Staying in the Castle: How does it work?

sbkline

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but here's a question just totally out of curiosity. I have no expectations of ever staying in the Castle and no intentions of trying for it (if we randomly win a stay, I guess that's another thing). But how does that work with staying inside a park all night even when the park is closed? I mean, it seems almost like you'd be a prisoner in the castle (pardon the cliche, LOL) unless they don't mind the possibility of a guest walking around the Magic Kingdom at all hours of the night. I mean, most people probably would be ready for bed by 10 or 11 anyway, so on nights when MK is open late it probably wouldn't be an issue. But what if the guest happens to be one of those who likes to go out for a late night stroll or something, or if MK closes at 7 or 8 PM? Would you be stuck in the castle the rest of the night, unable to go back outdoors, since that would mean you're lurking around a closed park?

I guess you could go to DTD or another park that may be open later, but then what about getting back in the Magic Kingdom to go back to your room?

And what about park admission? You would wake up the next morning already inside the Magic Kingdom, so do you get to play in the park for free? Do they escort you to the turnstiles to run your ticket through?
 

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
I can answer some...

If you are selected, you get notice that morning and are given time to return to wherever you're currently staying to pack an overnight bag for your castle suite stay. You get a number of perks during the rest of that day, I don't remember if you ride in the parade or just get priority seating [I think you ride in it], you get dinner at CRT and VIP viewing of the fireworks. Once in the suite, you have a Concierge available all night who will bring you snacks, drinks, etc... If you want to take a walk, I believe you can, but either the Concierge or another Cast Member will escort you.

I'm pretty sure there's enough activity to keep you busy that you're unlikely to be wanting to go to DTD that night, but if you did, I'm sure they'd accommodate your wishes.

As for your admissi9on to the park the next day, I suspect you'd have to swipe your ticket in order to have access to FPs, but if you didn't have any more admissions available or chose not to use them, I don't know what they would do... No doubt someone here knows.
 

Shere_Khan

Well-Known Member
I thought that there is a night crew who are in the parks all night cleaning up and fixing any minor things that need attention.
If you were wanting to go outside, it seems to me that there would be CM's all over the place.
 

sbkline

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I thought that there is a night crew who are in the parks all night cleaning up and fixing any minor things that need attention.
If you were wanting to go outside, it seems to me that there would be CM's all over the place.

I'm sure there would be, but it has just always been my understanding that the WDW management takes a dim view of guests lingering around the parks after close. Even if there are several CM's on duty, there would surely be much less than in normal operating hours, and they would be too busy doing their work to be keeping an eye on a guest. Plus, I would think it would still be considered too much of a safety liability to have a guest walking around the park just in case he's one of those idiots who thinks it would be fun to slide down Splash Mountain, or swim across Rivers of America, or some other idiotic stunt that we've all read about in regards to WDW, 6 Flags, or any other amusement park. But like MontyMon said, maybe there is a particular CM assigned to the duty of tending to the guest's wishes, and available to escort him around the park even after close if he wishes. Anyone else know?
 

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
I thought that there is a night crew who are in the parks all night cleaning up and fixing any minor things that need attention.
If you were wanting to go outside, it seems to me that there would be CM's all over the place.
I doubt it would be terribly interesting to go for a walk, but I imagine there are people who would object if told they absolutely couldn't [to say nothing of smokers who need their fix - I'd bet the suite is non-smoking], so they'll escort you. No-one would be given the freedom to wander the park un-escorted though...
 

Shere_Khan

Well-Known Member
I doubt it would be terribly interesting to go for a walk, but I imagine there are people who would object if told they absolutely couldn't [to say nothing of smokers who need their fix - I'd bet the suite is non-smoking], so they'll escort you. No-one would be given the freedom to wander the park un-escorted though...

Right, I didn't mean you could go around by yourself. Just meant that there is most likely a ton of CM's around in the event that you would want to leave, there would be someone there to help you.
 

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but here's a question just totally out of curiosity. I have no expectations of ever staying in the Castle and no intentions of trying for it (if we randomly win a stay, I guess that's another thing). But how does that work with staying inside a park all night even when the park is closed? I mean, it seems almost like you'd be a prisoner in the castle (pardon the cliche, LOL) unless they don't mind the possibility of a guest walking around the Magic Kingdom at all hours of the night. I mean, most people probably would be ready for bed by 10 or 11 anyway, so on nights when MK is open late it probably wouldn't be an issue. But what if the guest happens to be one of those who likes to go out for a late night stroll or something, or if MK closes at 7 or 8 PM? Would you be stuck in the castle the rest of the night, unable to go back outdoors, since that would mean you're lurking around a closed park?

I guess you could go to DTD or another park that may be open later, but then what about getting back in the Magic Kingdom to go back to your room?

And what about park admission? You would wake up the next morning already inside the Magic Kingdom, so do you get to play in the park for free? Do they escort you to the turnstiles to run your ticket through?

