lucky family

[kbhehl]

Anyone been lucky enough to get to be the family chosen to open the Magic Kingdom? How'dd you do it? Did you get there early, chat w/CMs, wear cutesy matching clothes, or what? Also were you trying to get picked?

Taking the kids in May, and kids plus Grandma in October, so we've got a couple of chances and I'm not too proud to try any amount of brown-nosing, grovelling, etc.

(Feel free to PM me so as not to give the secret to everyone else! LOL)

 

[kaylajr]

we are taking grandma in Oct too
i would love any info on how to be the lucky family
you can PM me also
i didn't even know about this
it would be great

 

[w8ting4pooh]

We weren't chosen for Magic Kingdom but we were at Animal Kingdom.

Here's a photo.

http://www.chloethatcher.com/disneypix703/disney10002.jpg

We got to go into a private room and wait. When they were ready, we went thru to the other side of the turnstiles and got some special time with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. The CM who invited us was there and took some photos. Our 4 kids were running around hugging each character and the photos that the CM took are pretty funny. Pluto was goofing around in most of them.

We were on the left side of the entry waiting in line for the park to open when a very nice CM asked us if we wanted to be the family of the day! 5 out of 6 of us had a disney Tshirt but we were in no way all matching or coordinated....it was our very last day of a 10 day trip and the matching tshirts lasted 3 days. LOL. We did look like tourists with our fans and cameras and maps, etc. I don't think there's a secret - just luck!

I edited this to add - I forgot about our 1 day trip to Disneyland. My daughter and I were chosen to open Disneyland 2 years ago. That wasn't luck though as a CM from California Adventure was standing in line with us and found out it was our very first time in Disney and spoke to the guy who usually chooses and told him it was our first visit and he asked us if we wanted to open Disneyland.

 

[mwstar]

About 5 years ago my daughter was choosen to open MK. It was a day of early entry. Back then EE was 1 1/2 hours not just 1hour. We got in line about 7:10, all the way on the left hand side by the monorail. She was not wearing any disney stuff. They did not pick all of us, just her. She got to count down to the big opening. She also got to open up Mickey's House in Toon town with Mickey. This was on another visit. We happened to be
at Mickey's house waiting for it to open. Again we were first in line. Mickey appeared and walked hand in hand with my daughter through the house all the way back to his dressing room. Being first in line is the only was for it to happen I think.
Good Luck!

 

[kbhehl]

thanks folks! sounds like getting there before the crowd gets too heavy is a good idea! I just think my three yr. old would be in heaven (okay--her mom, too!)

w8ting4 CUTE pic! thanks for sharing!

 

[Shells9]

It wasn't really random, though. About two weeks before we left I snail mailed and e-mailed letters asking to do so to every address I could come across that was affiliated with the MK (operations mgrs, guest services), and also a letter to the manager of our resort. About a week before our trip I got an e-mail from a very nice guy who helped arrange it.

It was an EE day so we did not get to the train. We received a Magical Moments certificate, extra pixie dust, and DD was given a candy filled Magic Wand. We did the count down in front the of left turnstyles, and another family did the right.

A CM took a picture of us (below) with our camera. We counted down and then away we went!

 

[goofyrn13]

We've never been picked to open a park,because we are night owls.But my DD got picked to start the Electric Parade 2 years in the MK.It was pretty special they took her out in the middle of main street and had her wave a "special flashlight" as everyone counted down and then the music started and then the parade started.She is one lucky duck.She gets picked at school for everything.Her Brownies was in the paper for a yoga class and she was on the front page of our paper and in 3 other pics.Plus this last Xmas she was picked to be Mary in pageant.

 

[sdamico71]

I try some of the suggestions that are posted because it would be awesome to be the opening family.
Congrats to all you Lucky ducks.