No matter how many times you’ve visited Walt Disney World, there is one magical location in the park you have likely never encountered.

Initially designed to be Walt Disney’s private apartment during family visits to Orlando, the Cinderella Castle Suite was meant to be a hidden gem, seldom seen by the public. Tragically, Walt passed away before its completion, leading the suite to serve as a storage area and workspace for Disney World phone operators for many years.

The suite made its debut as the Cinderella Suite in 2006 as part of the “Year of a Million Dreams” promotional campaign, during which Disney offered a limited number of one-night stays.

Since that time, it has evolved into Disney World’s best-kept secret. The Cinderella Castle Suite is perhaps Disney’s most exclusive location, and there is only one way to experience a night in this enchanting bedchamber.

How much does the Cinderella Suite cost?

Regrettably, this suite cannot be reserved for a stay. Allegations suggest that Disney has turned down offers of up to $40,000 for a single night in the exclusive suite. Consequently, no amount of money will allow anyone to secure reservations for the Cinderella Castle Suite.

How to stay in Cinderella’s Castle Suite

Historically, you could spend the night in the royal bedchamber solely by invitation, with notable personalities like Tom and Suri Cruise, Mariah Carey, and Kevin Jonas among those invited. However, in recent years, the room is seldom utilized, and a stay can only be won through special promotions, which are rare. Your best chance of receiving an invitation is by participating in charity or social media contests, where overnight stays might be auctioned off. For instance, in June 2022, a Disney cast member won a night in the suite through an employee sweepstakes program.

Can I tour the Cinderella Castle Suite?

The general public has not been able to tour the suite since 2007, yet the magical essence of this accommodation can be appreciated through included photos. Encompassing 650 square feet, the suite draws inspiration from a 17th-century French chateau, featuring coffered ceilings and intricate stained glass windows.

While the suite isn’t expansive, it compensates for its size with meticulously crafted details. It consists of a foyer, salon, bedchamber, and bathroom, each adorned with opulent touches selected by the Imagineering team responsible for its creation during the Year of a Million Dreams. The suite flaunts 4-karat gold molding, a 200-year-old writing desk, and stained glass features depicting scenes from the Cinderella fairy tale.

To access the suite, guests must pass a grandfather clock with its minute and second hands eternally frozen at “11:59 p.m.” before riding an elevator to the fourth floor.

The elevator leads to a stunning foyer, adorned with a mosaic tile floor showcasing Cinderella’s pumpkin coach and her famous glass slipper. It’s rumored that celebrities who have stayed here in the past received their personalized glass slipper upon departure.

Within the parlor, you’ll find a Victorian-style rotary phone, a 17th-century Dutch desk, books “borrowed from Belle,” and six stained glass windows overlooking Fantasyland. Should you be fortunate enough to look out of these windows, don’t anticipate a grand view of the park, as these windows serve more of a decorative purpose.

The bathroom is equipped with a luxurious spa tub for soothing relaxation, enhanced by ambient mood lighting that transitions from soft white to calming green. Guests can unwind while appreciating mosaic scenes from Cinderella, or switch off the lights to admire the starry night ceiling.

The bedchamber features two queen canopy beds, each adorned with Cinderella’s royal crest on the headboards, along with an antique fireplace. A striking portrait of Cinderella above the fireplace discreetly doubles as a flat-screen HDTV.

Although the likelihood of winning a night in the Cinderella Suite is minimal, there are alternative ways to catch a glimpse inside Cinderella Castle. For families with children aged three to twelve, visiting the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers a fairy-tale makeover experience. Children are pampered by Fairy Godmother Apprentices, receiving hair styling, nails, and costumes fit for royalty in an elaborately decorated room filled with Cinderella-themed elements.

For a truly enchanting experience inside the castle, securing a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table provides the opportunity to dine alongside Cinderella and other beloved Disney Princesses. Ascend a spiral staircase or gilded elevator from the castle’s grand hall to the banquet hall, where you can enjoy meals beneath stone archways and exquisite stained-glass windows. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring a range of dishes from caramel apple-stuffed French toast to savory beef tenderloin and delightful coffee pots de crème. Therefore, ensuring a reservation well in advance is essential to secure this unique dining experience.