Step Into Elvis Presley’s Blue Suede Shoes: Graceland’s ‘Presley for a Day’ Explained
Elvis Presley fans travel from far and wide to visit his Memphis, TN home, Graceland. Since opening its doors in 1982, the destination has welcomed millions of fans worldwide. Typically, tours include the home and its grounds, and a pavilion where priceless Elvis memorabilia can be admired. But now, Graceland has introduced an even more immersive Elvis experience, allowing fans to be a “Presley for a day.”
‘Presley for a Day’ includes unprecedented access to Graceland and Elvis Presley memorabilia
Graceland’s new immersive experience, “Presley for a Day,” is a seven-hour deep dive into some of Elvis Presley’s hidden treasures. But, it is limited to only eight people per day.
Thus, this is a one-in-a-lifetime chance to go backstage at the home Elvis loved. However, this ultra-exclusive experience comes at a steep cost:$6,000 for a group of up to 4 people.
For that, here’s what fans get to see and do, per a Graceland press release. Visitors will be provided with a personal tour guide, hold some of Elvis’ treasures (while wearing white gloves), and ride in one of the king’s beloved golf carts. A stable visit is included, as well as a Graceland archives experience, a meal at Moriah’s house (located in the home’s pasture), an after-hours tour, and a bag of goodies reportedly worth $450.
The website states, “A portion of proceeds for each tour will go to support local Memphis charities through the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, with additional proceeds supporting Graceland’s ongoing commitment to the beautification, preservation, and enhancement of Elvis Presley’s home and grounds.”
Fans also get to eat like the king as part of the Elvis Presley experience
The Elvis Presley Experience allows fans to truly experience his beloved home, and its grounds, like members of his family. This includes enjoying some of Elvis’ favorite foods says Angie Marchese, Graceland’s archivist.
She told ABC News that fans can expect to enjoy a meal very similar to those enjoyed by Elvis and his family. “Food was important to Elvis,” said Angie Marchese, the home’s archivist.
“It’s about having a big family dinner around the dining room table. And here at Graceland, the kitchen ran kinda like a short-order restaurant would. If somebody wanted fried chicken and somebody was wanting catfish, or barbecue, or meatloaf, there was always somebody here to make it.”
She concluded, “We have everything from classic mac and cheese, to beef brisket, Elvis’ mother’s meatloaf recipe. You get to experience a classic, southern spread of food right here in Elvis’ backyard.”
How does this exclusive tour differ from a standard Graceland experience?
Typically, fans are allowed to experience Elvis Presley’s Graceland from afar. Thus, ropes secure the downstairs rooms, and there is no videotaping allowed, but photographs can be taken.
The rooms available to tour at Graceland include the living room, Vernon and Gladys Presleys’s bedroom, the kitchen, the TV room, the pool room, the Jungle Room, and Vernon’s office. Also available to view is the Trophy and Racquetball Buildings, and the Meditation Garden.
The Meditation Garden is where Elvis, Vernon, Gladys, Minnie Mae, and Lisa Marie Presley are buried in a family graveyard, with Lisa Marie’s son, Benjamin Keough.
Elvis’ private planes are across the street, next to an entertainment complex called “Elvis Presley’s Memphis.” A series of connected buildings feature exhibits connected to the King of Rock and Roll.
Upstairs remains off-limits to guests, even to those who pay the extra money for the enhanced Graceland experience. This area contains Elvis’ bedroom, office, bathroom, sitting area, and Lisa Marie Presley’s room.
In the book From Here to the Great Unknown, Lisa Marie Presley describes upstairs at Graceland. “The top floor of Graceland was just his suite and my room and that’s it. The door to the upstairs would usually be shut and nobody would ever come up there except the two of us. Even as a child, I knew this was super special, nobody aside from maybe a girlfriend, had one-on-one access like that.”
Graceland’s upstairs is reportedly maintained and persevered by archivist Angie Marchese, at Lisa Marie Presley’s request. The area reportedly remains as it was during the time of his death, in August 1977.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland is open 363 days a year. However, the home is closed to tours on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
