OMG.... I got to stay in the Castle!!! More pictures added to first post

[mswalters]

It has a bedroom, a parlor with a sofa that turns into a bed, and a bathroom. It will sleep 6.

 

[disney4us91]

How Cool !!! Did you sleep, I think I would not be able to go to sleep if I was in the Castle. Were the dinner and breakfast included as part of your prize?

 

[mswalters]

Dinner and Breakfast were included as part of the prize for all 6 of us. They also let my 2 nephews that didn't get to stay in the castle eat dinner with us but we had to pay. They were very accomadating though and were able to get the other 7 of our party reservations at crystal palace at the same time as us so we could eat together.
I did sleep some in the castle, but I was very excited. My dd and neice are 3 and 4 so they were asleep by 9:30 (MK closed at 8). Everyone else was alseep by 10. I stayed awake in bed because I didn't want to waste my only night in the castle sleeping!! I woke at 3ish and couldn't go back to sleep because I was so excited.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Thank you for sharing your magical experience!

That is wonderful that they included dinner and breakfast. I loved the chocolate carriage. I think I would have such a hard time eating it though because it it so pretty.

I doubt we'll win a stay at the castle on our trip in April but there's always wishful thinking.

Thanks for the photos too. Very nice!

 

[disney4us91]

Pictures added to end of post.

Ok, it has been several days now, but I am still smiling from the amazing experience. It happened on Monday, Jan. 28th, when my BIL won the stay in the castle. He only has four in his family so my 3 1/2 year old dd and I got to be a part of the royal family as well. All I can say is wow!!! It was one of the most amazing experiences ever! The level that Disney goes to to make this dream come true is amazing.

Ok here are the details....

We were at Animal Kingdom when BIL rode the Triceratops Spin with his 2 kids. He happened to sit in the right spot because when he got off the ride he was escorted away. They only told him he won something but he had to watch a video to see what it was. Anyway, after filling out necessary paperwork and asking a million questions (we were a party of 13 with 5 kids and we wanted to get as many included in things as possible) we were told to pack and be at our bell services at 2pm. They came and took us to the MK in a Tahoe with Castle Suite Winners on the side. We went in through a side entrance and walked to the back of the park to await our ride in the parade. We then rode in a car for the parade with Daisy Duck. After we got to the end of the parade route we got to watch it from a VIP spot. We were then taken to check into our room and given a tour of the suite. It is amazing. Definitely fit for a royal family. After touring the room we went to ride a few rides then we got to have dinner at Cinderellas Royal Table. After dinner a few more rides and we were taken to a great spot to watch Wishes. We also got to have breakfast at the Crystal Palace the next day.
I could write forever about the service and attention to detail that made our night special. We were assigned our own concierge who brought us anything we needed. My dd asked if Tinkerbell could land where we were watching the parade. Now that of course was not possible, but she did get an autograph. Turn down service in the castle was amazing, and we got a wake up call from Cinderella.
This really did make our great vacation unforgettable. I guess we were extra lucky as well because members of our party also got dream fast passes in MK on Sun and dream ears on Friday at the Studios. What a fabulous week!!!



I just watched a short video on the Disney website about a family that won the Castle stay and they were at Animal Kingdom on the Triceratops Spin. Is this your family. It showed a family with what looked like two boys very close in age, had on the same shirt. And looks like they had five kids with them.I hope the link works if not let me know. I can send you the email that I got with the video link.


http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...sLandingPage&videoID=3&CMP=NLC-Feb2008CMR1012

 

[poohbearrocks]

that is sooo awesome!!! what a great experiance and a magical time!! love the pics!!!

 

[mswalters]

Nope, that wasn't us in the video. That was neat to see though.

 

[MOMtoZachEvanGrace]

Congrats I am SOOOO Jealous!!!!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

It's been killing me to know, but isn't it kind of spooky being the only people in the whole entire MK during the night? Also, how do they ensure that you don't go wandering around -- are you locked in? How do they ensure that people don't take things? It sounds so wonderful, but I can't imagine how they keep a handle on everything. It goes without saying I'm SOOO envious but completely happy for you!

