Grand Marshall - Who do I call?

[Callalily6]

I had read somewhere that it is possible to arrange for a person to be the grand marshal in one of the WDW parades. How do I set that up? I forgot where I read it. Any info would be helpful...

 

[Princess Patti]

My daughter wrote to Disney one time and asked and she was told it is random.

 

[Callalily6]

My daughter wrote to Disney one time and asked and she was told it is random.

Where do I send the request? Is it an email or snail mail?

 

[jill9072]

I would love to know that info also!!! That would be a memory of a lifetime, being part of a parade at wdw!!! I could only imagine...and wish!!!

 

[Vickie46]

we were told its more magical and more disney.. (like magically picked.. )means more that way.. I wish we could do it some day too!!!! so bad!

 

[Feralpeg]

Being Grand Marshall is not something you can request. If you are lucky and are at the right place at the right time, you could be selected. When you enter the park, act happy to be there. Dress in something that will catch a CM's eye. Strike up a conversation with CMs. Those things seem to help. Just think. If you could just call and request being Grand Marshall, everyone going would be requesting it. Sorry!

 

[MelodyMack]

Yup...it's random.

 

[Callalily6]

Its totally random? You mean that if you are all walking down main street a CM could ask you to be GM in the parade? Which CM? Where? I remember reading something that had more detail than that...I thought you could actually go ask the correct person...Did I read that wrong?

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

When we were picked, we were paired up with a great CM that was our escort. He said that they have to take VIPs first. That is why they can't promise anyone that they will be GMs. He never knows when a celebrity or some VIP will be visiting. They get first priority. If there aren't any VIPs that day then a CM goes into the park and spreads some pixie dust.

Lori

 

[Feralpeg]

Its totally random? You mean that if you are all walking down main street a CM could ask you to be GM in the parade? Which CM? Where? I remember reading something that had more detail than that...I thought you could actually go ask the correct person...Did I read that wrong?

I've heard that the CMs that usually do the selection are the manager types that are out walking around. But, I've never heard of any way that you can just request to be a GM.

 

[Vickie46]

I know the post you are talking about.. I think the guy wears a like bright blue suit or something.. I actually saw him walking around during parade time. good luck.

 

[Mister Incredible]

We showed up at the MK early one year and were waiting to get in. There were 24 of us all in the same shirt that read, "Grammy and Poppy's Excellent Adventure". We were talking and laughing with one of the CMs. I asked her if Grammy and Poppy could be the grand marshals. She ran off and came back about 5 minutes later and said, "You're all set, Grammy & Poppy are the grand marshals!"

As it turned out, the second family that was picked didn't show up. My parents took one member of each family and filled the stagecoach and front car. My little girl was in the front car with Grammy & Poppy!!

 

[Tinkerbellz]

At MNSSHP on 10/6 my DD and I were approached by a great CM who asked us about our costumes and asked us if we'd like to be a Grand Marshall in the parade. Who were we to turn him down. It was FANTASTIC! But we were dressed as Minnie and a pirate ( I think my yellow Minnie shoes did the trick...) and we were skipping in Liberty Square at the time.

It was truly a magical experience neither one of us will soon forget. I'll send some pixie dust your way and GM vibes so that you get your wish.

Have a great time!

 

[Princess Patti]

I also heard it is a random pick first thing in the morning when you enter. I guess we may never know the truth on this one.

 

[Callalily6]

At MNSSHP on 10/6 my DD and I were approached by a great CM who asked us about our costumes and asked us if we'd like to be a Grand Marshall in the parade. Who were we to turn him down. It was FANTASTIC! But we were dressed as Minnie and a pirate ( I think my yellow Minnie shoes did the trick...) and we were skipping in Liberty Square at the time.

It was truly a magical experience neither one of us will soon forget. I'll send some pixie dust your way and GM vibes so that you get your wish.

Have a great time!

That is SO funny! My daughter and I were wearing pirate hats and skipping around there too...Everyone looked at us like they wouldn't expect people to be skipping. She's 5 yr old! I suppose pirate Mommy looked funny (or it could have been that I am a spaztic skipper ) - but hey - we were at Disney World!