During our last trip I was talking to some 'Dream Squad' members and the nice lady member had a ton of info. I asked her all about the Cinderella Castle Suite, what it looked like, etc. She was *adorable* explaining it. She had toured it a few weeks prior. She actually teared up when she told me about it. It was so cute! Anywhoo, after the full description I asked her how the logistics of having guests technically inside the park after hours worked. She described the concierge staff that they keep nearby at all times. If you open the suite door someone is there. If you happen to want Taco Bell at midnight someone will get you there and back. You can walk around after hours but only with an escort and not necessarily anywhere you want to go. There has to be limits, of course. I bet the photo ops totally rock, tho! Dinner and breakfast are included at CRT. I thought the check-out time was rather early (9:00 a.m. or something like that). They have to refresh everything so the magic is perfect for the next family. She did tell me that there was a certain number of stays awarded to the park guests but also a certain number of stays set aside to award to CM's. I thought that was fantastic. CM's deserve the magic same as anyone, right? She was practically drooling at the thought of staying in that suite...along with me! Lol!

Park admission the day after...hhmmmm...that's a good question. I didn't ask that...
 

sbkline

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
During our last trip I was talking to some 'Dream Squad' members and the nice lady member had a ton of info. I asked her all about the Cinderella Castle Suite, what it looked like, etc. She was *adorable* explaining it. She had toured it a few weeks prior. She actually teared up when she told me about it. It was so cute! Anywhoo, after the full description I asked her how the logistics of having guests technically inside the park after hours worked. She described the concierge staff that they keep nearby at all times. If you open the suite door someone is there. If you happen to want Taco Bell at midnight someone will get you there and back. You can walk around after hours but only with an escort and not necessarily anywhere you want to go. There has to be limits, of course. I bet the photo ops totally rock, tho! Dinner and breakfast are included at CRT. I thought the check-out time was rather early (9:00 a.m. or something like that). They have to refresh everything so the magic is perfect for the next family. She did tell me that there was a certain number of stays awarded to the park guests but also a certain number of stays set aside to award to CM's. I thought that was fantastic. CM's deserve the magic same as anyone, right? She was practically drooling at the thought of staying in that suite...along with me! Lol!

Park admission the day after...hhmmmm...that's a good question. I didn't ask that...

Thanks for the info. :wave:

I'd still be interested to know how it works as far as park admission, though. My best guess is that after checkout, they escort you to the park entrance and send your stuff back to your resort hotel. Most people would probably opt to go back to their resort and unpack and everything. For those who want to visit MK that day, I'm guessing they'd probably just have to re-enter the park with their ticket card.
 

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Seems like for the park admission for the day after they could have some sort of concierge person take care of getting your ticket card scanned. It just doesn't seem very magical to be woke up early, fed a nice breakfast, then shoved out the door. Lol! Maybe while you're eating they could take care of getting your card swiped for ya so you don't have to bother with hiking against the morning inward flow to get to a turnstile. As much attention to detail as the experience is given I'm sure the day after admission has some nicer, more magical way of being taken care of. Ya know?
 

Hakunamatata

Le Meh
Premium Member
Seems like for the park admission for the day after they could have some sort of concierge person take care of getting your ticket card scanned. It just doesn't seem very magical to be woke up early, fed a nice breakfast, then shoved out the door. Lol! Maybe while you're eating they could take care of getting your card swiped for ya so you don't have to bother with hiking against the morning inward flow to get to a turnstile. As much attention to detail as the experience is given I'm sure the day after admission has some nicer, more magical way of being taken care of. Ya know?

With the biometric scan, I would imagine that might be a bit difficult unless they have provisions for overriding it.

If I won a night in the Castle, that CM better be ready to walk around the park all night. Dont get me wrong, Id spend about an hour inside the room to experience it, but why would you be excited about sleeping in it. When your asleep every room looks the same, dark....your asleep....eyes wide shut....:shrug:
 

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
They do. They quite often override it at the turnstiles.
The CM at the turnstile can override it by pressing "K" on their keypad. Guest Relations can override it permanently for a guest who physically can't use the scan [such as myself, one has to have fingers for the scan to work]. Also, GR can swipe any ticket and register it as having entered the park for the day.
 
