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We Came To Play!

We Came To Play!

Opening Magic Kingdom

Opening Magic Kingdom

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

We Opened Magic Kingdom--Part 1



On our most recent trip to Walt Disney World we were picked to be the family that opened Magic Kingdom.  Yep, we got to be on the train station platform as we had seen other families times before, wave to the crowd, and countdown the opening of the park.

It was an honor, a privilege, something so incredibly magical that the memory will be emblazoned on us forever.  Here’s how it happened…

The day started with an armadillo sighting.  As we were walking to the bus stop that Tuesday morning, a gray mound shape creature was moving on the ground.  I thought it was a bunny, but as we got closer, the mound had a scale pattern and it scurried under a bush.  This was a sign that the rest of the day was going to be unusual.

Tuesday was our only day to be at Magic Kingdom for the opening.  We had already been to Magic Kingdom on Saturday evening and Monday evening with a possibility of coming back for a portion of the day later in the week, but this was going to be our only day to be at the park for rope drop.

We left the resort room a little ahead of schedule.  I was up before the wake-up call and rousted the boys out of bed when I got out of the shower.  Soon, we were dressed and out the door around 7:30ish for a 9:00 am opening.  The armadillo sighting happened on the way to the bus stop.

When we got to the Magic Kingdom, we headed left once past the bag search, found a spot near the gate and began visiting with a Cast Member.  Soon, she asked us to come with her.  We did.  We were escorted through the gates as our tickets went through the machine.  We were then seated on a bench near the left entrance tunnel.  At this point, I had an inkling of what was up and so did the boy.  But he kept himself in check.  The Cast Member stayed with us and told us stories about some of the other Cast Members working in the area and that soon we would be taken by another Cast Member—Barbara. 

In the meantime, we were given three Fastpasses—one for each of us—that could be used on any Fastpass attraction at the Magic Kingdom over the course of the next few days.  We snapped a picture.


And, had our picture taken in front of the emblem as other guests looked on, as the gates weren't open yet.





Soon Barbara joined us and we were whisked through the tunnel under the train station into Town Square and were asked to be seated on the red Fire Truck. Barbara was our driver and she was full of energy.  We rode down Main Street, U.S.A. horn honking until we met up with the Mayor.


Now, somewhere along the way, John, a Photopass Photographer joined us.  Maybe it was about the same time as we met the Mayor.  John asked us if we had a Photopass card—you bet I did and he asked if he could hold onto it for a while.  What’s our rule at Walt Disney World about what to say anytime a Cast Member asks you a question?  That’s right!  We say, “Yes.”  So, of course I gave John our Photopass card to hold on to. 








Barbara stopped the fire truck in the Hub in front of the Castle and we were told we had a few moments to take pictures in various locations.




We hammed it up in front of the Castle, in and out of the fire truck, and in the Rose Garden next to the Castle.  John was taking photos with his camera and Barbara had our camera to capture the memories for us.  We were smiling ear to ear!


Barbara told us we had to get back in the fire truck so we wouldn’t be late.  Horn honking, we rode back down Main Street, U.S.A. to the Train Station on Town Square

This whole time, Barbara was using an analogy of baking a cake and she said, “It was now time to take the cake out of the oven.”  We were ready!

Click here for the rest of the story:  Part 2,  Part 3,  and The Conclusion.

25 comments:

  1. WOW, Just WOW! That picture of mom and the boy made me a little misty!!

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  2. How sad that some people are easily pleased, by spending lots of money to visit an oversized rodent, and then picked to be a special family, take pics of some fast passes and then feel the need to brag about it, you must be the most typical inbred american family ever. still if little things like this make you happy that's your life

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    1. How sad that you don't understand the family fun and sweet memories that are made at Disney World. I pray that you find some peace for yourself and not criticize others who are different from you.

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  3. Burt,
    Thanks for reading the Williams Family Blog! Hope you have a magical day!

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  4. This is lovely, I can't wait until my family trip in August.

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  5. This is amazing! How awesome for your family. My family loves Disneyland. We hope to take our kids to Disney World in a few years when they are a little bit older. Right now I think they are a little bit too small to really enjoy everything (Ages 5, 3, 3, and 1). Glad you had such a special experience. Too bad "burt" left such a negative comment. We are happy for you.

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  6. Thank you! Disneyland is on our wish list! Good to hear Disneyland is your favorite. You are sure to love Disney World, too!

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm sorry that you were left such a negative comment. I think Burt is a little jealous.

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  8. Tasha,
    Thank you for your kind words and thank you for reading the Williams Family Blog! Keep sprinkling Pixie Dust!

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  9. So amazing ! A once in a lifetime experience.

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  10. So amazing!!! January 2013 will be our first visit as a family (6 kids). We are so excited!

    Question:
    Did you have your shirts made? Please provide some information for me on how. With eight in our family, I thought we'd try to wear the same shirts ... more for safety

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  11. So cool! We had almost the exact same experience when we were picked! Isn't Barbara the coolest?! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2939320

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    1. It just gives you goose bumps! So glad you had a magical experience. And, yes, snaps to Barbara!

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  12. hi fab pics were off again next august and would love to do that how did you get picked?

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    1. Caroline,
      Congrats on your next trip! How did we get picked? We were there early, were smiling, and said good morning. The rest is all Disney magic! Good luck and have a magical trip!

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  13. Loved reading your blog! My Daughter is an engineer on Magic Kingdom Railroad, and knows Barbara. Can't wait to go back there is September, and then for my 60th birthday/Coral Wedding Anniversary fantasy cruise in February.

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    1. Thank you so much! What's your daughter's name? We can look her up when we are there in July. Congratulations on your next trip and your celebratory cruise!

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  14. I love you, Willam's Family! We are of the same mindset when it comes to Disney. Your blog and pictures have made my day! That poor, miserable, Burt, has obviously never been to the Magic Kingdom.

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    1. Oh, Kim! Your comment made my day! Pixie Dust for Burt. Thank you for reading the Williams Family Blog!

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  15. Poor Burt... Those pics aren't bragging and neither is the blog. Its information for people that actually LOVE Disney World and the whole experience.... Ok anyway that is an awesome story thank you for sharing it! Our next trip is Sept of 2014 and I am hoping that we can get picked! If nothing else Disney World is an amazing place weather you open it or not! My family (all five of us) can't wait for our next trip! Thank you for sharing!

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    1. You will be there before you know it. . . right in the middle of the magic. Wishing you a wonderful trip, full of memories! Thanks for reading!

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  16. What a great experience!!!Your family certainly has a great time!! Thanks for posting all the fun pictures and tips.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, we do have a great time! How can you not in the most magical place on earth!?!

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  17. Your Disney Adventures are amazing! My husband, daughter and I are going July 2014 to celebrate 10 years of marriage! I can only dream to have an extra special experience while at Disney like some of yours!

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  18. rewilliams33, Hey, we will be back at our happy place in July, too! Hope you have a magical adventure. And, Happy Anniversary! Ours in July, too! Wishing you extra pixie dust!

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