opening ceremony family?

[kdtwiss]

We will be going for our first ever Disney trip in a few short weeks and I read briefly about a family being chosen to open MK and they throw Pixie Dust and open the park. Does anyone know how to get to be this family? What a thrill that would be!!

 

[Tishke]

I've always wondered that, as well. That would be just about the most magical Disney moment a family could have!

 

[ktink]

I would love to know that as well.

 

[jenniskinni]

OH MY what a chance of a lifetime, I would love to know this also!

 

[Aidensmom]

Well, obviously, you need to be there before the park opens. The earlier you are, the more likely you will be noticed because there will be less people. From what I have read on these boards, wearing something that makes you stand out helps. Also have read that you should NEVER ask to be the opening family, as that pretty much guarantees that you won't be.

 

[ktink]

Thanks

 

[rabyoga]

My family and I (hubby, daughter and me) got to "help" with the opening of Animal Kingdom last year. We were there Before the park opened. We were just standing around and a CM noticed my hubby's shirt(D-Backs' world series shirt) and started talking with us. The CM asked if we wanted to help with the opening. Of course, we did. We got to hold the rope behind the Characters' Bus-this rope is crowd control. We did that for a few minutes. Then, the CM took us to Safari. We were the first ones on it.
I think having an interesting shirt may help. Being friendly with CM certainly does help. I think they may just look for a nice family.(Which we are!)

Only 8 more days til I visit the Mouse in his House.

 

[WDSearcher]

Opening Families are chosen totally at random. There is no way to "reserve" a spot or to guarantee that you will be chosen. A couple of helpful hints have already been given -- be friendly to CMs, wear something distinctive, get to the park early. It's also helpful to not have a ton of stuff to carry (strollers, coolers, backpacks, etc), since the CMs tend to look for people who can just come on up and do the ceremony without having to lug a bunch of other stuff with them. It's also important to not campaign for the job. Don't ask every CM you see if you can be the opening family. Don't push in front of other people to get a better opportunity to talk to CMs. Don't say loudly to each other, "Gee ... I wish we could be the opening family." Just have fun, be friendly, and enjoy yourself. That's far more likely to get you chosen than anything else.

 

[Tinks]

Believe it or not, we have been the opening family twice at M.K. We always arrive well before opening. It helps to smile and make conversation with the CM at the gate. Never mention the opening, though. I also read recently that they have a "policy" to look for families of four---mom, dad, and two kids or mom, dad, 2 kids and an infant. Rarely will you see any other type of set up, unfortunately. Now that my infant is 3 years old (and we have 3 boys), I doubt we'll be chosen again.

We have some really great photos of us throwing pixie dust, and we were given a certificate afterwards. I hope you're able to be lucky, too!

 

[clb22]

Well it seems the "policy" did not hold true for us. Single mom and DD (7 years old) were chosen to be the opening family when we were there in December.
We got to the MK early, because we had a PS for Cindy's at 8:05 am and we patiently stood at the turnstiles waiting for the park to open. My DD was wearing a Minnie Mouse Dress and the headband with Minnie Ears on it. She wanted to dress up for her special breakfast. A wonderful CM started talking to her and just kept asking her questions about herself and her vacation at DW. My DD is very outgoing and very polite. She told the CM it was her first trip to Disney World and she was loving every minute and was going to have breakfast at the castle. Right before the gates opened - the CM took me aside and asked if it would be ok for my daughter to do something special and I of course said "YES".
When the gates opened, they took us aside and asked our name, had us wait, brought us a "Special moments" certificate and then told us that they wanted us to help Mickey open the MK. My daughter was beside herself with excitement. They drove us over to Toontown (on an old fire engine) and put us on the train with all the characters. While waiting on the train - the certificate was passed around to all the characters to sign. My daughter got to "talk" to Mickey and Minnie Mouse for over 20 minutes while we waited on the train for it to make its way around to the gates for the opening ceremony. It was better than any character meet that I could have every imagined.
We have pictures of us on the train with Mickey and Minnie, and with all the characters, and of us throwing pixie dust!! Needless to say - it made her first trip to Disney World - a trip of a lifetime!!

 

[jenniskinni]

Well it seems the "policy" did hold true for us. Single mom and DD (7 years old) were chosen to be the opening family when we were there in December.
We got to the MK early, because we had a PS for Cindy's at 8:05 am and we patiently stood at the turnstiles waiting for the park to open. My DD was wearing a Minnie Mouse Dress and the headband with Minnie Ears on it. She wanted to dress up for her special breakfast. A wonderful CM started talking to her and just kept asking her questions about herself and her vacation at DW. My DD is very outgoing and very polite. She told the CM it was her first trip to Disney World and she was loving every minute and was going to have breakfast at the castle. Right before the gates opened - the CM took me aside and asked if it would be ok for my daughter to do something special and I of course said "YES".
When the gates opened, they took us aside and asked our name, had us wait, brought us a "Special moments" certificate and then told us that they wanted us to help Mickey open the MK. My daughter was beside herself with excitement. They drove us over to Toontown (on an old fire engine) and put us on the train with all the characters. While waiting on the train - the certificate was passed around to all the characters to sign. My daughter got to "talk" to Mickey and Minnie Mouse for over 20 minutes while we waited on the train for it to make its way around to the gates for the opening ceremony. It was better than any character meet that I could have every imagined.
We have pictures of us on the train with Mickey and Minnie, and with all the characters, and of us throwing pixie dust!! Needless to say - it made her first trip to Disney World - a trip of a lifetime!!

How absolutely wonderful! Your story gave me goosebumps! I'm trying not to turn green with envy!