If you’ve walked down Main Street, U.S.A. recently and glanced toward Cinderella Castle, you may have done a double-take. Not because of fireworks. Not because of a stage show. But because giant construction vehicles are now sitting directly beside Disney’s most photographed icon.As the repainting project continues at Magic Kingdom, large boom lifts have officially arrived and are now parked inside the drained moat surrounding Cinderella Castle. It’s a striking sight — especially in a park where Disney typically works hard to keep heavy equipment out of guest view.This latest development signals that the castle’s transformation is moving into its next phase.Credit: DisneyConstruction Moves Into Full ViewSeveral boom lifts are now stationed inside the empty moat on the Liberty Square side of Cinderella Castle. Additional lifts have also been positioned on the Tomorrowland side, giving crews access to multiple angles of the structure.For weeks, painting had been underway primarily on the upper portions of the castle, and most of the work remained visually subtle. But the arrival of these large lifts marks a noticeable shift. Guests can now clearly see the equipment supporting the restoration process.Disney began repainting Cinderella Castle in late January, with moat draining following in early February. Until now, the vehicles required for the lower-level work had not been visible to guests. That has officially changed.Why the Boom Lifts Are NecessaryThe placement of these lifts isn’t random. Crews have largely completed work on the upper half of the castle, and attention is now turning to the bottom sections — areas that require much closer access.The lower half of Cinderella Castle has always featured gray tones, but longtime fans will remember that the shade changed during the 50th anniversary makeover. The current repaint aims to restore the castle’s original color scheme, dialing back some of the more prominent 50th anniversary accents.To reach those lower walls and detailed architectural elements, crews need stable vertical access. That’s where the boom lifts come in. A scaffolding platform and stairs have also been installed to help workers safely move between the equipment and the castle façade.It’s not glamorous work. But it’s essential if Disney wants to return its most recognizable structure to a more classic look.A Noticeable Color ShiftFrom a distance, the transformation is already easy to spot.The top half of the back side of Cinderella Castle now appears almost entirely gray at first glance. Only two pink sections reportedly remain — the tallest tower and one wall near the center of the clustered turrets.Most of the gold trim that defined the 50th anniversary palette has been repainted gray as well. That doesn’t mean gold is disappearing completely. Cinderella Castle has always featured gold accents. There’s simply less of it than during the 50th celebration era.The Cinderella Castle repaint is moving at warp speed, and without a boom lift in sight. Big thanks to @TestShotTyler for the gorgeous pics. https://t.co/ug1HTfAWsU pic.twitter.com/Qp7kUSvT6q— Diservations (@diservations) February 22, 2026Another upcoming adjustment involves the royal blue rooftops, which are expected to shift to a lighter blue shade. It’s a subtle tweak, but one that helps bring the castle closer to its pre-anniversary appearance.For guests who remember the castle’s look in 2019 before the anniversary makeover, this project feels less like a reinvention and more like a reset.The Moat Tells Its Own StoryOne of the more visually dramatic elements of this repainting project isn’t the castle itself — it’s the drained moat.Seeing the water removed instantly changes the atmosphere around the hub. The reflective surface that usually mirrors fireworks and castle projections has temporarily disappeared, replaced instead by exposed ground and construction equipment.Boom lifts sitting where water once flowed create a rare backstage glimpse inside the heart of Magic Kingdom. It’s not something guests see often, and that’s part of why it feels so significant.Horticulture cast members have also been spotted working around the moat area, particularly on the Tomorrowland side. Following two bouts of freezing weather in Central Florida, landscaping teams have been restoring damaged plants to keep the hub looking polished despite the ongoing work.Even during construction, Disney remains focused on presentation.Credit: H. Michael Miley, FlickrA Castle That Evolves With Every EraCinderella Castle has never truly stayed the same. From holiday overlays to anniversary transformations, Disney’s central icon adapts to reflect the company’s current moment.The 50th anniversary makeover brought bold pink tones and expanded gold detailing. It made a statement. Now, just a few years later, Disney is pivoting back toward a more traditional aesthetic.For many longtime fans, this feels like a return to something familiar. The classic gray stonework and balanced color palette defined Magic Kingdom for decades. Seeing it reemerge brings a sense of continuity — especially during a time when so much else around the resort is changing.And while construction vehicles parked beside Cinderella Castle may temporarily disrupt postcard-perfect views, they also signal care. Disney is investing in preservation, not replacement.What Guests Can Expect NextWith the bottom half repaint underway and equipment now fully in place, guests should expect construction visuals to remain for the near future. The moat will likely stay drained until crews complete the lower façade work.From most angles along Main Street and the central hub, the castle remains visible and recognizable. But sharp-eyed fans will notice the lifts, scaffolding, and subtle color differences as they pass by.For those planning upcoming trips, the repaint doesn’t prevent fireworks, parades, or daily park operations. It simply adds another layer to the ever-evolving story of Magic Kingdom.In many ways, that’s part of what makes following the parks so fascinating. Even the most iconic structure in Walt Disney World isn’t frozen in time.Right now, giant vehicles sit where water once reflected the spires. Pink towers are slowly giving way to gray stone. Gold trim is being toned down. And Cinderella Castle is quietly stepping into its next chapter.It may not be as flashy as a new land announcement. But for Disney fans, watching the castle itself evolve is always worth paying attention to.What do you think of the changes happening to Cinderella Castle? Let us know in the comments section!The post Giant Vehicles Now Parked Beside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom appeared first on Inside the Magic.