Magical Moment - Opening the Park

DisneyHomeVideo · 07-17-2009, 08:39 AM

My family and I were in WDW last week, and happened to be the first people in line to enter the Magic Kingdom one morning. I don't know if being early is the major criteria the cast members use, but we were chosen to open the park that day! This was a seriously cool experience. We were ushered into the park before the crowd and got to see and take pictures of the park empty. Then we met the opening characters that day, and got to go outside on to the train platform to throw pixie dust (with the characters) and wave at the crowd to invite them all in. It was really a wonderful experience that we all will remember.

So, show up early, you never know!

Dan
disneyhomevideo

NC_WDW_Daddy · 07-17-2009, 09:15 AM

Sounds like you timed it just right for a great experience.

Disnyfan83 · 07-17-2009, 11:08 AM

How fantastic!!!

I know that will be a favorite Disney memory for years to come!!

Spodie · 07-17-2009, 11:20 AM

Wow - that sounds like so much fun!! I don't think I would ever be picked to open the park since I don't think I could ever get up that early.

DisneyHomeVideo · 07-21-2009, 06:39 PM

Here is a link to a youtube video of us opening the park! A cast member was kind enough to take the video for me while we were "busy". It was one of the highlights of our trip!

youtube link to the Cohen Magical Moment

Dan

disneyhomevideo

joanna71985 · 07-21-2009, 08:39 PM

How exciting! What a great memory

elvistelth · 07-21-2009, 09:03 PM

One of my daughters got to be the "Big Kahuna" when we went to Typhoon Lagoon. We were waiting at the entrance before the park opened and a CM asked if anyone could "help" her. My daughter volunteered and my whole party (my family & our friends) were ushered in before the park opened. My daughter was given a gold medallion on a ribbon to wear and we were given a tour of the whole park. As we walked around various groups of lifeguards and other CMs were being briefed by their supervisors. As we walked past these groups each little meeting stopped, turned its attention to us and said "Good Morning Kahuna". My daughter loved the attention. My Kahuna is the middle sister and sometimes suffers from Jan Brady syndrome so her being picked was especially nice for her. We were brought to a private shaded area by the wave pool where we could keep our towels and stuff and then the Big Kahuna was given the privilege of pushing the button to turn on the wave pool. What a great day! I don't know if they still do this but if they do, get to TL before it opens and perhaps your child will have this memorable experience too.

kellyeti · 07-22-2009, 09:09 AM

Both of these experiences are fantastic!!! Youre very lucky...I'm very jealous! :-)

ImaMouser · 07-22-2009, 07:13 PM

Just more comfirmation of what makes Disney Disney. I loved the video. I showed it to my sixteen year old daughter and she said she doesn't like me anymore. We dont know when our next trip will be so we will visit the World through everybody elses trips.

DisneyHomeVideo · 10-16-2009, 09:25 PM

Here is some companion video to our Magical Moment. How many people get to see Main Street USA empty? We were really lucky! And, we can share it with you!

Main Street USA - Empty!

Dan

Disneyhomevideo

07-17-2009, 08:39 AM	#1
DisneyHomeVideo B-Ticket Holder Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 71	Magical Moment - Opening the Park My family and I were in WDW last week, and happened to be the first people in line to enter the Magic Kingdom one morning. I don't know if being early is the major criteria the cast members use, but we were chosen to open the park that day! This was a seriously cool experience. We were ushered into the park before the crowd and got to see and take pictures of the park empty. Then we met the opening characters that day, and got to go outside on to the train platform to throw pixie dust (with the characters) and wave at the crowd to invite them all in. It was really a wonderful experience that we all will remember. So, show up early, you never know! Dan disneyhomevideo Last edited by DisneyHomeVideo; 07-17-2009 at 09:25 AM..

07-17-2009, 09:15 AM	#2
NC_WDW_Daddy Annual Passholder Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 3,158	Re: Magical Moment - Opening the Park Sounds like you timed it just right for a great experience.

07-17-2009, 11:08 AM	#3
Disnyfan83 Fastpass Holder Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 467	Re: Magical Moment - Opening the Park How fantastic!!! I know that will be a favorite Disney memory for years to come!! __________________ Leslie Henson leslieH@mei-travel.com affiliated w/ MEI & Mouse Fan Travel Old Magic Kingdom Tour Guides never retire -- we still tell people where to go and what to do!

