Parades

[piepie31]

I was wondering if anyone knew how one's family becaomes grand marshall at any of the parades? We will be celebrating my daughter's birthday when we are at WDW and I thought it would be pretty fun to do this! Thanks to anyone who can help!!

 

[Safari Steve]

Grand Marshalls are selected at random, unless there is a VIP visiting (like a member of a champion sports team, etc). I have seen reports on these boards of people being able to request a spot in the DAK "Jammin' Jungle" parade, as that one has alot of spaces for guests, but I cannot confirm that. What I can confirm is that for the Share a Dream Come True parade at MK and the Disney Stars and Motorcars parade at Studios, asking will almost guarantee that you won't be selected. The only things that you can do to better your chances are to show up early, look happy, and cross your fingers.

 

[Cebhfhionn]

Safari Steve, how early is early?

Thanks!

 

[Safari Steve]

On a normal day, when the park is scheduled to open at 9, 8 or 8:15 is pretty early (unless some really crazy people are visiting)... On an Extra Magic Hour day (Sun & Thu), when the park opens to day guests at 8am, 7:30 is early (of course, if you're not staying on-property, you won't be able to get to the park entrance that early on those days). Of course, I should point out that Grand Marshalls are not usually picked at the entry plaza. At MK, it can happen anywhere (usually Main St) in the morning after the park has opened. It is done entirely at random (unless it's some celeb)... So showing up extra-super-kids-are-cranky/asleep-early really isn't necessary (and I don't *personally* reccomend it)...

 

[richiebaseball]

We arrived on a Sunday (early entry) between 9 & 9:30. A CM stopped us to chat at the end of Main St. just before the castle. There is room for 7 in the parade, 4 in the stagecoach and 3 in the electric car. The CM had already picked 2 other groups ( a group of 2 and a group of 3) so she was specifically looking for 2 people. And we were the lucky ones. And it was probably closer to 9:30 now that I think of it.

Richard

 

[Cebhfhionn]

So they normally don't look for "average" families. Mom, Dad & kids. It will only be My sister, my son & myself most days but we are a happy bunch!

 

[richiebaseball]

I think they look for all kinds of people. An interesting note, out of the 7 of us chosen for this parade only I had any Disney merchandise on and that was a baseball cap with a very small Mickey in the corner. Put that in the for what it's worth department.

Richard