Tips for getting chosen to open a park, be in a parade, etc?

[cheryterese]

Does anyone have tips for getting chosen to open a park or be in a parade? Thanks!

 

[mrsmorrow]

Does anyone have tips for getting chosen to open a park or be in a parade? Thanks!

JMO, completely random. Years ago I saw a family get chosen to open Typhoon Lagoon and I presume it was because they were at/near the front of the line. My younger DD's were asked to open AK a few years ago but weren't "doing" a thing, simply standing in line. And one morning in MK, we were approached by a CM and asked to be the Grand Marshalls of the afternoon parade. We weren't dressed in matching clothes or standing out in any way. I honestly think it's right place/right time

 

[AngiTN]

Does anyone have tips for getting chosen to open a park or be in a parade? Thanks!

Be in the right place at the right time with the right look.
What the right place at the right time with the right look is, no one but the person doing the choosing knows.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's random, so I don't know what you can do to get chosen besides be there, look happy, and hope they pick you.

The CMs who choose random guests tend to like surprising people, so they may not pick you if you make it too obvious that it's what you're there for.

By the way, MK is currently the only park that has an opening ceremony.

 

[mrsmorrow]

Be in the right place at the right time with the right look.
What the right place at the right time with the right look is, no one but the person doing the choosing knows.

Exactly!

 

[SixUnderSix]

We've been several times - I don't know if there's a rhyme or reason to the choosing and I don't want to know.

Trying to 'increase the odds' or 'force the magic' would seriously ruin the fun for me.

I remember going one year and Goofy was dancing in a parade and pulled my daughter out to dance with (all the kids were dancing in the street but he pulled my daughter out to the front and started dancing with her). A lady literally ran out into the crowd of kids and SHOVED her kid in front of Goofy so he'd dance with her - which he didn't.

To me, it is so much MORE magical to just go and enjoy yourself and see what NATURAL magic happens to you or your family

But, of course, if this is something TRULY special to you...then I wish you good luck and hope it happens for you sometime soon!

 

[ferd]

I think it's pretty random and just depends on who is in charge of doing the picking that day. A month or so ago we were waiting for the morning show at MK and my 2 year old daughter was wearing a Tiana costume I made for her and we were in a HUGE crowd and hardly up front or anything. I was just standing and waiting when I got tapped on the shoulder by a plaid who asked me to stay where I was and he would come back and get me in a few minutes. Sure enough, he came back and told us to follow him so my husband and I did with our little girl and he took us around the side and under the train station and let us stand and wait up near the train platform so my daughter could meet all the characters as they came down from the morning show. We were able to snap some quick pics. No autographs or anything, but they all waved and hugged her and stuff. It was pretty cool! I think you just have to be in the right place at the right time for the right person to see you.

 

[teddygurl28]

i agree with the just right place and right time.

we were at AK and just finished taking pictures with thumper. i was making a quick turn to get to chip and dale without a line (lion king was getting let out so i knew lines would build) when we were stopped by a guy with an ipad. we figured it was a survey - and he did ask a few questions. but then asked us to be grand marshalls in the parade...it was soo cool...but again so random and i never would have expected it

 

[CalSea12]

When we were chosen to be Grand Marshalls, we were decked out in our honeymoon garb. A guy approached us as we were entering the park early in the morning. I was very skeptical and kept telling him we didnt want to buy anything lol, but my DH always gives everyone a chance. So he took us into the clock store, and told us what he wanted to do for us.

I still didnt believe him, until later that afternoon when we met back up with him. Lol I was so focused on having fun and going on rides, I would have missed the chance. I knew there was a reason I married my DH.

He told me though he always looks for people that are having so much fun, and are decked out!

 

[Shula]

We were asked to be Grand Marshalls after my 7 year old was pin trading with a CM in plaid in front of the bakery around 10 am. We were standing next to him watching the morning parade and the 2 of them started chatting away. The CM spent a good 5 minutes with my son and us visiting about our trip. He asked how many we had in our group and I told him 11, he seemed disappointed but I didn't think anything of it. We went into Emporium and when I came back out I saw him alone and went back up to him. I told him what a cool name he had since I didn't mention it earlier. He threw his hands up in the air and said that's it, how many in your immediate family? We were able to include my parents with my 4 and cried all the way through the parade. It was the best day of my life, even better than the birth of my 3 kids. We go in to see him every trip now and take a photo. When we return we bring him a copy. Good luck to you!

 

[Meech Loves Mickey]

My older DS was asked to be a padawan in the Legend of the Force parade during SWW three years ago.

We were at HS and wanted to see Lightning McQueen, but the entire area was boarded up and LM and Mater were not out. The CM told us that they were off filming Cars 2. Well my DS heard that and burst in to tears. (Which was very unusual for him, he was/is not a cryer.)

The CM then asked him if he like Star Wars and he said yes! Then she asked him if he would like to be in the parade and he said yes!

It was really cool because all the parents (yay me) got to walk in the parade behind the padawans. The coolest part was getting to go backstage and have Mace Windu and Kit Fisto hand us the lightsabre and Jedi Robe. (Fist Pump!)

I think I was more excited than my DS, because as soon as the Jedi music started and they opened the gate for us to go out, big tears just started rolling down my face. It was just too awesome!