Celebs in the castle suite?

[TotalSnowWhite]

Right, during a PROMOTION. When it was actually fair. Is that promotion still going on? No.

There are several promotions going on with the suite as a prize, though. Just because its inaugural promo is over, it doesn't mean the average Joe has no chance of staying there.

 

[kadesha]

There are several promotions going on with the suite as a prize, though. Just because its inaugural promo is over, it doesn't mean the average Joe has no chance of staying there.

I understand. I have entered contests in which the suite was a prize. I'm not going to just get to stay there because I'm Kadesha though. From what I understand the castle suite isn't for sale, so even if they did pay for it I still don't think it's fair. Celebrities get enough special treatment. They didn't win a contest to get to stay there like the rest of us would have to do.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I understand. I have entered contests in which the suite was a prize. I'm not going to just get to stay there because I'm Kadesha though. From what I understand the castle suite isn't for sale, so even if they did pay for it I still don't think it's fair. Celebrities get enough special treatment. They didn't win a promotion to get to stay there like the rest of us would have to do.

You get to enjoy Disney with your family without being mobbed, though. Doesn't that count for something? I'm just thrilled my family can stand in lines, ride Dumbo, go swimming, etc., etc., etc. at our happy place an no one bats an eye.

I think there's a definite trade-off when it comes to fame. While it would be nice to get a night in the castle just because I was me, I'd much rather enjoy the magic of Disney in peace (well, aside from the noise of the thousands of people around me ).

 

[t_catt11]

So my hope is they just tear it down and not use it to butter up rich folks or renting it out to the ultra wealthy in the world. The YOAMD was such a disappointment to so many people who didn't even win a fast pass. Disney just needs to stay away from gimicks and concentrate on offering quality entertainment at a fair price again.

Sounds like you feel that since all make a wish (and similar) children can't enjoy this perk, then no one should be able to - especially since celebrities and such are sometimes awarded this?

Hmm.

Don't get me wrong, my heart is not hardened towards the MAW kids. I think that it's WONDERFUL that they sometimes get to do this.

Then again - and maybe it's selfish - I'd love for my own kids to experience this, themselves. My son has spoken of it in awed tones... even my daughter, who is now too old and too cool for most Disney magic, has a similar attitude.

But you know what? I know that, except by some stroke of incredible luck, they won't get to do that. They know this, too. And we're all okay with it.

Disney owns the suite. It's their right to do with it as they please. This is not communist America, where all are guaranteed equal access to all things. sometimes, the rich get perks. An advantage of being rich and/or famous.

Que cera cera.

Rather than be bitter and toss around ideas of gutting such a unique place, why not simply be happy that Disney DOES allow some MAW kids - and some regular folks, as well - to spend the night here. I'm pretty certain that, if Disney wanted to, they could probably rent this out and keep it close to 100% booked, no matter what they charged. Why not celebrate this fact, rather than begrudge them for using it otherwise at times... which, again, is their right?

 

[lilopink]

Ya, I saw video on TV yesterday of Suri and Katie homes at Disney World Sat Feb 14th - Suri was in the garden and had a VIP meet n greet with all the Princesses by herself!!! There were a bunch of people just watching them and kids too!

Was anyone there this past Saturday and see this?? Suri was dressed up as Cinderella...

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Do you realize how many wish kids attend WDW on any given day ? There are quite a few from what I was told. My DD was granted a wish trip by another foundation in 2002. Not Make A Wish but simular. Which by the way Disney does not recognise. Even though they pay to send kids to Disney. As much as you would like to see one very special kid get to sleep in the Castle there would be 20 or more that would be denied the chance each day. How much pixie dust do you think that would create ? It's hard enough to explain to a kid why they are dying.

How would they choose ? Based on severity of the illness ? Maybe just draw names ? I'm sure it would make great publicity if a kid dying from cancer got on tv and said their only wish before they died was to sleep in the Castle and then they interviewed a healthy kid who actually got to stay there. You see not all wish kids have a death sentence. Many have wishes granted after surviving an illness. In my DD's case she has multiple disabilities that can be life threatening but she has survived for 18 years now due to excellent medical care and a loving father and great insurance.

So my hope is they just tear it down and not use it to butter up rich folks or renting it out to the ultra wealthy in the world. The YOAMD was such a disappointment to so many people who didn't even win a fast pass. Disney just needs to stay away from gimicks and concentrate on offering quality entertainment at a fair price again.

