New Cinderella Suite

[Lowillian]

Back to the windows - so it looks like you can't see out of the suite, right? I would love to be able to see MK from the suite (if I were lucky enough to stay there!)

 

[dizchick]

I was wondering about the view also. It does look like all of the windows are stained glass. I wonder if there is anywhere in it that you can see out and look over MK?

I too wondered about the poster who said her friend was able to rent out the suite for her wedding, but I don't think she was trying to start a rumor. I think her friend was just misinformed. Although, I would be an awesome place to have a party!

 

[RachelTori]

Not to fuel a rumor, but I do remember seeing that the suite would be available as a prize "most nights" from 1/25/2007 thru the end of YOAMD. I took that to mean that there would be some nights when they would use it for a special function or VIP.

 

[ufgator]

I would love to stay there. Cinderella was my favorite growing up.

 

[allisonswonderland]

They did such a wonderful job - it is even better than I imagined - it looks just like a castle....surely they are not renting it for a wedding honeymoon night - but maybe they are??? IS she getting married at the castle - in the park? or at the Wedding Pavilion or another location

 

[jillyjoey]

They did such a wonderful job - it is even better than I imagined - it looks just like a castle....

My thoughts exactly -- done only as Disney magic could....

 

[bear22]

I believe she is getting married there or the GF.

She sent me this. There are 24 rooms in there.

Nothing has caused more buzz than the Cinderella Castle suite. People have always wanted to sleep there, long before the Year of a Million Dreams, said Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of creative development for Walt Disney Imagineering, the company that designs Disney attractions.

When Walt Disney World was being planned, Walt and Roy Disney had envisioned a family apartment in the castle. But while the space was carved out midway up the castle, the apartment was never built. Disney World opened in 1971, and almost from the beginning, Disney planners talked about creating a place there for guests, Jacobson said.

"The time was right to make it happen. Everybody got together on our team and said, 'Let's do the suite! It's such a great thing for our guests to talk about,' " Jacobson said. "The idea of staying in the Magic Kingdom in the castle is the most requested dream by our guests. If you say, 'If you could do anything you want at Walt Disney World, what would it be?' It's 'Stay in the castle.' "

For seven months, Jacobson's team of engineers, designers, artists and craftsmen and Walt Disney World construction workers have been trying to figure out what Cinderella's guest rooms might be like, then building them, so far 24 total.

Now each day an eligible Walt Disney World guest will be selected randomly at a park or Downtown Disney by early afternoon, and he or she will be invited to stay in the castle with up to five family members or friends. The Disney staff will help them move in from wherever they are staying.

The celebration ends Dec. 31. Disney officials say they have not decided what they will do with the rooms after that.

Starting today, visitors will arrive by slipping through a door in the castle breezeway. An elevator takes them to the third floor, opening to a richly paneled foyer decorated with stained glass, a mosaic floor, framed, original Cinderella movie concept art by renowned Disney artist Mary Blair, and a glass display case containing a single glass slipper. Nearby, a 24-hour concierge will be on hand to take care of their every need.

Cinderella's honeymoon suite consist of a foyer, the entire 650-square-foot, three-room suite (roughly the size of many business hotel suites) is a mix of 17th-century French luxury, 21st-century conveniences, and 1950s-era Cinderella movie motifs.

"That was the biggest challenge, blending the 17th century with 21st-century amenities, and still keeping true to our medieval castle," said the project's interior designer, Cathy Carverof Imagineering.

The two queen-size beds, tables, wardrobes, chairs and other furnishings are either antiques, with flourishes such as 24-karat gold inlays, or, as with a sofa bed, made to look like period pieces with custom-made touches. Two framed mirrors -- one in the parlor and one in the bedchamber -- transform themselves, at the touch of a remote button, into 37-inch LCD TVs. The 17th-century desk has inlaid wood and inlaid computer hookups. Bathroom sinks resemble wash basins; faucets resemble handpumps. A waterfall flows into the whirlpool spa tub.

And throughout -- in the art, the stained glass, the carvings, the knick-knacks, -- are little reminders of house mice, the pumpkin carriage, the fairy godmother, the prince and Cinderella from the 1950 movie.

