what time to get there to "open" the MK?

[kirkharrod]

We are staying at the Contemporary in October, and my kids want to be the first in line, in order to open the Magic Kingdom. Does anyone know what time we need to walk over to the front gate to be first in line?

Thanks in advance for replying.

 

[DISNEY4FUN]

We got there a half an hour before the scheduled open time on our last trip. We were able to go thru the security check and I think the turn stiles where they take your tickets. Then we had to wait about fifteen minutes for the park to officially open. They have a really cute ceremony to open the park every day. Mickey comes out on the train and shoots pixie dust out into the crowd and then they open the walkway under the train into the park.

 

[Micca]

Kirkharrod it is going to be difficult to be "first in line" as the line is so spread out. Prior to park opening you'll be held in front of the turnstiles going into the park. There are many turnstiles such that being first in line would be questionable. Your kids might enjoy watching the train pull into Main St. Station with all the characters. They do a little song and it's pretty cool. The train/song thing happens about 5 minutes prior to the actual park opening. You would want to be there 20-30 minutes early for that.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When my son opened the MK (twice), we were there about 30-45 minutes before the park opened.

 

[Micca]

OK, I'm confused What did your son get to do as the park opener? I guess I have missed this. Our family got to open Toontown one morning. That was cool. Mickey took us on a tour of his house.

 

[snowmouse]

My daughter opened Fantasyland one morning. We had an early breakfast at the castle and came out about 10-15 minutes before opening. As we waited at the ropes, a couple of CMs came out and chose a boy and a girl to do the opening. She was given a little magic wand and together she and the little boy were to declare fantasyland open for the day. We then were escorted to be first to ride Dumbo that day. I had read that sometimes Mickey or Minnie do the escorting, but they weren't there the day we were. It was very special for my daughter.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We were taken through the turnstile. Our son was given a "wand" and chose the magic word to open the park. Everyone else (on the other side of the turnstile) was asked to shout out his word after the countdown. He got a Magical Memories certificate.

They choose two families (one at each set of turnstiles), but the procedure is a big different now.

 

[KimEadler]

We have been to Disney 3 times: 1999, 2001 and last week! My kids were chosen to open MK all three times!! In 1999 my kids opened FantasyLand. They were let in before the rope drop and held up a flag. There was a countdown, they dropped the flag, and then they got to ride Dumbo with Minnie Mouse! Minnie then took my daughter by the hand and skipped to Toontown with her! (Makes a Mom cry!) In 2001 we went to the ropedrop at Tomorrowland, and we were chosen to be the first family to ride Space Mountain! We were let inside the ropes, as they announced "the Eadler Family from Indiana wll be the first to ride Space Mountain today!" We walked through Tomorrowland with a CM, and rode Space Mountain all by ourselves!! And last week, my kids were chosen to be the kids to throw pixie dust inside the turnstiles of MK on Early Morning Hour day. They count down from 10, and then throw the pixie dust to open the park! Very magical .... and incredibly lucky to be 3 for 3!!