Many people dream of visiting Walt Disney World. The feeling of seeing Cinderella Castle in person and experiencing all of the magic, wonder, and fantasy that surrounds it is unmatched. The castle not only serves as a beautiful backdrop for pictures and a fantastic place to showcase amazing fireworks shows, it’s also equipped with a full suite that Guests can stay in!
Unfortunately, the opportunity to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite is extremely rare and something that most Guests will never be able to experience. This is because the suite is not able to be booked like other Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
In this article, I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about the Cinderella Castle Suite as well as give you an inside look! Follow along to learn more about the suite, its exclusiveness, and how YOU could one day stay there.
There is currently a contest happening that you can enter to win the rare opportunity to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite!
Originally, when Cinderella Castle was built, there was no suite. At the time, the space was designed for Walt Disney and his family to use. Similarly to how the Disney family had an apartment on the second floor of the Disneyland Fire Station, the area where the suite now sits was meant to be an apartment for them to use whenever they visited Disney World. Unfortunately, the apartment never came to be due to Walt’s untimely death.
From the time Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 until 2006, the space was not used for anything lavish. That entire time, the area inside the beautiful Cinderella Castle was used merely as an office and storage area. Instead of the beautiful suite that exists today, there were simply some desks, phones, and various items that were being stored there.
After many years of sitting essentially empty, the space was transformed into the Cinderella Castle Suite. The suite officially opened in 2006 during Disney’s Year of a Million Dreams. During the celebration, Guests were randomly selected and awarded with “dreams” during the Disney Dreams Giveaway promotion. Many exceptional prizes were handed out as part of the giveaway, including the first opportunity to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite. 307 1-Night stays were given out as part of the promotion.
READ MORE – 10 of the Craziest Food Items You Can Get at Disney Parks
The Cinderella Castle Suite is not very large, which may be a surprise to some. Equipped to sleep only 6 Guests, the suite has a sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom. Even though the suite is quite compact, what it lacks in size, it makes up for with grandeur.
The first room that you enter is the bedroom. Here you’ll find two queen beds with custom-made headboards which are adorned with Cinderella’s royal crest.
Positioned across from the beds is an antique limestone fireplace. While not operational for Guests, the fireplace does have realistic features. Fiber optic illusions are used to create the feel of a burning fire and embers. There are even extra logs and a set of fireplace tools.
Above the fireplace is an image of Cinderella. With a bit of Fairy Godmother’s magic, this picture transforms into a television.
More magic can be found in the sitting room where a mirror transforms into another television. When relaxing, Guests can enjoy the comforts of a custom sofa which showcases French-carved details. This sofa also converts into a bed.
Even the bathroom is gorgeous in the Cinderella Castle Suite. In the bathroom you’ll find two sinks with mirrors above them, a vanity area, toilet, and a jacuzzi tub. The tub has multiple jets and colored lighting effects. Above the tub, is a dreamy view of a sparkling night sky.
There's not one specific reason why the Cinderella Castle Suite is so special. The reason for wanting to stay in, or even visit the suite, varies among Guests.
Most commonly, Guests consider this the ultimate Disney dream. The Cinderella Castle already means so much to many people. The castle truly stands as a positive symbol that encourages many to not only dream, but to follow their dreams. To be able to stay inside the castle? That would be the icing on the cake. (Which the castle once was. Let's not forget when the Imagineers turned Cinderella Castle into a birthday cake for Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary.)
Some Guests may care less about the Disney value of the suite and hold more value on the exclusivity of the experience. To be frank, some people want what they can't have. The fact that staying in the Cinderella Castle Suite is an almost impossible experience to have, no matter how much money you have or what your status is, makes it an exciting challenge for some.
Others may simply want to marvel at the beauty of the suite. As you can imagine, the Cinderella Castle Suite does not look like your typical Walt Disney World hotel room. The entire suite is tastefully decorated to capture both a royal ambiance and the magic of the classic Cinderella tale. With the stained glass windows, mosaic pieces, custom furnishings, beautiful drapes and linens, and pieces of art, you won’t be able to forget that you’re inside a castle.
READ MORE – Sadly Stolen Strollers Do Happen at Disney—Here’s How to Avoid It Happening to You
There are very few ways to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite. Essentially, nothing has changed since the suite opened up. Just as the first Guests won their stay by being randomly chosen, Guests today are only able to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite if they win their way in or are personally invited by Disney.
You cannot book a stay at the Cinderella Castle Suite. The fact that Disney refuses to put a price tag on a stay in the suite is one reason why it remains so desirable. Even those who could afford to pay an assumably outrageous price to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite aren’t able to. Just like everyone else, they must win their way in or be invited. By including a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite as a prize for sweepstakes and even an auction, Disney has been able to raise quite a bit of money for charity.
In 2019, ESPN held an auction for an elaborate Disney World vacation package which benefited the V Foundation. The V Foundation was formed by ESPN and basketball coach Jim Valvano. Since 1993, the V Foundation has played a huge role in the fight against cancer, donating millions of dollars towards cancer research.
