Christmas Parade Audience

[Nanax3]

Has anyone been to this before? I am taking my three grandchildren ages 4,5, and 9 and would like any advice I can get about how to entertain them during wait times, etc. Do they offer seats?

 

[dsnymomof4]

We attended the 2nd day of taping last year and there is a LOT of standing around involved. We did get to see the whole run-through of the Christmas parade, so that was really neat. It was a unique experience. I am glad that we did it. But unfortunately, no, they do not offer seats.

 

[Fsued123]

We'll be at WDW for this year's taping (12/1) in the DVC area. Has anyone been in the DVC preferred area in previous years, or is this the first year DVC has had an area?? If so, what kind if any seating will they offer?

 

[goofy4tink]

I was there for the Friday early morning taping in front of the Castle last year. A huge amount of just standing around time, with interspersed entertainment. After 3 hrs in one spot, my back/knees/ankles started killing me, so I had to leave.
I don't believe there is any seating, it is all 'on your feet'...that's the big reason I won't be doing it again. I did see a ton of little ones getting really bored..not sure what I can suggest to occupy them.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'll be there for that weekend. Does anyone know the times for the tapings on each day ? Also, while they are taping, can u pass through on Main Street or is it blocked off to foot traffic ? I was in WDW during Dec last in 1998 and just don't recall how it was handled. Thanks.

 

[Donna]

I'll be there for that weekend. Does anyone know the times for the tapings on each day ? Also, while they are taping, can u pass through on Main Street or is it blocked off to foot traffic ? I was in WDW during Dec last in 1998 and just don't recall how it was handled. Thanks.

I believe the taping times are 7-noon. At least thats the times on the tape info sheet that was sent out. I think you'll have no problem getting through the stores (easier than the sidewalks). In the past, i've found the MK to be very uncrowded since most of the goings on are in the front of the park. I am just wondering where Johnny Depp is going to be!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks Donna ! We'll be looking for Johnny too !

 

[Fsued123]

I hate to sound ungrateful for the opportunity to attend the taping of the entertainment for the Christmas Parade. But OH MY! I will NEVER do it again!!

We arrived before 7, just as instructed. It was myself, my dd (age 5) and one other adult along with her 5 year old son. We waited in a "line" (more like a crowd/mob) for almost an hour before being walked to the castle. They crowded us so close together that I couldn't even bend my knees (I am not even exaggerating!!) I had to stand firm on the ground to keep the people (mob) behind us from pushing us over the front line (we were in the very front). If we hadn't been in the front, it would have been even worse b/c the kids wouldn't be able to see anything but the people all around us. They didn't want kids on people's shoulders. (even if they did, it's not like you could do that for over 5 hours)! We stayed until about 8:30. During that time frame, we saw one big chorus rehearse for about 5-10 minutes.

I couldn't believe how unbelievably RUDE so many of the DVC members were. There were so many pushy people there. And, as I mentioned above, people were literally pushing to make room for themselves. Others were literally pushing to get their way up closer to the front. Our party got split up when my friend tried to park the stroller. She ended up a few people behind me, but nobody would or could make room for her to come up and join myself & her son.

Very disappointing to say the least. You would think, with all of the money & business we give to Disney, that they could come up with a better, more enjoyable experience.

Anybody else go? What were your thoughts?

Wendy (Tom's wife)

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Your experiences aren't unique to being in the DVC section. The producers want that packed feel on camera. Watching a show taping is a lot of hurry-up-and-wait.

I'm sorry you had such a poor experience. It's a fairly typical report of the Christmas parade taping.

 

[Doctor P]

Sorry about your experience, but I think it really is what I would have expected going in. Doesn't make it right or pleasant, but I think that is probably pretty much the way it is done and even intended.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm sorry it was such a disappointing experience. My only experience of a taping was WWTBAM at MGM over MLKjr weekend last year. At least we were sitting, eventually, but we wouldn't do it anything like that again. I guess experience is the best teacher. .... Yet, there were people who did seem to be enjoying themselves, but in your situation, how could anyone be having fun??
Bobbi

 

[TAKitty]

I hate to sound ungrateful for the opportunity to attend the taping of the entertainment for the Christmas Parade. But OH MY! I will NEVER do it again!!

We arrived before 7, just as instructed. It was myself, my dd (age 5) and one other adult along with her 5 year old son. We waited in a "line" (more like a crowd/mob) for almost an hour before being walked to the castle. They crowded us so close together that I couldn't even bend my knees (I am not even exaggerating!!) I had to stand firm on the ground to keep the people (mob) behind us from pushing us over the front line (we were in the very front). If we hadn't been in the front, it would have been even worse b/c the kids wouldn't be able to see anything but the people all around us. They didn't want kids on people's shoulders. (even if they did, it's not like you could do that for over 5 hours)! We stayed until about 8:30. During that time frame, we saw one big chorus rehearse for about 5-10 minutes.

I couldn't believe how unbelievably RUDE so many of the DVC members were. There were so many pushy people there. And, as I mentioned above, people were literally pushing to make room for themselves. Others were literally pushing to get their way up closer to the front. Our party got split up when my friend tried to park the stroller. She ended up a few people behind me, but nobody would or could make room for her to come up and join myself & her son.

Very disappointing to say the least. You would think, with all of the money & business we give to Disney, that they could come up with a better, more enjoyable experience.

Anybody else go? What were your thoughts?

Wendy (Tom's wife)

Thanks for posting. I had thought that this might be something that I would like to do; however, my dh would never stay if it was crowded like that. I think this might be one experience I will skip.

 

[Donna]

I was at the DVC taping the taping of the actual parade the next day (major fiasco). I had somewhat of a different experience. We were definitely packed in like sardines but our cm leader had everyone take a step back and give everyone space and it got much better. We got to know everyone in our little area and anyone that had little kids, we let them go to the front (we were right up front too). We had an adorable little snow white right in front of us and they all made a big deal over her, even put her up on the stage. she will get tv time for sure! We stayed til after the american idol singers were done and it was a really fun time. We would definitely do it again. on the OTHER hand, the taping the next day of the parade, a TOTALLY different crowd!
The crowd consisted of AP holders, cast members, and groups of kids from some talent agency. This was a mob disaster from the word go. People were fighting over curb space, cast members were rude to guests, kids running all over the street to get pom poms for the high school musical segment - not every kid could get one so it wasn't pretty! stage mom's do NOT take it well when their kid isn't included! i will NEVER do this particular taping again. The cm's at the turnstiles were not even checking to see if everyone had the proper voucher to even get in. the crowd got tired of standing waiting to be let in and they just mobbed the CM's and the cm's said, heck with it, just go. it was just so poorly handled. In comparison, the DVC crowd was a much better behaved group!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have to agree, the talent performances on Friday were WAY more fun than the parade taping on Saturday. DVC members were a way nicer group than AP holders...... I belong to both groups, and that was my experience.

On Saturday, MK was so mobbed they were bring day guests inside in groups of 75 or so, and bringing them aorund to the backside of Main Street, to allow them access to the MK park. This was happening around noon-2pm from what we could see.