He Didn't Like Stay in Cindy's Castle

[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.

[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

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 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 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 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.

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 . 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.

[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.

[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.

[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

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]

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

[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

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.

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

[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]

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