Wish” is the worst of it (we had suggested for years that the present was too brief to justify how lengthy individuals camped out for prime spots), it wasn’t simply that. Throughout the night, the hub or Central Plaza in entrance of Cinderella Castle was typically filled with individuals taking pictures. And for good motive, because the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights had been nothing wanting beautiful.
The level is that merely cancelling “A Frozen Holiday Wish” wouldn’t have side-stepped the issue. The Dream Lights themselves had important crowd-drawing energy, so the reason proffered by Walt Disney World handed the odor check.
Even past that, it was pretty apparent the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights wouldn’t occur for different causes. In a standard yr, the notorious/iconic crane would seem in late August or early September to start set up of the bodily lights on the fort. (The notorious/iconic line is a joke. The crane’s arrival was at all times met with fanfare, and it turned a staple of many household pictures for fall guests. However, Disney began placing it down through the day in more moderen years.)
By that time in 2020, the parks had been nonetheless discovering their footing and most development tasks had been paused. Disney’s choice making course of is belabored, that means it was possible too late to deliver again the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights two years in the past.
Finally, there have been cost-cutting or ‘fiscal austerity measures’ in place because of the attendance caps and different constraints that had been inflicting the parks division to hemorrhage cash. While it’s (presumably) true that the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights recoup their prices in PhotoPass and different gross sales in a standard yr, that was most undoubtedly not the calculus again in 2020.
Even at the moment, we speculated that the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights additionally wouldn’t return in 2021 and maybe not even this yr. That was because of the Walt Disney World fiftieth Anniversary, an 18-month “celebration” (allegedly) that might embody each final and this Christmas seasons and have a “royal overlay” to Cinderella Castle.
You may additionally recall that Disney changed Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party final yr with seasonal After Hours occasions. As we (over) defined final yr, this was because of the dynamics of the fiftieth Anniversary. Perhaps we did (?) job of emphasizing all of this, and that’s why nobody has been asking concerning the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights–you’re merely assuming the overlay will return for Christmas 2023 with the fiftieth within the rearview mirror.
This is not less than partially truthful and stays our hope. The drawback with this angle is that it ignores how Walt Disney World has primarily deserted the fiftieth Anniversary festivities. Okay, “abandoned” is a harsh phrase. Those little lamppost banners and statues paying tribute to random characters which will or might not discuss to you if you flail your arms about whereas carrying a MagicBand+ are nonetheless up. Disney Enchantment continues to limp alongside, as does Harmonious. (Although replacements for each have already been introduced, with followers counting down the times till our lengthy nationwide nightmare(s) are over.)
However, Walt Disney World already gave up on sustaining a standard working schedule for Magic Kingdom, realizing friends would reasonably have the “real” Halloween and Christmas events again than see Disney Enchantment on a nightly foundation. In brief, it seems that the corporate has acknowledged the shortcomings of the “celebration” and is choosing and selecting the place it is smart to throw within the towel on the occasion.
To that time, it could’ve made excellent sense for the Royal Makeover of Cinderella Castle or Beacons of Magic to be two of these issues that quietly pale away. I believe it’s truthful to say that nobody would’ve shouted “VACATION RUINED” had they stepped foot on Main Street to find that the jabots, swag, bunting, and different fake material was gone. Or the uninspired projection ‘moment’ at evening.
Well, possibly like 16 of you, however there are additionally weirdos on the market who lamented the closure of Innoventions’ Vision House. If there’s a factor at Walt Disney World, you might be assured it has a cult following on the market. No matter how unhealthy, some nook of the fandom shall be distressed when it’s gone. (No offense. I really like a number of super-niche issues.)
Regardless, the general response to putting in the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights would’ve been resoundingly constructive. Heck, Walt Disney World might’ve eliminated the entire overlay exception the 50 medallion, strung some lights round it, and referred to as the overlay an ‘exclusive’ or restricted time fiftieth Anniversary providing. That medallion in pictures is all anybody cares about–nobody is on the market geeking out over the remainder of the overlay or the “was that it?” Beacons of Magic.
