Hi Robert! Greetings from this side of the Atlantic! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question!
It's never too early to start planning for a
Walt Disney World holiday! May 2023 will be here before you know it, so it is best to start the process now! I love visiting during this time of year. The weather is typically warm, but not too hot as the summer months can tend to be. It's also just past the time when most schools are out for Spring Break in the United States, so crowds are usually on the lower side.
With your upcoming visit being just a month past the end of the
50th Anniversary Celebration, I understand the concern that you may have about Cinderella Castle. While Walt Disney World has not released any information to date, I highly doubt that the Castle will be covered up during your visit. Leading up to the 50th Anniversary Celebration, the Castle received a refreshing makeover, that has only enhanced its look! There is a 50th golden medallion that sits in the center of the Castle. There is a good chance that this will be taken down at the conclusion of the event, but since it was put up overnight without any disruption to Guests, my best guess is it will be taken down just as easily.
In regards to the
Disney Fab 50 Character Collection scattered throughout the four theme parks, there has not been any announcement if these will be removed at the end of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. They were added to help commemorate the event, so there is a chance they may be taken down. I hope that Walt Disney World decides to keep them around for the foreseeable future. They make a great addition to various areas of the parks and are a ton of fun to search for during your park days. My daughters had the best time making it into a scavenger hunt for themselves. Also, with the recent introduction of MagicBand+, there are ways to interact with the statues using the new bands. I'm hopeful that these golden statues are here to stay for a bit!
Robert, I hope you have a magical time during your visit next year!
Please stop back to see me any time at planDisney!
Happy planning!
Greg