So, Is Cinderella Castle Bookable or Not?

[Melanie]

Confused after reading this article, since it plainly states "The room cannot be booked at any price, but it's often used by Disney for charity events and promotions, so the mystery of what it's like to spend a night inside is part of its appeal."

And yes Ian, we KNOW it's not a mystery to you!

But back to my point, the article isn't really clear on HOW Suri got to stay there. Last I checked, she's not charity or a promotion, but we know Daddy's got the $$$$. Hmmm.

From People.com

Suri Cruise Spends a Magical Night in Cinderella's Castle Suite

No one is having a better summer than Suri Cruise.

Suri, 6, was the envy of children everywhere as she toured Disney World with dad Tom Cruise last week. While in Florida, Suri's been able to visit the zoo, ride in a helicopter and splash around in Typhoon Lagoon.

But perhaps the best part of Suri's adventure has been staying in one of Disney's most coveted rooms, Cinderella's Castle Suite. The room cannot be booked at any price, but it's often used by Disney for charity events and promotions, so the mystery of what it's like to spend a night inside is part of its appeal. Suri – who wore an Ariel costume while exploring the park last Monday – loves princesses and even celebrated her 3rd birthday with a Beauty and the Beast-themed cake, so visiting the suite must have been a dream come true for the young fan.

Four stories above the Magic Kingdom sits Cinderella's Castle Suite, which is decorated as a 17th-century chamber, with a sitting room, bedchamber and bathroom off a private marble-floored foyer. Staying in the suite includes access to a 24-hour concierge, ready to make your wish his command. Originally designed as an apartment for Walt Disney and his family to stay in while in Florida (unfortunately, Walt died in 1966, five years before Disney World opened), two queen-sized beds and a pullout couch can accommodate up to six people.

The suite's layout may sound modest, but its details are extraordinary. In the foyer, a mosaic of Cinderella's coach was made with more than 30,000 tiles, including 3,400 that are 24-carat gold and more than 120 white gold pieces. In the bedchamber, a 600-lb. antique limestone fireplace utilizes fiber optics to create the likeness of a "fire" with glowing embers, two custom designed 8-ft. tall headboards display "C" for Cinderella, and a painting of the Disney princess that uses special effects to magically transform into a television.

In the sitting room, stained glass windows tell the story of Cinderella's journey from pauper to princess. In the garden-themed bathroom, dome ceilings display a night sky full of twinkling stars, three mosaics – which feature a glass slipper, a crystal pumpkin and a mouse looking up toward the castle – made of Italian glass contain more than 30,000 tiles, each hand-cut and placed by Disney artists.

[SBETigg]

Melanie, I just read that article and was wondering the same thing. I think Disney probably just offered Tom Cruise the special perk because he's Tom Cruise. It's good publicity for them to have pictures of Tom and Suri enjoying the parks and they got extra mileage out of the visit with this bonus coverage. So technically, it is promotion. It would be nice if they magically offered it to regular guests now and then like they did in the Dreams promo year. Celebrity has its perks.

And yes, when I saw the article, I thought of Ian.

[Melanie]

I guess it could be looked at as promotion, but that's stretching it just a bit in my book. But then again, reading the article certainly does seem like promotion.

They certainly did get their tour on last week while they were there. Saw lots of pics of them at various parks and even Blizzard Beach.

[Mfarquar]

Disney always seems to go out of its way for celebrities. I'm sure more people stay in that room than we're aware of due to their connections...

[ChipNDale79]

Confused after reading this article, since it plainly states "The room cannot be booked at any price, but it's often used by Disney for charity events and promotions, so the mystery of what it's like to spend a night inside is part of its appeal."

And yes Ian, we KNOW it's not a mystery to you!

But back to my point, the article isn't really clear on HOW Suri got to stay there. Last I checked, she's not charity or a promotion, but we know Daddy's got the $$$$. Hmmm.

From People.com

Suri Cruise Spends a Magical Night in Cinderella's Castle Suite

No one is having a better summer than Suri Cruise.

Suri, 6, was the envy of children everywhere as she toured Disney World with dad Tom Cruise last week. While in Florida, Suri's been able to visit the zoo, ride in a helicopter and splash around in Typhoon Lagoon.

But perhaps the best part of Suri's adventure has been staying in one of Disney's most coveted rooms, Cinderella's Castle Suite. The room cannot be booked at any price, but it's often used by Disney for charity events and promotions, so the mystery of what it's like to spend a night inside is part of its appeal. Suri – who wore an Ariel costume while exploring the park last Monday – loves princesses and even celebrated her 3rd birthday with a Beauty and the Beast-themed cake, so visiting the suite must have been a dream come true for the young fan.

Four stories above the Magic Kingdom sits Cinderella's Castle Suite, which is decorated as a 17th-century chamber, with a sitting room, bedchamber and bathroom off a private marble-floored foyer. Staying in the suite includes access to a 24-hour concierge, ready to make your wish his command. Originally designed as an apartment for Walt Disney and his family to stay in while in Florida (unfortunately, Walt died in 1966, five years before Disney World opened), two queen-sized beds and a pullout couch can accommodate up to six people.

