He Didn't Like Stay in Cindy's Castle

[Gator]

Can you believe it. I just read an article in my local paper by Travis Reed of the AP. The AP paid his way to stay one night in the castle (for media coverage puposes), and all he could do is complain about everything but the jacuzzi bath. I think everyone on this site would be willing to sell parts of their body to stay a night there. And this punk says he's "tired of smiling and waving" as grand marshall of the parade; the elevator to the room is too slow; he's upset about going to breakfast with Cinderella; and "the mouse ears I can do without." :thedolls: This would be a dream come true for me and my family. Just terribly upsetting, and I figured I could vent here. Thanks for putting up with it.

[AndrewJackson]

Here is the article:

Cinderella and Me: A night in the castle

By TRAVIS REED, Associated Press Writer Tue Feb 20, 1:48 PM ET

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - I am in hundreds of strangers' vacation pictures — the bewildered guy in the sputtering truck at the front of the Walt Disney World parade. I'm sitting next to Daisy Duck and wearing mouse ears embroidered with my name, waving like an idiot and smiling like I just won a toaster.

That's the first place they put you when you've won an overnight stay in the three-room suite inside the Cinderella Castle. It's the crown jewel in Walt Disney Co.'s "Year of a Million Dreams" sweepstakes, the squeal-inducing fantasy of millions of little girls — and my home for the next 17 hours.

Each day, Disney randomly chooses one family to spend the night in its new Cinderella Suite, but I got to stay there thanks to an exclusive invitation from Disney to The Associated Press. (Families stay there for free, and the suite cannot be rented, but The AP paid $587 for my stay, which was the estimated value for the overnight.) Staying in the suite also means I'm also grand marshal of the parade, the honorary guest in an event called the "Dreams Come True Dinner," created by Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, and the front-of-the-line guy at anything I want to ride.

I am a tattooed 27-year-old guy with Buddy Holly glasses and no children. But I'm just not that into princesses. So to enhance my appreciation, I've adopted a family with two little girls (ages 5 and 2) to stay with me.

I am tired of smiling and waving when the parade ends, and I wonder how the full-grown adults dressed up like Goofy and Minnie do it every single day. Besides that, what will become of all those pictures when they make it back to Iowa or Idaho or Kalamazoo?

The Magic Kingdom is designed so you can see the castle from just about anywhere, and the walk to our suite seems longer than it should. We are led up a far pathway, past a side door and into a small room with stone walls.

Our guide, dressed as a 17th century castle guy, swipes a card to call our elevator and takes us four stories up. The suite is brand new. The elevator is not, and moves eerily a few inches up and down when it's boarded or stopping.

Each of us is given a swipe key with our name and "Cinderella Suite" written on it, and before long there are bite marks all over 2-year-old Emily's. Her sister Hannah has the honor of opening our door the first time.

There are golden flecks in the floor and ornate squares on the ceiling, making the whole room feel gilded. The desk in the corner is a 17th century Dutch antique with velvet-lined shelves that Disney has retrofitted with a high-speed Internet hookup. There are two queen beds with headboards and a canopy and a fireplace that can't burn anything, but holds a fiberoptic display of flame and pixie dust.

The television in the sitting room is a mirror that converts at the touch of a button, while the "royal bedchamber" TV changes from a framed electronic portrait of Cinderella. There is a television with at least five channels in foreign languages, an array of DVDs (all Disney, of course) and free calls to anywhere on an antique-looking phone.

I get wild ideas about that last part until I remember I don't know anyone in Paris or Tokyo anyway.

Perhaps most impressive is the bathroom, which features a 4-foot square Jacuzzi jet tub with a waterfall faucet, a separate shower that could comfortably fit three and a square toilet. Over the tub are three sparkling mosaics made of hand-cut Italian glass.

All of these things I like — especially the mirror that turns into a TV. But I am disappointed in the minibar. It has juice boxes but no Jack Daniels.

Much of the royal family's day — like the parade and dinner reservations — is preset, so there isn't a lot of time for rides. Emily isn't tall enough for the roller coasters, which basically leaves the other category — the ones where you sit in a car, ride along a track and watch animatronic pirates or fish or jungle people sing and dance.

But because we're staying inside the park and Disney provides us a front-of-the-line escort, we've got to ride something. We end up on Peter Pan's Flight and then the ride whose name Disney refuses to capitalize, it's a small world. When it's over, the girls' father and I are yawning. It's only 5:30 p.m. but we've been on the go nonstop since the parade at 2 p.m.

We have dinner reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table, a place where the Fairy Godmother and other Disney characters weave between diners performing songs. It is expensive, but we aren't paying because it's included in our stay.

Before dinner we finally meet Cinderella. In blond wig, powdered cheeks and lilting voice, she is convincing, and poses for pictures with us. She embraces my arm; I do not tell her I will later be naked in her bathtub.

The restaurant serves everything from hot dogs to prime rib, but they also do not have booze. I found out the hard way after asking for a Sam Adams when I thought our waiter said they have "great beer." Root beer, it turns out, but there is no alcohol at the Magic Kingdom.

I guess that explains our minibar.

Godmother identifies our table as the lucky suite winners during dinner, and the rest of the restaurant offers rousing applause. Later, a woman stops by to ask us where we were when we found out when we won. I feel like a jerk telling her we didn't win anything, it's just that I'm a reporter.

Our Disney escort is waiting sharply when we're done with dinner, which is starting to become a pattern. It almost feels like we're being watched. The pretty girl dressed like a stewardess who guides us around reports into a hand radio whenever "The Royal Family" is on the move. Who is she talking to? I have no idea but it's kind of creepy.

Disney has left princess wands, crowns and Minnie Mouse dolls for the girls back at the suite. They have also turned back the covers on our beds, put out a tray of cookies and traded our barely used bathroom soap for an unopened bar. All of those are hotel luxuries I have never before experienced.

We watch the fireworks show that closes the park through the suite's stained-glass windows, and everyone tries out the Jacuzzi. Separately.

I haven't taken a bath since my mother was holding the wash rag, but I can't resist this thing. I turn on the jets for 20 minutes, thinking there's no way I'll be there longer than 10. They have all kinds of fancy soaps lining the side, and I use some shampoo that smells like weird plants and expensive salons. I finally pry myself out after 16 minutes, feeling like I'm hogging the bathroom.

At about 9:30 p.m. I press 0 for the concierge and ask for an after-hours look outside the castle. You can't really leave the suite without asking, but it somehow doesn't feel like you're trapped. Someone is posted round-the-clock just to handle our requests.

I do literally have the park to myself, but there's not much to do in it because the rides are closed. Everything remains lit up as if it were packed, and piped-in Disney music fills the air. Most striking is the number of trash cans I see — dozens within a few feet of one another — that I never recognized before. They blend in seamlessly when the whole place is cluttered with people.

