How to become the family picked for parades?

[ZJRClutter]

My husband and I are taking our 3 year to Disney for the first time during her birthday. I keep reading about how Disney picks familes to be in the parade. Does anyone have some insight on increasing chances to be picked? We will be in Magic Kingdom the day of her birthday. Already have breakfast and dinner booked at Cinderellas Castle (her favorite princess) including the "Her Royal Highness Package" at dinner and plan on getting the Birthday pin. It would make her day to be put in the parade. Anyone that has been picked have suggestions?

 

[djmeredith]

There is a lady who wrote about this in her blog because her family has been chosen several times. She gave some very good specific advice on increasing your chances. There is a link to that blog somewhere on these boards, but I don't remember which one. If you use the search function on here or Google it, you should be able to find the blog.

 

[Brook1099]

probably be there about two hours before park opens , and smile and laugh with family alot!!
But I do not know for sure....never been there that early to find out or plan on being there that early.

 

[Mom24Princesses]

The one time we were picked We had gotten to the park and hour and half before the open and were the first family in line at the turnstile. Girls were 1,3,8 and 10. I'm sure we were easy pick that day.

 

[Alesia]

Arrive very early, be polite and friendly, and do not let on that you are trying to be picked - that is the best way to get them to pick someone else.

 

[White Rose]

my post with a picture of us in the Stars and Cars parade from 2003:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=48234037#post48234037

We arrived at the HS around 10ish, walked up to the park information sign, and started talking to the Cast Member there. We were already in the park. She asked us if we wished to be in the parade after asking us some key questions....the important ones I think were:

Do you come to WDW often? (no - it was hubby's first trip since he was 6))
Are you going to be here all day? (Yes - we had lunch and dinner rezzes there.)
What type of plans do you have? (stay in the park all day, ride a few rides and have fun.)
I think she asked us if we were having fun (YES!) etc.

We did not TRY to get picked to be in the parade. We are friendly, outgoing types and will chat with anyone. That is part of our fun! My hubby is very charismatic and naturally chatty. We also were wearing Disney clothes...I forgot about that...but I was wearing a dolphins in depth T. Hubby was wearing a Disney shirt, I think, not sure. I tried to look in other pictures, but I can only see his Disney Groom pin. I was wearing a Disney Bride pin....and of course the ears!

so, my suggestions:
Wear Disney clothes - matching is good, personalized is good.

Be friendly but not like you expect something...which is hard because you are expecting/hoping/wishing for something. We had no idea the person we were speaking to was going to ask us to be in a parade. We had no thoughts that this would happen to us. I read about people being picked to be in the parades before we left, but every post I read was 'families' not honeymooners. So while I 'wished' for it, it did not cross my mind when this person started talking to us.

Smile, but don't force it. Basically, act like you are not trying.

Be approachable. Let CMs approach you and let them lead the conversation as much as possible.

Never ask.
Never demand.
Never overtalk others or force your way into conversations CMs are having with other guests.

I feel if you are trying to get picked..it will be even harder for you to be that lucky family.

Your daughter is quite young, and I hope she has memories of all these special things you have planned. I went to Disney the first time when I was six and I remember the haunted mansion ride...and sitting on a curb crying because we were leaving...lol. We have awesome pictures though!

Think of all the families that come in to the parks each day, and only ONE unsuspecting family (I believe?) gets picked, and that is only in two parks!

I would hate for your expectations to be up and just have them not be fullfilled. Good Luck!!!!!

 

[o0quirkygirl0o]

White Rose, I love your story!

My fiance and I are going to Disney this October and I thought they only picked families for the parades, it's wonderful to hear that there is a possibility to be chosen as a couple. Keeps a little bit of hope alive in me!

I remember one year as a kid I got chosen as the volunteer LITERALLY EVERYWHERE they asked for one. It was a super magical vacation for me. I felt like a princess.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

White Rose, I love your story!

My fiance and I are going to Disney this October and I thought they only picked families for the parades, it's wonderful to hear that there is a possibility to be chosen as a couple. Keeps a little bit of hope alive in me!

I remember one year as a kid I got chosen as the volunteer LITERALLY EVERYWHERE they asked for one. It was a super magical vacation for me. I felt like a princess.

They pick all types of families for the parade--including couples without kids and same-sex couples.

I ran across a post not long ago (I don't remember if it was here or elsewhere) from a very thrilled gay couple (no kids) telling the story of the day they were picked for the parade. They said they thought they got picked because they were so happy to be there, had their Disney shirts and earhats on, and just were kind of exuding Disney magic themselves.