Grand Marshall have you done this and how

[aimhi]

i would love to be one of the families to do this. I was wondering if their was anyone that has done this? If so how did you get picked? Do you have any tips in order to maybe have this happen? Thanks

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

We have been it on several occasions. It is about being in the right place at the right time. That is the only tip I have.

 

[Robo]

It is about being in the right place at the right time.

Which begs the obvious next questions...

(Which do not have simple or direct answers.)

 

[Communicore1991]

We had done it twice, several years apart and back when Dean was the guy choosing the family. The first time we were exploring Main Street before the park opened and Dean walked up to us asking where we were from, how we were enjoying our vacation etc. He then asked if we would be in the park this afternoon and with a response of, "We could be..." we were invited to be GMs!

After reviewing photos and seeing Dean's face, we realized he was actually the one who gave me my first haircut when he was working as a barber in the Main Street Barbershop! As fate would have it several years later, we ran into Dean again and told him how he had picked us in the past, showed him the picture of him cutting my hair years ago and he offered us the chance of experiencing Disney magic one more time. We honestly weren't expecting for lightning to strike twice and figured after mentioning to him we had already done it before, he would have just chatted with us and went along his way to find another family.

So to sum it up, you really need to be lucky and just truly having a good time with your family. In a sense, embodying the type of family Walt Disney wanted his theme park to cater to.

 

[Ricky P]

It was about 6 years ago. Dean, as mentioned above, approached us and asked if we needed help with a wheelchair we were struggling with. Dean talked with us for a while and finally asked if we could do a favor for him. Sure, what could we do for you? Could you be the Grand Marshall family in the afternoon parade. Well, we were beyond excited. We walked on air the rest of the day. As it turned out, Dean was looking for someone in a wheelchair as they had just added a lift to the parade car and were interested in trying it out that day. Also, he had been speaking with another family and they blew him off. Guess they didn't want to be GM's. Our Father has since passed, but his memory and especially the memory of that day will live forever. Dean, thank you so much.

 

[Crystal824]

We did this in 2004. DH and I were dating and on spring break from school. We had on matching t-shirts and walked into the MK about 30 min. after opening. At the end of main street, this guy walked up to us and asked if we wanted to be the Grand Marshalls of the parade. Of course, we said yes. Really, we just were in the right place at the right time. I think it is just luck.

 

[MouseMomx2]

It is completely random and it is not always the same CM who chooses the family. We were in City Hall and the CM that ended up helping us just happened to be the one that was choosing that day. Like I said, it is completely random and not something you can arrange which, IMO, makes it all the more magical.

 

[Diznotyzed]

While walking down Main Street after arriving at opening, I stopped to look at a CM's pin lanyard. He asked us about our trip and we mentioned we were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Turned out that the CM was celebrating his 25th anniversary on the exact same day. Right place at the right time, and a lucky coincidence landed us in the parade that afternoon!

 

[hopemax]

I guess it's now 13 years ago since we did it. It was a cold day at the end of January, all the CMs were bundled up. We stopped at the Wait Times board, and traded some pins, DH was wearing shorts and no jacket, that's what really got the conversation started. I figured it out early who this seemingly random CM was, but my Mom had no clue and was so shocked when the CM asked if we wanted to be Grand Marshals. I think it also cosmically helped that we planned to leave the MK about lunchtime, and then had to stick around several more hours, lol.

 

[grannyminnie]

My sister and I were one of the lucky choices a few years ago....it was the same "random" thing as described above. We entered MK a little late and were casually strolling toward the castle. We started chatting with a CM whose nametag had the name of a city I used to live in. The conversation led him to ask us is we would like to be the Grand Marshals of the parade, and boy, were we shocked!! Said yes, of course, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience! I can't believe some folks have actually gotten asked twice...that is just amazing!

 

[Shula]

We were selected in 2008. My entire family (12 of us) were by the bakery about 10 am. Most of us had been in the park for a couple hours because of emh, we came back to meet a few that slept in. While we were chatting, my 8 year old wandered over to a cast member not far away to pin trade. I started watching him but stayed back. I was in awe of the conversation these 2 were having, that alone was very magical. My family eventually came over to pin trade and visit too. He asked us how many were in our group and I told him 12. He seemed disappointed but I was clueless why he would be. We said our goodbyes and we went into the Emporium to shop. I came out alone after awhile and saw him standing alone again. I approached him to tell him I was still thinking how cool and unique his name was-Brick. He threw his hands in the air and said that's it, how many are in your immediate family? I told him 5 but we have a friend with us so 6. He said, my boss, Mickey Mouse would like to know if you would be the Grand Marshal in our parade today. I was crying and said we would love to, but my oldest and his friend (who were seniors and too cool for that) wouldn't appreciate it the way my parents would, could they come instead? He said he needs to get a visual first-no idea why but otherwise yes. At this point my husband and 2 youngest kids had come outside and were just as excited as me. We went into the Emporium to find my parents, Brick then asked them. There were many more tears! The rest of our party got to watch the parade from the VIP area. We were given certificates, Mickey ears and he gave my dad a brimmed hat because my dad was wearing one similar to Brick's and commented that he liked Brick's Disney hat. It was so magical and something I am so grateful to have been a part of. We brought him back a pin with a thank you note after the parade. We return every trip to say hi to Brick and take an updated pic. I have had a beautiful wedding and 3 healthy births, but it remains the best day of my life. Good luck!