Back at the suite, Hannah has fallen asleep clutching her Minnie doll but little Emily somehow outlasts her usual 8 p.m. bedtime. She's wearing her tiara upside-down, spinning and banging her wand on the ground in between pleas for more cookies.

She finally crashes at 10:30 in her parents' bed, and the grown-ups follow shortly thereafter. The bed and comforter are soft and thick, and I don't stay up long.

I'm awakened by a 7:35 a.m. call I didn't ask for, to prepare for 9 a.m. breakfast reservations Disney made for us. I spend the next hour trying futilely to go back to sleep as dad plays with the girls in the sitting room.

They don't want to leave the suite, and frankly neither do I.

It's foggy outside when we emerge from the castle, and the park is already full of families just starting their day. I feel strangely like I don't belong — like I've stayed out all night and am watching people go to work the next morning.

I already dread the lines I'll be waiting in. The mouse ears I can do without

[PirateLover]

Why would the AP pay for someone to stay there who has no interest in Disney? Odd. At least there was a family with him. I would be really ticked if the night was completely wasted on an unappreciative reporter.

[Christine]

:rolleyes: I guess I should never be surprised by the media.

Talking about booze and being naked in Cinderella's tub...this guy sounds like a real winner:shake: What did he think this would be like...Mardi Gras or Vegas?

[dinahvixen]

It's what I would expect from a 27 year old single guy - although my dad, who works for a paper here in Ohio, said that a lot of people are turning down the stay at the castle prize, and if I didn't have a little girl, I might also. We don't get to go for more than a few days when we vacation there and if the park closes at 7pm, at our resort we can swim and do things - it sounds like you're kind of stuck watching tv rather than enjoying the "world". It definitely sounds great, but if I didn't have a Cinderella-centric daughter, I might pass myself.

[Speedy1998]

Why would the AP pay for someone to stay there who has no interest in Disney? Odd. At least there was a family with him. I would be really ticked if the night was completely wasted on an unappreciative reporter.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Strmchsr]

I would definitely rather read about the castle being magical from someone who appreciates it than from an "outside" who doesn't get the Disney magic. What's the point in an article like that? It makes the writer sound like a complete jerk. Whether he is or not I can't judge, but he's in a no win situation with that article.

[Disneyfun]

What an ingrate! :mad:

[Jasper]

Unfortunately this kind of cynical attitude about anything wholesome or decent in the world is the most common attitude in today's liberal media! Had you sent him into a prison for the night he would of glowed about how wonderful the inmates were! These kind of people just aren't happy unless they are raining on other people's parades!

[Lily]

Regardless of his take on the evening, it still sounded wonderful! I would love it. I do feel bad that the family had to have this guy tagging along with them.

[DISNEYFIX]

Authors name?

JACK ARSE? :D

[DisneyDudet]

First off.. you're a reporter.. research before you go.

No alcohol in MK.. period.. get over it. Is that all you think about? Man, I don't know how he could enjoy himself anywhere because he's to busy seeking out booze. What a winner.

Also... refusing to capitalize its a small world.. hmm.. did it ever occur to him that it was Disney's doing not to capitalize? Yeah man, its genius.. would he have thought about doing it that way, its a SMALL world... its creative....

No.. he wouldn't.. he'd be too busy looking for beer.

If I were the AP... I'd make him pay the money back... be grateful he works for someplace that will do that.

I bet he liked it... he only said he didn't cuz he knew he'd get publicity about it.

I'd love to stay there, but it does seem to take up time, plus I know a little girl out there would love to stay there. I'd just like to go up there.. maybe if I'm chosen, they'd just let me see it...?

Eh.. anyway.. he's a loser.

[SBETigg]

What a yutz! It sounds fantastic to me.

[ElenitaB]

I guess I'm in the minority here but I didn't find his article that offensive. I have lots of friends who are not Disneyphiles like me, and the writer's take was not all that negative (IMHO, at least) and his comments were typical for someone who's not "into" Disney. In all, I found him a lot less jaded than the authors of the Unofficial Guide.

[BrowncatP]

The AP should of had a contest that one of us could win. We ALL want to stay there. We could tell everyone a much better story about our experience.

[DisneyGRL7]

I don't understand why the AP didn't choose a reporter with a family that would actually appreciate the suite, as it is families who are actually CHOSEN to stay there.

Despite his negativity, he did give what I thought was a good description of the suite, and I know that I would still want to stay there, regardless of the bad things he said.

[mudpuppysmom]

I let DH read this article and he thought about replying under my name, I told him he could, just say he was my DH. He then said I would probably get kicked off for what he said.......

Things he did comment on that I can write:

WHY did they pick this particular guy??? The AP HAS to have someone with a family that could have posed a family's point of view.

If all the guy wanted to do was drink booze, why didn't he go to DTD? I said maybe he was not allowed to leave the park?

He then went downhill with his comments about the guy........

We have a DS, but I think he would not mind staying there -- he is into princesses -- he thinks they are his girlfriends!!! DH would go just as a bodyguard for DS to fight off all the girls is what he said he'd do if we were ever picked.

[wdw_bound]

Unfortunately this kind of cynical attitude about anything wholesome or decent in the world is the most common attitude in today's liberal media! Had you sent him into a prison for the night he would of glowed about how wonderful the inmates were! These kind of people just aren't happy unless they are raining on other people's parades!

No need to bring politics into this. I'm a liberal, and I didn't like the piece, either. Really I think he was trying to have a unique approach, and he fell flat. It was a gamble and it didn't pay off for him (although maybe it did - we're all talking about it, aren't we?). Let's remember that this is a site where we can all agree on our love for the mouse and leave our other differences at the door.

[dtootsie42]

I guess I am never surprised by the media anymore. All I can say, what a yutz and he missed out on enjoying a moment that many, many people would love to experience.

[Nekochan]

I personally would love a peek at the suite or even the restaurant, but you're not even allowed a peek unless you have reservations. Unfortunately, I travel with a boy (he'll be 12 soon) who would rather sit through 5 hours of social studies than 5 minutes with a princess. sigh.

[kai2234]

Honestly, I found it kind of amusing. :secret:

Please don't beat me up!

[JPL]

I'm guessing this just wasn't in his range of interests. I have actually herad a story of people turning down the castle stay because they didn't want the hassle of getting stuff together to move in for the night. I'm sure most of us can't even imagine turning it down no matter how inconvienient it would be to stay. I would even change my flight if I won on my last day before I was scheduled to leave.

I'm sure when selecting the reporter they wanted someone who was not a Disney fan but this guy was alittle too much out of his element. I didn't find the story offensive just a story written by someone who doesn't get the Disney experience. I have had friends who visited WDW and didn't think much of the experience at all and questioned why I go back so often.

