Wishing to be the Grand Marshal!

[disneyfans4ever]

Call me crazy or a little child....but I've always wished that my family could be the Grand Marshals in the parade and wave to everyone down Main Street. How exactly does this work? Do you have to arrive at the parade very early, do something special...or is it just a chance that Disney magic is thrown your way?

Last year, I woke my family up very, very early to try and be the family that opens the Magic Kingdom. We were the very first family there (that didn't have ADR's for a restaurant) and asked one of the CM's if this could be possible, but unfortunately there was a family that was already picked due to being a relative of one of the CM's. The CM was very kind and said that sometimes it just happens that a family is already reserved to open the park...days before if they are a relation. So sadly...we missed our chance.

All to say...I was just wondering if someone could give me some tips if there is any on how to be in the parade since we weren't lucky enough to open the park. Thanks everyone!

 

[zurgswife]

My family has manged to open MK about 4 times but the parade Grand Marshal has so far eluded us. I'm told most people are picked after the gates open sometime in the morning hours around Main Street. They are just approached by a CM and asked...

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm sorry, but there is no way to get picked for any parade Grand Marshalls. It is totally random.

 

[Stitchfans]

I agree it sure would be nice. Maybe on our upcoming trip. We'll see.

 

[kangaroodle]

We were asked to be Grand Marshalls at last years MNSSHP. Not quite the same as an afternoon parade but still really cool! We were walking into the park about 4:30pm and a CM just came up to us and asked if we'd like to do it. Of course we said, "YES!" It is just totally random.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Although not truly "random" there IS a method to picking the Grand Marshall.
2) Assuming one isn't chosen in advance (eg. Make-A-Wish family).
3) I know one of the "pickers", and there is a process.

 

[disneybound31]

Oh my GOSH! You guys are going to hate this but, I TURNED DOWN AN OFFER FOR GRAND MARSHALL!! We were walking into the Magic Kingdom on our very first morning after having driven ALL NIGHT to get there... we were desperately exhausted (kids slept whole way and were feeling great) and as we walked over the bridge toward Fantasyland (at about 9:30am) a CM approached us and asked if we wanted to be Grand Marshalls at the 4:30 parade. DH and I discussed it for a moment and then TURNED HER DOWN! We were planning to check into our room at POP that afternoon and try to get in a rest before dinner at that time. All we could think about was how tired we were... not about how COOL it might be to lead a parade! She very nicely told us if we changed our minds that we could meet her in the same spot about 4pm, but at 4pm we were swimming with the kids and trying to rejuvenate. I have regretted ever since not doing the parade with my family. Kids are DD4 and DS7 and we were also afraid of DD4 having a meltdown on the parade because of being tired. How big of a mess-up was this? Do really great things happen when you get to be Grand Marshalls? This was our first trip ever and I now realize what an opportunity this would have been. Bummer.