Cinderella Castle Royal Suite will stay open in 2009

Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
December 25, 2008
Cinderella is keeping the light on.

Walt Disney World confirmed Wednesday that the Cinderella Castle Royal Suite -- created in early 2007 for overnight stays by winners of Disney's two-year "Million Dreams" promotion -- will remain open for selected guests next year, though on a more limited basis.

The suite is in a tower of Cinderella Castle, in the middle of the Magic Kingdom theme park. During the Million Dreams promotion, which ends Wednesday night, there has been a nearly daily sweepstakes prize for a family picked at random on Disney World property.

The suite's creation captured the imagination of Disney fans worldwide, and its availability as a daily door prize for Disney World visitors created enormous buzz for Disney's marketing campaign.



Set into space originally reserved as a possible apartment for company founder Walt Disney's family when the castle was first built, the 650-square-foot, three-room Royal Suite offers a mix of 17th-century French luxury, 21st-century convenience and 1950s-era motifs from Disney's Cinderella movie.

Features include stained glass, a mosaic floor, original Cinderella movie concept art by renowned Disney artist Mary Blair, a display case containing a single glass slipper, and a whirlpool tub. A concierge is on standby outside.

Almost from the start, the suite inspired widespread speculation about what Disney might do with it once the Million Dreams promotion ends.

On Jan. 1, that campaign is to be replaced with the "What Will You Celebrate?" promotion that strives to get people to bring their personal celebrations to Disney World.

The room will continue to be available for use as the prize for promotions, including some run by outside companies, Disney spokesman Rick Sylvain said Wednesday.

For starters, the room is being offered as a prize in a sweepstakes called "Inside Your Celebration," organized by the Internet travel portal Orbitz.

"This ties in nicely with our 'What Will You Celebrate?' " Sylvain said. "Other uses and opportunities for the suite are still to be determined.

"We will continue to evaluate all options," he added. "It's all about 'right fit.' Not unlike a certain glass slipper."


Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5441.

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