Opening Family at the MK

[Kairi_7378]

Has anyone been the opening family at the Magic Kingdom? Do you know how the "first family" is selected?

Not only would it be cool to be in the ceremony, but it would be nice to be the first people on the train, since DS and I are both into trains and he is too young for the behind the steam trains tour.
:train:

[VWL Mom]

The first family is generally selected at random from the crowd about 20 minutes before hand. People say to increase your chances you should get there extra early and chat up the CM's. Others have mentioned that wearing matching shirts and appearing excited seems to help..

[Imalismom]

Before they chose a full family, my dear daughter was chosen to be the "opening person of the day". She was chosen by Mr. Al who at the time was in charge of the front gates.. They struck up a conversation while we were waiting in line and he asked me if I would bring her back the next morning to open the park.. She was 8 years old at the time, and she is 19 now, and that morning is the reason that has made her want to work for WDW after she graduates from college.. Until Mr. Al retired (he moved to security in Epcot), she made it a point to make sure I had him looked up to say hello. Once he retired from WDW we lost track, and for that I am very sad.. She still talks about that morning and Mr. Al.

[VWL Mom]

Before they chose a full family, my dear daughter was chosen to be the "opening person of the day". She was chosen by Mr. Al who at the time was in charge of the front gates.. They struck up a conversation while we were waiting in line and he asked me if I would bring her back the next morning to open the park.. She was 8 years old at the time, and she is 19 now, and that morning is the reason that has made her want to work for WDW after she graduates from college.. Until Mr. Al retired (he moved to security in Epcot), she made it a point to make sure I had him looked up to say hello. Once he retired from WDW we lost track, and for that I am very sad.. She still talks about that morning and Mr. Al.

What a wonderful memory for you both

[Tri Minnie]

We had the honor of being the opening family this past December. It was a truly amazing and memorable experience. We love the opening show so we always get to MK early. On this Thursday we were really lucky with transportation an arrived at MK a little before 7:30. It was EMH. We were putting our tickets in and a cast member told us to come with her. She said we were going to be the first ones in the park that day. At this point, I realized what was happening, and I think my smile lasted all day.

It seems like they often pick a family of four. At the time, this was us. I was 6 months pregnant with baby #3 and wearing a birthday button. This might have helped :) Our children were 1 and 3, and my daughter still talks about it. I just wish we had known someone taping the opening show. It definitely was one of those magical moments!

[Main Street Jim]

When I worked at the Turnstiles, one of my funnest jobs was driving the family back to the ToonTown train station to meet up with the train :) Had some fun conversations with moms, dads, and kids :) They had no idea what we were doing until I got them back to personally meet Mickey and the ganag. I'd always stop in front of the Castle and get a nice, uncluttered (no crowds!) family photo on my Fire Truck - which I don't know if it ever runs any more. I'd get to pick the families, didn't tell them what was going on, until Mickey showed up :)

[11290]

Jim, fire truck still runs, rode in it yesterday from the "barn" to the PC and back. Takes the "first family" up each morning. Kids crank the siren a lot. Don't know if you remember Edgar (New York lawyer) or Barbara M. but they drive it most days. Several others do the selection.

[Main Street Jim]

Jim, fire truck still runs, rode in it yesterday from the "barn" to the PC and back. Takes the "first family" up each morning. Kids crank the siren a lot. Don't know if you remember Edgar (New York lawyer) or Barbara M. but they drive it most days. Several others do the selection.Yeah, but does it take guests up and down Main Street like I used to do? ;)

Tell Barbara that Jim McKinley and his wife, Kyla, say "Hi" :) Sure do miss workin' with y'all!

[11290]

Jim, a LOT of changes currently going on in MSO and a LOT of changes coming to the physical turnstiles area, supposedly in early 2013. Some work starting right now.

Don't have time to type them all (working too many hours) but will send you a PM when I get a chance. I'll relay that to Barbara when I see her next few days.

[NJDad]

We did the old one once (not on the train station).

We were there early, but not the earliest, and asked a CM have the picked the family yet and he said, "No, you're it!"

[IamBelle]

A few years ago my aunt and her family booked a reservation for Crystal Palace before the gates opened for other guests and the CM's picked them. They did the ceremony and then were escorted back to the Crystal Palace for breakfast.