[Donald A]

I'm sure when selecting the reporter they wanted someone who was not a Disney fan but this guy was alittle too much out of his element. I didn't find the story offensive just a story written by someone who doesn't get the Disney experience. I have had friends who visited WDW and didn't think much of the experience at all and questioned why I go back so often.

Well said......
I didn't find the story offensive either. To be honest I would probably turn down the castle suite unless they would let me skip all the parade and restaurant stuff and just sleep there. Now I love Disney and am even a DVC member, but I would not like the attention. I am a very private person and my wife is even more private. We would not want to be in a parade and have everyone look at us. Being pointed out in a restaurant is not something I would like either. My wife and I don't even have people sing to each other at the restaurants on our birthday. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[Auntie]

Sounds like a 27 year old single guy. They should have had someone a bit older with a litle princess of his own. Funny how you see Disney through the eyes of a child when you have one. It's a totally different view.:mickey:

[KAT1811]

I wonder how Disney reacted to his article? They allowed the AP to purchase a night in the castle suite, something that they have extensively publicized as "priceless". I'm sure they did it expecting a glowing review about how magical the suite is. I'm sure someone made a not so Disney phone call to the AP. Can't say that I would blame them.

I can understand him not being a Disney fan (okay I don't quite "understand" it but to each his own) but I did think that his comments about Cinderella and the lack of Jack Daniels in the mini bar uncalled for.

As a mother of 3 Disney princesses I would give anything to stay a night in the castle, no matter the hassle of moving (which I'm sure Disney does a good part of) we are going in September and it would be the most magical time for us as I'm sure it would be for the rest of you!

I hope one of our fellow Intercotees wins a night in the castle. If they only knew how much we love the World. There is a piece of the magic that lives in each and every one of our souls.

I hope this 27 year old reporter marries and has a few Disney princesses of his own and can reflect on this article and see how disappointing it was. It was a chance of a lifetime wasted.

Good luck to all! I'm still looking for the post that says one of us won!!!

[jeromyanddana]

To me it sounds like one of Snow White's dwarfs (maybe dopey;) got lost in Cinderella's Castle. I really see the fault on the APs shoulders for not picking a more appropriate guy or lady for this once in a lifetime experience. Come on, let yourself have a little fun without having to booze yourself up first.:sick: Who needs alcohol when there is MAGIC:cloud9: What a waste of a night on this man. Let the disney guests stay there-its a surprise for them, which is fun and I'm sure it would be more appreciated.

[Lehman Family]

I can't blame the reporter for this article because it is how he feels. I can, however, blame AP for sending the wrong reporter. They should have sent a reporter that is in the target demographic that Disney is looking for to stay and report on the suite. Putting someone who doesn't like what it's all about shouldn't be there. If you don't like Disney, or crowds, or the ideas behind it then you wouldn't be there in the first place. If you say that's unfair then pick someone who will report with an unbiased opinion and tell you what's in there and let you decide for yourself if it's something you would like to do or not. This is why I barely ever pay attention to the news, evey reporter has their own spin on things, but people need to make their own opinions about if they'd enjoy something like this or not.:shake: :humph:

[Spaceship Tigger]

I can't blame the reporter for this article because it is how he feels. I can, however, blame AP for sending the wrong reporter. They should have sent a reporter that is in the target demographic that Disney is looking for to stay and report on the suite. Putting someone who doesn't like what it's all about shouldn't be there.

I also really didn't think the article was that bad considering who the reporter was. It could have been far worse. The AP, however, should be ashamed because they sent a 20-something single male with no prior Disney experience to do this. And you know that they selected this reporter intentionally to make they article more 'entertaining'. The AP was never interested in maing Disney look good here. They had their own agenda, like most news organizations have today.

[The Bookseller]

Maybe we should rename the article "Loser at WDW". Here's a guy who got no sense watsoever about what the magic is all about whining about the lack of Jack Daniels(TM)! You don't need booze at MK!

AP blew that one up due to the wrong choice of reporter. This is just sad.

[prttynpnk]

Honestly, I found it kind of amusing. :secret:

Please don't beat me up!

Me too!
I have a visual of some editor assigning this guy to the story to make him miserable...instead of accepting the million innapropriate bribes from other reporters! :blush:

[ibrowse17]

Some people will never get it. We must pitty them.:secret:

[fielin]

The AP was never interested in maing Disney look good here. They had their own agenda, like most news organizations have today.

I perfectly agree with you, Spaceship Tigger, except for this last sentence. Of course they didn't have to make Disney look good... Why should they ? This is information, not advertising.

I liked this article, because it told me, in a perfectly unbiased (i will go as far as saying unenthusiastic) way of what happens when you are chosen to sleep in cindirella's suite.

I didn't even get the impression that the guy didn't like it... He did a good job in reporting the ups and downs of winning the night in MK.

The bad : you cannot do what you might wish to do as an adult (i.e. going out, drinking, being left alone...)

The good : you have a front line access to any ride you might want, you are treated like a royalty, you can access the park while it is empty, you sleep in a wonderfully equipped suite, with a fantastic jacuzzi.

I found this article to be entertaining, and very informative, which is all I ask from an article... If the journalist had only praised Disney, I would have been suspicious.

If anything, this article made me even more anxious to come to Disney !

[Goofy Pilot]

I wasn't really that offended by the article. However, the 27 year old reporter sounds like a 15 year old: he sounds like he thinks he's too cool for the room (bad pun intended). Well, that's my impression, anyway.

It sounds like he was able to touch the highlights of the room pretty well, although it's obvious he has no clue about the effect Disney has on families.

I guess the only thing that bothered me really, was the comment about the lack of Jack Daniels in the mini-bar fridge. That sounds completely adolescent to me. This guy is 27 years old? He could have fooled me.

[mrsgaribaldi]

I guess I'm in the minority here but I didn't find his article that offensive. I have lots of friends who are not Disneyphiles like me, and the writer's take was not all that negative (IMHO, at least) and his comments were typical for someone who's not "into" Disney. In all, I found him a lot less jaded than the authors of the Unofficial Guide.


I'm with you Ellen. I thought he was poking fun, not trying to be mean really.

[DawnluvsEeyore]

The article didn't offend me at all. It seems like it was written mainly tongue-in-cheek. Like someone posted before, he hit all of the highlights of what happens if you win a stay, which, really, I had no clue. If you're not up for all of that attention, then at least you know what to expect if you're chosen and can turn it down.

[breezysmom]

Unfortunately this kind of cynical attitude about anything wholesome or decent in the world is the most common attitude in today's liberal media! Had you sent him into a prison for the night he would of glowed about how wonderful the inmates were! These kind of people just aren't happy unless they are raining on other people's parades!

