Cinderella suite being used for Celeb overnighters

[Enderikari]

Thanks for the economics lesson. Let's converse in 15 years when you get out of college and into the real world. I think I know how a "market economy" works.

Hi, I've been out of college for more than a few years, so if that's your requirement for having to "converse" then let me tell you that he is absolutely right. Think of how much of a win this is for the Disney Company. Even after two years, the general public is still clamoring for pictures of the Cruises. Now, there are pictures all over of little Suri, dressed in her favorite Cinderella Costume, experiencing a magical day at the castle suite. And that's just the low-life paparazzi shots. Imagine the shots that Disney got with its professional media photographers (which we haven't even seen yet). All this, for the simple cost of labor for operating one hotel room. Disney could have offered the Cruises no amount of money (after all, they don't need it), but they did have something they wanted in exchange, something no other place in the world can offer. That's how the world works, son.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that Disney should be giving the suite away to celebrities (it's not), but really, with the Cruises, I can understand.

Now, for all the people calling foul because Disney isn't using the suite for Make-a-Wish, let me preface this by saying I volunteer once a month at Give Kids the World Ice Cream Palace, and frequently comment on how it is the best day in the month for me. I am a huge supporter of Make-a-Wish, and am on their volunteer rolls to be called in case they ever need me to chat with the public about their charity. All this, and I still say that the Cinderella Castle Suite is a terrible place to put Make-a-Wish children. Give Kids the World is a magical place, built specifically for children who are terminally ill. With all the apparatus needed in case things take a turn for the worse. They have a pool where a child can roll their wheelchair right in, to have that simple experience that most kids take for granted. Anyone who has been in the castle suite can tell you that the place is pretty small, and offers barely enough room for a wheelchair to turn around. It offers none of the specially designed amenities that GKTW does. And, if worse came to worse, it also is one of the most difficult places to access in all of Walt Disney World. If Emergency Services has to come to the suite, they need to follow a certain procedure in order to come up on the suite elevator. They are delayed more than they would be visiting say, a room at Grand Floridian.

Let them stay at Give Kids the World Village, it simply is the best place, and also the most prepared. But also, the most fun

 

[PhotoDave219]

Yeah, I'd really doubt the Cruises paid anything for the entire trip there. Not only is it good advertising, but it's also a good perk to dangle in front of them to solicit future business from the celeb (We want you in motion picture _____, so we'll give you _____). I think it's probably a smart move to utilize it this way (at least sometimes).

I disagree. They probably would have paid. They can afford it. If i recall, it costs roughly $100/hr per Guest Relations person (this was 3 years ago when i looked into it) and staying in the castle has a GR concierge on duty the whole time.

I seriously doubt they would comp Tom Cruise.

 

[Phonedave]

I have to say I am beyond upset with Disney giving it to a celeb. I hate to say do something like this but when we each go to the park next we should go to guest relations & use something to the effect of. Me: "How much is it a night to stay in the castle suite?" CM: "I'm sorry the suite stay is not available for purchase" Me: "Ok then how big of a celeb. do I need to be so you would let me stay in there for free?" CM: *rambles* Me: "So your saying Disney would rather give a stay to a celeb. like Tom Cruise then a charity like make a wish or continue to use it for everyday guests of even a chance for some AP holders who DO spend money here & don't get things for free at the parks to stay in it?" Ok I wouldn't do that to poor Guest Relations but you get my point. I feel the same way about what media gets over the regular guests or AP holders for such events as the opening of AI:E. Why don't the people who give Disney their hard earned cash get anything like a concert with David Cook or a after hours party with food ect.

Why are shows like TMZ so popular ?

Because people watch celebs. They want to be like them, they want to talk about them, they are an attraction.

Many many people will go "wow, Tom Cruise was at WDW in the castle, how cool is that" It will be in the celebrity tracking rags and the WDW will be along with it.

If you or I stayed in the castle, nobody would give to figs about it.

Something like Make-A-Wish might get some play. Just look at recent events. Groups like Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders have been working to relieve hunger and sickness for YEARS, doing amazing work, with minimal news coverage

Salma Hayek nurses one kids and its all over every news show in the country.

