Spending the night in the Castle...

[tmarquez]

My kids always try to figure out which 2 have to stay home if we ever won anything LOL!

Does this make for very well behaved children? Or would it be more of a fight to the death kind of thing?

 

[Barbers2005]

Maybe they'll let you wander around the park but you have to have guards- secret service style- so you don't get in trouble. Even better, they could round up some of the burlier characters. (Picture self with entourage of Tarzan, Hercules and some princes).

 

[Sleeping Becca]

The Dream Sweepstakes does NOT include a castle stay. I don't think the castle apt will be ready then. Totally different contest. This contest is to kick off the Year of A Million Dreams Celebration.

One family will be selected each day (don't know how) to spend a night in the castle for the length of the Year of A Million Dreams Celebration. So really there are hundreds of chances to be selected.

I'm thinking the apt would be quite large compared to a deluxe or mod resort. I think it would be more in line with a deluxe suite. After all this was supposed to be an apt for Walt AND his family. It was used by Disney Phone Operators for a while, then as changing rooms for the Disney Forcourt Castle Show (Cinderella's Surprise was before Cinderellabration so yes technically you would be sharing a room with Peter Pan). So I'm thinking this is a pretty substantial space. Not at all cramped, prob quite palacial. I'm sure there will be a concierge or escort there to take care of any late night needs (and to keep you out of trouble), and also a stocked fridge full of Mickey Goodies.

Hopefully one of us DISers will win so everyone will know the details!

 

[tmarquez]

Seems like I saw somewhere, or was it my imagination...that you will have a CM looking after you (on call or sitting downstairs?),

Ok...does anyone know if Tour Guide Mike has a blue print of the castle in any of the touring plans so we can figure out how to get by this pesky CM?

 

[JRawkSteady]

My guess is that MK is pretty BUSY at night--CMs sweeping sidewalks, cleaning streets, stocking store shelves, getting restaurants ready for the next day, etc. You never see that stuff going on during the day.

Actually, besides security and third shirft custodial, the CMs are all gone by about midnight on regular nights, about 2AM on EMH nights

 

[carolinagirl]

This thread is too funny!

I was just thinking how very "UN-MAGICAL" it would be to arrive at the Magic Kingdom full of anticipation to see that spectacular view of the castle after you step out onto Main Street and see some family in their bathrobes sipping coffee and reading the paper out on one of the balconies.

Or how about two little children's faces pressed up against the glass of one of the castle windows looking out at everyone arriving in the morning! I could just hear one of my children now: "Mommy? Did Cinderella and Prince Charming have children? I think they must have because they are looking down at us!"

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I can see it now.......It's late, I've got the munchies.

"Hello, do you deliver? I'm not sure of the address, but it's a great big castle, you can't miss it."

That might be the funniest thing I've heard all day.

Jen

 

[Sleeping Becca]

It seems that many of us are forgetting the Disney is a wonderful magical place. Hello, thats why we are so crazy about the place!

So much negativity about spending the night in the castle, hello Mcfly, You get to spend the night in the castle!

Don't you think Disney will make this super magical? Of course! This is the creme de l' creme of WDW experiences!

Lets come to our senses. Lets wake up and smell the Main Street Bake Shop muffins in the morning. This is going to be super duper ultra fantastic mega deluxe supercalafragalisticexpeala wonderful awesome dream come true for all of the families who are lucky enough to be chosen!

 

[tmarquez]

So much negativity about spending the night in the castle

Umm...I think we're kidding around...

 

[Sammie]

I am sorry but I have to agree. It is one of those things that sounds fabulous on paper but in reality maybe not as great.

Hopefully they will make some major changes to the apartment. I am sure it will be very nice. Also improve the elevator, as I have heard from CMs its bascially a freight elevator. The apartment is 10 floors up.

And Yes I agree that once you are taken to your room in the castle, you will have to stay there. Except to sit on the balcony, maybe. I would think also they will have to provide some one to stay there during the night also, in case of emergencies. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, especially as to what time you will be there and what time you have to leave. Knowing Disney you will probably have to leave before the park opens or you will have to use your own ticket for that day.