Yes, I do realize how many make a wish children are there each day. Yes, it is hard enough to explain to child why they are dying. I also understand that not all wish kids are dying. That some are able to cope with thier disabilities and some are actually even able to overcome thier illness to go on to healthy lives.

I am not sure I get your reasoning - so because all the children could not have the opportunity then no one should? Not even the one child?

How would they choose? I have no idea. Maybe put all thier names into a hat or drawing?

I would still rather see one wish child, no matter thier state of health, be able to stay in the castle then a seris of celebraties.

But that is my opinion.

 

[Flametamr]

I really didn't mean to sound bitter. I'm really quite the opposite. But you speak of Disney like it was a single person that owns it. It is not by a long shot. It is a publicly owned corporation. The stock holders own it and entrust the board members and managers to generate a profit. That profit comes from us. In such bad economic times Disney does not need to creat bad pulic relations stories like are being suggested here.

I just feel that Disney should not take something so special as the Cinderella Suite and make it an expensive hotel room or a perk for some snobby celeb they are trying to butter up. I wonder how they pick which celebrity gets picked over the other ones there that day. If they have no better imagination to keep the suite special then tear it down. That is just my opinion though.

 

[Flametamr]

Quote: I would still rather see one wish child, no matter thier state of health, be able to stay in the castle then a seris of celebraties.


I agree to an extent with you about the celebrities. But I was only trying to point out that when you make the prize exclusive to only Make a Wish kids you are setting up others for disappointment. Mainly the ones from the other childrens organizations that Disney does not recognise for some reason. But other parks do without question.

 

[maroo]

Another WISH family here...



We loved our MAW trip and Disney does wonderful, wonderful things for Wish families.

This is Give Kids the World: http://www.gktw.org

Most families given a wish from most organizations get to stay at GKTW. They have over 100 villa's now that house the Wish Kids and their families. They are FULL almost all year long.

If you have a heart for these kids...donate or buy products from GKTW or donate to the Make a Wish Foundation...they need it, especially now!

It would be wonderful to allow a Wish child to stay for a night, but I have no idea how they would decide? I pity the person that would have to decide. I would guess a drawing at GKTW or something like that...but kept quiet (if that is possible! I would be screaming!) from the other kids.

I do know what the face of a child looks like when they think they are going to get to stay there...a wish child. We had to (got to, really ) stay at The Contemporary for Lauren's trip because GKTW was full and when we rounded that corner to suprise her with The Contemporary stay (she didn't know she was staying there)...she saw the Castle and THOUGHT she was staying in the Castle!!

She FREAKED out!

She was so excited! As I am sure any child would be!! It was a let down that we were staying at The Contemporary (at first...she loved it after the initial shock of the Castle wore off)!!


I hope they open it to all kinds of things...regular folks on random days that are just awarded it...like the YOAMD. Celebs - who cares?
At least someone is staying there. Or how about heros...our troops...or pilots and crew that land planes that save everyone on board AND all the people below. Things like that. I think Walt would appreciate that!

A MAW family has a wonderful, magical experience regardless of a castle stay. I would not mind if it was never awarded to a Wish family, really.

 

[WDSearcher]

Now what would have been funny is if they explained to Mr. Cruise after waving his wad of cash "You might be one of lucky ones who gets chosen. We'll put your name in the hat just like everyone else. Good luck!" Hahahaha

I don't think Walt's original intention was to exclude the "every day American" and their family the magic he created for us. We should all have an equal shot - money or no money. I personally feel Walt would be rolling over in his grave if he saw how out of hand the money has become. Come on - paying for parking ON TOP OF TICKET PRICES!?! I don't feel that was his original intention. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Otherwise - I love Disney. Enough said.

The original parking fee at Disneyland was fifty cents. The park OPENED with a parking fee. Walt opened his park with a parking fee. (WDW in Florida also charged for parking on opening day. Even though Walt had died by then, I'm certain that it didn't get past him in the planning phase that WDW would charge for parking.) Walt was in it to make money. He was not some benevolent man who wanted all people to be able to come to his parks. If that were the case, he wouldn't have charged to get in.

 

[Flametamr]

Hey, I remember reading Lauren's story but lost it before it was finished. I'm glad you responded here so I can go back and finish her TR. It seems like her luck is the same as my daughters. On our last trip we spent half of it in the hotel too sic to do anything.