AMEN!!!!

[TinyDancer]

I thought it was funny, and I agree with all the posts about choosing a different reporter and whatnot.

I would LOVE to stay there, LOVE it. I hate attention being drawn to me, but somehow at Disney it is different (to me at least). Last year we opened MGM on our first full day there, then went on to be in the stunt show on the Backstage Tour thingy, were the Official First Safari Family another day, etc etc etc. If you know me (and my sisters might chime in to back me up), I don't even like people really looking at me all that much, lol. I mean, I don't mind it but I don't like people WATCHING me doing something. At Disney it is natural!

If I got to stay the night there, I would probably cry. Yes, cry, lol. And take more pictures and video than God intended when he allowed us to create the technology, lol. At the same time, I know how magical it would be for a little girl to stay there.

Whenever we're there we try to outmanouver everyone else, but we will just about always either help or not pass someone who its their first time (we talk to everyone so we know, lol) or who have little kids.

I love Disney, lol!!!

[jennsky]

Unfortunately this kind of cynical attitude about anything wholesome or decent in the world is the most common attitude in today's liberal media! Had you sent him into a prison for the night he would of glowed about how wonderful the inmates were! These kind of people just aren't happy unless they are raining on other people's parades!

Even with being a television news director myself, I have to agree with what you're saying! Pretty pathetic world we live in. That's why I'm a director and not a producer. The producer chooses who does which story and if it had been me, I totally would have chosen someone with a family who would appreciate the experience they were getting. After reading the article myself though, I don't think his article was as critical as the first writer led me to believe...maybe because I can understand reporters' cynical attitudes, but I totally get why it would come across as such. As a side note, if AP only paid $500 bucks for him to stay there, I betcha each of us would save every last penny to be able to stay there ourselves, no?!? And I think my bath would have lasted longer than 16 minutes!!! :mickey:

[Hammer]

:cop: Moderator Alert!! :cop:

Let's keep this thread on the topic of this one man's stay in the Castle. We are starting to stray into the political arena with some of the comments, and that is not what this thread or Intercot is about.

Thanks!

[faline]

They don't want to leave the suite, and frankly neither do I.


Maybe I'm missing something but I took this to mean, when all was said and done, that he actually enjoyed his stay.

[Hammer]

I have no problems with the article. I'm glad that AP sent a reporter who wasn't a Disney fan. If they had, the article would have been biased. Actually, he found things which he did like. I am sure there are many who do not know that MK is dry, so that would be a surprise for them. Most people are like the reporter and go into a Disney vacation blind.

Disney vacations aren't for everyone and it doesn't make those who do not like it bad people. I don't understand the enjoyment of a golfing vacation and would probably not write a glowing article about it.

[fielin]

Maybe I'm missing something but I took this to mean, when all was said and done, that he actually enjoyed his stay.

Exactly what I thought. :mickey:

[angedeaile]

I have no problems with the article. I'm glad that AP sent a reporter who wasn't a Disney fan. If they had, the article would have been biased. Actually, he found things which he did like. I am sure there are many who do not know that MK is dry, so that would be a surprise for them. Most people are like the reporter and go into a Disney vacation blind.

I agree. I actually enjoyed the article because he wasn't a disney fan. It allowed me to see the REAL negatives along with the positives he was able to appreciate.

If it was written by any of us, I doubt we could present both sides....like the negative :mickey:

I think it was awesome he brought along a family with children that could enjoy that experience...alot more than him anyways. So, the whole thing wasn't lost on just him if you think about it.

[Crow]

I guess I'm in the minority here but I didn't find his article that offensive. I have lots of friends who are not Disneyphiles like me, and the writer's take was not all that negative (IMHO, at least) and his comments were typical for someone who's not "into" Disney. In all, I found him a lot less jaded than the authors of the Unofficial Guide.
neither did i. there isnt :beer: in MK.
i think he was trying to b funny somewhat. and he did take a family w him who would appreciate it. He is a reporter so cant be all into it and everything positive.
I have gotten harrased by friends about my trips..dont you want to go somewhere else? of course that person ended up being stationed in FL then going to WDW once a month or so .
and another friend who says all i do is go to WS to :beer: and talk to CMs and dont go on rides.
not true i do go on many rides, eat some good meals etc

[4ubie1]

I have to say that I sortof appreciated his article. Granted, I would love everyone to love WDW as much as me:mickey: :thumbsup: but by having someone who was not as big a fanatic as me write the story, I was able to see both sides of this affair. And i am delighted that he wish to share this experience with a family that could appreciate it more. I bet the kids got some fantastic memories from this experience. :D

P.S. If i was given the chance to stay there a night, I would take it. Talk about a "once in a lifetime" experience...and the stories one could tell :cloud9:. But by reading his article, I could see some drawbacks to the experience.

[Ella Loves Disney]

I don't understand why the AP didn't choose a reporter with a family that would actually appreciate the suite, as it is families who are actually CHOSEN to stay there.

Despite his negativity, he did give what I thought was a good description of the suite, and I know that I would still want to stay there, regardless of the bad things he said.

:ditto:

[Goofy Pilot]

To be honest, I have to wonder just how the AP reporter got this family to stay with him. I mean, how did he bring it up to them, how did he choose the family, how did he prove to them he wasn't some really twisted perv and was actually an AP reporter (not that those two things are necessarily mutually exclusive ;) )?

I guess it all worked out in the long run, but if I was playing with my DD's in our suite, knowing that reporter was in the next room, within easy earshot, writing about me playing with my DD's or our bathing or sleeping habits, I might be a tad squeamish about the whole experience.

:blush:

[fielin]

To be honest, I have to wonder just how the AP reporter got this family to stay with him.

My guess would be they were friends of his. :secret:

[PirateLover]

Maybe I'm missing something but I took this to mean, when all was said and done, that he actually enjoyed his stay.

It could be the cynic in me, but I took that line to mean that he didn't want to go to the breakfast they had planned and face the crowds in the park.
I did get the "humor" in this article but again I do not think he deserved a full night's stay in the suite. Yea he pointed out the good things but he did so reluctantly. I agree with the poster who said he was acting like he was too cool for the room.

[jedigrrrl]

First off.. you're a reporter.. research before you go.

No alcohol in MK.. period.. get over it. Is that all you think about? Man, I don't know how he could enjoy himself anywhere because he's to busy seeking out booze. What a winner.

Also... refusing to capitalize its a small world.. hmm.. did it ever occur to him that it was Disney's doing not to capitalize? Yeah man, its genius.. would he have thought about doing it that way, its a SMALL world... its creative....

No.. he wouldn't.. he'd be too busy looking for beer.

If I were the AP... I'd make him pay the money back... be grateful he works for someplace that will do that.