07-17-2009, 11:20 AM	#4
Spodie Fastpass Holder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 590	Re: Magical Moment - Opening the Park Wow - that sounds like so much fun!! I don't think I would ever be picked to open the park since I don't think I could ever get up that early. __________________ ~Ashleigh

07-21-2009, 06:39 PM	#5
DisneyHomeVideo B-Ticket Holder Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 71	Re: Magical Moment - Opening the Park Here is a link to a youtube video of us opening the park! A cast member was kind enough to take the video for me while we were "busy". It was one of the highlights of our trip! youtube link to the Cohen Magical Moment Dan disneyhomevideo

07-21-2009, 08:39 PM	#6
joanna71985 Friend of the Disney Characters!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mickey's backyard (Orlando, FL) Posts: 1,562	Re: Magical Moment - Opening the Park How exciting! What a great memory __________________ Many as a kid (1986-1998)Aug 1998- Port OrleansMarch 2003- Jr Band Trip (offsite)Aug 2003- Port OrleansJan 12-Aug 5, 2005- CP (CS)Jan 1-5, 2006- AS Sports (solo)May 24, 2006-Jan 5, 2007- CP (CS)Jan 31-Feb 3, 2007- offsite (solo)March 1-3, 2007- Dad+ Me (offsite)May 16-Aug 10, 2007- CP (CS) Aug 10-12, 2007- GF/P&PMay 21- Aug 15, 2008- CP (PC)Aug 15-18, 2008- AKL!!Mar 25-29, 2009 (offsite)Aug 10, 2009-Jan 2, 2010- CP (CS)Jan 3-May 14, 2010- CP (CS)Feb 12-16, 2012: DCL Disney Dream CP #1: 1/12/05-8/5/05: MK merchandise and parades CP #2: 5/24/06 to 1/5/07: character attendant!! CP #3: 5/16/07-8/10/07: Epcot WS Custodial/seasonal CA CP #4: 5/21/08-7/5/08: Casey's (QSFB); 7/6/08-8/15/08: character attendant CP #5: 8/10/09-1/2/10: Toy Story Mania attractions CP #6: 1/3/10-5/14/10: Great Movie Ride attractions FT: 5/16/10- : Great Movie Ride Montclair State Campus Rep- Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009

07-21-2009, 09:03 PM	#7
elvistelth Unfortunately, this user's actions have resulted in him/her being BANNED from the site Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft. Liquordale Posts: 1,178	Re: Magical Moment - Opening the Park One of my daughters got to be the "Big Kahuna" when we went to Typhoon Lagoon. We were waiting at the entrance before the park opened and a CM asked if anyone could "help" her. My daughter volunteered and my whole party (my family & our friends) were ushered in before the park opened. My daughter was given a gold medallion on a ribbon to wear and we were given a tour of the whole park. As we walked around various groups of lifeguards and other CMs were being briefed by their supervisors. As we walked past these groups each little meeting stopped, turned its attention to us and said "Good Morning Kahuna". My daughter loved the attention. My Kahuna is the middle sister and sometimes suffers from Jan Brady syndrome so her being picked was especially nice for her. We were brought to a private shaded area by the wave pool where we could keep our towels and stuff and then the Big Kahuna was given the privilege of pushing the button to turn on the wave pool. What a great day! I don't know if they still do this but if they do, get to TL before it opens and perhaps your child will have this memorable experience too.

07-22-2009, 09:09 AM	#8
kellyeti A-Ticket holder Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London Posts: 23	Re: Magical Moment - Opening the Park Both of these experiences are fantastic!!! Youre very lucky...I'm very jealous! :-)

07-22-2009, 07:13 PM	#9
ImaMouser D-Ticket Holder Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Smyrna, Tennessee Posts: 227	Re: Magical Moment - Opening the Park Just more comfirmation of what makes Disney Disney. I loved the video. I showed it to my sixteen year old daughter and she said she doesn't like me anymore. We dont know when our next trip will be so we will visit the World through everybody elses trips. __________________ Walt is the man, Mickey is the mouse but Minnie is THE WOMAN

10-16-2009, 09:25 PM	#10
DisneyHomeVideo B-Ticket Holder Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 71	Re: Want to Main Street USA? Empty! Here is some companion video to our Magical Moment. How many people get to see Main Street USA empty? We were really lucky! And, we can share it with you! Main Street USA - Empty! Dan Disneyhomevideo

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