A little history on us. Following the untimely death of my 36 y/o wife in 2002 My handicapped daughter was granted a wish trip by The Children's Wish Foundation. Different from make a wish. She had been nominated by the local childrens hospital the we frequented since her birth in 1990. The trip was both wonderfull and stressfull. At that time she required lots of oxygen and was on breathing machines at night. So we could only go out for 4 hour trips at a time. But the foundation payed a nurse to go with us so all of us would not be stuck in a hotel room if she had a bad spell or was too tired.

I don't think the Childrens Wish Foundation exist anymore but I wanted other groups besides Make a Wish to be known. There are many good groups out there that help kids. Disney just chooses to only recognise the one.

 

[Poohbear123]

Do you think it was Disney's intention all along to use it for VIPs and celebrities and they just did the give away first so everyone wouldn't be so mad about it? I sure hope not. Like others have said, I think the castle suite should be reserved for contest winners and charities, not spotlight loving celebrities.

I agree, celebrities can afford ANYTHING they want, they should be excluded...however, if they want to PAY for a charity to host a few nights for a sick child than fine with me.

 

[Flametamr]

As eveyone can see from my signature The Childrens Wish Foundation created a monster. Well maybe an Angel if you see it that way. But we are fortunate enough so far to return to my DD's favorite place almost every year. Disney is the only place my daughter wants to go. She actually wants to live "IN" Walt Disney World. I have given up trying to explain why she can't. I simply promoised her if things ever improve and I can get hired at Disney we will move to Orlando some day.

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

I think a ballenced use of it for normal people, VIP's and charities would be perfect.

If any of them got it alone it would be wrong. And honestly, the average people are always left without the perks. There are ways to make a trip special for VIPs and people like MAW without giving it ALL to them.

Celebrities in the room are great publicity for Disney, no they don't always need it, but it keeps them plastered EVERYWHERE!!! I honestly don't see the harm in giving the castle to them 20 days (I would hope less) out of the year.

Contests would be a good idea, but I cant see more that 4 a year.

Charities like MAW or CWF would be good, but that is forgettng that there are other children in the park who are ill too and they don't get it. I say use it for them for sure, but not every day, maybe 100-150 days of the year.

Normal people, they need the possibility for magic too! I liked the randomly given away thing, they should keep that, but maybe another way would be better, I just can't think of one, lol.

 

[mefordis]

Here is a news flash for those of you who don't already know: celebrities pay for NOTHING. I know, it doesn't seem right with all that money they have but they absolutely get TONS of freebies. And if they had to pay for a night in the castle it would be nothing to them anyway.

 

[MickeyJoy]

Let me further explain my point and position. By no means do I feel that Disney has no right to make money - and a lot of it. I happily pay the ridiculously high prices with a giant smile on my face. Disney is the only place I would pay $5 for a little hot dog and not complain (well at a Yankees game too). What I am saying is let's equal the playing field for sharing in such a magical piece of this treasured place. Yes, YOAMD may have left some people disappointed - but that's their own fault. Nothing was guaranteed. It was still an amazing feeling to wander the streets and think "What If??" Everyone had the same chances - whether you were staying at a value resort or in the Grand Floridian suites. Everyone was able to partake and feel the same "magic" without having to pay extra for it. I just feel that let's keep money aside. Disney makes enough (hence my parking fee comment). I feel that Mr. Cruise and his family should have no more an edge than Joe Schmoe and his family. The Schmoe's could be teachers, soldiers, social workers, or waiters and waitresses. What makes them any less qualified for eligibility than Hollywood's elite? This economy is taking its toll on America - so let's not begin to ruin the magic by turning this into a class issue. Give it away for pete's sake!! We give to Disney hand over fist- why don't they give back to their loyal followers??

Castle stays for all those seeking the magic, I say!!! Woo hoo!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Disney is the only place my daughter wants to go. She actually wants to live "IN" Walt Disney World.

I'm with your DD.

Jennifer

 

[DisneyLover75]

I just hate that idea. I think that it should be used as a prize not another perk for the over indulged.

THANK YOU!!! I completely agree!!! It sucks big time if the celebs get it.

(Sorry if I'm prematurely spouting off.. I haven't read through every reply yet.)

