Seasoned Disney guests

[Jrits]

wwyd - either a ppo BOG reservation to get in and take empty pics in front of castle (don't need for 7dmt or other rides) or get to park super early to try to be family of the day? We were lucky enough to be family of the day 6 years ago but my kids were so young that they don't remember so would love to have them experience this and get to MK super early.

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

I would probably do BOG, that way it would be a sure thing! It would be fun to be the first family of the day, but there is no guarantee

 

[wilkeliza]

Neither because I don't get up super early haha. When we want to get the photo on main street with no one else we just slowly exit after park close.

Besides that I think PPO would be better as you have some sort of chance of that actually happening. Family of the day there is no real way to guarantee yourself that even if you are the very first family there.

 

[Tomh]

Agreed with others, Family of the day is a long shot. PPO reservation is a guarantee.

There may be another option though. Some of the tours start before the park opens, and afford some opportunity for pictures early, as does the early morning magic event.

 

[cgattis]

Couldn't you do both? Make a PPO ADR but get there even earlier??

 

[wilkeliza]

Couldn't you do both? Make a PPO ADR but get there even earlier??

Doesn't family of the day do something at opening and then come back for the parade?
So if you get chosen you have to be available during their time period.

 

[Accident]

Is that's the only choices, the family of the day sounds interesting as i've never done it..

 

[DisneyWishes14]

BOG PPO. Family of the Day is a long shot.

 

[Jrits]

Couldn't you do both? Make a PPO ADR but get there even earlier??

You can't do both

 

[loves to dive]

Just so you know PPO is not a sure thing, park hours change. I agree you have a better chance with that than you do being selected family of the day.

 

[1lilspark]

I'd say ppo but note the park has habitually pushed up opening hours as of late

 

[cgattis]

Doesn't family of the day do something at opening and then come back for the parade?
So if you get chosen you have to be available during their time period.

Right. I guess I mean show up early and if you get picked, you'll get some pictures more unique than a semi-empty Main Street. And I'll bet they'd still squeeze you in for breakfast, even if you were late. If you don't get picked, proceed to your PPO breakfast OR be standing there in case they open earlier--in both cases, you are then back to low crowd Main Street pics.

 

[Lehuaann]

PPO ADR. But even that's not always a sure thing. Bride and grooms take photos in front of the castle that early, as well.

 

[wilkeliza]

Right. I guess I mean show up early and if you get picked, you'll get some pictures more unique than a semi-empty Main Street. And I'll bet they'd still squeeze you in for breakfast, even if you were late. If you don't get picked, proceed to your PPO breakfast OR be standing there in case they open earlier--in both cases, you are then back to low crowd Main Street pics.

True I imagine it would depend on where your PPO breakfast is. Unless you get more than just the hats and parade for being family of the day you'll end up eating a lot of park time eating after park opening.

 

[Jrits]

Right. I guess I mean show up early and if you get picked, you'll get some pictures more unique than a semi-empty Main Street. And I'll bet they'd still squeeze you in for breakfast, even if you were late. If you don't get picked, proceed to your PPO breakfast OR be standing there in case they open earlier--in both cases, you are then back to low crowd Main Street pics.

That's a good idea! I can't remember what time they usually pick the family of the day - anyone know?

 

[pmaurer74]

I tried the PPO thing before and they opened the park early and ruined that for me. Family of the day is very very hard to get and I would not rely on it.

 

[Nancyg56]

Okay, I would choose PPO breakfast, but I think that the days of an empty Main Street and Castle area are long gone.

I try to book a PPO meal in a park on every trip, but when booking MK meals, I keep in mind the sheer number of peole that BOG can hold. Yes, the traffic is much lighter, but it is still busy in comparison to the "old days" when there was just CP and CRT offering early entry meals.

Also, keep in mind that park hours do change and they can change at the last minute fairly often.

As to Family of the Day, I would not make any plans if the only reason for the plan is to be chosen. Make whatever plans you want for any given day, and enjoy any perks that may happen that day. Only one family is chosen, so when you consider the odds, well.....you can see that the odds of being "that" family are extremely low.

 

[AngiTN]

Right. I guess I mean show up early and if you get picked, you'll get some pictures more unique than a semi-empty Main Street. And I'll bet they'd still squeeze you in for breakfast, even if you were late. If you don't get picked, proceed to your PPO breakfast OR be standing there in case they open earlier--in both cases, you are then back to low crowd Main Street pics.

I still can't see how this is possible.
Park opening at 9:00 AM, they'll most likely pick the family after PPO ADR would have you in the park.
You'd miss your ADR for sure, which I guess if lightening does strike and you are picked (I think winning the lottery may be easier) then you can just forgo the no show fee. If being first family is that big a deal I guess the money wouldn't be a big loss
If you are willing to just give up some prime park tour time you could book the PPO ADR at say, 8:30 and hang around the entrance longer and hope for the best and by say, 8:20, go on in to eat. They'd have picked someone by then.

 

[AngiTN]

Okay, I would choose PPO breakfast, but I think that the days of an empty Main Street and Castle area are long gone.

I try to book a PPO meal in a park on every trip, but when booking MK meals, I keep in mind the sheer number of peole that BOG can hold. Yes, the traffic is much lighter, but it is still busy in comparison to the "old days" when there was just CP and CRT offering early entry meals.

Also, keep in mind that park hours do change and they can change at the last minute fairly often.

As to Family of the Day, I would not make any plans if the only reason for the plan is to be chosen. Make whatever plans you want for any given day, and enjoy any perks that may happen that day. Only one family is chosen, so when you consider the odds, well.....you can see that the odds of being "that" family are extremely low.

Yes! I've been giving that same advice. There is no such thing as an empty castle pic anymore. We've been early several times for various reasons and the lines for photos were LONG! and far from empty. Lighter than during operating hours but you are going to have people in the photo now. Just too many getting in early these days.

 

[Jrits]

I still can't see how this is possible.
Park opening at 9:00 AM, they'll most likely pick the family after PPO ADR would have you in the park.
You'd miss your ADR for sure, which I guess if lightening does strike and you are picked (I think winning the lottery may be easier) then you can just forgo the no show fee. If being first family is that big a deal I guess the money wouldn't be a big loss
If you are willing to just give up some prime park tour time you could book the PPO ADR at say, 8:30 and hang around the entrance longer and hope for the best and by say, 8:20, go on in to eat. They'd have picked someone by then.

When my family was chosen as family of the day 6 years ago, I think they picked up over an hour before park opening & then gave us a private photo shoot in front of the castle. I'm not sure if they still do that before the family actually opens the park.