This is what offers me trigger for concern. If bringing again the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights had been excessive precedence, Walt Disney World might’ve performed it this yr. While totally different from the events, the identical underlying rationale might’ve been used to revive the vacation overlay even amidst Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary “celebration.”
With that stated, it’s totally potential that the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights will return for Christmas 2023.
However, we really would not have any inclination as as to if that can occur. We’ve heard second-hand rumblings that Walt Disney World prefers the projections, discovering them to be extra economical and environment friendly since there are not any set up prices. Although this information is oblique, it tracks with the kind of sentiment we’ve come to count on from administration.
Conversely, the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights supposedly had important drawing energy. Over the years, there have been anecdotes about bookings, PhotoPass gross sales, and so forth. that supported the notion that the Dream Lights paid for themselves. Perhaps that’s nonetheless the prevailing sentiment, and so they’ll be again. Or possibly Disney feels the projections are “performing” properly sufficient. In our view from the surface wanting in, it actually looks as if the choice might go both manner.
Honestly, that’s type of the purpose of this submit. Not to supply a prediction…however to “raise awareness” concerning the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights and their unsure future. When it involves this kind of factor, it’s higher to supply suggestions earlier than a definitive choice to retire an providing has been made. If Walt Disney World broadcasts particulars of the Christmas 2023 slate and the Dream Lights are absent, it’ll already be too late for outrage, petitions, or visitor suggestions.
My hope is that it doesn’t come to that. In the final ~15 years, Walt Disney World has already misplaced a lot that made the vacation season particular. Gone is the Country Bear Christmas attraction overlay. Ditto the Lights of Winter at EPCOT. Don’t get us began on the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This is to say nothing of the various seasonal reveals, parade overlays, shows, tree lightings, and extra which have quietly pale away over time. Our hope is that the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights don’t equally make the listing of beloved-but-extinct Christmas choices at Walt Disney World.
One factor we at all times suggest doing is respectfully expressing your disappointment and explaining how the corporate’s selections and practices will influence your holidays and future enterprise (or lack thereof) with Walt Disney World by emailing [email protected].
If you go to this vacation season and are disenchanted by the dearth of Cinderella Castle Dream Lights, deal with it when collaborating in visitor satisfaction surveys, deliver it up should you converse with managers or others in park management, and even proactively contact Guest Relations to politely allow them to know the way you are feeling.
“Respectfully” and “politely” are the operative phrases right here for a motive. While an irate rant may make you really feel higher, it’s not the path to take in case your aim is effectuating change. We’ve seen and heard manner too many friends supply snide or sarcastic suggestions; venting might be cathartic, however that’s about it. “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” is a cliche, but it surely’s additionally one {that a} disturbing variety of adults don’t appear to understand.
Given the entire unfavourable adjustments and visitor unfriendly insurance policies that Walt Disney World has enacted within the final couple of years, it’d look like the corporate not cares about visitor satisfaction and suggestions. It’s most likely true that there are some on the highest ranges of management who don’t, or focus extra on goal KPIs, however there most actually are leaders on the bottom in Florida who care. In many instances, it’s merely a matter of them with the ability to present “support” when preventing for issues, budgets, and so forth.
For those that have by no means had an opportunity to see the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights, they’re nothing wanting spectacular. Some of you cynics may assume such a bodily mild show is quaint or antiquated, surpassed by the benefit and adaptability of projections. That these of us who miss the Dream Lights are merely clouded by nostalgia and sentimentality, ignoring the daytime visible blight, set up, and ease of the bodily icicle lights.
I wholeheartedly disagree. No projections can match the greater than 200,000 tiny white lights that illuminate Cinderella Castle and remodel it right into a veritable ice palace. On paper and even in pictures, it might sound easy and commonplace. In particular person, the show was something however that. The Dream Lights would cease you in your tracks, with the resplendent bodily show being an absolute jaw-dropper. Words, pictures, and video completely can not do it justice. I’m not usually one for the flowery language in Disney’s press releases, however even the corporate’s advertising and marketing groups undersold the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. Whatever reward you’ve heard concerning the Dream Lights, it’s true. All of it.
