Located at the end of Main Street USA is Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom. The castle is 190 feet tall (which is more than 100 feet taller than Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland) and it uses forced perspective to make it look larger than it actually is. The castle has 27 towers. At night, Tinker Bell flies from the tallest tower during Happily Ever After (look for her zipline to know exactly where she flies from).
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Inside the castle is the Cinderella’s Royal Table where your family is treated like royalty as you dine with Cinderella and her Princess friends. You’ll also find the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where your daughter can be styled into a princess or your son can be styled into a prince. Higher up in the castle is the Cinderella Castle Suite, a very private and non requestable suite that features a royal bedchamber that can sleep up to 6 people. Originally used as a prize in the Year of a Million Dreams promotion (where guests were selected to stay there for free daily from 2007 – 2009), it is now used for Make a Wish and for celebrities who are willing to donate a large sum of money to select charities.
Fantasyland
Early in the morning, you are able to pass through the castle on your way to Fantasyland. If given the opportunity, be sure to walk through the castle as it is breathtaking! Mid-morning, they close the entrance to the castle to make way for the Mickey’s Dream Come True show that is performed in front of the castle throughout the day (check your Times Guide for the current showings).
Happily Ever After Fireworks
The castle also plays a role in the Happily Ever After fireworks show, changing color right along with the fireworks display.
And as the park closes each night, the Castle is featured in The Kiss Goodnight. It includes music, color-changing lights illuminating the castle, a 3 minute narration and even a wish goodnight from Mickey Mouse! On most nights it will run every 30 minutes for an hour or so after closing.
Tips for Cinderella’s Castle
1. There is a beautiful grassy sitting area in front of the castle. Take a few minutes to sit in the grass and look up at the castle. It is one of the most peaceful and magical moments I have had.
2. Located in front of the Castle is a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. Be sure to check out what is on Walt’s hand. You’ll also find statues of other characters in this area.
3. Just behind Cinderella’s Castle is Cinderella’s Fountain. If you bow down in front of the fountain you will see a crown magically appear on Cinderella’s head!
4. Look for Cinderella’s Wishing Well and check out the base. This is different from Cinderella’s Fountain. It is located on the path on the right side of the castle near Fairytale Gardens.
5. Make sure you check out the rear of the castle. Many times characters will appear unannounced! I’ve also seen characters on the path on the right side of the castle.
6. Starting about a half hour after the park closes (remember that if the park closes at 9pm, you have almost a full hour to leave the park), the Kiss Goodnight will begin. The castle will appear to change colors as Roy O. Disney’s dedication speech for the Magic Kingdom plays thanking you for coming.
7. In the middle of the day, the walk through the castle is closed. This is because of the show Mickey’s Friendship Faire that is performed periodically throughout the day. However, early in the morning (at Rope Drop) and at night the walkway through the castle is open. So make sure you experience it!
8. As you walk through the castle, look for the stunning mosaic and check out the faces of the evil stepsisters.
9. Stop in Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and ask the cashier to sprinkle your little girl’s head with Pixie Dust. You do not need an appointment to get sprinkled!
10. Sit in the grassy areas for a peaceful experience in the midst of chaos. It also is a great place to take pictures of your children.
11. If you are eating in Cinderella’s Royal Table, be sure to look up in the room where you meet Cinderella. You should see the Disney Family Crest and you might even spot Cinderella’s Mice in the rafters!
12. I also hear you can ask the suite of armor in Cinderella’s Royal Table for an autograph and get a funny reply.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
We were told that you are not able to walk through the castle at any time? This was very upsetting.
We were there on December 2, 2015 and we were able to walk through the castle on our way to our early breakfast reservation at Be Our Guest, but it was closed not long after the park actually opened. I would have been very upset also!
The stitch sound by the castle, to understanding, was only around in 2003-20066ish during the big Stitch days and help advertise the opening of Stitch’s Great Escape. It was eventually removed…I think
I could be wrong.
Just curious, we made the reservations for crt for breakfast and did not receive the email some were mentioning in order to receive the balloon and slipper… .
It’s not available to make a wish because it’s not handicap safe and that is a requirement for make a wish. The fire escape from castle suite is a zip line.
To get the balloon and slipper, you can request from the website when you are making your reservations. They will send you an email with prices and all the extra special options!
When my daughter requested this be her Make a Wish this year (2013) We were told that it WAS NOT available to wish kids.
My daughter is also going through make a wish this year, what were you able to do through them?
Around what time did you get there on the days you were the first???
Thanks :)
We leave the resort around 7:30 in the morning when the park opens at 9.
How did you arrange the special treat for your daughter? This is our first time in the castle and I would love to arrange the glass slipper and balloon for her!! :)
I think you just have to get there before anyone else.. be the first group to arrive at the castle that day.
It’s not actually Cinderella’S castle, but just Cinderella Castle. :0)
The first guest of the day is made Honorary Princess/Prince of the Day. Their group is taken into the meeting room by themselves, and given a little extra private time with Cinderella. They are then given the option of either taking the circular stairs or the round elevator to the next floor where CRT is located. They are seated first and are the first table the each princess goes to when they come out. And they are given a sticker that proclaims their “status” of Honorary Princess/Prince of the Day. My daughter has had this honor twice! We had arranged for an extra special treat for her, that most people don’t know about the last time we went, but had a princess balloon marking our table, she was presented with a crystal slipper engraved with the date, her name and the phrase, “Once Upon a Time…..” , as well as a crystal Tiara.
How do you arrange for the special treat? That sounds awesome.
How much was that? With the glass slipper and all. And what guest exactly are you talking about the round table guest or bibbity salon?
Did anyone figure out who to get the special treat that Kerry mentioned with the glass slipper.