All Walt Disney World Resort fans know about the Cinderella Castle Suite and most would love the opportunity to stay a night. The suite is located inside Cinderella Castle on the fourth floor and was originally intended to be an apartment for Walt Disney and his family when they came to Florida. After Walt died in 1966, the space became an area for telephone operators and over the years had various different uses. The Suite is visible from the bridges to Liberty Square and Adventureland, with it’s three, small stained glass windows.
Mosaic Floor in Entry Foyer ~ Photo via Disney Parks
It seems every die-hard Disney fan (yes, me too!) wants to spend the night in the suite. Who wouldn’t want to? Unfortunately, almost everyone has to settle for dinner in Cinderella’s Royal Table because no one is actually allowed to book it. If you do get the chance to stay – it’s FREE – but, stays are by invitation only. Last year at a Disney media event, I sat at a table next to someone who won a stay with her family. I actually started to hyperventilate when they announced they would be giving away a stay in the suite! That’s the closest I ever came to even peeking inside – sitting at the table next to someone who won a stay!
The suite was finished for the promotional Year of a Million Dreams and each day that year a different family was randomly selected to spend the night in the suite overlooking the Magic Kingdom. Every now and then Disney will run a contest offering the winner a stay. The suite is lavishly decorated but small (just a bit larger than a studio at one of the Disney Vacation Club resorts). It has three areas ~ a bedroom with two beds, a parlor/sitting room with a sofa that folds out into a bed and a luxurious bathroom. It can accommodate 6 people. Disney has made every effort to make it a beautiful mix of Medieval and modern. The Imagineers have made every effort to ensure that the room is plausibly authentic as a suite in Cinderella Castle despite its modern conveniences. The Cinderella Castle Suite carefully toes the line between modern and Medieval.
Fireplace in Bedroom ~ Photo via Disney Parks
Medieval but Modern
The careful attention to centuries-old details to make the suite believable hide many modern amenities. There is a lavish garden tub and shower; wheelchair accessible bathroom and bedroom facilities and an elevator to gain access to the suite. Medieval paintings and mirrors turn into modern flat-screen televisions.
Bathroom ~ Photo via Disney Parks
Tub ~ Photo via Disney Parks
Guests fortunate enough to visit and stay in the suite are assigned guides to take them through a rear entrance into the Magic Kingdom and to begin their stay. These guides are full of Disney knowledge and love to share as much of this knowledge as they can with guests. The guide will also act as your human FastPass+ and will sweep you through the lines for any attractions you wish to ride while you wait for your suite to be readied. As guests of the suite you are also able to watch the fireworks from a VIP spot on the lawn complete with Mickey ice cream bars, popcorn and drinks. Because of the stained glass windows in the suite, there is no good viewing of the parade and other park happenings from inside. You can also slip into one of the plush robes and slippers provided and sneak into the Magic Kingdom after the park closes for some special photo memories! When you stay the night, you will be asked to be ready early the next morning to be led by a special guide to enjoy breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Bedroom Area ~ Photo via Disney Parks
Sitting area ~ Photo via Disney Parks
A stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite will remain at the top of my Disney “Wish List” for a long time. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, Disney will not be allowing reservations anytime soon. I do believe that magic really does happen at Walt Disney World ~ so ~ you never know!
AJ
Sunday 30th of December 2018
How do you enter to get picked for a night stay??
Janice Brady
Monday 31st of December 2018
You can't enter anything. It is usually reserved for celebrities and VIP guests. Disney will also give away a night's stay at some of their big events. They have in the past run contests and sweepstakes open to the general public but that doesn't happen very often.
Patricia Shepard
Wednesday 18th of January 2017
WOW! But what happens after hours? Is there room service/housekeeping/a front desk??? Is it creepy being in the park after hours?
Susie
Thursday 19th of January 2017
Hello, You get escorted outside to walk around and take pictures for a little while then you go back to your suite. We ordered and picked up food of course just in case so we would have food while watching tv. I would love love love to do it all over again. The view from the window is amazing. Truly Magical.
Janice Brady
Thursday 19th of January 2017
There is always someone on duty. It isn't creepy at all.
Susie
Tuesday 17th of January 2017
In 2013 we were lucky enough to win a night in the castle and it was incredible. I almost cried from joy. They also have a registration book where you can thank Cinderella for being able to stay in her home. Dreams do come true at Disney and I will never forget it.
Janice Brady
Tuesday 17th of January 2017
OMG! Lucky girl! I can only imagine how excited it must have been!