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The Story Of Cinderella As Told On The Carousel In The Magic Kingdom

2010-09-01T06:22:00.002-04:00

Disney World's Carousel which can be found in the Magic Kingdom has a long storied history. Up until recently it was known as Cinderella's Golden Carousel, but it is now known as the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The name may have changed, but Cinderella is still the star of this Carousel..

The Story of Cinderella
Everyone may be familiar with Cinderella's story, but few have probably noticed that it is told amongst the 18 special panels encircling the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel.

If you look up at the decorative perimeter of the carousel high above the horses (shown in the picture above), you will see ornate carvings and 18 equally spaced panels that each tell part of the story of Cinderella from the Walt Disney Productions Animated Classic.

If you haven't noticed these panels before you are in luck, this post presents ALL 18 panels in order from humble beginnings to marriage to the Prince.

Panel #1: Meet Cinderella. In this panel we are introduced to Cinderella. We can already tell that she is someone special by the way that the bidrs are helping her get dressed.

Panel #2: Cinderella At Work. Here we quickly see that Cinderella is a hard working young lady, with many tasks in her stepmother's home.

Panel #3: Cinderella's Wish. We see Cinderella and her animal friends dreaming of what could never happen in her current life.

Panel #4 Lady Tremaine, Anastatia, & Drizella. We are introduced to Cinderella's stepmother and her two stepsisters.

Panel #5 The Fairy Godmother. Life is about to change for Cinderella as she meets her Fairy Godmother.

Panel #6 The Pumpkin Coach. After the transformation takes place, Cinderella is taken to the Ball in her elegant coach.

Panel #7: The Castle. We see the beautiful castle where the Royal Ball takes place.

Panel #8: The Dance. Cinderella dances with Prince Charming at the Royal Ball.

Panel #9: Cinderella and Prince Charming. Cinderella and Prince Charming continue to dance outside.

Panel #10: Prince Charming & Cinderella on the Bridge.

Panel #11: Midnight! The clock strikes midnight at the Royal Ball.

Panel #12: Cinderella Must Leave. At midnight Cinderella knows the magic is going to wear off and she must head home.

Panel #13: The Glass Slipper. Cinderella loses a glass slipper as she hurries to leave.

Panel #14: The Magic Is Gone. Cinderella and her animal friends revert back to their old selves.

Panel #15: Is This Your Glass Slipper? Cinderella tries on the glass slipper.

Panel #16: Cinderella and Prince Charming are reunited.

Panel #17: Cinderella Marries Her Prince. Cinderella and Prince Charming are married.

Panel #18: Cinderella Castle. Cinderella's new home is now in the Royal Castle as she is now a Princess.

Carousel Of Details

The next time that you are visiting Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom make sure that you stop by the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, which can be found right next to Cinderella Castle.

Take the time to see the story of Cinderella for yourself and point it out to your family. There are many other wonderful details built in to this marvelous carousel for you to enjoy. It just goes to show that you don't always have to have the latest technology to create an attraction that can "tell a story" to entertain the Disney World guests.

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Cinderella Castle Mosaics In The Magic Kingdom

2010-08-22T15:47:00.002-04:00

One of the most impressive artistic details in the Walt Disney World Resort can be found in Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. Within the main hall you will 5 spectacular 15 foot by 10 foot panels that tell the story of Cinderella in mosaic.

Cinderella Castle Mosaics
Disney Imagineer Dorthea Redmond created the design which was executed in mosaic by Hanns-Joachim Scharff. Taking 22 months to complete, the five scenes were recreated from the 1950 animated classic "Cinderella." In all there are over one million pieces of Italian glass in over 500 different colors. Besides the glass tiles there are silver tiles, and even some 14 carat gold tiles used in the murals.

The murals can be viewed by anyone walking through the main archway of the Cinderella Castle. You do not need to dine there or wait in line. They are easily accessible to the public. Many people avoid walking through the Castle itself since there is no attraction housed there and it serves only as a tunnel to get from the Main Street side of the central hub to Fantasyland. Seeing these unbelievable works of ark are well worth the effort to make sure you walk through the Castle.

The murals are so impressive at Disney World in Florida that Disney has recreated them for Tokyo Disneyland.

In an excerpt on the D23 website where Marty Sklar reflects upon the life and accomplishments of Dorthea Redmond:

"Now perhaps Dorothea will be best remembered for the Disneyland Dream Suite, originally designed for Walt himself," Marty adds. "But certainly her most admired design work is the elaborate mosaic murals of the Cinderella story in the entry passage to the Castle at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. Not even the medieval castles of Europe can boast of masterpieces like these!"

If you look closely at the two step sisters, you can see that one has a red face to reflect anger, while the other has a slightly green face to indicate jealousy.

Pictures Are Great. In Person Is Better.
Although "a picture may say a thousand words," you still can't get the full effect of seeing these massive mosaic marvels up close. The craftsmanship is remarkable. There are not enough superlatives to adequately describe these brilliant murals.

Hopefully you have enjoyed these pictures and will be inspired to see the real works of art when you visit the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.

Cinderella: THE Princess Of Disney World

2010-01-31T12:02:00.001-05:00

When you visit the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney Princesses take center stage, and in the Magic Kingdom Cinderella reigns supreme.

With her castle set as the iconic landmark and focal point of the Magic Kingdom, Cinderella receives the most attention amongst the Disney Princesses.

Disney World knows how to deliver the "Royal Treatment" and Cinderella is certainly treated appropriately whether she arrives via horse drawn carriage or is the star of the show.

Images of Disney World's Favorite Princess
At Disney World you can catch a glimpse of Cinderella in parades, shows, and dining experiences.

Here she is shown in her special Spectromagic float that changes from pumpkin to dazzling white carriage right before your eyes.

In front of Cinderella castle, even Mickey Mouse has to share top billing with Cinderella.

In 2005, the Magic Kingdom had a special show called Cinderellabration that centered around the coronation of Cinderella as a Disney Princess. The other princesses gathered to pay tribute to Cinderella in this lavish show.

Even when other princesses get to share the stage with Cinderella, she is always at the center of attention.

In this parade you can see Cinderella transported by a beautiful, horse drawn carriage.

In the Share A Dream Come True parade, Cinderella appeared in a giant snowglobe with her fairy godmother preceding her on the float.

If you wish to dine at Cinderella's Royal Table in Cinderella Castle and meet the princess in person, you will have to call at exactly 180 days prior to the day and hope to get through in time. This may be the most difficult dining reservation to get in all of Disney World. This again attests to Cinderella's popularity.

If your little princess has her heart set on meeting Cinderella and you were not able to get a reservation to dine in the Castle, then you should try Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare within the Grand Floridian Resort. Here you can dine, meet Cinderella, and have your picture taken with her.

Not only is this a much easier reservation to get, but you do get to spend time meeting Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and the step sisters, Anastasia and Drizella . This is also a lot less expensive for this buffet meal, and will only cost one Table Service dining credit if you are on the Disney Dining Plan.

There is no doubt who is considered to be the top princess at Disney World. The one with her own castle at the center of the Magic Kingdom takes that honor.