MSEP "VIP" Seating

[Raineman]

My DW, DD and I had something happen to us at MK during our last trip in March that I had never heard of before, but it was such a great, unexpected bonus for us. We had gotten our spot for the MSEP, on the curb in the Hub, right next to the pathway that leads to the bridge to LS. Just before the parade starts, a CM says something to my wife, and we get up and she leads us to this area just off the path right in front of the Liberty Square sign. There were 4 white benches behind a rope, and we sat there, with no one else in that area, and watched the MSEP as it passed by on its way to LS. I don't know why we were chosen, but it was so great having that area to ourselves, not to mention that the characters in the parade all interacted with us in some way-one of the Seven Dwarfs came over and hugged my daughter, and when Captain Hook looked my way, I put my hand on my hips in a sort of classic Peter Pan pose, and he gave me the "I'm keeping my eyes on you" gesture, which kinda made me feel like a kid again.
Is this a common thing that CMs do for the parades? Has anyone else had this happen? I wish I would have gotten the name of the CM.

 

[marni1971]

Which side of the pathway ?

IIRC one side is roped for handicapped guests and the other for VIP. Or maybe it's just VIP.

Since you're the only guests there and for dozens of yards either side the interaction is indeed amazing.

 

[Raineman]

Which side of the pathway ?

IIRC one side is roped for handicapped guests and the other for VIP. Or maybe it's just VIP.

Since you're the only guests there and for dozens of yards either side the interaction is amazing.

This area, which is on your left as you approach the bridge to LS. The benches you see were lined up in two rows at the front of this area with a rope across the front. Definitely won't forget it.

 

[marni1971]

Definitely won't forget it.View attachment 148848

Same here. I saw my first Boo to You here.

 

[Tom]

I've often seen people sitting there, but always assumed it was handicapped seating. That would be a fantastic way to watch the parade.

 

[Raineman]

I've often seen people sitting there, but always assumed it was handicapped seating. That would be a fantastic way to watch the parade.

It really felt like it was a personal parade, just for us, with no one else around us. I think maybe the CM saw the pained expression on my face from sitting on the curb, and felt sorry for me

 

[epcotisbest]

It really felt like it was a personal parade, just for us, with no one else around us. I think maybe the CM saw the pained expression on my face from sitting on the curb, and felt sorry for me

I don't want to rain on your parade (pun intended), but it could have been preplanned that whomever was sitting in the exact spot you were in at that exact time were the ones to get the magical upgrade. Seems like a fair way to me. I have had to pick the lucky recipient of something like that at a couple of local fund-raising events and that is the way we did. To make it fair and random, whomever is sitting in seat number xxx is the winner and then the seat number was chosen randomly before guests arrive.
Still magical no matter how you got picked.

 

[Raineman]

I don't want to rain on your parade (pun intended), but it could have been preplanned that whomever was sitting in the exact spot you were in at that exact time were the ones to get the magical upgrade. Seems like a fair way to me. I have had to pick the lucky recipient of something like that at a couple of local fund-raising events and that is the way we did. To make it fair and random, whomever is sitting in seat number xxx is the winner and then the seat number was chosen randomly before guests arrive.
Still magical no matter how you got picked.

Hey, even if they played "eenie, meenie. miney, mo" to pick us, I would be good with that. It was definitely one of my best ever experiences at WDW.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I've seen CM's "magic up" guests many times. She might have been impressed by how you looked/ interacted as a family, your daughter might have done something cute that got the CM's attention, or she just like something about you. It's great that Disney allows CM's to have the freedom to surprise random guests and add to their Disney memories. Youll never forget being the chosen ones that day. And youll be more likely to experience a Disney trip again because of it.

 

[BrittanyRose428]

When I worked at LMA we were able to choose guests at random to sit in directors chairs if they weren't reserved before the show started, so I imagine it's something similar.