 

[HonnyDipp]

Congrats! I can tell, you are still beaming!

 

[mswalters]

I really didn't feel like I was locked in. We were told not to go down the elevator because we could not get back up. You have to have a card to swipe to make the elevator go. We had our concierge to call if we needed anything so I guess that is why I didn't really feel locked in. I think had we called in the middle of the night to go somewhere he would have taken us within reason of course. I don't wander in the night at home or in a regular hotel so I guess it didn't bother me.
They did do a background check on the winner. They also have our address and such so if something valuable was missing they could hunt us down. I am not really sure what we could have taken that would have been of value besides some dvds and the tv remote. It was really cool and worth big $$ but wouldn't be worth anything without the tv!! It controled the lights as well. We did take the lotions and soaps, and the bubble bath they gave the kids. Hopefully most people would be honest and enjoy the experience without stealing things!!
Thanks again for the congrats. It is still seems surreal.

 

[Mandilyn]

How exciting! Congratulations!

 

[BamaFan121s]

Congrats! I'm always happy to hear that a fellow DISer won the castle stay.

 

[PiratesRock]

We're going in October and I would LOVE to get to take my girls to stay in the castle!! SO once in a lifetime!

 

[PiratesRock]

On second thought, I'd like to take my husband and leave the kids w/ G-ma!! Couldn't deny my girls the stay, though.

 

[bluerendezvous]

Dreaming of winning in May....

We will be a group of 7. Four in my family and three in my DSis's family. Would they let us all stay since my DNiece is only 5 and sleeps with her parents anyway? I need to know so I'll be ready when we win!

 

[EverythingDisney]

What an amazing win !! I'm very happy for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your story and the beautiful pictures !!

 

[BrittBritt]

It's been killing me to know, but isn't it kind of spooky being the only people in the whole entire MK during the night? Also, how do they ensure that you don't go wandering around -- are you locked in? How do they ensure that people don't take things? It sounds so wonderful, but I can't imagine how they keep a handle on everything. It goes without saying I'm SOOO envious but completely happy for you!

I had this same thought! I would have wanted to wander. I would have been calling everyone I knew! I am assuming Cindy had great cellphone reception.
Congrats!
Note to self: Ride Triceratops at AK nonstop while trying to look not the least bit greedy

 

[mswalters]

Dreaming of winning in May....

We will be a group of 7. Four in my family and three in my DSis's family. Would they let us all stay since my DNiece is only 5 and sleeps with her parents anyway? I need to know so I'll be ready when we win!

One of the cm's we talked to said that only allowing 6 has made for some sticky situations. Also, children have to have their guardian stay with them. There were 13 of us (8 adults and 5 kids) and we had said that if we won I would stay with the 5 kids. However, the person awarded the prize has to stay and any children must have the guardian there as well. So we had to very disappointed children who could not stay . It was my BIL (the winner), my sister, their 2 kids, me, and my dd. We were chosen over the other cousins because I have the only other girl (score for me----I was the one who wanted it the most). What I would do in your situation is leave an adult behind. Sad for them but in our case my BIL or my husband could have really cared less. They were more thrilled for us!!
I will say that the cm's that handled us were as accomadating for our large party as they could be. We did have several requests because we didn't want to leave any of the kids out, and they did do what they could and asked for permission (from who?) for lots of things that didn't work out. For example, we (the adults) told them we would sit out the parade so the other kids could be in it, but they couldn't do that. It had to be the ones staying in the castle. They did let them eat dinner with us in the castle though, and the whole party got to tour the suite as well as join us for the fireworks and some rides beforehand.

Good luck to all you trying to win!!!! It really is a dream!!!

 

[bluerendezvous]

Thanks for your quick reply!

Here's our plan: If DSis wins, my DH gets a night by himself. If I win, her DH gets a night by himself! Oh well, we can only hope we have to decide...