I bet he liked it... he only said he didn't cuz he knew he'd get publicity about it.

I'd love to stay there, but it does seem to take up time, plus I know a little girl out there would love to stay there. I'd just like to go up there.. maybe if I'm chosen, they'd just let me see it...?

Eh.. anyway.. he's a loser.

He DID like it.

We just thought he had to pretend not to throughout the article so he wouldn't lose his street cred. 27 with tattoos and buddy holly glasses?? Sounds like most of my husbands single pretentious friends. They are so "cool" and oh so annoying. They spend their lives trying to be better and cooler and more "interesting" than everyone else.

[Seasonscraps]

I agree. I actually enjoyed the article because he wasn't a disney fan. It allowed me to see the REAL negatives along with the positives he was able to appreciate.

If it was written by any of us, I doubt we could present both sides....like the negative :mickey:

I think it was awesome he brought along a family with children that could enjoy that experience...alot more than him anyways. So, the whole thing wasn't lost on just him if you think about it.

I was thinking the same thing as I read the article.

It wasn't entirely negative but he wasn't gushing about the magic of it all. He said there were limitations to staying there as well as positives but was overall a nice place to visit.

[disneyworld55925592]

:mad: Surely this guy does NOT understand the magic of disney!

[garymacd]

We have a DS, but I think he would not mind staying there -- he is into princesses -- he thinks they are his girlfriends!!! DH would go just as a bodyguard for DS to fight off all the girls is what he said he'd do if we were ever picked.

I am with your son on this one. I am into princesses, too. I have to be: I have three of them. Well, two princesses and one queen!

Actually, the article could have been a lot worse, and I did read a note of sarcasm in it, as well. It would have been interesting to get the father's perspective on the event. He probably loved it and was happy that his little princesses were given such a great gift, whether he himself actually had a great time or not.

[disneyworld55925592]

As a matter of fact i think im going to jot a little letter to AP at how ridiculous it was to pick someone that doesnt understand disney magic! Ill tell them how some people like US would DIE to stay there, and you send a man like that?

[tinksmom02]

. It's only 5:30 p.m. but we've been on the go nonstop since the parade at 2 p.m.



Are you kidding me? Three and a half hours and he's exhausted? Amatuer...

And I agree with another poster...I'm sure Disney "rented" the suite out expecting fabulous press in return. Although I think what the author disliked most was the time structure involved (and the lack of alcohol, but he should've researched that on INTERCOT first LOL)...he really didn't say anything negative about the room itself.

BUT they definitely should have sent someone who would have truly appreciated it...like me :mickey:

[DisneyGiant]

I perfectly agree with you, Spaceship Tigger, except for this last sentence. Of course they didn't have to make Disney look good... Why should they ? This is information, not advertising.

I liked this article, because it told me, in a perfectly unbiased (i will go as far as saying unenthusiastic) way of what happens when you are chosen to sleep in cindirella's suite.

I didn't even get the impression that the guy didn't like it... He did a good job in reporting the ups and downs of winning the night in MK.

The bad : you cannot do what you might wish to do as an adult (i.e. going out, drinking, being left alone...)

The good : you have a front line access to any ride you might want, you are treated like a royalty, you can access the park while it is empty, you sleep in a wonderfully equipped suite, with a fantastic jacuzzi.

I found this article to be entertaining, and very informative, which is all I ask from an article... If the journalist had only praised Disney, I would have been suspicious.

If anything, this article made me even more anxious to come to Disney !

Ditto.

Its making me think twice about it, should I be awarded the night :cloud9:

My two nephews - ages 9 and 4 - even though they are boys - would jump at the chance to stay overnight in the castle!

I wonder - do they refund you the night you're not at your resort?

[celebrationasheley]

A tattoo parlor in the room? No a fully stocked mini bar with alcohol. He didn't know MK doesn't have any alcohol.
I would not turn this opportunity down. Nor would anyone in my family. But he should have told his Newspaper he wasn't a fan of Disney and they could have chosen a different person that maybe would have appreciated it.
Wouldn't you expect to be looked over at all times. Disney wants to know what they are getting themselves into that night. But mostly they are trying to keep you happy.

:mickey: If he doesn't want his mickey ears, I will take them!:mickey:

[Gator]

To sum up my anger on this post, it comes down to this: I can think of nothing greater than for my family to be CHOSEN to stay a night in the castle. My last trip to WDW, I was selected for nothing, didn't win a fastpass or ears, didn't get to sit in a parade. Not that it ruined the trip, but I wanted that upper-class magic to be mine. Instead, it's given to some drunk "kid" because of his "job". That's what gets my blood boiling.

[diz_girl]

I was at first was a little irate, thinking how dare someone write a really bad review of their castle stay. Then I read the actual article and my opinion changed.

I mean no offense to those who are bashing this guy, but I seriously doubt that you have never written any negative things in Intercot about your stays at WDW. That's what this forum is about. Just because he got a free night in the castle doesn't mean that he is required to write a glowing review of his experience. He was just doing his job. As someone mentioned earlier, if the AP has selected an avid Disney fan, the article that would have been written would probably have been more biased than the one that this guy filed. He wrote the positives (front of line, jacuzzi, etc.) and the negatives (feeling constricted as to what you can do during the day) of staying in the castle and in the end sounded like he could eventually become a Disney fan.

Anyway, I didn't know that there was no alcohol in the MK either, and I've been to the world seven times, three of those when I was of legal drinking age. I don't drink, so I've never sought it out at the MK.

[WinnipegDisneyFanatic]

:rolleyes: I guess I should never be surprised by the media.



Speaking as a member of the media I totally see what you mean! This guy is a one-sided jerk. Although sometimes media will do that as a way to get a lot of people talking about either him or his article - anything for attention, in media.

But we're not all like that! I'm in news radio, geez, give me his job, I would GLADLY have done that!

Chris :hatter:

[Tink<3Mickey<3Cinderella]

I guess I'm in the minority here but I didn't find his article that offensive. I have lots of friends who are not Disneyphiles like me, and the writer's take was not all that negative (IMHO, at least) and his comments were typical for someone who's not "into" Disney. In all, I found him a lot less jaded than the authors of the Unofficial Guide.

I have to agree, although he did complain a little and give the prespective of a younger, single, male, non-Disney lover, I don't believe it was all that bad. I actually felt that he actually did enjoy himself a little bit. He hated the Mickey Ears, smiling and waving at the parade, and the fact that he couldn't drink, but his only other gripes were the spelling of small world and the morning wake up call. All and all I think it was an interesting and informative article from a different point of view. Sorry to disagree with everyone.

[Grace]

:rolleyes: Ah well, the article was a typical "glass is half empty" that I have come to expect from the AP.