The suite's layout may sound modest, but its details are extraordinary. In the foyer, a mosaic of Cinderella's coach was made with more than 30,000 tiles, including 3,400 that are 24-carat gold and more than 120 white gold pieces. In the bedchamber, a 600-lb. antique limestone fireplace utilizes fiber optics to create the likeness of a "fire" with glowing embers, two custom designed 8-ft. tall headboards display "C" for Cinderella, and a painting of the Disney princess that uses special effects to magically transform into a television.

In the sitting room, stained glass windows tell the story of Cinderella's journey from pauper to princess. In the garden-themed bathroom, dome ceilings display a night sky full of twinkling stars, three mosaics – which feature a glass slipper, a crystal pumpkin and a mouse looking up toward the castle – made of Italian glass contain more than 30,000 tiles, each hand-cut and placed by Disney artists.

That's interesting, we took the Keys to the Kingdom tour a couple of years ago and our guide told us that you can't rent the room. He said that Tom and his family wanted to visit during a busy time one year and there were no hotels left for them, it literally had to be approved by Bob Iger (take that for what its worth) but it was the only time they've let a celebrity stay there.

And then he gets to stay there again? That's interesting......

[MaterializedHaunt]

Melanie, I just read that article and was wondering the same thing. I think Disney probably just offered Tom Cruise the special perk because he's Tom Cruise. It's good publicity for them to have pictures of Tom and Suri enjoying the parks and they got extra mileage out of the visit with this bonus coverage. So technically, it is promotion. It would be nice if they magically offered it to regular guests now and then like they did in the Dreams promo year. Celebrity has its perks.

Took the words right out of my mouth!

[DizneyFreak2002]

How did she get to stay there??? Daddy is a celeb...

[BrerGnat]

Who knows...maybe the Scientologists have a secret connection at Disney.

I couldn't care less. I wouldn't want Suri Cruise's life for a billion dollars...

[kakn7294]

I've had several people tell me that they know someone who has "booked" the suite and stayed there. I found that interesting because I've always been pretty sure that it couldn't be booked like a regular room. I'm sure Tom Cruise and Suri stayed there because he's Tom Cruise and his people contacted the Disney people to say he was heading to WDW with his daughter. I wish it was still a give-away even if I never get to stay there. It's a shame that us "ordinary" folk never get to stay there. Well, except for Ian...

[Melanie]

It's a shame that us "ordinary" folk never get to stay there. Well, except for Ian...

HA!! Kathy called you ordinary Ian!

I didn't even post this about Suri Cruise. I'm just curious if the price is right, can you book the suite?

[TinkerbellT421]

My father was a smart man, and he once told me a saying, "money talks and....." well the rest sorta rhymes but includes a bad word.

[Ian]

Well first of all I am the very definition of ordinary. My family and kids not so much ... they're all extraordinary ... but not me. I'm just plain Ian.

Anyway yeah it's publicity. They give Cruise the room for the night and a million people write about it. By all accounts you cannot book it for any amount of money. It's strictly invitation only.

[Georgesgirl1]

When DH and I went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour, our guide told us that Tom Cruise had it put into a contract for something he did with Disney that he could stay at the castle with Katie. Not sure if that is true, but it does sound feasible...

[Ian]

When DH and I went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour, our guide told us that Tom Cruise had it put into a contract for something he did with Disney that he could stay at the castle with Katie. Not sure if that is true, but it does sound feasible...

Except I can't think of a single project that Cruise has done with Disney.

Although admittedly, they own so many different studios and stuff now that I may just not be connecting the right dots.

[kakn7294]

HA!! Kathy called you ordinary Ian!

I didn't even post this about Suri Cruise. I'm just curious if the price is right, can you book the suite?

I guess I worded that incorrectly. Ian is anything but ordinary!

[Cinderelley]

Well, that probably worked out the best for everyone. It keeps his privacy safer and better crowd control than if people were gawking at him walking around a resort.

[joonyer]

Well, that probably worked out the best for everyone. It keeps his privacy safer and better crowd control than if people were gawking at him walking around a resort.

True, except that he's still presumably walking around in a crowded theme park. People will still be doing lots of "gawking". Celebrities have to put up with it when they go anywhere in public. Of course he could have rented out the MK for a private party for all I know.

[Buttercup]

Completely unrelated, but I can't stand Tom Cruise. That is all.

[SBETigg]

True, except that he's still presumably walking around in a crowded theme park. People will still be doing lots of "gawking". Celebrities have to put up with it when they go anywhere in public. Of course he could have rented out the MK for a private party for all I know.

Disney claims they have never and will never do this (rent out a park) for a celebrity or wealthy guest at Walt Disney World, though they have done it at Disney Land.

I also think that lots of celebrities could walk around almost completely unnoticed if they didn't do anything to draw attention, like walk with an escort or security team and not have to queue up for rides. I would think it might be refreshing to enjoy the parks as a regular person, but I stop guessing at celebrity behavior. At any rate, Tom Cruise with Suri is certainly one of the ones who would be recognized, so I understand escorts, security teams, and getting on rides without waits. Fair, maybe not, but whatever keeps things running smoothly for the rest of us.

[Brer_Fox]

I remember during the "Year of a Million Dreams" Celebration they were granting special wishes to lucky family members and one of the things you could win was a night stay inside the castle.