Family of the Day Attire

[mastrolang]

Does it really help you get chosen as the Family of the Day if you're all wearing matching shirts or something equally adorable? I'm not sure I can convince my family to do this.

 

[HM]

I've heard it has more to do with getting there really early and having great attitudes while waiting around.

 

[kmb584]

From what I've seen, heard, and read, yes. Arriving early, standing out in matching shirts, and friendliness/excitement seem to be the ways most families get picked.

 

[11290]

Does it really help you get chosen as the Family of the Day if you're all wearing matching shirts or something equally adorable? I'm not sure I can convince my family to do this.

No.

 

[mastrolang]

Can you please elaborate? Have you ever been part of or witnessed a Family of the Day? Why do you think "no"? Thank you.

 

[Izzy&LiamsMomma]

When we were chosen as family of the day, it was our first day at the parks/MK, my three boys were in homemade embroidered shirts and had on their mickey ears and pin lanyards, and we had a lot of excitement over being there for our first day of the trip. I had zero aspirations of being chosen because we had gotten there far later than I'd hoped. A CM came up to the boys and talked to them about their shirts, then I asked him where to stand to see the show the best way possible since we'd never watched the opening show before. After a few minutes of chatting he asked us if we'd like to help open the park. I don't know if those factors helped us be picked or not though--it really was Disney magic for us! We were not trying to be chosen--I think that actually helped, that we were sincere in our excitement.

 

[tsme]

When we were picked we were not wearing matching shirts, so I doubt that matters. I think it's more getting there early & having the Disney spirit.

 

[11290]

Can you please elaborate? Have you ever been part of or witnessed a Family of the Day? Why do you think "no"? Thank you.

The times that I did the "pick", I just looked for families that were "excited/happy" (but not jumping up and down excited) to be there that early and most of the other CM's that do the pick do the same thing. Generally have to be dressed "neatly" but not fancy, gaudy or sloppy, if that makes any sense.

The CM that is doing the selection for that day just kind of goes out front, looks around and selects a family or two possibilities, talks with them for awhile to get a feel of where they are from and so on and then chooses a family that they want for the opener.

I haven't done it for a few years as I never work an opening shift anymore on Park entry but it really hasn't changed. Worked a theater opening last week and saw the family picked and it was the same.

 

[mastrolang]

Very helpful, thank you.

I was thinking of doing some fairly subtle "costuming" - like having my husband wear an orange shirt, blue pants and brown shoes, I'd wear a blue shirt, white shorts and orange shoes, our son would wear a black shirt, red shorts and yellow shoes, and my daughter would wear something pink and polka-dotted with pink shoes. Nothing too "right on" but you get the idea... think they'd notice?

 

[southcarolinagirl]

We were chosen as family of the day in June 2009. We had matching shirts announcing my DH 50th birthday. Also, we did arrive very early so not sure which it was but it was amazing!

 

[BudgieMama]

Do the families picked always have children? Just wondering if there would be a chance for us, or if being childless rules us out...?

 

[AngiTN]

I do not think what you are wearing matters one iota.

I do know of a family that has been picked multiple times and they have never worn matching anything.

They are always there early. I think that is the key, way more than what you have on.

 

[AngiTN]

Very helpful, thank you.

I was thinking of doing some fairly subtle "costuming" - like having my husband wear an orange shirt, blue pants and brown shoes, I'd wear a blue shirt, white shorts and orange shoes, our son would wear a black shirt, red shorts and yellow shoes, and my daughter would wear something pink and polka-dotted with pink shoes. Nothing too "right on" but you get the idea... think they'd notice?

That's called Disney Bounding. There are websites dedicated to the entire concept.

Sounds fun but not likely to get you picked over wearing your regular styles. Get there early

 

[mastrolang]

Disney Bounding! Now I have a word for it. Awesome! Thank you.

But even if it doesn't necessarily help, I like to kinda coordinate our outfits anyway because it makes for such great pictures. I do this for almost any family photo op.

I do plan on getting there early - like, an hour early. Also not thrilling my husband. But I keep assuring him that if we get picked, it'll all be worth it.

Any words of encouragement???

 

[bjscheel]

We wore matching shirts one day in 2011 and showed up really early but it seemed they already had someone. We came back a couple days later (in random clothing) and were picked. DH always makes conversation with the CMs at the stiles. We were just standing there talking and DH made choo-choo sounds when the train came through...

This trip last month we showed up really early and were being chatted up by the "picker" along with another family standing next to us who happened to be from our state too. They were picked, but we were *thisclose* We didn't mind too much, because we wanted to RD Mine Train. and we'd done FOTD before. DH says it's because DD15 was sitting on the ground with her iPod instead of standing up and visiting. Could be the case, but we were happy for the other family. And DD has problem feet, so I encouraged her to sit when we were at the gates 1.5 hours early.

Good luck!

 

[TDC Nala]

Maybe. It will certainly draw the attention of the CMs to you. But it probably helps not to declare that you want to be Family of the Day because the cast members who choose do like to think that they are surprising someone.

 

[Saimaeve]

I imagined this as something special and a nice little surprise. Not something people plan for. It sort of takes away from the magic

 

[marchingstar]

Do the families picked always have children? Just wondering if there would be a chance for us, or if being childless rules us out...?

I'd love to know this too! Has anyone been picked/seen anyone picked without kids?

 

[11290]

I'd love to know this too! Has anyone been picked/seen anyone picked without kids?

*

 

[BudgieMama]

"Normally" with children, otherwise it wouldn't necessarily be called the Family of the Day. I do know of a couple of times when it has just been a couple but these were "special circumstances".

That's fair enough that they generally only choose families with children, but to say you wouldn't call a couple who don't (or like us, can't) have children a family is a little mean. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and we are certainly a family, regardless of my ability (or lack thereof) to conceive a child.