You may ask, why are we writing about the festive holiday season when summer has only just begun? Well, Disney is expected to make an announcement next week (June 13-15) as part of the “Halfway to the Holidays” regarding their intentions for the festive holiday season this year.
It is assumed that Disney will announce the dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party but the question on most Disney fans minds is, will the very popular Cinderella Castle Dream Lights return in 2023?
The 200,000 lights which illuminated Cinderella’s castle to give the illusion of it being covered in snow and icicles was truly a spectacle to see and a highlight for many Disney fans each year since beginning in 2007. As you likely already know, Cinderella Castle Dream Lights has not taken place for the last three years (2020, 2021 or 2022).
In recent years, Disney has favored projection mapping rather than more traditional light displays in the parks. Whilst this makes sense on a financial level, with Disney having to work extremely hard to maintain its crown as the top resort to visit in Orlando whilst Universal is nipping at its tail, we think Disney would do well to seriously consider bringing this much loved holiday offering back in 2023.
We are finally seeing Disney trying to right a number of the wrongs with plans for 2024 to address issues with the controversial Parks Reservation System, Annual Passholders and Genie+ and to begin making a move to focus on guest experience rather than simply lining stockholders pockets. These are all very good signs and are much needed for the future success of Walt Disney World especially with the opening of Epic Universe looming in 2025.
Now the decorations have all been removed from Cinderella Castle following the 50th Anniversary Celebrations, surely this is the year with the Disney100 celebrations now in full flow at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World to bring back Cinderella Castle Dream Lights.
We will closely follow the announcements next week and bring you an update on the potential return of this popular holiday offering for 2023. Would you like to see Cinderella Castle Dream Lights return this year? Let us know by voting in our poll or by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.