 

[WDSearcher]

Here is a news flash for those of you who don't already know: celebrities pay for NOTHING. I know, it doesn't seem right with all that money they have but they absolutely get TONS of freebies. And if they had to pay for a night in the castle it would be nothing to them anyway.

They pay for nothing and get those tons of freebies because they have given up some of their personal space and their ability to travel freely when visiting. As you look at the photos of Suri Cruise in the grass with Cinderella, don't forget to notice the mob of guests, photographers and people pointing and taking photos. How many of you would say to a hundred or so total strangers, "Of COURSE you can take photographs of my children and plaster them all over your Facebook and MySpace and Flickr pages ... here ... let me turn and pose with my child and with your husband and your kids so that you have a photo to show your friends ... of course you can video tape us enjoying Dumbo. If it means I get to stay in the Castle Suite, you can exploit my image and that of my child all you want!" Your initial reaction might be "Heck, yeah!" Until you realize that total strangers will have photos and video of your kids and what happens if one of those people is just a little ... weird. And those pictures and video start showing up in places you didn't really want them to be.

Celebrities don't get to vacation like normal people, and while it may sound enticing to have back-door access and special seating and all, being treated like you're not "normal" gets old. Tom and Katie don't get to watch Suri discover something by accident at WDW -- their entire visit is choreographed. And then Disney and the press use those images of Tom, Katie and Suri to promote their products. I may be the odd one out here, but if getting a night in the Castle Suite is the trade-off for letting press and Disney and guests and total strangers take their photo, disrupt their vacation and make it awkward for them to just enjoy WDW as a family, I don't think that's at all unfair. I don't think that's at all an abuse of their celebrity. I think it's an adequate trade-off.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I really didn't mean to sound bitter. I'm really quite the opposite. But you speak of Disney like it was a single person that owns it. It is not by a long shot. It is a publicly owned corporation. The stock holders own it and entrust the board members and managers to generate a profit. That profit comes from us. In such bad economic times Disney does not need to creat bad pulic relations stories like are being suggested here.

I just feel that Disney should not take something so special as the Cinderella Suite and make it an expensive hotel room or a perk for some snobby celeb they are trying to butter up. I wonder how they pick which celebrity gets picked over the other ones there that day. If they have no better imagination to keep the suite special then tear it down. That is just my opinion though.

Except it's not creating bad PR. Everyone (well, Disney fans) are talking about it all over the place. I've seen six threads on the DIS alone. People are talking about the suite, the parks, etc. Very few, if any, people will boycott WDW because celebs got to stay in the suite. If they had a huge backlash and everyone decided not to take their Disney trip this year as a result of the Cruises, then, yes, bad PR. However, I'm willing to bet my castle suite that won't be the case.

I agree, celebrities can afford ANYTHING they want, they should be excluded...however, if they want to PAY for a charity to host a few nights for a sick child than fine with me.

What about the extremely wealthy but not famous? Should they also be excluded?

Let me further explain my point and position. By no means do I feel that Disney has no right to make money - and a lot of it. I happily pay the ridiculously high prices with a giant smile on my face. Disney is the only place I would pay $5 for a little hot dog and not complain (well at a Yankees game too). What I am saying is let's equal the playing field for sharing in such a magical piece of this treasured place. Yes, YOAMD may have left some people disappointed - but that's their own fault. Nothing was guaranteed. It was still an amazing feeling to wander the streets and think "What If??" Everyone had the same chances - whether you were staying at a value resort or in the Grand Floridian suites. Everyone was able to partake and feel the same "magic" without having to pay extra for it. I just feel that let's keep money aside. Disney makes enough (hence my parking fee comment). I feel that Mr. Cruise and his family should have no more an edge than Joe Schmoe and his family. The Schmoe's could be teachers, soldiers, social workers, or waiters and waitresses. What makes them any less qualified for eligibility than Hollywood's elite? This economy is taking its toll on America - so let's not begin to ruin the magic by turning this into a class issue. Give it away for pete's sake!! We give to Disney hand over fist- why don't they give back to their loyal followers??

Castle stays for all those seeking the magic, I say!!! Woo hoo!

Because most people, especially the crowd you're talking to (DISers) will continue to do so with Disney giving back to them. Disney is in a unique spot where they'd almost have to try to turn people off. Trivial happenings (like little Miss Suri spending the night in the castle) are not going to have any negative effect on Disney's pocket book.