Don't blame WDW, balme society. WDW is a business in this society and it does what it needs to in order to stay solvent.

-dave

 

[KingStefan]

Thanks for the economics lesson. Let's converse in 15 years when you get out of college and into the real world. I think I know how a "market economy" works.

About your obnoxious post: yeah, what everyone else has said, plus:

1. No need to get personal, especially in an obnoxious tone. And

2. "I think I know how a "market economy" works" - apparently not.

 

[WDWFigment]

I disagree. They probably would have paid. They can afford it. If i recall, it costs roughly $100/hr per Guest Relations person (this was 3 years ago when i looked into it) and staying in the castle has a GR concierge on duty the whole time.

I seriously doubt they would comp Tom Cruise.

You could be right, they very well may have not comped him (as you point out, the Cruises could easily pay without batting an eye). However, as others have pointed out, the advertising WDW has received for the Cruises trip there far exceeds any negligible Guest Relations costs. Even if TWDC doesn't want anything from Cruise, comping the Cruises would be a good "deal" for TWDC.

 

[Crazy4WDW1]

What I fail to understand is how Disney thinks that having the publicity of the Cruise family, or any other celebrity for that matter, visiting their parks helps them out? Do they really think that there are families sitting around the house going "Gosh, Tom Cruise goes to WDW, now I want to go too!" Really? No celebrity has ever influenced me on where I go, what I buy, etc. :shrug:

 

[VillanovaBlue]

True,I did not think of it this way. It is a fact a life. Not fair but, a fact! And this is why the rich get richer.:brick:

The rich get richer because they keep doing the things that made them rich...ditto for the poor...

 

[fosse76]

I disagree. They probably would have paid. They can afford it. If i recall, it costs roughly $100/hr per Guest Relations person (this was 3 years ago when i looked into it) and staying in the castle has a GR concierge on duty the whole time.

I seriously doubt they would comp Tom Cruise.

I agree. And Tom Cruise wouldn't let them. When his wife was in All My Sons (at the Schoenfeld Theatre, where I work), he came to the theater all the time to see her perform, and he BOUGHT his seats. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney allows celebs use of the suite in exchange for a charitable donation (i.e., Disney uses the money for Charity). And you can say what you want about them, but they are very nice, and Suri is without question one of the most well-behaved children I have ever seen.

So I agree that they most likely paid for everything.

 

[Phonedave]

What I fail to understand is how Disney thinks that having the publicity of the Cruise family, or any other celebrity for that matter, visiting their parks helps them out? Do they really think that there are families sitting around the house going "Gosh, Tom Cruise goes to WDW, now I want to go too!" Really? No celebrity has ever influenced me on where I go, what I buy, etc. :shrug:

Sure they have, you just don't know it.

You may not say "look at Mr. Celeb using product XXX, I think I will too"

but, you are watching TV, reading the paper, looking at a magazine, or listening to the raido and you hear "Mr. Celeb was spotted at WDW the other day" and now you have heard the words "WDW" and they are in the back of your mind. You havent heard "grand Canyon" or "Red Rock Springs" or "Six Flags" or "Rocking Horse Ranch" and then when you start thinking about vacations, somhow those words "WDW" come floating up again.

-dave

 

[durangojim]

Not only is it easier on the celeb - it is easier on the regular guests I think. Personally, I wouldn't want them in the room next door to mine. Can you imagine all of the nosy neighbors trying to get a peak, and the paparazzi. No thanks!

This is very true -- Valentines 2007 my wife and I stayed at the GF to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. We had a very nice MK view room. Next door to us in a suite was some pop/latin singer/celebrity (I don't remember his name even though I was told it at the time). He was staying there to perform at a wedding Valentines evening in front of the castle that was being televised as part of some win a wedding special. To make a long story short my wife and I were treated to listening to his girlfriend brake up with him at 3 am after they had both been drinking. The poor mousekeeper cleaning our room and his told us that he had trashed his room and broken a number of things. For me I'd be happy to keep the celebs away from us normal folk.

