How to get picked to be in the parade

[TheChapman6]

I read a while back on here about a family of 4 being picked to ride in the parade. I'm wondering how they are picked and what the chances are of getting picked or if it's more random??? I'm going in February with my DH and our kids (that are going with us) will be 5dd and 3 DS.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I believe that they sometimes ask the family of the day to be in the parade. You might want to chat up some CM's about the parade and maybe some magic would happen.

Be at the gates first, dress in similar shirts/outfits, or have some serious flair going on somewhere-everyone wearing ears hats or something similar, big smiles. Maybe you will get picked to open the park and maybe that will lead to other cool things.

 

[JayRW]

I believe that they sometimes ask the family of the day to be in the parade. You might want to chat up some CM's about the parade and maybe some magic would happen.

Be at the gates first, dress in similar shirts/outfits, or have some serious flair going on somewhere-everyone wearing ears hats or something similar, big smiles. Maybe you will get picked to open the park and maybe that will lead to other cool things.

I had heard they didn't do a "Family of the Day" to open the parks at Disneyland. Does anyone know for certain whether this is done?

Our family was picked for FotD at MK a couple of years ago and it was such a cool experience.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I had heard they didn't do a "Family of the Day" to open the parks at Disneyland. Does anyone know for certain whether this is done? Our family was picked for FotD at MK a couple of years ago and it was such a cool experience.

When we were there last month, they had a family (well 2 actually) open both DCA and DL. I'm not sure if they got any perks, but all I saw is that they stood with the CMs and did the countdown and said "let the magic begin".

ETA: These were both EMH days. I don't know if it happens for regular park opening.

 

[happygirl5644]

We were chosen from the lineup at DCA to help open the park. We participated in the countdown, received "Honorary Citizen" buttons and signed a guest book. No other perks but the opportunity itself was one of the most memorable things we've ever done!

I think it's totally random, although we had arrived early and were at the front of one of the lines when a CM came out and asked us I didn't even know that this was a thing, so it came as a complete surprise!

Not sure about a parade, but that would be fun!

 

[GatorChris]

I had some friends from our church get picked. It was a normal morning opening and they were from a good neighbor hotel. They weren't wearing matching shirts and the pictures they took didn't make them look real happy. So I don't know what to say other than be there near rope drop and maybe you'll get picked.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

This was a couple years ago, but my friends sat on a bench near the entrance of Tomorrowland, where double decker bus stops, and they got picked for the parade. They sat here around lunch time and waited there specifically so that they would get picked. Who knows if they still do this, or if it just a coincidence, but I might be worth trying.

When my family went to WDW, we also got picked to be the Grand Marshals. We were picked in the morning, within 30 minutes from entering the gate, and the person who picked up said we all looked so excited and happy to be there that we would be good energy for the parade.

Good luck,
Kriss

 

[jetskigrl]

I read a while back on here about a family of 4 being picked to ride in the parade. I'm wondering how they are picked and what the chances are of getting picked or if it's more random??? I'm going in February with my DH and our kids (that are going with us) will be 5dd and 3 DS.

We were picked to ride a few years ago but that was in the Halloween Cavalcade during the Trick-or-Treat party. There were three CMs in the middle of main street with clip boards just chatting with people. We caught their eye because my DS was dressed as a traffic cone (the rest of us were construction workers with Mickey Ears on our hard hats). The talked to us for a bit about DS's costume and then asked him if he would like to be in the parade. We rode in the Honored Guests car with 6 other people. Based on how everyone was dressed, it definitely looked like they were going for people with noticeable costumes

I don't recall seeing guests in any other parades, but I admit, we don't stop to watch them much after we have seen them a couple of times. I guess I need to keep a closer eye out.

We did get selected as the family to open Disneyland once also, but other than the buttons and leading the countdown, there was no other special treatment for that one. I think we got that one because we were first in line and it was DS's birthday. We had a special gift for him to open while waiting in line and I think the CM saw us doing that. I just remembered that they did have everyone waiting in line sing Happy Birthday to my DS before the countdown started. That was really cool.