Disneyland Dream Suite (2008–2014)

The Disneyland Dream Suite (2008–2014) was a 2,200-square-foot luxury apartment in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, created for the “Year of a Million Dreams” promotion (October 1, 2006–December 31, 2008). Located above the Pirates of the Caribbean, it realized Walt Disney’s vision for a grand in-park residence for VIPs, replacing The Disney Gallery.

Here are 10 fun facts about the Disneyland Dream Suite during its 2008–2014:

1. Walt’s Original Vision: Planned in the 1960s as a private apartment for Walt Disney and his family, the suite was designed by Gone with the Wind set designer Dorothea Redmond, with interiors by Lillian Disney and set decorator Emile Kuri, but was unfinished at Walt’s death in 1966.
2. Year of a Million Dreams Prize: Starting January 31, 2008, the suite was awarded most nights to randomly selected guests via the Disney Dreams Giveaway, with winners enjoying a one-night stay for up to six people, including parade grand marshal honors.
3. Themed Bedrooms: The suite featured two bedrooms—one inspired by Adventureland with jungle motifs and rattan furniture, the other by Frontierland with leather furnishings, an electric train, and a cast-iron Cinderella-Franklin stove with faux flames.
4. Fantasyland Living Room: The living room, themed to Fantasyland, included Cinderella-inspired decor, a hidden TV in a mirror, and a display case with a train that activated during the “Goodnight Kiss” effect, circling the room along crown molding.
5. Private Balcony Views: A standout feature was the open-air patio overlooking the Rivers of America, offering prime views of Fantasmic! and fireworks, accessible via a grand staircase or elevator for guests with disabilities.
6. Magical “Goodnight Kiss”: Each room had a “Goodnight Kiss” effect—activated at bedtime, it dimmed lights, played music, and triggered animations like twinkling lights in a Peter Ellenshaw Disneyland painting or a starry sky in the master bathroom.
7. Luxury Master Bath: The master bathroom boasted a whirlpool tub with LED-lit tiles forming a starry sky, a Hidden Mickey, and a Louis Comfort Tiffany-style stained-glass window, blending opulence with Disney whimsy.
8. Happiest Millionaire Relics: The Frontierland bedroom included screen-used chairs from The Happiest Millionaire (1967), Walt’s last live-action film, adding a historical Easter egg for Disney buffs.
9. Rapid Remodel: In October 2007, Imagineers transformed The Disney Gallery into the suite in just months, meticulously following Dorothea Redmond’s 1960s watercolor renderings to honor Walt’s vision, completed by January 2008.
10. Exclusive Access: After the promotion ended in 2008, the suite was used sparingly (3–4 times in 2014) for VIPs, celebrities, or special promotions like the Diamond Days Sweepstakes, with no public price tag for stays. The suite’s entry hallway featured a private courtyard with a fountain, and the living room hid a PlayStation 3 in an armoire, offering modern entertainment in a vintage-inspired space.