 

[blm07]

I don't like Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Suri, TMZ, or celebrities in general. Someone please, tear up the paparazzi papers!

 

[GothMickey]

I don't like Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Suri, TMZ, or celebrities in general. Someone please, tear up the paparazzi papers!

Or you can just not look at the papers.

 

[donniedisney]

I thought that the suite was only going to be used for charities, etc? I guess with the economy tanking, they are selling the suite for use to the highest bidders. :shrug:

You dont consider a family with a mentally challenged husband staying the night in the castle charity?

 

[paul436]

The other night I caught the last few minutes of a wedding show on Food Network, just before Weddings:Unwrapped came on. It was showing someone who had their wedding reception in the Magic Kingdom in front of the castle, and at the end, it was announced that the bride and groom would be spending the night in the Castle Suite.

I guess you just need to have the $$$$$.

I saw that show too. I couldn't believe it. They not only spent the night in the castle, they had their entire reception at the base of the castle. How much could that possibly have cost?!!

 

[cpeterstx]

Especially if they're warming up little Suri to be a child star... Surely Disney would want to jump on that opportunity!

Hmmm...Suri Cruise stars in the thetaneers!

 

[Fade_to_Blah]

You dont consider a family with a mentally challenged husband staying the night in the castle charity?

:ROFLOL:

And this thread just continues to deliver

 

[Raven66]

I watch the show Jon and Kate plus 8 and they went to WDW. I was wondering just how much that would cost to take all of them. Then I watched their show when they were reading email that they got. Someone had asked them about it and they said that they did not pay for their trip that Disney paid for it. So maybe the Cruise family trip was also paid for. :shrug:

I would love to spend the night in the castle. That would be so nice.

 

[Courtney1188]

It somewhat disappoints me that celebrities are allowed to use the suite. I was a big fan of the Year of a Million Dreams and having just a random family selected.

Considering the economy and the workers being laid off by Disney, I do hope that these celebrities must pay to stay there!

 

[I-4Warrior]

I'm not so sure. Celeb freebies are a fact of life. It's good advertising. Gift bags. The way casinos comp their whales.

How true. Many celebs have a feeling of entitlement, and it's only because they're made to feel that way via special treatment: Comps being the biggest ingredient. For example, some celebs are comped so much that when, let's say a former basketball player, let's call him #23, goes to a casino on the outskirts of Tampa, everything is comped to the guy where he doesn't even tip dealers, waitresses, etc.. Why? He doesn't have to! Everything there is given to him on a silver platter. A case that is true with many celebs.

 

[good2cu]

How true. Many celebs have a feeling of entitlement, and it's only because they're made to feel that way via special treatment: Comps being the biggest ingredient. For example, some celebs are comped so much that when, let's say a former basketball player, let's call him #23, goes to a casino on the outskirts of Tampa, everything is comped to the guy where he doesn't even tip dealers, waitresses, etc.. Why? He doesn't have to! Everything there is given to him on a silver platter. A case that is true with many celebs.

Not to undermine or distract from the thread... but casino comps vs Disney comps can't even be compared lol.

You get casino comps because you stake/theoretically should have lost $x. The 'complementary' item is costing you, and you are getting comped not because your a celeb at that casino. After all its illegal to photograph/advertise who is at your casino (unless your performing or contractually linked to that casino). This is an industry I'm a little familiar with and most celebs within casino or high rollers tip more than generously and I have to disagree with the above. They may act worse though, but ultimately they do splash cash.

I doubt many celebs at WDW get a 100% all expenses paid trip there, unless you are the president although even he may not be able to accept that gift. Most probably get free passes, maybe a room and a staff member to show them around along with some special treatment.

In the end they spend far more than your average guest within restaurants and shops. Plus just getting a photo or the park mentioned on TMZ can be worth far more than the couple of thousand and inconvenience they lose accommodating somebody like Tom Cruise.

Not selling out the castle suite to regular guests I think is a good idea, or the waiting list would be forever full with joe public booking it for a wedding, which I think detracts from the aura of the room. It should be invited guests only, with no set fee, and maybe a charitable donation to a Disney linked organisation.