Disney is hashing out details of castle stay

[crazy4wdw]

Disney is hashing out details of castle stay

Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
June 10, 2006

Cinderella fans must wait a while longer before learning details of what a night in her castle might be like -- and then wait until January for a chance to win such a visit.

Walt Disney World officials say they haven't worked out many details about the part of their big, new, yearlong promotion that is piquing imaginations: a chance to spend the night in the royal chamber at Cinderella Castle.

"Oh my gosh," said Brandee Foxworthy of Longwood, whose daughter, Ella, was named for the fairy-tale princess. "My first thought was, in what way could we increase our chances?"

That's yet to be answered, along with: How will winners be picked? What will the suite be like? What will visitors do after the park closes?

Craig Dezern, a marketing vice president, said those details still are being worked out. Even the apartment is only a shell right now, with planners discussing how to turn it into a royal chamber.

For that reason, it won't be ready for occupancy until January, even though Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion begins Oct. 1.

The single-floor apartment is about 10 stories up, where the main structure of the castle ends and the spires climb on their own.

Some say Walt Disney ordered it as a family suite, but he died in 1966 and castle construction didn't begin until 1969. Some say Walt's brother, Roy Disney, planned it, but he died in 1971, weeks after the Magic Kingdom opened.

The room was never finished.

Jerry Aldrich, a Disney official from 1971 to '98 before leaving to start Amusement Industry Consulting in Orlando, has been in it several times. He said it wasn't even drywalled.

Until now, Disney found less than royal uses for the apartment. At times the space was used as a radio room, a telephone switchboard operators' room and a greenroom, where entertainers could change or relax.

Like many Disney and Cinderella fans, the Foxworthys can't wait.

"We would be over the moon to spend time in the castle and have special pictures and memories of that," Brandee Foxworthy said.

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

I would love to know how Disney will be pulling this one off....

 

[2angelsinheaven]

How exciting I wish I was eligible I would go to WDW everyday for my chance... =o) This will be a dream come true for so many, I would love to be the CM that is able to say "You have won a night in the castle", etc. I think I would be misty eyed.

 

[OhMari]

I think they are going to award to to people that need that extra nite like when they need a room before the go into their DVC, or one night in a value and the rest in a moderate or Deluxe. I bet it will only be done thru CRO.

Can you imagine being picked at a park, the secret will come out, what the person looks like that will grant that wish. It will be like waking up Tinker Bell.

 

[dbm20th]

This is funny. In other places, boards and podcasts, Disney is being made to look silly for not hammering out the details of this befoire announcing it. On another thread, I just read someone who is upset that Disney isn't up front with plans like they used to be, and here they are getting beat up for being up front with plans. Off topic, I know. Just thinking out loud

 

[scottb8888]

Any further news on this. I find this very interesting.

 

[MJMcBride]

will Cinderella be staying in the room with you?

 

[Another Voice]

There is some buzz around that the Castle Room won't be ready until next year. There is a termendous amount of work that has to be done to the castle to bring it up to code (since it now has to be classified as a hotel instead of just being an office or a prop). There are big operational issues to continued with as well.

Example - what if the Magic Kingdom closes at six and I want to party at Pleasure Island until 2am? Will Disney have to hire staff just to wait around for me and to lock me in at night? What if I want room service?

Almost all the rumors agree that this idea was thrown together at the last minute (with little input from WDW) and that will be very, very expensive.

Although the article is about Disneyland's "Year of 333,000 Dreams" - AL Lutz has a grear write up that explains what to expect with this new promotion - http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al080106a.htm. It's at the bottom of the first page. (and the stuff about Lindsay Lohan is fun too).

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

There is some buzz around that the Castle Room won't be ready until next year. There is a termendous amount of work that has to be done to the castle to bring it up to code (since it now has to be classified as a hotel instead of just being an office or a prop). There are big operational issues to continued with as well.

Example - what if the Magic Kingdom closes at six and I want to party at Pleasure Island until 2am? Will Disney have to hire staff just to wait around for me and to lock me in at night? What if I want room service?

Almost all the rumors agree that this idea was thrown together at the last minute (with little input from WDW) and that will be very, very expensive.

Although the article is about Disneyland's "Year of 333,000 Dreams" - AL Lutz has a grear write up that explains what to expect with this new promotion - http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al080106a.htm. It's at the bottom of the first page. (and the stuff about Lindsay Lohan is fun too).

Agreed on the last minute thing... Shoulda thought about that whole code thing before making grand plans.

It almost sounds as if this whole "Dreams" giveaway is being treated like a contest would be treated. Given that, I have to believe there will be certain disclaimers and restrictions on some of the big prizes (err... Dreams) to be awarded as there would be in a contest. I would assume that the the examples you provide above in regards to a Dream night in Cindy's humble abode will be mitigated with some kind of regimented program such as a private ride on a few attractions, or an after-hours operation tour, or a visit with a character/princess followed by some minor amenities (i.e. food/snacks) and then turn-in (lock-in (?)) with a wake-up call at a certain time... And oh yeah - you need to have park tickets for the next day too. Please sign on the dotted line. If you can't abide by these restrictions then your dream night goes to someone else.... That's the program - take it or leave it.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

What's the rush? Why is Disney in such a hurry to release the Year of a Million Dreams promotion? Especially since HCOE will just barely be over. To me it would make more sense to wait until ALL the promotions were ready.

 

[brock]

That would be magical!