Christmas Parade Taping FAQ : Crowds / Dates / Etc

[beattyfamily]

Which are the celebrity tapings on Friday? We've only been when they are doing the floats on Saturday which was NUTS. The celebrity part definitely interests me though.

I agree that I think when the park hits capacity everyone gets turned away - maybe if you have and ADR you get in but last July 4 it was closed due to capacity and they weren't letting anyone go in at all from what I'd heard.

Well, when I was there in 2005 they were taping the celebrities in front of the Castle. I caught John Hurley and Vanessa Williams. I was able to get right up front for a photo of Vanessa and that was after arriving to that area of the park at 12:00p.

The taping days can vary and it's usually done over 3 - 5 consecutive days. I remember reading last year that Beyonce was there for her taping on the Wednesday before the first Saturday in December. It's really taped a few days around the first Saturday in December.

As it gets closer (I believe it will be about mid-November), they will release the stars who will be in the parade. It's just too early.

Last year, DVC members and AP holders were invited to be in the audience (they must commit to standing there so many hours and dress festive and then they get a free ticket to enter MK) the beginning of November. Regular folks can also stand in front of the castle (as I did) but these folks are committed to standing there a certain amount of time.

Regarding park closing due to capacity, they close the parks in phases and they start with closing the parking lot and they go from there. I believe they also won't let you in even if you have an ADR if the park is closed so if you have an ADR, you have to get in the park early and stay!

Hope this helps!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Note to whoover asked about returning....If you are a resort guest, you are never turned away from any park.....one of the perks I guess.

Not true.. I'm afraid.

There are four stages to park closure.. The difference between stage 2,3 and then 4 is usually about 45-75 minutes (depending). And then NOBODY is allowed in.

Resort guests are supposedly guaranteed access to "a" park but that may not necessarily be the park where they wanted to go.

Please note: Having an ADR is of no consequence when they have these staged closures. That won't guarantee you access either.

Hope this helps,

Knox



From CM Cheshire Figment..

There are four phases of closing for each park. Note that when people exit through the turnstiles, it will lower the "in park" count at the Park's Operations Office.

Phase 1 - The toll booths are closed to everything except Disney buses and CMs on duty.

Phase 2 - All ticket sales stops. Unless you already have a ticket in hand you are not allowed in.

Phase 3 - Only Resort Guests and Annual Passholders are allowed in. If you are staying at a Disney Resort and do not have your tickets encoded on the room key you may be asked for ID. (If the tickets ae encoded on your room key, or you have an AP the biometrics must match.)

Phase 4 - The parks are closed to everyone.

 

[MsPlutoNJ]

I guess making an itenerary wasn't the way to go during this week. I will just have to wing it if I can't get into MK the days I want to. Maybe I will see a few stars. Everybody enjoy your trip.

 

[beattyfamily]

I guess making an itenerary wasn't the way to go during this week. I will just have to wing it if I can't get into MK the days I want to. Maybe I will see a few stars. Everybody enjoy your trip.

Like I said the parade taping doesn't really affect crowds except on Main Street. You WILL be able to get in to MK on parade taping days. It will not fill to capacity.

 

[cmash95]

last year if you weren't part of the crowd for the parade , they opened up backstage for you to get around the crowds. the rest of MK is open to everyone just not mainstreet.

 

[Zippiteeee]

Note to whoover asked about returning....If you are a resort guest, you are never turned away from any park....

They will turn you away. The thing is that they allow for "extra people" who are on there way traveling by Disney transprotation. So when off site resort guests are turned away, they still allow a couple thousand (not sure of exact number) to still enter from resort areas.

 

[ppjluvsdvc]

We have tickets for MVMCP on Fri, Nov 30. How late do they tape and keep Main street blocked off? It always seems when you see the parade on TV that it seems to be taped early in the morning from the way the sun hits the buildings. Do they start earlier than Park opening? Do they ever give any kind of schedule?