A Day (and a Night) in the Life of the Cinderella Castle Suite
  • Each morning, a magical time and place is randomly selected from anywhere on Walt Disney World property to find a winner of a night in the Cinderella Castle Suite.
  • A Disney Dream Squad of cast members is advised of the selection, heads to the location and identifies the winning guest from the selection criteria.
  • The Disney Dream Squad informs the guest of their prize, explains the details of the prize and asks if they want to accept it.
  • If they accept, after a short verification process, the fanfare begins. (If the guest does not accept the prize, the computer randomly selects another lucky guest. The computer will select up to three guests each day.)
  • The winner and up to five guests head back to their hotel to pack an overnight bag. Then it's on to their day of royalty.
  • First event is a photo session on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. They are proclaimed royalty for the day and led down Main Street to their suite.
  • The Royal Concierge checks them into the suite and gives them a formal tour, regaling them with the history and spectacle of the suite's royal heritage.
  • After a bit of free time to explore their imperial quarters, the winning family is awarded one of the highest honors bestowed on guests of Magic Kingdom as they become Grand Marshals of the "Disney Dreams Come True" parade.
  • Following more luxurious relaxation time in the suite, the winner's magical evening begins with dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table, a feast fit for a monarch, with a meet-and-greet with Cinderella.
  • Dinner is capped with VIP viewing of the "SpectroMagic" nighttime parade and "Wishes" fireworks spectacular. *
  • For up to two hours after the scheduled close of the park, the family will have access to Magic Kingdom with a VIP Guest Relations cast member. This will allow them to enjoy the atmosphere of the park before they retire for the evening. Suggested after-hours tours will be available which include modified versions of "Art of the Theme Show" and "Keys to the Kingdom," which are tours that explore the history and creativity behind Magic Kingdom. This special "after hours" opportunity gives these guests an amazing opportunity to see Magic Kingdom in a way that few guests have experienced.
  • Then it's back to the suite for a night of "suite dreams." At the suite, they discover their beds turned down with royal sweets, and their room stocked with a variety of snacks and drinks. (The Royal Concierge is just a stone's throw away should the family require anything during the night.)
  • After a glorious night's sleep in the royal chamber, the winning family is awakened by a personalized wake-up call from Cinderella.
  • Then, as with every fairytale, the clock strikes and the family returns to their magical vacation, checking out of the Cinderella Castle Suite, which is then readied for the next day's royal visitors.
    * Available most non-special-event nights.
Hope this helps. I got this from
http://www.wdwmagic.com/yearofamilliondreams.htm
 

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
^since when was it K?? Last I checked override was NT *Pulls out OG*
I not only watched a few do it, I also advised a CM who either never knew or had forgotten. This was in February, June and August. On my penultimate night there, I finally got my AP encoded on the system to override without CM intervention, so it won't matter any more! :sohappy:

A Day (and a Night) in the Life of the Cinderella Castle Suite
  • Each morning, a magical time and place is randomly selected from anywhere on Walt Disney World property to find a winner of a night in the Cinderella Castle Suite.
  • A Disney Dream Squad of cast members is advised of the selection, heads to the location and identifies the winning guest from the selection criteria.
  • The Disney Dream Squad informs the guest of their prize, explains the details of the prize and asks if they want to accept it.
  • If they accept, after a short verification process, the fanfare begins. (If the guest does not accept the prize, the computer randomly selects another lucky guest. The computer will select up to three guests each day.)
  • The winner and up to five guests head back to their hotel to pack an overnight bag. Then it's on to their day of royalty.
  • First event is a photo session on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. They are proclaimed royalty for the day and led down Main Street to their suite.
  • The Royal Concierge checks them into the suite and gives them a formal tour, regaling them with the history and spectacle of the suite's royal heritage.
  • After a bit of free time to explore their imperial quarters, the winning family is awarded one of the highest honors bestowed on guests of Magic Kingdom as they become Grand Marshals of the "Disney Dreams Come True" parade.
  • Following more luxurious relaxation time in the suite, the winner's magical evening begins with dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table, a feast fit for a monarch, with a meet-and-greet with Cinderella.
  • Dinner is capped with VIP viewing of the "SpectroMagic" nighttime parade and "Wishes" fireworks spectacular. *
  • For up to two hours after the scheduled close of the park, the family will have access to Magic Kingdom with a VIP Guest Relations cast member. This will allow them to enjoy the atmosphere of the park before they retire for the evening. Suggested after-hours tours will be available which include modified versions of "Art of the Theme Show" and "Keys to the Kingdom," which are tours that explore the history and creativity behind Magic Kingdom. This special "after hours" opportunity gives these guests an amazing opportunity to see Magic Kingdom in a way that few guests have experienced.
  • Then it's back to the suite for a night of "suite dreams." At the suite, they discover their beds turned down with royal sweets, and their room stocked with a variety of snacks and drinks. (The Royal Concierge is just a stone's throw away should the family require anything during the night.)
  • After a glorious night's sleep in the royal chamber, the winning family is awakened by a personalized wake-up call from Cinderella.
  • Then, as with every fairytale, the clock strikes and the family returns to their magical vacation, checking out of the Cinderella Castle Suite, which is then readied for the next day's royal visitors.
    * Available most non-special-event nights.
Hope this helps. I got this from
http://www.wdwmagic.com/yearofamilliondreams.htm
What? No CRT breakfast in the morning? :eek:


:lol:
 

Ringo8n24

Active Member
My 5 yr old keeps telling me she is going to win the night in the castle when we go and is already telling me what she is packing to stay there. It would be cool if it happened since she is so wanting it. Ya never know...we won an all expense paid trip to London and we practically hung up on the guy when he called because we thought he was joking. We are keeping our fingers crossed for her sake...:animwink:
 

Enderikari

Well-Known Member
9 am isn't really that early especially if you knew how trashed some people leave that suite. i don't understand some people.

Sir, you just proved that you know absolutely nothing about the Castle Suite. Well done
 


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