Magic Kingdom opening ceremony

[Bundle]

Hi

We are coming from UK to Animal Kingdom Lodge in Feb 2005 to celebrate our twins 6th birthday and our 10th Wedding Anniversary. We want to make the trip extra special and we noticed on our first trip to WDW last october, that some lucky members of the public got to be part of the 'Park opening ceremony' but we can't find anyone at Disney that seems to know anything about this and therefore how you qualify to participate- does anyone out there know any more? Thanks alot

 

[WEDWDW]

First of all,your pavilion in WS is one of my favorites!I have met so many nice CMs there.I love the accents,especially the girls.From my understanding,the selection of guests to help open the MK is completely random-they are just picked from people in line before park opening.You may could improve your chances by being one of the first in line and dressing very "Disney".Even if you are not picked,the opening ceremony is so good.I love it when they sing the "Good Morning" song.Good Luck!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Bundle
Hi

We are coming from UK to Animal Kingdom Lodge in Feb 2005 to celebrate our twins 6th birthday and our 10th Wedding Anniversary. We want to make the trip extra special and we noticed on our first trip to WDW last october, that some lucky members of the public got to be part of the 'Park opening ceremony' but we can't find anyone at Disney that seems to know anything about this and therefore how you qualify to participate - does anyone out there know any more? Thanks alot

You can't find anyone at Disney who will discuss this because the "welcome family" is chosen totally at random every day. You can't "qualify to participate" -- it's totally at the discretion of the CM who does the choosing. Get there early, have a good time, enjoy yourselves, and chat with the CMs at the turnstiles. Families that are chosen are usually those that seem to be having a fun morning and those that will be most surprised and delighted by participating.

 

[NMAmy]

Just a smidge OT, but my favorite opening ceremony at MK was when we were there on Feb. 29 this year. They had everyone with a Leap Year Birthday do the opening and told their "real" age, i.e, the 4 year old was 1 that day and the adults looked much more mature than their age. It was the cutest one I'd ever seen!

 

[Bundle]

Thanks for your replies. On a similar subject - where is the best place to go for a special Birthday treat for 2 x 6 year olds? Not sure I've got the hang of this Forum type stuff yet - probably should be posting this somewhere els!

 

[bubba's mom]

I must add......
When the posters are telling you to be at MK early, they are talking about 45 minutes to an hour (or more) before the park opens....We arrived at MK at 7:30am for 8am opening and we weren't first....we weren't too far back (maybe 5 rows of people), but we were by no means first! Good luck!!

 

[karebear1]

WELCOME TO THE DIS!

If you are staying on sight at a WDW resort- then be sure to tell themk whne you make your ressie that you are clelbrating your DS's b-days while your there. There's no guarantee, but there may be a surprise waiting in your room when you get home someday! Also- ask if they can arrange to have a small cake delivered top your room on such and such a day. They will do that- there may be a minimal cost to you, but there may not. I have asked for this twice- expecting to pay- and have never had to pay! It's usually a small4-6 inch chocolate cake. Also when you make your PS seatings- tell thme you're celebrating b-days/anniversary. Finally- don't forget the b-day buttons you can get the kids at the MK. They're free and CM's will be wihing them Happy B-day all day long!

 

[daisy112878]

If they are girl twins then Cindy's Breakfast is great. We took my niece here for her birthday last December. She loved it. The princesses wished her happy birthday (she had the MK birthday button on). The table was decorated. At the end of the meal they brought out a cupcake with a candle and sang happy birthday. Even some of the princesses came and sang. She loved every moment of it. Plus with the button everyone said happy birthday all day to her. It's was great.

 

[Bundle]

Wow! all these replies are great.

The twins are boy/girl so we generally have to find a 'middle ground' or one or the other of thm will claim that something is too 'Girlie'' or too boy-ey!' Anyway thanks all the top birthday tips

 

[WEDWDW]

Don't forget to go to guest services in each park and request a birthday button.The buttons in MK and Disney/MGM are the same,but Epcot and AK are different.Your children will get lots of attention and they will make great keepsakes.I would definitely suggest a character meal for their birthday.The main thing to remember is to mention that they are celebrating their birthday at every opportunity.You can also celebrate the entire time you are at WDW and not just on the actual day.Don't expect anything real big to happen,but your children may get a birthday card from one of the characters,a free birthday dessert at the restaurants or other things of this type.They will get lots of birthday wishes from the CMs.It might be fun to take them to WS and get a CM in each country to wish them Happy Birthday in their native language.They will be happy to do that.Another fun thing to do would be to let them ride up front with the driver on the monorail from TTC to Epcot.They will allow up to four people to do this-just tell the CM at the boarding platform that you want to do this as a birthday treat for your children.They will even be given a monorail co-pilot license when you get to Epcot.Birthdays at WDW are so wonderful.HAVE FUN!

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by Bundle
We are coming from UK to Animal Kingdom Lodge in Feb 2005... we noticed on our first trip to WDW last october, that some lucky members of the public got to be part of the 'Park opening ceremony' but we can't find anyone at Disney that seems to know anything about this and therefore how you qualify to participate- does anyone out there know any more?

Bundle, welcome to the Dis! I adore the AKL and hope you have a wonderful stay there.

I have been vacationing at WDW for quite a few years. I had never experienced the Opening Ceremony until my May trip. I must say that it was so much fun watching the ceremony and listening to the singing. What a great way to start the day. I wrote a little bit about what I saw in my trip report -- click here -- just look for the post entitled "Day 2: Grand Floridian (Part 1)" and then look about halfway down it to read about the ceremony and find a few links to my photos of it. You'll see that the family that was chosen was dressed very casually -- perfect for a day in the theme parks with their family.

As to how to be selected, that is all ~magic~ and no one knows when it will rain down upon you. I do wish you luck. Two years ago at a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, my daughter was selected to be one of the Grand Marshals for the "Boo to You Halloween Parade." She and I were simply walking down Main Street when we were approached by someone. He asked her if she would like to be in the parade. She said yes. He then asked me if it was okay. I said yes. He told us what time to meet and where and that was that. We were in the right place at the right time when that Disney ~magic~ rained down. It was quite a thrill for my daughter and I will cherish the memories of that night always. It was our very first Mother And Daughter Vacation.

 

[Minybear]

Bundle

Good luck in being chosen for the Magic Kingdom Opening Ceremony. I personally don't know how you can do this, but if you and your family gets "chosen" for this, it will make your vacation even more special.

I see that your staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (my favorate resort coming up in less then 2 mths). That is one great resort to stay at. I hope you and your family enjoy it there and your vacation is "magical".