Christmas Parade Taping 12/2?

[cuels3]

We were planning on spending our last day (12/2) at MK but rumors are that the big Christmas parade is being filmed that day? Can anyone give me an idea on what to expect? Is there a time to go that's better than another on that day? We don't have hoppers...

 

[Robo]

We were planning on spending our last day (12/2) at MK but rumors are that

1- the big Christmas parade is being filmed that day?

2- Can anyone give me an idea on what to expect?

3- Is there a time to go that's better than another on that day? We don't have hoppers...

1- Yup.

2- Main Street will be a zoo. (There no rides on Main Street, anyway.)

3- Rides should be OK until mid-afternoon. Then, rides will be busy until 7PM, or so.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's not a rumor. The tapings are scheduled on December 2-3 but they'll be moved if it rains.

Expect crowds on main street and in front of the castle. Once the taping ends, those crowds will extend to the rest of the park. My group's planning on the 4th at MK so we are hoping it doesn't rain.

 

[stpats317]

That's our last day also, and we always spend our last day at MK. After reading here and other sites, I'm led to believe that it won't be too bad. If you're interested in the taping, the front of the park will be crowded but if not, stay to the back of the park and it shouldn't be too bad. Good luck and enjoy your trip

 

[Missytara]

I always take the train around to Frontierland and get off there, do the perimeter of the parks and hop on the train and go back to the entrance about 1:30 pm.

Then you see the entire crowd fan out as soon as the taping is over; it is pretty cool looking. But I would hate to be in the middle of it.

 

[cuels3]

Thanks everyone!

We really have no desire to be a part of the parade mess, so if we can bypass it and just ride the rides that would probably be best. Any idea what time they do the taping?

 

[serene56]

Is the taping of the parade ALWAYS the first weekend in December?

 

[TDC Nala]

Is the taping of the parade ALWAYS the first weekend in December?

As far as I can tell, yes.

 

[sukhakuli]

What's the deal with the ticket situation for the taping? We want to attend, but I haven't found where to get the tickets. I tried calling the Events line, but that didn't go anywhere. I send them an e-mail, and haven't heard anything back.

I read that this year they aren't doing tickets, you just show up early and hope? Does anyone know?

I also thought the parade was being taped on Dec 3, Saturday. Is that not the case?

 

[TDC Nala]

tickets are only being issued to Disney cast members, not to the general public. If you're not a cast member, you can stand with the crowd and watch.

Taping is scheduled to take place on both December 2 and December 3.

 

[Cocoamom]

Every year since they took it away from the agency that was doing it years ago we go through the same thing. We can't afford to go to Disney as a rule and wait for these tickets for that reason. Also we go with a group of people in the same situation and always try to give tickets to those who would never have the opportunity otherwise. Last year we took a family of 14 (12 children) who had adopted 8 children from Africa who had never experienced anything close to Disney.

I personally don't believe that they will have a big enough crowd without offering it to at least some of the public through their volunteer programs. It's my understanding from the previous years I've done it that they only offer it to the public through these programs not to the general public. What usually happens is the links get leaked and that is how the general public has gotten it.

A bit of advice, these days are very crowded! Imagine this crowd on top of a usual crowd for Disney. You can be part of the taping because they usually never have enough of a crowd but probably won't get close to the front. They film the same thing over and over for hours. When you get in with these tickets they expect you to be part of this for 4 hours. It's a great experience but for people with kids who aren't interested in this kind of thing or can't sit still for long it will make for a very long 4 hours. Also if you get tickets for the morning session you have to be there several hours before the park opens.

 

[WDSearcher]

I think the size and composure level of the crowd will largely be determined by what time Beiber is scheduled to perform ...

 

[Cocoamom]

Have they officially announced the performers yet? If so where did you find the information? It would seem like Justin Bieber would be too big of a ticket item and cause too much of an uproar for Disney to use him. That's just my opinion. Disney does have big named stars. We've seen Mariah Carey, Jonas Brothers and more but being that Disney has less of a crowd control than most venues because they are open to the public I don't see them trying to do Justin in the park itself. It would be cool if they did but very hard to be part of.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay.....to the best of my knowledge, and having the history of being down in WDW for several parade taping weekends...
Friday is not normally part of the actual 'parade' taping. Yes, there will be tapings going on, but they will be in front of the Castle for the most part. Been there, been part of those tapings several times. I've been in MK on Sat afternoon, after the actual parade taping was done. Won't ever do that again...talk about nightmarish crowds.
But, on Friday?? It just isn't a big deal. And I just can't see Disney taping the actual parade on two different days...they can't do that with the various acts and talent they have coming in. Yes, Sunday is a rain date...but it's not as if they finish up taping on a second day..it's all pretty much 'all or nothing'. So, go on Friday...it will be fine.

 

[Cocoamom]

We have done the Christmas Parade taping for 8 years now. Indeed they do tape for both days, Friday and Saturday and one year they did it on Thursday as well. Sunday is a rain make up day and we had to do that 2 years ago when the Jonas Bros were there. The past three years they taped the talent portions on Friday all day because each performance takes up to 4 hours to get the right one. On Saturday most of the parade is taped including floats, bands, cheerleaders and such. Again this is taped over and over until they get the right one, so if you are watching it won't be a full parade. The tickets are for the crowd for the taping so as such you get in free with free parking. This is to compensate you for your time of at least 4 hours. It's a fun thing to do and has been a great experience for our family as we can't afford the tickets for all. But as I said earlier it's time consuming if you have small children who don't understand or older kids who aren't interested in the entertainment or having to do the same thing over and over. We had to learn the same dance for 4 hours with the Jonas Bros and last year we sang along with Mariah Carey for 4 hours, with the first almost 3 hours as practice before she came out.

We started this through an agency that finds audiences for shows in the area. It was better then as the whole ticket setup was somewhat easier. Three years ago Disney decided to do it differently as I believe some people were being dishonest and copying the tickets and they wanted more control. Now the tickets are the same as the ones that are purchased online with bar codes and can't be copied. One thing you can't do with these is get the fastpass so if that is a plus for you, you definitely wouldn't want to use these.

Hopefully they will continue to do this for us folks who enjoy doing this.

 

[Cocoamom]

Has anyone heard anything more lately?

 

[stitch34]

I think the size and composure level of the crowd will largely be determined by what time Beiber is scheduled to perform ...

Have you read any mention of this? I think he's a likely candidate with the Christmas album out and they need someone big to tape still for that younger crowd.... We'll be there for parade taping and our friend's daughter with us is Bieber crazy.... kinda messes up our park schedule trying to get into MK IF he is going to be there.. so am hoping he's not.

 

[momtotnt]

Has anyone heard anything more lately?

http://www.employedbythemouse.com/2011/11/cast-member-christmas-parade-tickets.html

Looks like my family misses out this year.


Edit: & Bieber is just a rumor. Christina Aguilera is the headliner for the parade. (yes, even though she taped at DL)

 

[Cocoamom]

I'm still not giving up hope quite yet. We're Disney volunteers and one year we did get notification late. Having participated for about 8 years in the parade taping I just can't see how they would get enough people for the crowd from the cast members. They get in free all year round except for some black out dates and can take in friends with them. The only difference is that they may not be able to get in that early. I'm disappointed in Disney somewhat if they took this opportunity away from some who could get in no other way.