Speaking of which, since nobody leverages lofty language fairly like Walt Disney World, right here’s how the corporate described the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights after they first launched again in 2007:
As if abruptly dusted in one million ice crystals, Cinderella Castle shines just like the galaxies, including to the wintertime wonderment of the vacations at Florida’s Vacation Kingdom. And what a spectacle.
“We are thrilled to be adding this brilliant new castle spectacle to the holiday festivities at Walt Disney World this season and for seasons to come,” stated Francois Leroux, vice chairman of Walt Disney World Entertainment. “This glistening holiday enchantment creates perfect fairytale magic for this festive time of year.”
“For a park aglow in holiday magic, this becomes the new and eye-filling superstar,” added Disney Entertainment present producer Rob Hamberg who supervised the weeks-long rigging of the turrets and towers for the sunshine present. “Nothing will rival ‘Cinderella’s Holiday Wish’ for sheer visual spectacle.”
With a wave of Fairy Godmother’s wand — and friends becoming a member of in to make the want come true — Cinderella Castle magically morphs into a wonderful wintry confection, twinkling within the sky. “The castle suddenly shines like a glistening blanket of ice,” defined Disney present author/director Alan Bruun. “Guests won’t believe their eyes at the spectacle as Cinderella’s holiday wish comes true.”
As for what replaces–hopefully nonetheless simply quickly–the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights for Christmas 2022, it’s one other yr of projections. There’s a rotating “kaleidoscope of designs” together with festive stripes and dots, a whimsical Christmas sweater look, a jeweled winter fort, and a regal overlay of crimson, inexperienced & gold ornamentation.
Each of those is basically an animated backdrop that includes scenes of Christmas. There are some shifting components and particulars, but it surely’s undoubtedly not a projection present. There are additionally spotlights and bushes across the Central Plaza are bathed in lights that match the colours on Cinderella Castle. These vacation designs change all through the night, and are every displayed for a number of minutes earlier than altering.
A few these are enjoyable. The vacation sweater scene is especially good. The others principally blur collectively or don’t strike me as significantly Christmasy.
Back within the infancy of projection mapping at Walt Disney World, there was a Christmas phase within the “Magic, Memories & You” that featured a gingerbread fort, sweet cane fort, light-strung fort, and different various designs. More just lately, Tokyo Disneyland did a complete Christmas projection present on its Cinderella Castle with enjoyable and festive designs. I’m stunned none of these had been used.
My greater situation with the Cinderella Castle Christmas projections is that they’re performed out. Walt Disney World has manner overdone it with projection-mapping, so it ought to be no shock there’s a little bit of fatigue with it. There are projections within the fireworks reveals, on the opposite park icons (Tree of Life, Tower of Terror, Grauman’s Chinese Theater), and extra.
Simply put, projection-mapping has misplaced its awe and novelty because of overuse. This is a part of why the Beacons of Magic at EPCOT are beloved fan favorites, whereas nobody cares about the remainder of them. The Spaceship Earth show options bodily lights and has a particular, distinctive high quality that projection mapping can not match. Just just like the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights!!!
Ultimately, the projections for Christmas on Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom are…superb, I suppose. They’re higher than nothing. Worth seeing as soon as, I suppose. They exceed visitor expectations when ranging from a baseline of zero. That’s actually about it, although.
By distinction, the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights had been one thing particular–really a magical sight to behold, and that’s not a time period we use evenly. Seeing the lighting ceremony and the transformation to a bona-fide icicle fort at nightfall was mesmerizing. Turning the nook when coming into the park and seeing Cinderella Castle aglow in 200,000+ glistening lights took your breath away. The Dream Lights had been actually wow-inducing, and the projections can not maintain a candle to that. Walt Disney World ought to do the fitting factor, ship an expertise that exceeds expectations, and convey again the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights for Christmas 2023.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the vacation particular projection results at Magic Kingdom? Prefer these to the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights, or hope these return for Christmas 2023? Planning on voicing your ideas concerning the Dream Lights–or the rest–to Guest Relations? Do you intend on visiting Walt Disney World this vacation season, or are you sitting this yr out? Any questions we may help you reply? Hearing your suggestions is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
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