[joonyer]

First of all, Let me say I absolutely love WDW, but even though this piece wasn't a raving review, I didn't think it deserved anger, just because it wasn't a glowing, gushing, puff piece written by Disney's own PR people. So I went back and re-read the entire article and posted my comments (in red) about the author's comments. You might find it interesting:

" . . .I'm sitting next to Daisy Duck and wearing mouse ears embroidered with my name, waving like an idiot and smiling like I just won a toaster. (Notice he doesn’t say he hated it, and I doubt that if he did, he would have been waving and smiling in the first place)

"That's the first place they put you when you've won an overnight stay in the three-room suite inside the Cinderella Castle. It's the crown jewel in Walt Disney Co.'s "Year of a Million Dreams" sweepstakes, the squeal-inducing fantasy of millions of little girls — and my home for the next 17 hours. (nothing negative in this paragraph, except he wasn't squealing, too.)

". . .I am a tattooed 27-year-old guy with Buddy Holly glasses and no children. But I'm just not that into princesses. So to enhance my appreciation, I've adopted a family with two little girls (ages 5 and 2) to stay with me. (he actually makes an effort to enhance his experience, knowing that he is not Disney’s target demographic for this experience. I have to give him a positive score for this move)

"I am tired of smiling and waving when the parade ends, (Again, he did not say he hated smiling and waving; simply that he was tired of doing it continuously for the length of the parade; I’ve been in parades at home with my kids and it does get tiring)

" . . . Besides that, what will become of all those pictures when they make it back to Iowa or Idaho or Kalamazoo? (He doesn’t have his own family so maybe he doesn’t understand the concept of photo albums. On the other hand I probably have thousands of Disney photos in boxes in my closets and on my computer that we hardly ever pull out.)

"There are golden flecks in the floor and ornate squares on the ceiling, making the whole room feel gilded. (he goes on to describe the interior of the suite in factual terms, but we fault him for not describing how this made him “feel”)

"I get wild ideas about that last part (free phone calls) until I remember I don't know anyone in Paris or Tokyo anyway. (uh oh, look out he’s expressing his feelings)

"Perhaps most impressive is the bathroom, which features a 4-foot square Jacuzzi jet tub with a waterfall faucet, a separate shower that could comfortably fit three and a square toilet. Over the tub are three sparkling mosaics made of hand-cut Italian glass. (He’s actually impressed; another positive score)

"All of these things I like — especially the mirror that turns into a TV. (Hey, he likes everything in the room . .except . . ) But I am disappointed in the minibar. It has juice boxes but no Jack Daniels. (Here’s his big mistake, he’s actually thinking about having a drink in the castle, how dare him. Never mind that he’s a twenty seven year old single guy. As if a parent of 2 small girls in Cinderella’s castle wouldn’t ever wish for a drink at the end of the day. And he doesn’t berate Disney for this, he simply says he is disappointed. God forbid, you know every single one of you has expressed disappointment at something at WDW before, many of you on these boards.)

"Much of the royal family's day — like the parade and dinner reservations — is preset, so there isn't a lot of time for rides. (Is this his fault?)

"Emily isn't tall enough for the roller coasters, which basically leaves the other category — the ones where you sit in a car, ride along a track and watch animatronic pirates or fish or jungle people sing and dance. (Oh my gosh, he isn’t thrilled at getting to ride Peter Pan’s flight etc.. Neither are my 13 and 10 year old boys, and they absolutely love the MK and WDW. But they do think some attractions are lame, and so do I (Tomorrowland Speedway))

"But because we're staying inside the park and Disney provides us a front-of-the-line escort, we've got to ride something. We end up on Peter Pan's Flight and then the ride whose name Disney refuses to capitalize, it's a small world. (how is this a negative comment? I viewed it a simply a reference to the catchy way of writing the name)

"When it's over, the girls' father and I are yawning. It's only 5:30 p.m. but we've been on the go nonstop since the parade at 2 p.m. (Tired at the MK? How dare him. Thank god that never happens to us)(I agree this does seem wimpy, but that’s not a comment on the MK)

"Before dinner we finally meet Cinderella. In blond wig, powdered cheeks and lilting voice, she is convincing, and poses for pictures with us. She embraces my arm; I do not tell her I will later be naked in her bathtub. (Notice, he doesn’t tell this to Cinderella, but he does tell us. On the other hand, he’s single, 27 and Cinderella looks pretty cute and well, we won’t go there. Just suffice it to say he apparently did have a “fantasy” experience while visiting the MK.)

"The restaurant serves everything from hot dogs to prime rib, but they also do not have booze. I found out the hard way after asking for a Sam Adams when I thought our waiter said they have "great beer." Root beer, it turns out, but there is no alcohol at the Magic Kingdom. (I agree a little research and he would have know this. It's not much of a positive review of the restaurant, but my own experience at CRT it is the most over-rated dining venue in WDW, given the $$$ and lack of food quality, so I can’t fault him for not gushing over the meal. Obviously the guy likes to have a beer or a drink, but I’d hardly call him a drunk, since he obviously didn’t bring his own.)

"I guess that explains our minibar. (This appears cynical, and should have been left out of the article, he gets a negative score for this comment)

"Later, a woman stops by to ask us where we were when we found out when we won. I feel like a jerk telling her we didn't win anything, it's just that I'm a reporter. (nothing negative here, in fact, I give him a positive score for feeling bad about disappointing someone when he has to tell them his employer bought his way into the castle)

"Our Disney escort is waiting sharply when we're done with dinner, which is starting to become a pattern. It almost feels like we're being watched. The pretty girl dressed like a stewardess who guides us around reports into a hand radio whenever "The Royal Family" is on the move. Who is she talking to? I have no idea but it's kind of creepy. (I wouldn’t like this either)

"Disney has left princess wands, crowns and Minnie Mouse dolls for the girls back at the suite. They have also turned back the covers on our beds, put out a tray of cookies and traded our barely used bathroom soap for an unopened bar. All of those are hotel luxuries I have never before experienced. (even though every comment in this paragraph is positive, we fault him for not gushing over how wonderful all this is)

". . .everyone tries out the Jacuzzi. Separately. (just letting us perverts know what not to think)

"I haven't taken a bath since my mother was holding the wash rag, but I can't resist this thing. I turn on the jets for 20 minutes, thinking there's no way I'll be there longer than 10. They have all kinds of fancy soaps lining the side, and I use some shampoo that smells like weird plants and expensive salons. I finally pry myself out after 16 minutes, feeling like I'm hogging the bathroom. (Look out, He's actually gushing about something)

"I do literally have the park to myself, but there's not much to do in it because the rides are closed. Everything remains lit up as if it were packed, and piped-in Disney music fills the air. Most striking is the number of trash cans I see — dozens within a few feet of one another — that I never recognized before. They blend in seamlessly when the whole place is cluttered with people. (just interesting facts)

"Back at the suite, Hannah has fallen asleep clutching her Minnie doll but little Emily somehow outlasts her usual 8 p.m. bedtime. She's wearing her tiara upside-down, spinning and banging her wand on the ground in between pleas for more cookies. (Now’s when Dad wishes he had a drink)

"She finally crashes at 10:30 in her parents' bed, and the grown-ups follow shortly thereafter. The bed and comforter are soft and thick, and I don't stay up long. (looks like he really was tired)

"I'm awakened by a 7:35 a.m. call I didn't ask for, to prepare for 9 a.m. breakfast reservations Disney made for us. I spend the next hour trying futilely to go back to sleep as dad plays with the girls in the sitting room. (do we think he’s a jerk for not being so excited he can’t possibly sleep in the castle?)