 

[disneynutz]

VIP tour guests are often picked for special events.

Bill

 

[Dis703]

My coworker was chosen going back maybe 10 years ago. It was her first time at Disney and her first day in the parks. She said she was just standing near the front entrance checking the map and looking rather lost when a CM came up to her and started asking her questions like who she was with and where she was from. She had no clue what was going on being a complete newbie to the parks. She said it was an awesome experience.

 

[DisneyCayley]

We were selected in 2008. My entire family (12 of us) were by the bakery about 10 am. Most of us had been in the park for a couple hours because of emh, we came back to meet a few that slept in. While we were chatting, my 8 year old wandered over to a cast member not far away to pin trade. I started watching him but stayed back. I was in awe of the conversation these 2 were having, that alone was very magical. My family eventually came over to pin trade and visit too. He asked us how many were in our group and I told him 12. He seemed disappointed but I was clueless why he would be. We said our goodbyes and we went into the Emporium to shop. I came out alone after awhile and saw him standing alone again. I approached him to tell him I was still thinking how cool and unique his name was-Brick. He threw his hands in the air and said that's it, how many are in your immediate family? I told him 5 but we have a friend with us so 6. He said, my boss, Mickey Mouse would like to know if you would be the Grand Marshal in our parade today. I was crying and said we would love to, but my oldest and his friend (who were seniors and too cool for that) wouldn't appreciate it the way my parents would, could they come instead? He said he needs to get a visual first-no idea why but otherwise yes. At this point my husband and 2 youngest kids had come outside and were just as excited as me. We went into the Emporium to find my parents, Brick then asked them. There were many more tears! The rest of our party got to watch the parade from the VIP area. We were given certificates, Mickey ears and he gave my dad a brimmed hat because my dad was wearing one similar to Brick's and commented that he liked Brick's Disney hat. It was so magical and something I am so grateful to have been a part of. We brought him back a pin with a thank you note after the parade. We return every trip to say hi to Brick and take an updated pic. I have had a beautiful wedding and 3 healthy births, but it remains the best day of my life. Good luck!

Brick chose our family too! We had come in early for an ADR at Crystal Palace and were beyond thrilled to have Main St so quiet. My mom was kind of dancing along to the music and a photopass photographer had just taken our picture with my dad's camera. We were looking at it and Brick came over to ask if he could take one for us. He then strolled along with us and asked if we had any plans later. My mom was suspicioushe was trying to sell us Vacation Club or something! needless to say it was an amazing memory that we still talk about all the time. A once (or twice apparently if you're fortunate!)in a lifetime experience.

 

[KCSherri]

I can see it coming…

"For a mere $249.99 per person, YOUR family can be our Grand Marshall!! Limited availability - sign up today!!!"

 

[lucas]

Dh and I got to ride in the Family Fun Day Parade. It was random when we were picked, but we did have on 2 crazy matching Disney shirts! We had stopped on Main Street to ask a CM a question and then he asked us if we would like to be in a parade! It was tons of fun and one of the Disney photographers followed us along and took a lot of pictures.

 

[revdon64]

You can't predict random, but this would be so awesome to be picked when DW and I are there in June celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Our MK day starts off with a Keys to the Kingdom Tour. Do they ever choose anyone from that?

 

[WiscMomof2]

My girls were picked at MNSSHP on our first family trip in 2002. I don't know if they even have Grand Marshals anymore for that parade. It was totally random. When we entered the park a gentleman with a clipboard approached and asked if they wanted to do it. It was such a cool experience. My profile pic is them on the float.
It's my absolute favorite Disney memory.

 

[lucas]

You can't predict random, but this would be so awesome to be picked when DW and I are there in June celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Our MK day starts off with a Keys to the Kingdom Tour. Do they ever choose anyone from that?

Just my opinion, but having done the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, I would say - no - they wouldn't pick anyone from that.

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

Which begs the obvious next questions...

(Which do not have simple or direct answers.)

The only hint I can give is that our person choose people who were not in a rush.