The Lucky Family who Opens DL

[Meemoo]

I am guessing they still do this, where a CM selects a special family each day to 'open' DL? If so, how can I improve our family's chances of being selected and what time would I need to arrive to be in with a chance? It's a silly dream of mine to be able to do this, we were almost selected at HKDL, but my kids were so young at the time and didn't interact with the cast member much so seemed disinterested I guess but we got to open Fantasy Land at drop rope for their 5th Anniversary which made up for it and is a special memory

 

[CaptBane]

Yes they still do it. But Im not sure how to improve your chance of getting chosen.

 

[BirdsSingWords]

We didn't even know about this when we were chosen at DL in 2011. We arrived early early early for our Magic Morning and were first in line at our turnstile. We were SO excited to be there, and were taking pictures of each other with the Magic Morning sign above our heads and just generally brimming with genuine Disney geekery.

We were brought in to do the countdown, and were each given Honorary Citizen of Disneyland buttons. It was amazing and is a memory we'll always treasure.

 

[Meemoo]

So, arrive super super like first in line early! Be super excited, and be decked out head to toe in Disney attire - well that sounds achievable for this family, I will cross my fingers and give it a go! I'd treasure that button forever! In HK the kids got special guest certificates, special photos and stickers etc. This was drop rope in front of the castle so we got fabulous photos with the castle and no body else around

 

[todzwife]

We were chosen this last time. We weren't first...probably 20th back in line. The guy who chose us said that he picked our family because we were all smiling and the kids were well behaved and happy.

 

[Meemoo]

We were chosen this last time. We weren't first...probably 20th back in line. The guy who chose us said that he picked our family because we were all smiling and the kids were well behaved and happy.

 

[Speechphi]

We were just picked on Fri 12/19 to open DCA. Kids were all wearing Santa hats with Minnie or Mickey ears, girls wore a Santa Mickey tees & ds wore a Santa Darth Vader tee. Dh had his birthday button on & we were right up at the gate. And my kids are super cute ;-).

We were picked a year & a half ago to open Carsland. We were on the far right, but weren't right up front & weren't wearing anything that screamed "Disney" either. So you never know.

 

[Meemoo]

We were just picked on Fri 12/19 to open DCA. Kids were all wearing Santa hats with Minnie or Mickey ears, girls wore a Santa Mickey tees & ds wore a Santa Darth Vader tee. Dh had his birthday button on & we were right up at the gate. And my kids are super cute ;-).

We were picked a year & a half ago to open Carsland. We were on the far right, but weren't right up front & weren't wearing anything that screamed "Disney" either. So you never know.

I think I get it, you need to stand out somehow whether it be cute or well behaved kids or wearing something cute or unique - whatever works, I will try my best! And whats this I hear about opening Carsland and CA Adventure, you're telling me this is more than one opportunity to open something?! Oh, my husband wont be able to stand me getting him up early every day for a chance at all this!

 

[SweetAlex]

The family we saw get chosen was first in line at their turnstile, wore all matching custom-made Mickey shirts with Santa hats and were totally crazy (loud and stupid-happy... lol).

I totally burst out laughing when the teenage girl in front of us stated "Nothing is worth wearing matching shirts and having your parents act like that... Nothing".

 

[jetskigrl]

Our family was chosen on my DS's birthday. I don't think we were dressed very overly Disney that day. But what we did do was bring a small gift for DS's birthday and let him open it while waiting in line. He was super excited about it (Mickey Mouse pocket watch) and the CM must have noticed that because he came over shortly after that and asked us if we would like to open the park

 

[Mom of three]

We were chosen one morning in DCA to open ToT. DS was 4 or 5 at the time, wearing a fedora. We were plucked off the street, asked if we wanted to be the "first family" to open the ride, put on the trolley with Chip and Dale, signed the ToT "guest book", they took several pictures of us and we got the whole ride to ourselves.

It was magical.