"They don't want to leave the suite, and frankly neither do I. (So what if he wants to sleep in? I’d want to do the same thing if I was there. I’ve been to breakfast at CRT before and frankly I’d rather stay in bed, even if I wasn’t in the castle)

"I already dread the lines I'll be waiting in. The mouse ears I can do without " (I don’t like the long lines either, but I endure them, looks like he will too. And I don’t wear mouse ears either.)

[Altair]

Perhaps it would have been more favorable and less biased if Mickey himself had stayed in the room and written about it.:rolleyes:

I just love Disney "Dog and Pony" shows.

[DISFREAKS]

Typical cynical mainstream media elitist!

[jillluvsdisney]

I did not have a problem with the article. To me, it was informative and I learned a few things also. He presented the facets of his stay that he liked and disliked. If AP had sent a "disney" lover perhaps the article would have been more sanatized. If I want that, I'll read the official guides.

The bathtub comment actually made me laugh out loud.:secret:

[King Triton]

A lot of you seem to be jumping all over this guy. I don't think the article was all that negative. For a "single 27 year old guy with tattoos", I thought the article was fairly objective. He did a nice job of describing what its like to be there and I don't think I'd disagree that much.

And I agree with some of the other posters...unless you are a family with little girls that are into the princess thing, this is not that big a prize. I certainly would not give up body parts for it, as someone described. The best part to me would be the ability to get out into the park during off-hours and wander around, and I'm not sure they let you do that. If the Dream Team came up to me with this prize, I would might consider looking around me to see if there's a family with a little girl or two that might enjoy it more.

Bring on the DVC contract!!

[luvkatiebug]

I don't understand why the AP didn't choose a reporter with a family that would actually appreciate the suite, as it is families who are actually CHOSEN to stay there.

I agree. I was bummed at this article too. I don't think he was that drastic in his opinion, but it was obvious that he didn't 'appreciate' it as much as we Disney purists would. :mickey:

[jclightchasr]

I guess I'm in the minority here but I didn't find his article that offensive. I have lots of friends who are not Disneyphiles like me, and the writer's take was not all that negative (IMHO, at least) and his comments were typical for someone who's not "into" Disney. In all, I found him a lot less jaded than the authors of the Unofficial Guide.


Yes I think his article could have been far worse. However I do feel bad for the family he was with since they seemed to have obviously enjoyed themselves. He probably put on a good face for them too as he mentioned he did for the cameras. For their sakes I would hope so. Negative news sells in the media and unfortunately what sells is what the majority of the population has bought thus producing the selling trends. I for one would like to see a positive article written by someone who actually knew the size of the gift they received. This guy strikes me as a spoiled Child trying to impress somebody, non appreciative, or at least not wanting anyone to know that he is.

[EZMERELDA CRATCHETBOTTOM]

Fairs fair playmates, I thought it was hysterical, not only did this chap give his honest opinion, and a pretty good discription of his surroundings, he gave me a good belly laugh, picture this fellow feeling like a complete nincompoop, and probably looking like one, I know I've had that feeling, now I'm older and have learned to go with the flow, but most of all to ENJOY !!!!

[mobettah]

Hi there.

Just weighing in as a member of the "liberal media" who criticizes all things wholesome.

I am definitely left of center and a reporter for a paper in small city...and my family loves our Disney vacations.

However, I found absolutely nothing offensive in this guy's report. It was funny, honest and insightful. Not everyone has the same tastes...and there are definitely far more people who are NOT blindly in love with Disney that those that are.

The article wasn't meant to be a PR piece for the Magic Kingdom....Disney has that angle covered.

I can kind of understand people disagreeing with his point of view...or at least having a different perspective. But IMO the story didn't really invite blanket demonization of liberals or the media.

Opinion pieces/travelogues like this are meant to entertain and enlighten people to alternative points of views. Why do people get so offended by views that are different than theirs?

He's entitled to his own view of things...

It's a small world after all...isn't it?

[pox24]

What an idiot. Maybe we can take up a collection and send him to Gatorland for night with a 12 footer.... chomp, chomp.

[mabd]

My family was chosed to be Castle Suite guests for a night! It was fabulous! Everyone is entitled to his own opinion. . . :mickey:

[tinklvr]

I thought it was quite humerous and I am the biggest defender of Disney at all times!:laughing:

[cgriff]

It all reads like what I imagine Stephen Colbert would say about staying in Cinderella's Castle Suite if he were to get the chance...

Basically the author seems to be trying waaaaay too hard to be funny-cool.

My only gripe about the piece is that he never asks the family that stayed with him what they thought of the place.

Ho-hum. At least I didn't pay the newspaper to read the article.

cgriff

[piratemom]

all I know is...pick me! pick me! I won't complain about anything!

[KAJUNKING]

To sum up my anger on this post, it comes down to this: I can think of nothing greater than for my family to be CHOSEN to stay a night in the castle. My last trip to WDW, I was selected for nothing, didn't win a fastpass or ears, didn't get to sit in a parade. Not that it ruined the trip, but I wanted that upper-class magic to be mine. Instead, it's given to some drunk "kid" because of his "job". That's what gets my blood boiling.

couldnt agree more! and isnt it sad our media today, it would be tough to have someone in the press go out and point out the good things in any situation! if you cant find good in wdw good luck finding it at all!

[chasgooses]

couldnt agree more! and isnt it sad our media today, it would be tough to have someone in the press go out and point out the good things in any situation! if you cant find good in wdw good luck finding it at all!

Yeah, but his job was to write a review the Suite and as such, he is supposed to point out all the bad things in the room. It's not some media conspiracy to always look at things from a negative perspective (not to say that doesn't exist to an extent, although a lot of the fault falls on the viewers and consumers of media), it's just the nature of the genre of the article. No hotel review is ever going to be perfect, and oftentimes it is the reviews of the more expensive places that are the most negative because they should be perfect.

