Beyond the Spires at Destination D23
Destination D23 2025 featured one of the most talked-about sessions: “Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles.” This full panel gave fans rare insights into the artistry, heritage, and future of Disney’s most beloved icons. Hosted by Michelle Khare, creator of Challenge Accepted, the session brought together Imagineers Wyatt Winter (Executive Producer), Jason Grandt (Executive Creative Director), Kate Gibbs (Art Director), Tom Morris (Former Creative Executive), and James Silson (Show Director, Disney Live Entertainment). Together, they shared stories, surprising trivia, and major announcements about castles across the globe.
Frozen Arrives in Disneyland Paris
The panel highlighted one of Disney’s newest castles, part of the World of Frozen expansion opening at Disneyland Paris in Spring 2026. Michel Den Dulk, Portfolio Executive Creative Director, joined the project site remotely to preview Arendelle Castle and Elsa’s Ice Palace rising along the North Mountain. These additions will bring the Frozen story to life in an entirely new way for Paris guests.
Cinderella Castle’s New Palette
Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle will soon display a refreshed design, returning to a classic and original-inspired palette of grays, creams, blues, and touches of gold. Arriving in 2026, this update enhances the castle’s architectural details while honoring its timeless roots.
Crafting Castles
The panel opened with a central question: how do you build a castle? Imagineers explained the process: research real castles worldwide, adapt the designs, and apply modern construction methods to create icons that endure. Disney castles are not stone—they rely on concrete, steel, cement, plaster, and fiberglass. Every element, from the foundation to the tallest spire, is engineered for durability.
Each castle features distinctive details. The Disney family crest, traced back to Walt’s ancestral hometown in France, has decorated Sleeping Beauty Castle since the 1960s and now appears on every Disney castle. Inside Cinderella Castle, a mosaic honors Disney Legends John Hench and Herb Ryman, showing Herb presenting the slipper to Cinderella as John looks on. Shanghai’s Enchanted Storybook Castle includes four swans representing Walt’s mother, Flora, wife, Lillian, and daughters, Diane and Sharon. At Disneyland Paris, Imagineers added a whimsical touch with snails climbing golden towers, a playful nod to French cuisine.
Cake Castles and Playful Overlays
Imagineers also revisited Disney’s tradition of castle overlays. The most famous, of course, is the 25th Anniversary “cake” castle at Walt Disney World in 1996. But Disneyland Paris had its own cake first: the Strawberry Shortcake Castle for its 1st anniversary in 1993. The idea of “cake castles” even dates back to early Imagineering sketches for a Carousel of Progress overlay celebrating Mickey’s 60th birthday in 1988. Fans also enjoyed a laugh as the panel recalled the day Stitch “decorated” Cinderella Castle in 2004. Covered in fabric “toilet paper” and graffiti that declared “Stitch Is King,” the stunt promoted the opening of Stitch’s Great Escape.
Why Castles Still Inspire
Beyond their grandeur, Disney castles embody the heart of storytelling, imagination, and artistry. As Imagineers explained, these structures are not just landmarks—they’re living symbols crafted with passion for generations of guests. “Beyond the Spires” reminded us that every spire, mural, and playful touch carries Disney heritage forward into the future.
Castles: The Heart of Disney Parks Worldwide
The Beyond the Spires panel at Destination D23 2025 revealed that Disney castles continue to evolve, delight, and inspire. With Frozen in Paris set to debut, Cinderella Castle’s refreshed look on the way, and a legacy of whimsical overlays to remember, castles remain at the very heart of Disney magic. Stay tuned to Sam’s Disney Diary for more insider looks at the history and future of Disney parks.
