[wdwspider]

Everyone knows the routine. We scurry about trying to find the ultimate parade location (but there always seems to be people there that much earlier to get the prime locations). Then we send one of our own out into the increasingly dangerous crowds to get the popcorn, ice cream, soft drinks, or snacks of your families choice. We wait another 30 to 45 minutes in the heat with the little ones irritated and confused at the lack of activity. Finally the parade can be seen waaaaaaay down at the other end and we wait... and wait.... and wait til it gets close enough for it to almost start and a super happy family of strangers ride by just a waving and tickled as can be.

:hmmm

How did they ever get so lucky.

Go to the Jammin Jungle parade where it's twice as hot and you can watch many families ride by.

:(

So, I bring you to my inquiry... Is there a way to be noticed to be featured in a parade?

Where do they choose these lucky few? Does Disney ever give out special passes to automatically be chosen?

Has anyone ever been priviledged to ride by all the sweaty, innocently happy bystanders and simply wave and be over-glorified as the elite, the proud, the non-Disney copy-righted few?

Do share. :D

[ajbdk5]

GOOD question, WDWFan!!!!
I would LOVE to know the answer to this too!

Amy:)

[LRTJS]

I'll be waiting to hear that one too! I would think it would be just be in the right place at the right time or having a friend in the right place.;)

[jmouse]

Unless you have a child that is visiting WDW through the Make-a-Wish program, it has more to do with being in the right place at the right time than having a friend in the right place.

[wdwjeff]

I've also heard that they look for families wearing matching clothing. It's hit or miss, but if you all dress the same, it'll help your odds.:heart :)

[ilvminnie]

I wonder if having a birthday pin or shirt on would help any? I'd love to get my DD in one on her 18th birthday!

[tinkerbell]

I remember when the show Disney Inside Out use to come on ..they did a bit on picking families at MK .. seems there was someone they interviewed whose job was to pick a family every morning. He said he looked for the happiest family as they were coming in to MK. lol the next time we went we were trying to look like the happiest family real hard .. guess someone else looked happier because we didnt get picked :hmmm

[preidel24]

Probably helps if your a small family too. I noticed when we were there last year they were always Mom, Dad and just one child. It just could have been a fluke that week. I've never seen a family of five.

One day when we saw the Jammin Jungle parade it was a family of three. The next day we were are MK the kids were riding a ride and my DH was talking to the guy next to him (he was from England) turns out they were the family from the Jammin Jungle parade. He said they were just asked if they wanted to do it.

Luck, luck, luck and perhaps some pixie dust. Here's hoping one of our fellow DC'er gets to find out soon what it's like to be a parade family.

Paula

[mickaholic4077]

I would love to know too!!!

[lisajl]

Over at AK on the jammin jungle parade there was a family of five when we were there. I wish it would have been us, but we got there later in the day. DARN!

Lisa

[Storm59]

Well, I've never been a part of one of the big parades, but I remember years ago, my brother and I were chosen to march with the Fife And Drum Band. Do they even still have that? It was back in the early 70's. We had to wear colonial style costumes. I remember a Pilgrim style hat and a white apron, and we carried (I think) drums-little ones. My biggest memory of the whole event was the absolute and total embarrassment I felt. I was horribly shy, and I did NOT want to do it, but when they asked my Mom & Dad I was too shy to say no!:cry:

(However I also remember that I was hoping the boy who played Peter Pan would notice me, because I thought he was cute!):love:

I was about 12 ? at the time, and my brother was 9 or 10. The only reason I can think they chose our family to approach was not because we were a small family, but because we were a HUGE family. I grew up with 11 brothers and sisters, and on that trip there were probably 9 of us kids. My youngest sister wouldn't have been born yet, and the two oldest boys I believe had already moved out.:)

[LRTJS]

My kids were picked to be in the bumblebee scene in the backlot tour once. I think it was because we were near the front of the line and because since I had been through many times I asked if they could do it! Experience paid off!!:laugh

[grammy]

My son-in-law was picked to participate in the Indiana Jones show. If his situation holds true for all situations, you just have to be noticed. I do think you have arrive early near the start of the parades. It would be an honor but we are always happy to watch the parade and wave at all the characters we know and "who know us" as my granddaughter says! :) :laugh :)

[tralden]

I don't remember where I heard this, or got this impression, but I always thought they picked the people who ride the parades from familys coming in at the gates (early morning?). I don't think they pick them from the parade route crowd. Of course, our family has never been picked so can't speak from experience.

As for the MGM shows, I can speak from experience. For Indy, be able to look real happy or shout real loud and don't be afraid to look foolish (I've been picked at least 4 or 5 times). For the Backlot water tank, you need to be near the front of a group waiting to go in and speak up quick if they ask.
During our visit 3 weeks ago I got to be in the Indy show, Backlot water tank, and the Millionaire hot seat (made it to 32K) all in the same day!! Easily the best day of the trip. :D

[jbjags]

When we took the Keys to the Kingdom tour in May they said that they pick out a family in the AM. So if a CM comes up to you or ask you a few question just do it. And to look happy and the kids need to be acting good as well.