"This is her home. You are now experiencing Cinderella's home. This is her guest suites," Carver said.

 

[kribit]

Before I even read that Make A Wish rumor, that is immediately what I thought it could/should be used for.

Although, Disney is a business. I can see them renting it to people that can afford it (like celebrities).

 

[webray]

I am hoping they rent it out...hubby and I would love it for our 25th wedding anniversary. We already planned on having Cinderella's coach, he said he would even dress like prince charming...staying there would make the whole thing perfect.

 

[kribit]

I think the cost to rent the castle would be astronomical. If they charge $450 per night for a standard room at the GF, can you imagine what they would charge for the Castle?

 

[brergnat]

There are NOT 24 rooms in the castle. That is a misprint in the article or something. There is ONE suite in the castle. The castle is not even big enough to have 24 guest rooms in it...one whole floor is the restaurant, and that space that the suite is in is actually pretty small (similar in size to a one bedroom apartment). It was intended as an APARTMENT for Walt Disney and his family.

Your friend probably has rooms blocked off at the Grand Floridian. 24 rooms x $500 equals $12,000 roughly. She is not staying in the Cinderella Castle suite, but she MAY be getting married in front of the castle, for the low price of $40,000! She probably has a honeymoon suite at the Grand Floridian booked for the wedding. She better straighten that out, though, or she is going to be in for QUITE a disappointment when she arrives.

 

[BamaTigger]

I think the cost to rent the castle would be astronomical. If they charge $450 per night for a standard room at the GF, can you imagine what they would charge for the Castle?

 

[ppiew]

Brergnat: I agree! Having seen the space (prior to remodeling) there is NO WAY that there are 24 rooms of ANY size up there! Just look at the castle photo, the restaurant takes up an entire floor and above that is just towers, tiers, etc. not usable space. That suite is still only 650 sq ft - not huge by ANY standard. There are resort hotel rooms that approach the 400 sq ft mark.
If she thinks her guests are staying there, I sure would ask for that in writing to dispense with the inevitable disappointment/anger that may occur when they find out the castle does NOT have all those rooms.

I doubt very much if Disney would ever do that anyway. Think about it! Can you imagine 'locking in' 24 guest rooms for the night???? Never happen!!

I have stayed in the Presidential Suite at the GF, and that is about 2000 sq ft. It has 2 BR, 2 1/2 baths, HUGE entry hall, Combination living dining room with a marble bar, 5 balconeys and it is gorgeous beyond belief. Now THAT has an extraordinary 'VIEW" of the castle. Hope they aren't confusing the 'view' with the real thing!!

 

[i3utterfli82]

I think the article is saying thet have built 24 different versions of the room before deciding on the final layout and decor. There is only one suite and this is not rentable.

 

[ppiew]

Now THAT makes more sense! I know they do mock ups of every hotel room prior to bldg.

 

[kimberh]

The suite is beautiful. It would be a DREAM of mine to stay there. I would sure like to see if someone has more information on this.

 

[allisonswonderland]

ACtually it is much more to be married in front of the castle - the wish book lists is at a minimum of 500,000 - it was at 50,000 - I thought it was a misprint - I think it is because they really do not want to go through the trouble. I got married in November at the Wedding Pavilion-- so 500 was not an option a glimmer or even a thought for me- but I had a wonderful and magical wedding. There was a bride on another message board that I visit who just did the castle wedding- she has some pictures on this weddings board - take a look - it looks amazing!!!

 

[kribit]

How much is it to get married in front of the castle? 50,000!?!?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

As nice as the Suite is -would you really want to stay there for more than one evening? I mean, you would have to be on "lock-down" the entire time, no windows and it might be a bit spooky being in the MK all by yourselves at night.

Don't get me wrong - when the Dream Team taps me on the shoulder this July to escort us to our suite in the Castle, I won't turn them down, but I will make it clear that ONE NIGHT IS ENOUGH

 

[mking624]

How much is it to get married in front of the castle? 50,000!?!?

Last I read (and it's been awhile), you had to have a minimum of a $50,000 to be able to qualify for a Magic Kingdom wedding...which makes me wonder if it's then even more money to rent it out. Yikes!