Suite dreams at Disney

Ever wondered what's in Cinderella's castle at the Magic Kingdom? As of yesterday, there's an elegant guest suite. And it's not for sale; to spend the night there, you have to be the lucky winner of the park's daily random drawing.

And we do mean random. Each day a computer picks how the winner will be chosen. For the first winner, chosen Thursday, the computer dictated that it would be the person sitting in a specific seat on the Disney-MGM Studios Star Tours ride at 9:50 a.m. That turned out to be Brad Fouch, 16, of Dewitt, Ill., who was visiting with his parents Jim and Lisa, and sister Hannah, who was celebrating her 8th birthday.


Media got a quick tour yesterday of the just-finished suite. The 600-square-foot space -- originally designated as a suite for Roy Disney, but used as an office -- has been elegantly appointed with two queen beds decked in royal yellow-and-blue coverings, a fireplace with "magic" (think: simulated) fire, small sitting / TV room with pull-out couch and a luxurious bath with double sinks, hot-tub bath and shower. The overall theme is 17th Century castle, but with all the modern comforts.

There are Disney touches -- a magic slipper in the foyer and in a mosaic floor, stained-glass windows with Disney scenes and a portrait of Cinderella above the mantle that magically morphs into a working television. Designers have added just enough to remind you're at Disney, without detracting from the elegance. The overnight experience comes with breakfast with Cinderella and a 24-hour concierge.

The overnight stays will continue through 2007 as part of Disney's Year of a Million Dreams promotion. And while this might sound like just a clever marketing gimick, there are some pretty neat prizes involved, including a Disney cruise and trip with the new tour company, Disney Adventures.

As for the Cinderella Suite, no word yet on what will happen to it once the Dream Year is finished. It would be a great honeymoon suite....



----

Images courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort