Grand Marshall at Walt Disney World

(16 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Sarah Sanfilippo

Oconomowoc, WI
Disney, Cruise and All-Inclusive Resort Advisor

When you work with me, I share with you the many tips and tricks that I learned while working at Disney, so you can get the most out of your visit. While living in Orlando I spent a lot of time at Universal Orlando Resort, so I can also give you a...

Waving in the Parade

Before getting into the story, if you don't know, the Grand Marshall is something that Disney World does everyday at Magic Kingdom. Disney selects a family at random to ride in a car and lead the 3:00 parade. The family gets special treatment and perks for getting chosen. It is one of the coolest things that can happen to you at Disney World and is on the bucket list of any Disney theme park fan..


Here's my story:


Before going on our trip in April of 2017, I kept having this thought in the back of my head that my family and I were going to get chosen as the Grand Marshalls. But I kept shaking it off because it's such a rare thing to happen and no one knows how you're chosen. 


The day we were going to Magic Kingdom, we got there a little late (around 10am) because we went to breakfast at the nearby Polynesian resort. As we were heading down main street, I noticed some cast members who were pin trading. Since that's something I like to do, I stopped and talked with a few of them to trade some pins. However, one cast member looked more important than the others (maybe a manager) and I started talking to him about having worked at the parks a few years earlier. He started asking my family and I strange questions like How would you wave to Goofy if you saw him? or Do you have a good spot for the parade? I started growing suspicious, but then he finally said "I have a great spot for the parade. How would you like to be in it?" I couldn't believe what he had asked! We were going to be the Grand Marshalls. 


He told us to meet him and some photo pass photographers at the parade gates at 2pm. Once we got there, we had a photo shoot with the photographers and then headed backstage and got on a beautiful blue old-looking car. The parade started and I heard the announcer say our names and where we were from. From then on, we drove the parade route down main street and I couldn't stop smiling! My cheeks hurt by th end of it. 


Once we got to the end of the parade, we hopped off and stood in a VIP location to enjoy the rest of the parade. Characters and dancers greeted us and gave us high fives. It made us feel really special. 


After the parade was over, we did another photo shoot with the photographers and Cinderella's castle was our background. We were handed a few fast passes to use and got some free merchandise. 


This was truly one of the most special experiences that I've ever had. And I'm so happy I was able to spend it with my family at Disney World. As a Disney fan, I am able to cross that experience off my bucket list! 


 

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