Family of the Day Attire

[marchingstar]

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.

Hear, hear! My family counts regardless of the presence or absence of children for *any* reason. Families of all kinds are about and defined by so much more than reproduction, and it would be wonderful to see some diversity reflected in the families chosen to participate.

 

[momof2n2]

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.

Yup. I concur. And I'm a mama to six.

I'd like to see an older couple or a single traveller or a group of friends could be "Family of the Day."

 

[misse336]

What exactly does the "family of the day" do and how early do you need to be there to have a shot at it? I will be taking my kids to MK for the first time and haven't heard of this before.

 

[mastrolang]

From what I've read and heard, the Family of the Day is chosen randomly from the small crowd of early bird waiting to get in to each of the parks each morning. They are chosen, and asked to help open the park - this experience is different depending on the park. But they usually get a private photo opportunity with characters an such, and often times they'll get free fast passes and/or a free guide for the morning.

If you're chosen at MK however, you get to ride the Walt Disney World Railroad with a large cast of characters and wave at the crowd waiting below for the gates to open. Good stuff!

If you want to be chosen, I'm getting the impression that you need to be there early - I'm planning on an hour early - but don't go on Extra Magic Hours days because they don't do it then. And then you just have to look like a clean cut family excited to be there! Get those pins for your kids that say "This is my first visit to Walt Disney World"! That would definitely give you an edge!

 

[stamot]

Don't bring your hopes up. This had been my daughter's dream for so long. We had been early, actually extremely early, always talk to the cast members, be happy but not crazy. We had try everything. One day one of the cast members was talking to us and ask us to wait for a little while. He came back and told me he wanted for us to be totd but thy already have someone. My daughter was heartbroken. We watched the show and the family opened the park. During the day we we were eating and saw the family again. We starting talking to them, very nice people. I asked how thy were picked. The mother said that the manager in the entrance that day was her cousin and she called him the night before. I was furious because that is not fair. After that we stop trying.

To b clear. I'm sure this was a rare occurrence and I don think this is something that happened often. But I explain to my daughter that is just luck and that we won't try anymore. If it happens, happens.

 

[RatherBeInAK]

I was wondering how early the family is chosen too. Not that we'd have a chance. My kids get up between 5-6 every morning except when we're at Wdw. The one time I want them up early they sleep in. :

 

[MartDM]

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

I was going to say that the idea, while fun, seemed like too much work for a vacation. Shows what I know!

 

[jhaig]

We have been chosen twice, in 2010 and 2011. Both times we were not wearing any matching shirts or anything that resembled matching clothing. We did, however, arrive at the MK turnstiles about 60-70 minutes before opening. My wife is the talker of the family and had no problem engaging the CM's in friendly conversation. I credit her for being chosen both times with her ability in that way. We are a family of three, and I'm sure that helped as well.

Don't go expecting to be chosen. We did not expect it the first time and it was pure Disney magic. The second time were got there early enough and happened to see the same CM (Ida) as before, who actually remembered us (or at least SAID she did!).

 

[anett]

Yes they pick families with no children!!! On several occasions we have seen couples chosen, in various parks. In fact twice at Animal Kingdom.... I was in awe watching a couple selected in the parade, wave to the crowd, laughing, giggling and so joyous.... I was so memorized that I didn't realize my then 8 year old was screaming with joy ( I thought he was cheering the couple) that he lost his tooth. It a very memorable moment on two accounts!

 

[abctriplets]

So at the Magic Kingdom, where does the picking happen? While people are waiting in the area before the first boat? Or once you've gotten to the main area?

 

[dchronister]

My family was chosen on our last trip. It was me, DD17, DD 15, DSinL37, DN7, DN21, and DNBF22, we were just standing around chatting with one another and we are a very joking family and we were laughing and playing around, not loud or horseplaying, just goofing around, and the CM starting chatting with us and we talked for probably 5 or 10 minutes with him and then he asked if we wanted to do it. I knew they picked someone everyday but the thought had not even crossed my mind till he ask and I was like, yea, oh yea, we will do it. We weren't wearing anything matching or Disney character colored or anything, just like capris and t shirts.

 

[abctriplets]

...still curious about this. Would like to know how long I should keep my hopes up before they are shattered

 

[mom2rtk]

...still curious about this. Would like to know how long I should keep my hopes up before they are shattered

Until you see a family loitering around on the other side of the turnstiles looking oh so happy.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Having been Family of the Day twice (the only two times we showed up early enough to be considered for it), once wearing coordinated (NOT THE SAME!) shirts, and once not, I would say it doesn't matter.

Then again, that's only a sample size of 2...

 

[FlightlessDuck]

So at the Magic Kingdom, where does the picking happen? While people are waiting in the area before the first boat? Or once you've gotten to the main area?

At the turnstiles, before the turnstiles have been opened for the day.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

What exactly does the "family of the day" do and how early do you need to be there to have a shot at it? I will be taking my kids to MK for the first time and haven't heard of this before.

The Family of the Day opens the park, basically. They are part of the opening show. They stand on the train station balcony and throw confetti. The two times we were picked, there was more too it than that (got to ride the train into the station, meet and great with 10 characters), but I don't know how much of that changed after Toon Town was bulldozed.

 

[abctriplets]

Great! So we've covered the "Who?" and the "What?" and the "Where?" - how about the "When?" - for those who have been chosen, what time do the CM's go about making their choices?

 

[mom2rtk]

Great! So we've covered the "Who?" and the "What?" and the "Where?" - how about the "When?" - for those who have been chosen, what time do the CM's go about making their choices?

We were second to the turnstiles once at 7:40 for a 9 AM opening when the temps were hovering right around freezing. Literally.

The one family there already was just being chosen.

 

[abctriplets]

Wow. Can't even imagine disney being freezing. We always go the first week of August....

So before 7:40?

 

[emorin]

That sounds amazing and couldn't even imagine being chosen to be the family of the day.

But I do have a question. Is it less likely to be picked if there is a stroller for the little ones?