Special park openings ceremonies?

[Lil ole moi]

I'm taking my boyfriend for the first time and want him to be wowed on his first days at the parks. We plan to be at one of the parks at opening...I know the Magic Kingdom has music, characters, dancing, etc. before the park is officially opened. Do any of the other 3 parks do something special or is it just a free-for-all when when the turnstiles open?

 

[Tazicket]

Epcot does something pretty cool- they have the characters ride out on a double decker bus. (I'm not sure exactly what they do for this as I was in a wheelchair and couldn't see, but I'll ask DH.) Then, when they open the park, the characters do a meet and greet inside the park.

 

[MightyMouse2300]

They do an opening at 3 of the parks. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. At the AK park, Minnie and friends ride in a safari truck, looking for Mickey. Then he pops up and it's pretty neat, but I won't tell you where.

At MGM, they just have everyone line up - when I went, then had a guy telling everyone jokes and asking trivia. Then they let us through - nothing too special. But, whoever got the trivia right got to be the first on the ride.

 

[mortimor]

I dont know what the protocol is for the openings, but I have been at MK when they have Mickey and the gang come in on the train with the town mayor talking and a small show, when they allow some of the young children open the park, when they pick a family to open the park and when it is a free for all. Same at AK where they have a show right at the turnstiles or down the main walkway near the tree with Mickey and the gang on a bus style vehicle. More often than not, we have just been let in to another rope area or allowed to the rides. I am sure the season has alot to do with it, but I remember some Christmas weeks were nothing special happened. If I was looking for the most memorable first morning I would get to MK VERY early and start talking with the CMs about your situation and who knows. That is how my DD got to be part of one opening morning.

 

[ReggieB]

I was talking to my DH the other day about the MK opening, and he was "oh I love that, it's one of my favorite things, a really nice touch" I was so surprised, I thought he hated being dragged out of bed early on his vacation...well he does, but at least he admits that it's worth it.

 

[AStamm]

Not sure if they still use the character bus at the opening of Epcot, but they aren't using it for character meet and greets anymore. The "Character Connection" opened not too long ago and the bus is just a fond memory.

 

[keahgirl8]

Not sure if they still use the character bus at the opening of Epcot, but they aren't using it for character meet and greets anymore. The "Character Connection" opened not too long ago and the bus is just a fond memory.

Oh no!!!! I was really excited about seeing the bus!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Unless things have changed, they don't do all the hoopla at the Magic Kingdom on EMH mornings. They still play the music, but no streamers or anything.

In January, they still had the bus of characters ride up at Epcot.

Animal Kingdom has my favorite opening. I don't know why, but I love watching Mickey pop up.