2005 Christmas Parade for TV

[mcbj]

I've heard that the Christmas Parade is taped on the first Saturday of December. When making my CP ADR today I asked the CM for any details. To her knowledge last years parade was taped at 5 AM and she is not sure how people were selected to watch. Curious has anyone been at the taping of past Christmas Parades?

 

[crow11ad]

I've heard that the Christmas Parade is taped on the first Saturday of December. When making my CP ADR today I asked the CM for any details. To her knowledge last years parade was taped at 5 AM and she is not sure how people were selected to watch. Curious has anyone been at the taping of past Christmas Parades?

In December we arrived on 12-4-04 and staying at WL. We found out that they do the taping the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at MK. I don't know about 5am. Cause when you watch the parade on Christmas morning, it is really birght for being 5am. I know that they do rope off Main Street. You can still get by, but you won't be able to walk down Main Street really. We avoided MK that weekend, because we knew it would be busy. Just think of it this way. Everyone is trying to be on tv. Maybe the rides would be free of lines.. Oh wait who am I kidding..

But honestly, early December is one of the best times to visit WDW.

 

[zurgswife]

The taping of the parade starts about the time the park opens.. They need crowds for the shots it wouldn't make any sense to start at 5am. They might have the crew there at 5am. It takes all day and possibly 2 to tape the 1 show.

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

We were there last year, on that Saturday. It was early afternoon and there was taping going on, we got to see Regis and Kelly, John Stamos, and a few other celebs riding in the cars for their part in the parade.

 

[goofy4tink]

Since I'll be solo this trip I may just head over to MK that Sat and see how it goes. I love watching this type of stuff. I've been an extra in a movie so I know how tedious it can be. But I love watching the more technical stuff and the logistics. And without anyone with me, I can pretty much just sit in one place for hours on end if I choose to. So, anyone that has been there, done that....any suggestions for me as to how best to go about being there and watching? I don't 'need' to be up close and personal but I sure would like to watch it over the hours.

 

[Minnie824]

Does anyone know who will be there as far as disney channel stars? We're leaving that Fri, but would be tempted to stay another day if Raven was around....dd LOVES Raven.

 

[ms.ojo]

I need a 2nd day at MK during our trip and it has to be either Friday 12/2 or Sat 12/3! I was going to go on the Friday, EE...and get out by noon. But now I'm concerned even it will be over run w/ people wanting to see the taping and hard to get around the park. We've never done EE as my kids are better getting the extra hr sleep....so maybe I should just stick w/ going Sat morning and being out by noon. Suggestions???

 

[blessedby3]

Does anyone know the exact dates of the parade this year? Our last day in the parks is December 2nd and we were going to hit MK for our last day. I would hate to run into all the people who would want to be there for taping- now I am nervous thinking about the crowds. Can anyone tell me if they will be taping for sure on the 2nd and for how long does it last? I am also afraid this will be the most crowded park that day because of all the people coming for the taping and then staying afterwards.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Ok I will say the taping will take place the 2-4 of Dec. With the commentary being done on the 3rd. They will take the best visual from those 3 days and chop it and that is what you see on TV. The extra's are brought in from the local area, it usually runs in the Orlando Sentinal about 3 weeks before the taping. They are then bussed in and put in a specific spot on the route and they will stay there majority of the day. And then once they are finish they can remain in the park. The filming is usually a ALL day event. Usually starts filming around 10-10:30 and doesnt get finish till around 3:30 in the afternoon or later. Its not a continious parade as normal, and not even in order. The will bring a certain float out and tape it in one spot them move and tape it in a different spot. Then one that one is finished they bring out another section of the parade.

The commentary (usually Regis and Kelly) are done in different locations each year. Last year it was at the end of Main Street right in front of Casey Corner. Year before they where in the courtyard to the right in front of the Plaza Pavilion in the grass area.

Actually it is a real good time to go to the parks. This is traditionally the slowest weekend of the year for Disney. Only place that is crowded is Main St with the taping but other than that the park and wait times are very low.

Also they section off the front of the rows for the extra's the have brought in for the taping so it stays constant. There are very few places you can stand and see. Thats so the keep the filming of each shot the same with the same people in the background.

 

[ms.ojo]

Thank you VERY much!!!! This is one of the most complete replies on this subject!!!! So VERY helpful!!!!! Thank you!!

I've been trying to decide whether to get up for EE on Friday 12/2 or to go to MK on Sat 12/3. My plan would be to just hit a couple of our key areas for the 1st few hours of the park and then get out. (Though Sat night we'll probably come back for Spectro and FW) I guess either day would work ok...but maybe better to do Friday and have that extra early hour.

Thank you again! This question has been asked by so many people, in diff't ways, and yours is the 1st really detailed reply.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

If you have any other questions ask away. We have been to the taping for the past 4 years.

 

[ms.ojo]

Sounds like a real treat if you are a local resident and can "see" the park on other days easily so this is all about the parade!

will have to think it through a bit. I'm afraid Sat evening's FW & Parade will be mobbed w/ all the regular tourists plus these "parade patrons" who stood around all day for the taping. But since MVMCP is also going on during our stay, our only other night for MK FW and parade would be Wed...and that's an EMH night so it would be crowded too.

But at least it sounds like during the day (esp the morning) when we'd be touring, either Fri or Sat should be OK for the MK.

One question....do they then show the "regular" parade at 3:30???? That would mean at some point they must stop filming, clear out main street and then set up a full parade route to let everyone see the "regular" parade??? Or for those 3 days is there no afternoon parade???

Thanks for your help!

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Actually now that you mention it I think they do shoot for 3:30 to be done with the taping so they can have the regular parade. And the ones that are there for the filming usually ride a couple ride and get something to eat and then head out. Cause they have to catch a special bus to there parking lot. These parade patrons are only about 200-300 people. And that in Disney terms is about a 2 min wait time.

 

[DebbieB]

I think it was 2 years ago that we were there and they pushed the afternoon parade, spectromagic and the fireworks all back 1 hour due to taping delays. We arrived in the evening to see the fireworks and the second spectromagic, only to find that the first spectromagic had not started yet. Worked out good because we found a spot near the horse barn right before it started.

Keep in mind that I don't think it is official that these will be the tape days this year. We were there in 2001 and they taped it on a Thursday. The 2 years before that they taped it at night and showed it Christmas Eve or Christmas night (the year that Susan Sullivan and Jerry VanDyke were cohosts, it was bad).