 

[beattyfamily]

We have tickets for MVMCP on Fri, Nov 30. How late do they tape and keep Main street blocked off? It always seems when you see the parade on TV that it seems to be taped early in the morning from the way the sun hits the buildings. Do they start earlier than Park opening? Do they ever give any kind of schedule?

Yes, a schedule of events/celebrities will come out toward the end of November.

No, they will not tape the float portion on that Friday of MVMCP. They usually do the Main Street float taping on Saturday. Main Street is blocked off then, although you can walk through to the back of the park. You just can't stop and watch.

The Friday taping is usually on the Castle front and usually done by mid-afternoon. It's usually a couple of songs by a celebrity and Main Street is NOT blocked off. It will NOT interfere with MVMCP.

 

[streudel423]

I'm hoping it'll the weekend of Dec 2, because we are hoping to visit MK Friday Dec 8.

 

[ppjluvsdvc]

beattyfamily Thanks for the info. Nice to hear from another Massachusetts DISer.

 

[lordmadcow]

Just wondering if anyone knows if it is confirmed that taping will start Fri, Nov 30th? We are considering delaying our trip home a few hours to catch a glimpse! We are driving so it isnt a big deal.

 

[carcam51]

I would like to know this too. We will be there through December 2nd. This is our fisrt trip during the holiday season...not sure if we want to do this or not

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've merged your questions with a thread from earlier today that has as much as we collectively know at this point.

Knox

 

[becka]

Are there any rumors about the castle shows they might tape on Friday? We don't have any definite plans for that day (it is our last day there and we are going to wing it) but if it was someone good we might try to swing by. DS hopes it is Hannah Montana.

 

[lordmadcow]

I have high hopes for Hannah Montana too....My three princesses would be beyond thrilled!

 

[beattyfamily]

Hannah Montana did the parade last year and this year she is VERY busy with her nationwide concert. I can't imagine she'd do it again this year but you never know.

 

[aprincess'smommy]

We are arriving on Dec 1. We are driving and most likely after checking in and everything we won't make it to MK until around 3 or 4pm. I am hoping that we will miss all the stress that the parade creates that day. I have planned MK for Sunday Dec 2 with ADR's inside the park. How bad is the taping usually that day?? Will it be better??? Please let me know!!! Thanks in advance

 

[Robo]

We are arriving on Dec 1. We are driving and most likely after checking in and everything we won't make it to MK until around 3 or 4pm. I am hoping that we will miss all the stress that the parade creates that day. I have planned MK for Sunday Dec 2 with ADR's inside the park. How bad is the taping usually that day?? Will it be better??? Please let me know!!! Thanks in advance

Nobody knows until the production begins.
If they have had any problems or rain on the prior day, it can mean a lot of extra time spent shooting the program in the second (or third) day.

Again, the SHOOTING on Main Street will not interfere too much with your enjoyment of the rest of MK.
Its only after the shooting, when all the crowd ("extras") leave Main Street and head for the rest of the park when it can get much busier.

When will that happen?

1pm? 3pm? 5pm?
It all depends on the situation of the production.

 

[dadof2]

We'll be there on the 1st. We have an 8:05 ADR for Crystal Palace, hope to get there pretty early.

 

[goofy4tink]

Early on Sat morning, before the park ever opens, those who have been preselectet to be on Main St. for the parade taping are given their 'spots' along the street. So...when the park opens to the regular guest, the guests are usually directed to the other lands by way of the shops. The sidewalks are usually roped off so that they can control who is there for the taping. Once you get to the other lands (Fantasy, Frontier, Adventure, ToonTown) you will find the crowds to be as you would normally expect.
But...throughout the day they will be taping other 'acts' throughout the park. You may come across an impromptu stage set up, with an act being taped for the Christmas show.
I was there for a taping in front of the castle on Friday morning...wasn't chosen for the Sat parage taping (those spots went very fast!!), but when I went to MK on the Sat that they taped the parade, I arrived around 3ish. The parade taping was done, and there were other acts being taped. It was crowded, but no more so than a regular Sat afternoon/evening in MK.