Calling Cinderella’s Castle an icon would be a misnomer because it is so much more than that. It is a canvas upon which we throw our wildest dreams upon the moment we first set our eyes upon its glorious spires. It is picturesque and yet no picture can tell of its power. So many travel so far for a chance to be in its presence, to imagine themselves inside the fairytales they grew up with and are now living out. It is under this knowledge of the importance of what Cinderella’s Castle represents that we are so honored to be amongst the few to have visited a very special suite within the castle’s walls. Of course, we are talking about the Cinderella Castle Suite and nothing makes us happier than to be able to share the experience with you. There is so much to tell that we could be here ’til midnight but something tells me you should make it past the break before then.
Touring the Cinderella Castle Suite is easily one of the most memorable moments of D23’s Magic & Merriment 2011.
You see those windows on the backside of Cinderella’s Castle? They are one of three sets of windows in the suite.
It is hard to describe the feeling of a Disney fan’s excitement when they are about to embark on a journey such as this one but even at this point my perceptions of the castle are changing in my mind. I’m filled with an incredible amount of curiosity and luckily it won’t be long now before we are inside.
Dorothea Holt Redmond designed these wonderful murals that line the Cinderella Castle Breezeway and illustrate the story of Cinderella. The murals consist of fifteen-by-ten foot panels that include a million pieces of Italian glass, real silver and even 14-karat gold!
Take note of this pattern as it is used in the flooring of the suite.
You have probably passed this door on the right side of the breezeway many times without giving it thought. Only if you knew what was inside! Well it is time to see for ourselves. Let’s go!
We walk into the Concierge Vestibule and though it is very cramped you can already tell the grandeur of the design.
We get our first glance at the Concierge’s desk but take a look at the clock. Notice anything peculiar? 😉
It is permanently wound ’til just before midnight.
While the room is very simple compared to the suite it also has a few nice details.
These columns are a good example.
Notice the characters from the Disney animated film Cinderella, etched into the column.
The elevator doors are very elegant and the colors and arched roof help to continue the design story of the castle.
Why not a marble telephone?
The clock is one of the main focal points of the this small room. But it is time for an elevator ride 🙂
The roof of a royal elevator…
The design of the mosaic tile floor in the elevator is beautiful and it is a shame that Disney hasn’t repaired this floor which has seen obvious wear and tear. It is not good that one of your first impressions of the suite is this floor in the poor state that it is in. (That concludes my mini-rant but when you see the pristine nature of every other detail in the suite you’ll understand my feeling on this.)
Mind you its not enough to spoil what will be one of the most incredible moments in all my time visiting WDW. We begin with this incredible mosaic floor with Cinderella’s Carriage! From the moment you enter the Foyer you know you’ve stepped into an incredible place. It is the power of Disney details in a small space that still feels grand.
Sadly, we were given only a couple of minutes to see the suite and it definitely wasn’t enough time to take in all the beautiful workmanship that went into the ceilings and floors and truly every inch of this incredible spot.
Just one of the several Mary Blair paintings featured in the suite.
Cinderelly, Cinderelly!
WOW! Cinderella’s glass slipper!
And this crown…why it is stunning!
Our first look into the room. There is so much to see I don’t even know where to begin to look.
How about the fireplace whose LED “embers” sparkle into a mini fireworks display for a touch of magic.
Who doesn’t love a large flat screen tv? The problem is a tv doesn’t exactly fit in with the theming so Disney imagineers placed a wallpaper on the screen to look like a commissioned painting of Cinderella. I don’t really like the image personally but kudos to Disney on the effort to mask the modern day electronics into the decor based on a much simpler time.
The speakers have also been hidden very nicely.
Near the bedside is a desk, perfectly themed to match the room while providing a nice little workspace for those inclined to write lengthy blog posts 😉
Just awesome.
It is really the layers of details that make this suite special. Here you can see the many fabrics, from the bed to the back board that make this into one eye catching and lush feeling bedroom.
The furniture pieces all have a magnificent sense of weight.
Notice the Cinderella C’s 🙂
A slipper chair, well you know, for putting on slippers of course!
We move into the parlor which features these beautiful stained glass windows,
These windows see out to New Fantasyland!
The windows are made to blur the view of the outside. You can see outside some but it isn’t exactly what you’d expect.
This is the view out of the window we pointed you to earlier from outside the castle.
This furniture piece is disguising a media center…
Looking back at the bedroom you can see the floor tile pattern borrowed from the mosaic in the breezeway.
Fun fact: This suite is officially registered as part of the Contemporary Resort.
And now onto the bathroom and what a bathroom it is!
We begin with the tub surrounded by more mosaic tile art that creates landscaped “windows.” And as if that wasn’t enough, you have LED stars in the sky above you.
Cinderella’s touch is everywhere.
A closer look at the tile work reveals just how intricate the designs are.
Really, really beautiful!
Onto the sinks…
Love the “well” design of the faucet.
And now for the “Throne Room” 🙂
The shower with a tile pattern that you might recall from the elevator door previously.
The same pattern is on the bathroom floor too.
One last look at the room as our minutes in Disney hotel nirvana are over.
The door slams shut, the end…
But back in the breezeway we can’t help but take a look at the other tile mosaics.
It was truly special seeing the suite, a moment I will never forget. I just hope one day, I’m fortunate enough to spend a night or two there! 🙂
You are probably wondering how you can book the room. Well right now the room is only booked by Disney marketing and promotions staff. Not exactly good odds but I will be wishing upon a star quite often.
If you want to learn more about the suite you have got to see the 3rd & 4rth post in this Magic & Merriment Trip Report series.
And then the final mosaic now the entrance to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
