Walt's apartment in the castle???

[boomhauer]

I forgot to post this last week when my wife noticed this:

I'm sure many of you have seen the Disney World special that has aired couintless times on the Travel Channel, that mentions an apartment was built in the castle for Walt and his family. However, after he died, it was used for years as a room for operators at Disney World.

Well, on the A&E special about Disney World, they talked about how construction of Disney World began in 1969. Walt died in 1966. Why would there be an apartment built into the castle if Walt was dead for 3 years?

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

The apartment could not have been built for Walt. It may have been built for his family.

The confusion may stem from the apartment on Main Street in Disneyland that the Disney family did use for years. They also built an apartment for Walt above Pirates of the Carribean at DL that is now a Disney art gallery.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I thought his personal apartment was over the Fire Station on Main Street in DL?

I KNOW that now the upper most portions of the WDW castle are used as part of their call center...cause I know someone who works there...

 

[PanamaMike]

There is a big difference between "planned to build" and "actually built"

While it seems that at some point in the planning of WDW, the castle included an apartment for Walt Disney, as we know he died several years before construction began on the project. The plan was scrapped.

No apartment (or part of an apartment) was ever built inside Cinderella Castle.

 

[vic32]

We were told that the apartment was built for family, who ended up not wanting it, so it was a call center, and now its where Tinkerbell get dressed for the flight over the crowd.

 

[rajay320]

The construction on the castle was completed in 1971, after 18 months.

"Inside the upper levels of Cinderella Castle, there is a penthouse that was intended to be an apartment for Walt Disney and his family when they were in Florida. After Walt Disney died in 1966, the apartment was left unfinished - for a period, Roy O. Disney was due to take up residence there but decided against it, in respect for his brother. Instead, the penthouse served as the operations area for Vista United Telecommunications (switchboard operators). It now serves as dressing rooms for the entertainers performing in the shows at the Castle Forecourt Stage."

 

[CanadianGuy]

The Disneyland apartment was beautiful. It's now the location for a store/art gallery. I think it's "The Disney Gallery" .. it's a beautiful spot to check out at DLR for sure.

J

 

[tzvdmd]

According to Vacation Magic, a DVC publication, the area above Cinderellas Royal Table was intended to be used as an apartment for the Disney family. It is there it's just not used as an apartment.

 

[PolyFish]

Are you serious? I didn't know that. I only get Canadian channels and they barely ever show those WDW shows. My mom taped on from A&E.

Thanks!

Fish

 

[Linzybrooke]

From The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kindgom

"The Fire Station at Disneyland was built with an apartment to be used by the Disney family, which is still there to this day. The Disney apartment at WDW was to have been placed inside Cinderella Castle."

 

[eblack0409]

My guess would be that the apartment was built into the plan....and they went ahead and built it as a tribute to Walt. My guess is the light is left on as a means of remembering Walt!