From the perspective of a hotel reviewer, a $587 room (aside: that seems surprisingly cheap for the Cinderella Suite. Poly LVC is about that much during the value season!) that does not have a minibar stocked with some alcoholic beverages is a problem (yes, its Disney, but that doesn't mean they don't have to be held up to everyone else's standards). Also, most of his negative comments about his stay were based upon the total loss of freedom that comes with the "prize." When I go to Disney we generally can only stay 5 or 6 days and I am the sort of person that plans out those days fairly obsessively. To lose one of those days to partake in the activities that come with the Suite don't sound worth it to me (I see the parades as great times to get in line for rides and like the character breakfasts at Chef Mickey's or Ohana's better than Cinderella's Royal Table). I am not saying that for some people that would be great, but the reviewer is totally right to point out the incredible loss of freedom that comes with the random prize. Not to mention that he was paying almost $600 for a room that he couldn't even leave without asking permission. I think the writer did his job pretty well.

[MissT]

How about giving this misguided, alcohol seeking 27yo a ride on Everest, except let the Yeti give him a 'love tap' on the head!?
:D

[lightyearfan]

i have 2 words for this CLUELESS LOSER!! and they are you <snip> !! i dont want to spell it out , but you know what i mean. me and my dw would kill to get this to happen to us on our upcoming trip in June, it seems like this clueless reporter just plain hates WDW, he also talks about the money that the AP put out, it's not like it came out of his pocket, articles like this are the exact reason why i don't read newspapers

Victor

[mobettah]

"Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't going away."
-- Elvis Presley

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."
-- George Orwell, 1945

"We do not know what is being done in our name. Worse, we do not ask."
-- Ben Ehrenreich, writing on Camp X-Ray (Guantanamo Bay prison)

[chasgooses]

i have 2 words for this CLUELESS LOSER!! and they are you <snip> !! i dont want to spell it out , but you know what i mean. me and my dw would kill to get this to happen to us on our upcoming trip in June, it seems like this clueless reporter just plain hates WDW, he also talks about the money that the AP put out, it's not like it came out of his pocket, articles like this are the exact reason why i don't read newspapers

Victor

I don't think he hates WDW. He was just angry that he wasn't allowed to enjoy it the way he liked. Not everyone wants to do Character Dinners/Breakfasts and watch the parades and stuff (I have a guidebook from 1998 where my 8 year old sister scrawled next to the description of the parades "BEST TIME TO DO RIDES!!!!" The magic of WDW is it offers so many different things for so many different people, to be forced to do activities you don't want to do goes against that. Also, if Disney does start charging money for the Cinderella Suite after the Year of a Million Dreams is over, the critiques in his review would be things I want to know before forking over my hard earned money to stay there (do people complain about how people just must hate WDW when people point out that the experience at Cinderella's Royal Table might not be worth all the hassle and money on these boards?). Yes he was trying a bit too hard to be cool with his prose, but I think this review is more valuable than someone who is blind to the negatives.

[BellewanaB]

One's choice in sense of humor is a completely different site/blog. Thank you, moderator!

Regardless, I want to track down this guy and beg to sniff his shoe that touched the ground of Cindi's castle! The pictures posted on Intercot have been wonderful and to hear an account of being chosen (no matter what style it was written in) is priceless!

I agree with a few of the other sentimentals on here- I welled up with tears reading this with that faint hope that someday that could be me (oh wait, no kids, awwwwww...)
I'm deaf in my right ear and may go completely deaf someday and if my Fairy Godmother came up to me and said "would you like you're hearing back or a night in the castle" I would reply "I've gotten along just fine with one ear this long-call up Cindi cause I'm comin to dinner!"
May be I need a professional evaluation over a night in the castle?

Seriously, I hope an pray for all the devotees online that somehow this luxury become available to the many "Disney freaks" that so rightly deserve it!

[i'm grumpy]

:mad: This is the prize I want. IF we go we will probably get a box of cracker jax. What was that all about??:confused:

[cgriff]

=mobettah;1231647 "We do not know what is being done in our name. Worse, we do not ask."
-- Ben Ehrenreich, writing on Camp X-Ray (Guantanamo Bay prison)"

The Left's hatred of America rears its ugly head yet again. Want to explain how your quote is in any way analogous to a night's stay in the Cinderella's Castle Suite?

Moderators... sieze him for having 0% Disney content in his message!

:flag:

[McLiberal8]

How silly for anyone to be discussing politics..
If anything this side-discussion shows our country is way too politicized in some things it shouldn't be. It's a story about someone staying at Cinderella's castle, for goodness sakes! :P
I'm not sure how I feel about it. I guess the AP person who decided to send this guy thought to send someone that could be under the 'if he enjoys it, anyone would' catagory, but I don't think this is necessarily a good place for that.
I think Disney set this exclusive up as more of a VIP expereince than a princess experience, persay, but I guess it's whatever you get out of it. I'm sure going with 2 and 5 year old girls, though, didn't help the matter for him :P

[lightyearfan]

[
And I agree with some of the other posters...unless you are a family with little girls that are into the princess thing, this is not that big a prize. I certainly would not give up body parts for it, as someone described.
Bring on the DVC contract!![/QUOTE]

well i'm sorry but i disagree here, you don't have to be a family with little girls to enjoy this, it's all about staying in the castle! we all stop and stare as soon as we walk onto main st usa and admire that castle, it's the center piece which is the Magic Kingdom! Then the AP should have sent someone else down who has some kind of knwledge of what the MK is all about, take me for instance: I can't stand rap music, and if i worked for a the AP and they sent to review a rap concert, i would destroy it in my article no matter what, that's the point that i tried to make on my post about this clueless reporter, you don't send someone like that there, he probably went down, with an attitude towards the whole thing. my kid is all grown up now , and this will be mine and dw 2nd trip without our daughter and you know what, it's not just for kids to enjoy.


Victor

[pleasehelp1991]

Then the AP should have sent someone else down who has some kind of knwledge of what the MK is all about, take me for instance: I can't stand rap music, and if i worked for a the AP and they sent to review a rap concert, i would destroy it in my article no matter what

...

[RescueRanger23]

I guess I'm in the minority here but I didn't find his article that offensive. I have lots of friends who are not Disneyphiles like me, and the writer's take was not all that negative (IMHO, at least) and his comments were typical for someone who's not "into" Disney. In all, I found him a lot less jaded than the authors of the Unofficial Guide.

I whole-heartedly agree with you. It's hard to quantify how "magical" it was. He was from the AP so I guess he was supposed to give an objective opinion of everything. He said some nice things, but also gave a description of it that was similar to the way the Unofficial Guide does. He looked it as a hotel and vacation and we look at it as a magical experience.

[pdrlkr]

What about the family that was with him? How did they feel about staying there and everything else they received? Did they hate it also?