The vacation package included:
Besides the auction, Guests have also had the chance to win a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite through multiple sweepstakes. The most recent sweepstakes was held this year! The contest ended on May 24th, 2024 and the winner was announced on June 12th, 2024.
The sweepstakes was held by Alltroo and benefited the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation helps children in Central Florida realize their worth, potential, and value. The foundation supports a variety of local youth-based programs within the community. These programs are centered around art, education, health and wellness, and homelessness. Over the years, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation has donated millions of dollars to local nonprofit community organizations.
The sweepstakes prize included:
Besides lucky contestant winners, other Guests who have stayed in the Cinderella Castle Suite were invited by Disney. Generally, this happens to well-known celebrities.
Guests who have stayed in the Cinderella Castle Suite in the past include Kevin Jonas and his wife Danielle (2010), Tom Cruise and his daughter Suri (2012), Neil Patrick Harris, his husband David, and their twins (2013), Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, and their twins (2013), and Katy Perry (2014).
As Cinderella said, “A dream is a wish your heart makes”. This is exceptionally true for those who are longing to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite! Would you like to stay in the suite someday? Even though the odds for staying in the suite are extremely low, there are still a couple of ways that you can go inside of the castle – by dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table or by treating your little prince or princess to a royal makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Take a look at these articles to learn more about both of these experiences!
Disney has a variety of rules in place for the safety and happiness of its guests, and if guests break these rules, there can be consequences—even for celebrities. See the celebrities who have been banned from Disney Parks and what they did!
The Disney Parks are filled with all kinds of interesting foods, but some of their offerings may raise some eyebrows. See 10 of the craziest foods you can get at Disney Parks—would you dare to try any of these?
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What is the Cinderella Castle Suite?
Originally, when Cinderella Castle was built, there was no suite. At the time, the space was designed for Walt Disney and his family to use. Similarly to how the Disney family had an apartment on the second floor of the Disneyland Fire Station, the area where the suite now sits was meant to be an apartment for them to use whenever they visited Disney World. Unfortunately, the apartment never came to be due to Walt’s untimely death.
From the time Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 until 2006, the space was not used for anything lavish. That entire time, the area inside the beautiful Cinderella Castle was used merely as an office and storage area. Instead of the beautiful suite that exists today, there were simply some desks, phones, and various items that were being stored there.
After many years of sitting essentially empty, the space was transformed into the Cinderella Castle Suite. The suite officially opened in 2006 during Disney’s Year of a Million Dreams. During the celebration, Guests were randomly selected and awarded with “dreams” during the Disney Dreams Giveaway promotion. Many exceptional prizes were handed out as part of the giveaway, including the first opportunity to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite. 307 1-Night stays were given out as part of the promotion.
READ MORE – 10 of the Craziest Food Items You Can Get at Disney Parks
Inside the Cinderella Castle Suite
The Cinderella Castle Suite is not very large, which may be a surprise to some. Equipped to sleep only 6 Guests, the suite has a sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom. Even though the suite is quite compact, what it lacks in size, it makes up for with grandeur.
Cinderella Suite Bedroom
The first room that you enter is the bedroom. Here you’ll find two queen beds with custom-made headboards which are adorned with Cinderella’s royal crest.
Positioned across from the beds is an antique limestone fireplace. While not operational for Guests, the fireplace does have realistic features. Fiber optic illusions are used to create the feel of a burning fire and embers. There are even extra logs and a set of fireplace tools.
Above the fireplace is an image of Cinderella. With a bit of Fairy Godmother’s magic, this picture transforms into a television.
Cinderella Suite Sitting Room
More magic can be found in the sitting room where a mirror transforms into another television. When relaxing, Guests can enjoy the comforts of a custom sofa which showcases French-carved details. This sofa also converts into a bed.
Cinderella Suite Bathroom
Even the bathroom is gorgeous in the Cinderella Castle Suite. In the bathroom you’ll find two sinks with mirrors above them, a vanity area, toilet, and a jacuzzi tub. The tub has multiple jets and colored lighting effects. Above the tub, is a dreamy view of a sparkling night sky.
Why the Cinderella Castle Suite is So Special
There's not one specific reason why the Cinderella Castle Suite is so special. The reason for wanting to stay in, or even visit the suite, varies among Guests.
Most commonly, Guests consider this the ultimate Disney dream. The Cinderella Castle already means so much to many people. The castle truly stands as a positive symbol that encourages many to not only dream, but to follow their dreams. To be able to stay inside the castle? That would be the icing on the cake. (Which the castle once was. Let's not forget when the Imagineers turned Cinderella Castle into a birthday cake for Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary.)
Some Guests may care less about the Disney value of the suite and hold more value on the exclusivity of the experience. To be frank, some people want what they can't have. The fact that staying in the Cinderella Castle Suite is an almost impossible experience to have, no matter how much money you have or what your status is, makes it an exciting challenge for some.
