How to be included in a parade

[Justsmileandwaveboys]

I was wondering how a family is chosen to be included in any of the parades. I would greatly appreciate any insight. Thanks

 

[IGetAKickOutOfFlik]

Great question, I've wondered that myself. I think at MK you have to go to City Hall, something like that, not sure what the procedure is in the other parks. Anyone know?

 

[ducklite]

We were in the AK parade once, and asked another time and declined so some one else could ahve a chance.

At the AK they find you at Donald's Breakfast. They specifically look for families/couples/groups of 2-4 people. Generally speaking they want the kids to be at least school aged (absolutely no infants or toddlers). They seem to look for a variety of people from different areas, different ethnic groups, etc. They bypassed larger groups and families.

A few things I specifically noticed were:

They looked for people who were nicely dressed (I didn't say expensive, I said nice.) In other words no cut off's, no tanks, kids who had their hair brushed and weren't wearing stained clothing. Both times we were asked DH was in a golf shirt and nicer shorts, DS was in a Disney Tee and shorts, and I was in a sleeveless collared blouse and shorts. In other words dressed just shy of Disney's version of business casual.

As we were all backstage getting ready for the parade I noticed everyone was pretty much dressed like we were. There were no wife beaters, tramp stamps, or visible floss.

They seemed to want people who were laughing but not obnoxious, and having loads of fun. It was obvious they didn't want people who looked cranky, tired already at breakfast, or like they weren't having a blast.

None of the families chosen were shy wall flowers. They were people who would love to sit on the float and wave at people for half and hour.

I want to think there were five families in our prade. Us (DS who was 16ish, DH, and myself), a couple from the UK and their daughter who looked about 10, a honeymoon couple, three women visiting together who were late 40's-mid 50's, and a single mom with her two kids who were probably 8 & 12.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Anne

 

[scanne]

There were no wife beaters, tramp stamps, or visible floss.

What?!? Aren't these items of an appropriate nature in a family place?


I would love to be selected for a parade, but it looks like I'll have to wait a few years as my kids are 2 and 4.

 

[Pocahantas]

We were chosen a few years ago in Animal Kingdom also. We were in Africa at the face painting booth. My daughter was getting her face painted and my husband, mother-in-law and I were waiting for her. We were there during Mardi Gras and were wearing our Mardi Gras beads. It was tons of fun and something we will always remember! Good Luck!!

 

[°O°Joe]

Here is our experience with (our daughters) getting selected to participate in the parade:

We were at the Studios about 40 minutes before the Stars & Motorcars parade - so we decided to pick a spot and watch the parade. Well we sat for 10 minutes in a spot that was seemingly perfect when a CM came up to us and about 20 other people and told us we couldn't sit there because it was in a high traffic area. I looked around and couldn't figure out what he was talking about (neither could anyone else), but decided - oh well, we'll find another spot. So we found another spot and asked a nearby CM if we could sit there. He said yes and I told him I wanted to make sure because we just got kicked out of our last spot. He said "hold on, I'll see if I can find something better for you". We thought okay, this is cool. 5 minutes later he came back and asked my two daughters (2 and 5) if they wanted to be princesses for the day. Of course they said yes and so he said follow me and we followed him to a roped off spot at the very beginning of the parade. He gave the girls "Princess Certificates" and we (along with probably 15 other children and their parents) watched the parade go by. At the end, two CM's brought out a rope and the kids got to follow the parade until the very end and at the end got to spend some extra time with Pluto. It was quite magical and it made our day extra special. Here's a pic:

 

[Lillypug]

As we were all backstage getting ready for the parade I noticed everyone was pretty much dressed like we were. There were no wife beaters, tramp stamps, or visible floss.

LOL What are tramp stamps and visible floss? LOL

 

[HBK Charlie Brown]

LOL What are tramp stamps and visible floss? LOL

Tramp stamps are lower back tattoos ,and visible floss is a visible thong.

 

[Lillypug]

Tramp stamps are lower back tattoos ,and visible floss is a visible thong.

Ahhhh Ok. LOL (Yes I am very sheltered in my own little universe. )

 

[pooch]

DH, DD, DS & I were hanging around Main Street on a bench by the circle waiting for our ADR time at CP. A CM approached & asked if the kids were busy? No! They got to be in Minnie's Magical Main Street Parade or something like that(?). I have a fantastic picture of them on the train platform with a dozen characters all posing just for me!!! Pretty cool

 

[notnothin]

Tramp stamps are lower back tattoos ,and visible floss is a visible thong.

Hilarious!!

 

[anne930]

We got picked to be in Mickey's Snowglobe Parade in Magic Kingdom. We rode in Walt's car at the beginning of the parade and waved to the crowd going down the parade route. It was so exciting!! DH & I arrived at the park just after it opened and were walking down Main Street going from one cast member to another looking for pins to trade. We happened to have matching Disney shirts on that day, which might have helped a little. I guess we just lucked up and went to the right cast member and asked to look at her pins - we got to talking about Disneyland's 50th anniversary and the next thing we knew, she asked us if we would like to be in the parade!! We were in shock, to say the least!! I don't know if there is anything you can do to get picked - you just have to be in the right place at the right time!!