Christmas Parade taping... avoid it or seek it out?

[chris4disney]

We will be at WDW the 2nd weekend thru the 3rd weekend in November. My guess is that the Christmas Parade will be taped on one of those weekends... more likely the 2nd weekend. Tell me your experiences with being at Magic Kingdom when this is going on. Is it best to avoid the entire park when this is going on? Do we just avoid Main Street? Or is it worth the hassle to try and watch the whole production?

A little info about us... this trip will just be me and hubby. We've been to WDW 20+ times so we're to the point that we don't feel the need to ride every ride possible. We're fine with going at a slow pace and just soaking up the atmosphere. So with that, is parade taping something that would interest us? How does it affect that over crowd level of the park?

 

[Dave006]

My guess is that the Christmas Parade will be taped on one of those weekends... more likely the 2nd weekend.

The un-official until announced taping dates at MK are Nov. 9th and Nov. 10th.

Yes it is interesting to watch the chaos of the recording process turn into a final presentation on Christmas day. Your day will be disrupted at the MK but how many chances will you have to be there for this unique process.

ETA: remove old outdated information...

Dave

 

[OKW Lover]

The taping of the parade is actually very boring. They do a lot of re-takes which means moving the units back to a starting position and having them move forward again. All the while the crowd is expected to act really excited no matter how many takes.

And remember you'll only see the "parade" portion of what is actually a variety show with lots of special acts done elsewhere.

 

[FastPasser.]

The taping of the parade is actually very boring.

Having done crowd control for many of the tapings, I must agree. I stayed away as a Guest. It’s nothing like what most people envision.

 

[imbelle]

My sister's kids still tell her that she scarred them for life by taking them to a parade taping when they were young. They can't stand that Mariah Carey song to this day.

 

[lovethattink]

Couple years ago, my dh was cast in the audience and paid for it either through frontrunner casting or crowdshot. He got to see a few of the music tapings at the castle. And he was up front with a great view. He had fun!

 

[chris4disney]

Okay... so based on the responses I feel like probably avoiding the tapping is best. Especially since we are planning to go to a Christmas party later that week and will see the parade then. But my next question is... can we enjoy the rest of Magic Kingdom the day of tapping and just avoid Main Street? Or does the tapping of the parade overflow into other parts of the park like over in Liberty Square and Frontier land?

 

[OKW Lover]

But my next question is... can we enjoy the rest of Magic Kingdom the day of tapping and just avoid Main Street? Or does the tapping of the parade overflow into other parts of the park like over in Liberty Square and Frontier land?

Hard to say since we don't know just what segments will be included in the show. But I'd bet that there will be shooting scenes at Tiana's and Tron as well.

 

[chris4disney]

Hard to say since we don't know just what segments will be included in the show. But I'd bet that there will be shooting scenes at Tiana's and Tron as well.

Yes, that wouldn't surprise me. Our current plan was to be at MK first thing in the morning, then we have ADR's at 11:30 over at 1900 Park Fare. Might just have to park hop to somewhere else after lunch. We'll be at WDW for 10 days so it's not like that's the only day we'll be visiting MK.

 

[Joanna71985]

I went to the filming last year. I enjoyed watching the Christmas floats

 

[OKW Lover]

I went to the filming last year. I enjoyed watching the Christmas floats

Where did you watch from? How long were you there?

 

[jennypenny]

They record the acts elsewhere now? DD and I saw the Jonas brothers while they were taping the christmas special when she was a teen. It was kinda fun, but they did do a lot of retakes and never performed a song straight through.

 

[OKW Lover]

They record the acts elsewhere now?

No, they are usually recorded on location. They might not be done on the same day as the parade. They might also be done in a different park entirely.

 

[jtopp]

Avoid it. Other areas of the park are more accessible while everyone else is clamoring to experience the taping.

 

[thegreatdonaldo]

Disney Tourist Blog recently posted a very detailed story about the author's experience at a taping. I think it would be very helpful to read if you are still unsure about attending.

Here' s a link to the: Article

 

[scrappinginontario]

My cousin was in the MK last year the day they were recording the Christmas party and she said they had a great day! No regrets being there that day and that was the only day they had in the MK.

 

[Joanna71985]

Where did you watch from? How long were you there?

The Flagpole. I was there for over 5 hours

 

[chris4disney]

Disney Tourist Blog recently posted a very detailed story about the author's experience at a taping. I think it would be very helpful to read if you are still unsure about attending.

Here' s a link to the: Article

I did see that article the other day, thanks! It was informative.

 

[Boardwalk III]

Hi all,

I read recently that Disney’s Christmas parade will be filming at MK at WDW on Saturday & Sunday of Veterans Day weekend (@ 2 PM). Assuming this information is correct, does anyone know what to expect on those days? Can anyone line up for the parade or are there certain portions that are restricted due to filming, etc..

Many thanks!

 

[Dave006]

Please check this recent thread for the current discussion: https://www.disboards.com/threads/christmas-parade-taping-avoid-it-or-seek-it-out.3956048/

Dave