Others may simply want to marvel at the beauty of the suite. As you can imagine, the Cinderella Castle Suite does not look like your typical Walt Disney World hotel room. The entire suite is tastefully decorated to capture both a royal ambiance and the magic of the classic Cinderella tale. With the stained glass windows, mosaic pieces, custom furnishings, beautiful drapes and linens, and pieces of art, you won’t be able to forget that you’re inside a castle.
READ MORE – Sadly Stolen Strollers Do Happen at Disney—Here’s How to Avoid It Happening to You
How Can You Stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite?
There are very few ways to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite. Essentially, nothing has changed since the suite opened up. Just as the first Guests won their stay by being randomly chosen, Guests today are only able to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite if they win their way in or are personally invited by Disney.
You cannot book a stay at the Cinderella Castle Suite. The fact that Disney refuses to put a price tag on a stay in the suite is one reason why it remains so desirable. Even those who could afford to pay an assumably outrageous price to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite aren’t able to. Just like everyone else, they must win their way in or be invited. By including a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite as a prize for sweepstakes and even an auction, Disney has been able to raise quite a bit of money for charity.
Cinderella Suite Past Auctions
In 2019, ESPN held an auction for an elaborate Disney World vacation package which benefited the V Foundation. The V Foundation was formed by ESPN and basketball coach Jim Valvano. Since 1993, the V Foundation has played a huge role in the fight against cancer, donating millions of dollars towards cancer research.
The vacation package included:
- 4 round trip coach airfares
- 4 round trip ground transfers between the Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World Resort via Disney’s Magical Express Service
- Room accommodations consisting of 1 standard room (with a maximum of 4 persons per room) for 2 nights at a hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort selected by Disney in its sole discretion; based on availability
- Four 4-Day Theme Park Tickets with Park Hopper Plus Option
- One Disney Gift Card with a value of $2,000 (subject to restrictions)
- One 1-Night stay at the Cinderella Castle Suite in Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort with select food and beverage snacks, breakfast at either Cinderella’s Royal Table or The Crystal Palace. Subject to availability
- One Disney VIP Tour Guide for 8 hours one day
Cinderella Suite Sweepstakes
Besides the auction, Guests have also had the chance to win a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite through multiple sweepstakes. The most recent sweepstakes was held this year! The contest ended on May 24th, 2024 and the winner was announced on June 12th, 2024.
The sweepstakes was held by Alltroo and benefited the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation helps children in Central Florida realize their worth, potential, and value. The foundation supports a variety of local youth-based programs within the community. These programs are centered around art, education, health and wellness, and homelessness. Over the years, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation has donated millions of dollars to local nonprofit community organizations.
The sweepstakes prize included:
- 1-Night stay at the Cinderella Castle Suite in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World for up to 4 Guests
- 2-Night resort stay in a standard room at a Deluxe Resort for up to 4 Guests
- Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Up to four, 3-Day Theme Park Tickets with Park Hopper Option
- Private 7-Hour VIP Tour Experience including:
- A completely customized experience based on your preferences
- Ability to enjoy favorite attractions efficiently through most Lightning Lane entrances
- Shared insight from a highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide throughout the tour
- Round trip flights for 4
- 40 entries – $10
- 150 entries – $25 (Most popular)
- 400 entries – $50
- 1,000 entries – $100
- 3,000 entries – $250
- 8,000 entries – $500 (Max entries)
Who Has Stayed in the Cinderella Castle Suite?
Besides lucky contestant winners, other Guests who have stayed in the Cinderella Castle Suite were invited by Disney. Generally, this happens to well-known celebrities.
Guests who have stayed in the Cinderella Castle Suite in the past include Kevin Jonas and his wife Danielle (2010), Tom Cruise and his daughter Suri (2012), Neil Patrick Harris, his husband David, and their twins (2013), Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, and their twins (2013), and Katy Perry (2014).
Visit Cinderella Castle
As Cinderella said, “A dream is a wish your heart makes”. This is exceptionally true for those who are longing to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite! Would you like to stay in the suite someday? Even though the odds for staying in the suite are extremely low, there are still a couple of ways that you can go inside of the castle – by dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table or by treating your little prince or princess to a royal makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Take a look at these articles to learn more about both of these experiences!
READ MORE – Disney Bans Guests From Theme Parks. No Exceptions Were Made For These Celebrities That Broke the Rules!
Disney has a variety of rules in place for the safety and happiness of its guests, and if guests break these rules, there can be consequences—even for celebrities. See the celebrities who have been banned from Disney Parks and what they did!
READ MORE – 10 of the Craziest Food Items You Can Get at Disney Parks
The Disney Parks are filled with all kinds of interesting foods, but some of their offerings may raise some eyebrows. See 10 of the craziest foods you can get at Disney Parks—would you dare to try any of these?
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