My Dad thought it sounded majorly creepy.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Actually, besides security and third shirft custodial, the CMs are all gone by about midnight on regular nights, about 2AM on EMH nights

Yep - when I did merchandise at MGM, the ONLY time we were there overnight was the one night out of 5 months that we did inventory. We stocked shelves throughout the day with one last run through at park close. We would have shelves re-stocked, drawers counted, carts and porches secured, doors locked, deposit made and clocked out in less than an hour after park close. I'd imagine restaurants are the same way. My roommate worked attractions and she seemed to be out in under an hour, after ride-throughs and all that stuff. It's all pretty efficient. Except for the front of the park shops, most shops start to die down an hour or 2 before park close which gives CMs PLENTY of time to start restocking. One of my shops had 6 registers and we'd start closing them and counting down about an hour before park close - by the time the park did close, we only had 1 or 2 registers operational.

When I did the inventory night, lights and music stayed on and other than those of us working we would see the occasional maintenance person driving around. I don't even recall seeing security. We were there from park close til 6 AM and didn't really see that many people around. Maybe a couple people/trucks an hour would go past the shop? Definitely not a LOT of people wandering around.

I would be willing to bet that they'll have someone at the castle to act as a concierge to make sure nothing happens and make sure the winning family is pampered. I wouldn't be surprised if they allow the family to wander around (most likely with a CM) to see the park after close. But I would think that with such a limited time in the castle, that most families are really going to want to spend as much time being IN that room as possible.

 

[Brocktoon]

If they really want to make my dreams come true, just give me a high pressure water cannon mounted on a castle balcony that I can use during normal park hours. That would be the vacation of a lifetime ...

 

[Disney Fool]

Okay, that one blew me away! I'm sitting her at my computer and tears are running down my face! This thread is hysterical!!! The poor Disney suits are probably complaining "What do they want????" Now that I'm thinking, the children who win could be traumatized by visions of Mickey, Pluto and Goofy armed with assault rifles ready to shoot any guest who ventures out of the castle during the night. For the first time, Disney may have to raise the drawbridge. (it does have a drawbridge, doesn't it?)

 

[ryanmilla]

What I love is that it said all parties need to be over 18. Well, I remember when I was 18 I was a bit mischavious (not in a malicious way, but boys will be boys). So, if they tried to keep the people in the castle, I could see a couple 18 yr olds finding some inventive way to sneak out and cause all kinds of havoc.

I can just see it now if any Disney Brass read through this thread thinking "Oh No! What did we do? Maybe we should have thought this through a bit more."

 

[Goof-abulous]

OK. This has to be the best laugh I've had in a long while.

Now I'm thinking what would McGiver do if locked in Cinderella's Castle with no way to get out? HMMMM

(Mission Impossible music) dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun
There must be something we can find around Cindy's room to get out!
Ah yes, I remember during the fireworks, seeing Tink rappel from the top of the castle to Future land.

OK. family it is a risky mission but I think we can do it. And if we get caught blame Goofy.

 

[tmarquez]

And if we get caught blame Goofy.

Actually it's been my experience (yes...I was once a teenager with an annual pass) that the BEST way to get out of trouble with Disney is to blame the youngest child and make sure that child can cry on demand.

My younger brother could have had a great career as an actor! Wonder why he chose law enforcement?

 

[frndofpooh]

What time is check-in? Will they leave towel animals on your beds? Can you get a late check out? Where will you park? Will someone carry your bags all the way from the TTC? If you have to go to the TTC to get something that you left in the car but you forget your park ticket, how will you get back in? Where is the ice machine? Is there a balcony and, if so, can you sit out there drinking coffee at 10:00 a.m.? What if you're staying there during one of the nights of MNSSHP or MVMCP? What if you're trying to get some sleep during the fireworks - can you ask them to keep the noise down? What if you refuse to let Tink in before the fireworks begin? Can you come down to Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast in your bathrobe and slippers? So many questions!

 

[Anim8ed]

"Hello, do you deliver? I'm not sure of the address, but it's a great big castle, you can't miss it."

...if you see the flying elephants, you've gone too far.

 

[CinRell]

And if you see PINK elephants... tell me where your stop BEFORE the castle was. I want to go!

Too bad Rapunzel isn't a disney princess yet.. she would probably be a great help after "lockdown"

 

[ToTLaugher]

Hey, did anyone else read Kingdom Keepers? I am not so sure I want to be in the park after hours! What if the pirates and IASW dolls come to life and come after me