We stayed in Cinderella's Castle

[kritter]

He didn't win this as a prize. He was allowed to stay there as a member of the press.

Sorry if I confused you.. I know that he got to stay there as a member of the press. But he should realized that without all of the tourists WDW attracts Orlando would be attacting as much money and tourists if it was not for WDW. The paper sent the wrong man to cover this one....

 

[Disneyolic]

He didn't win this as a prize. He was allowed to stay there as a member of the press.

If this is true, then I believe the person of the press should have been screened a bit more to make sure the person was appropriate for this honor. I'm sure there were plenty of family journalists that could have been chosen and appreciated it more, let alone write a positive piece on it.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

OMG, I just found this thread... I think we saw your group on 2/5. The gentleman in your photos holding the Castle shapped balloon did he escort you around? We were next to the Castle shortly before the parade maybe 2pm or so that day and I saw him walk by and I think it was your family with him. How cool! Congrats and thanks for sharing.

 

[BratTink]

I want to add my "thanks for sharing"! I'm so thrilled to read a first-hand account of an actual dis-boarder!

 

[kritter]

Thanks again for sharing.
What time of day did you find out you were going to be given the stay???

 

[gogriz]

Thanks again for sharing.
What time of day did you find out you were going to be given the stay???

It was about 10:10 in the morning. But it was probably not until 11 that I actually believed it

 

[gogriz]

OMG, I just found this thread... I think we saw your group on 2/5. The gentleman in your photos holding the Castle shapped balloon did he escort you around? We were next to the Castle shortly before the parade maybe 2pm or so that day and I saw him walk by and I think it was your family with him. How cool! Congrats and thanks for sharing.

That was probably us. They walked us from the Main Street area out to Frontierland where the parade started. Then they had to hoof it back to Main Street to meet us again. Nate is holding the balloon in the photo and next to him is Jim. Both were really nice and we had a lot of fun with them.

 

[MikeS.]

Everyone reading this thread that thinks the reporter wrote an awful article should leave a comment on the article at that paper. I did and so did gogriz's DH. Let;s tell them what we think.

 

[gogriz]

Everyone reading this thread that thinks the reporter wrote an awful article should leave a comment on the article at that paper. I did and so did gogriz's DH. Let;s tell them what we think.

YEEESSSS!!!!! I agree.

 

[pperfectmom]

I can't believe the part where he writes "Before dinner we finally meet Cinderella. In blond wig, powdered cheeks and lilting voice, she is convincing, and poses for pictures with us. She embraces my arm; I do not tell her I will later be naked in her bathtub." That was totally uncalled for and I hope that Disney goes back on you for writing such garbage. I'm sorry ...someone track this reporter down and run him over with a mob of Disney characters!

I guess I'm a sick and twisted girl. I thought the "naked in your bathtub" comment was hilarious. I'm certainly glad for the OP and her beautiful family. I'd love to win a night there too, but I do realize that not everyone would look at this prize the same way as all of us Disney fanatics.

 

[jns]

Just to say a big Thanks you for sharing your magic deams with us and the great photos

looking forward to seeing your photopass photos too

 

[Mic_n_Min]

What a magical time for your family. Congratulations!!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I guess I'm a sick and twisted girl. I thought the "naked in your bathtub" comment was hilarious. I'm certainly glad for the OP and her beautiful family. I'd love to win a night there too, but I do realize that not everyone would look at this prize the same way as all of us Disney fanatics.

Ditto!

I know if my family won, we'd be like this
If my brothers family won, he'd be like this

Congrats, OP! I'm very excited for you!

However, I don't feel the reporter should be flamed for his comments. There are more important things to other people than Disney and staying in the Castle. Not that I can think of any, personally....

 

[WDW1st-timers]

However, I don't feel the reporter should be flamed for his comments. There are more important things to other people than Disney and staying in the Castle. Not that I can think of any, personally....

WHAT?????????????? You mean people think of other stuff than Disney?

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

WHAT?????????????? You mean people think of other stuff than Disney?

I know! What a sad, sad world!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

I know! What a sad, sad world!

 

[gogriz]

Ditto!

I know if my family won, we'd be like this
If my brothers family won, he'd be like this

Congrats, OP! I'm very excited for you!

However, I don't feel the reporter should be flamed for his comments. There are more important things to other people than Disney and staying in the Castle. Not that I can think of any, personally....

I know in the grand scheme of things, there are many more important things. I might be too close to the issue since I stayed in the castle. The castle itself wasn't the most amazing part of our "winnings." To me it was how absolutely awesome the CMs were that interacted with us during the whole process. Whenever I read accounts of "magical" moments on this board the common theme seems to be the amazingly thoughtful CM who created the moment. I think I just saw red when the reporter summed up Cinderella with her wig and powder and only mentioned that another person looked like a stewardess and made him feel creepy with all the "Royal Family" talk. I also applaud Disney for NOT having alcohol at the Magic Kingdom. I drink my fair share, don't get me wrong, but it is nice to go places where it isn't offered just for the sake of my kids. His experience seemed to be hindered by the lack of alcohol and I think that is just unfair. My impression of the reporter is that he went into with the attitude that he was too cool to be "wowed" and he did all he could to keep that attitude. Mostly--I am just sad that he didn't give the CMs the credit they deserve.

But I am movin' on...booked that Puerto Vallarta trip today for January 2008.

 

[Lauralee131]

Maybe the reporter's big issue of the lack of alcohol was the fact that he was (if you think about it) on like a business trip. So if he's there on someone else's dime, he probably wanted to go all out and indulge.

I know for me, when I travel for work, alcohol is a big plus!! In fact, I'm going to my company's annual shareholder meeting next month and I've got to start practicing drinking just to keep up with all the travelers!

Or...sadly...maybe it's just a guy thing. Or....a guy who has no kids and no imagination thing....

I for one, would absolutely lose my mind if I won a stay in the castle!!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I know for me, when I travel for work, alcohol is a big plus!!

Gotta love that Lauralee!

 

[T-i-double-g-err]

I know for me, when I travel for work, alcohol is a big plus!! ...

I had a colleague who used to refer to it as punative dining. If the Company (always a capital C) is taking me from my home and family, the least they can do is treat me to as nice a meal as the per diem will allow, including a glass of wine or three, or four... I always wondered how so many expensive restaurants stayed in business unil I worked for a Company; I now believe that a significant part is business dining: travelers, client meetings, interviews, etc.

Our entire family would be bouncing off the walls (super-duper-alley-ooper) if we were to win a night stay at the castle. I can see the off-color humor in reporters statement; however, I don't think I could ever be in that kind of mindset in MK, business travel or otherwise. The place exudes an aura that makes you just want to indulge in child-like play and whimsy.