 

[dsneygirl]

Not a GM but DH and I were picked to be in the AK parade a few years ago. We were just walking in Dinoland and a manager came up and asked if we wanted to be in the parade

 

[JenEeyore]

We happened to be in the right place at the right time in May on our very first night at the park at MGM. We went in late for the resort guest late staying program, and happened to strike up a conversation with the acting manager at Guest Services. Since we were chatty, and excited to be there (and I'm sure it didn't hurt that we had an adorable 3 year old that was very social with him), we talked for a while, and then when we were heading out for the night after hitting the rides etc, he was standing out front saying good night to people leaving, and he remembered us from a couple of hours before. He asked if we were going to be in the park again on Friday (this was Monday) and we said we might be - he asked us to wait for a minute and he would be right back. He came back and told us we REALLY needed to be back at MGM on Friday, and to meet him at the tip board at 11:30 a.m. That was all we knew. We didn't know why, but we knew we were going to be there to meet him.

When Friday came, we all dressed with matching tropical Mickey shirts, and off we went (I wasn't feeling great, but wasn't about to miss out on something cool). We met Hank at the tip board, and he asked us if we wanted to be Grand Marshall's of the parade later that afternoon! We were thrilled!!! He did tell us it is totally random, and it was a fluke that he knew ahead of time that he would be having that role later in the week, and normally they can't ask people until the day of the parade, so there is no arranging ahead of time unfortunately. We ended up having a wonderful afternoon there - got to be in the VIP lounge to wait for the parade to start, and got to go "back stage" to get in our parade car. We waved our arms off throughout the parade route, and it was cool to be the "stars" that the kids (and adults too) were pointing and waving at. Our DS was more interested in who was following us in the parade (the Toy STory float was directly behind us), but he did his fair share of waving to his adoring fans. They took pictures for us of our car, and we got to keep the name banner that was on the side of the car. My parents who were with us got a special spot to stand and watch and take pictures at the end of the parade route. After we were finished we went back to the VIP lounge for a few minutes and there was a loud banging on the door from outside. He opened the door and who should walk in but Lilo and Stitch who we had mentioned our little guy had been looking for all day, but couldn't find in the park. We ended up with our own private photo session with them. (I don't think that is totally standard with the Grand Marshall role though). We got the best shot with my 77 year old dad with Stitch plunked on his lap (A treasured photo now, I might add since my dad just passed away a month ago). All in all it was a totally magical experience, and one that will be hard to top in our 3 year old's eyes for future trips. If you ever get the chance to be in the parade - jump in with both feet!!!

 

[sheridee32]

You cant arrange or write they are randomly picked guest relations at city hall has something to do with it. We got to be grand marshalls this summer if you have a veteren in your group you can contact them about being veteren of the day, they pick one each day to help do the flag retreat.

 

[Steamboat Marti]

It is truly random. My DH turned 40 this past April and his only wish was to be a grand marshall. He never asks for anything! I wrote to every head person at Disney -snail and email. I called Disney many times. I called our rep for Disney Vacation Club. If it could have been arranged ahead of time, I was going to do it! (or die trying). EACH time I talked to someone or got a response from mail, they ALL said the SAME thing. It is random (unless you're the MVP of the superbowl, and they were pretty sure we weren't!) and picked that day. I was heartbroken. Fast forward to the day - we entered the Magic Kingdom right at opening, enjoyed walking up Main Street (instead of the mad dash to the best rides) and were having our picture taken in front of the castle when I saw a CM I wanted to ask. I explained all of my fruitless hard work, showed him the special t-shirts I made for us to wear and asked if he could help us. He asked me to wait and disappeared for 20 minutes. He came back and said that my husband would have his birthday dream come true. Nothing, I mean NOTHING will ever be as special as the look on DH's face when he found out. It is truly random, being in the right place at the right time. Its part of the pixie dust and Disney magic!!