Christmas Parade Taping

[loveDmouse]

Have any of you guys ever tried to be a part of this? If so can you share your experiences?

We will be there during that time period this year and I thought it would be neat to try it out. I know it will be crazy but I thought it would be cool to see some of the stars and maybe even see us on TV on Christmas Day.

I know it is a ways away but I LOVE to plan.

Thanks guys!

 

[des1954]

Have any of you guys ever tried to be a part of this? If so can you share your experiences?

We will be there during that time period this year and I thought it would be neat to try it out. I know it will be crazy but I thought it would be cool to see some of the stars and maybe even see us on TV on Christmas Day.

I know it is a ways away but I LOVE to plan.

Thanks guys!

I can't remember exactly which month it is taped in, but I think either September or October. We viewed only one hour one year. It's very boring. They move the parade about 10 feet, back it up, move it again - like about 20 times before moving to the next 10 foot segment. If I'm not mistaken, the park is closed when the stars are being filmed. All you will get to see are a bunch of cast members milling around for hours on end. Don't plan a trip or a day at the MK just to do this.

 

[loveDmouse]

They tape the parade the first weekend in December. It would be something we would check out and if it was too much for us we will go back to the Fort or another park.

Last year for the first time (I understand) they offered some kinda pass that you signed up for online (WDW website). My understanding from people on the Theme Park board is that anyone can get in. Some people were talking about the different acts and showing pics. Maybe things have changed since you were there for the taping.

Thanks for the input.

 

[des1954]

No....it's way before the 1st week of December. There is too much editing that needs to be done before the broadcast. I'm not sure what the CB is talking about, but they tape the actual parade during park hours - so anyone can see it. We've been there several years while they were taping. Just actually watched it one time....BORING. They post signs at the entrance to the MK that filming is going on & if you do not wish to chance being on TV, don't enter the park. That disclaimer is so Disney will not be liable should a lawsuit be filed.

Now, maybe there are passes available for the times the stars are actually there, and that's what the CB people are referring to. The taping of the "stars" is done when the park is closed - for obvious reasons. The "parade watchers" during those segments are actually CM's who volunteer to do this. I've heard the music drifting over Bay Lake when the MK's been closed due to filming.

 

[Gatordad]

it's gotta be after they put up the Christmas Decorations.... They can't film it in July.

 

[ctot216]

No, it really is the first week in December! I've been several times as both CM and guest The "stars" who perform in the parade is done during park hours- but like you said, the specials with stars performing (maybe in front of castle) is possibly after park hours (I don't know).

Regis and Kelly are there during park hours though.

It is VERY tedious and tends to get boring! haha. They bring out one float at a time, shoot, cut, back up the float, and start over again.

I don't know how it was last year- my parents were there and they said it was packed and nuts (they didn't watch any of it). But before (a few years ago as CM) we had to sign up for passes and had special bracelets. But all around us we noticed tons of people without them, so who knows. That's the only time I actually stood and watched it. But I've been there other times as a guest without watching- the park will be busy, and navigating mainstreet is crazy and takes a while.

 

[des1954]

Pete - they film segments of the parade before December, and before the decorations are up. Been there, done that, been bored. I know in 2003 they were filming in October because we pulled into FtW for our 4 month stay in the middle of October - two weeks before I retired from Vz (you never forget that day in your life - LOL). That's the second year we saw the taping. First time was in 2001 when we were camping the first weekend in October.

We also saw it being filmed a couple of times since, before Thanksgiving - like about 2 weeks before. They don't do it all at one time - and they do a lot of filming at night & in the early morning. You can hear the music & if you go to the balcony outside the CR, the park is lit up like it was daytime.

Perhaps they were doing all the close-up work? Who knows. This I do know....it's boring.

 

[ntsammy5]

Pete - they film segments of the parade before December, and before the decorations are up. Been there, done that, been bored.

You're getting old - remember we went to MK in early December 2007 and saw them taping? It was super crowded and we had to go in behind Main St and saw that Christmas show in the outdoor theater?

 

[des1954]

You're getting old - remember we went to MK in early December 2007 and saw them taping? It was super crowded and we had to go in behind Main St and saw that Christmas show in the outdoor theater?

Yes, I remember that. However, they do not tape the entire parade in one day or even two or three days. They tape at various times during the fall because they cannot depend on weather conditions in December. I think that's referred to as a "back-up" plan!! When they do early taping, they only set up in certain areas of the MK to tape. It's not the same as the days they try to tape the entire parade.

They may not do this now, but they have done it that way in the past. Just stating what I experienced. And it's still boring!

 

[ntsammy5]

That skater looks bored out of her mind! It is kind of neat when they blow up the castle though!

 

[des1954]

I know Al's picture was taken in December 07 cause I was with him.....BUT.... does anyone see any Christmas decorations in this picture??? Also notice how the CM's holding the balloon are all seated on the ground - and all the maintenance CM's in front of the brick building to the right are talking to one another - and what looks to be a "billy-goat vac" in that same area? This is normal. They film for about 5-10 minutes, back up, film again, repeat repeatedly. BORING!!!

 

[ntsammy5]

. BORING!!!

EXCEPT, when they blow up the castle.

It was boring and crowded. They were also passing out beads and trying to get women to ..... oh wait - that was someplace else. Never mind.

 

[2goofycampers]

So Deb, would you say it was boring ?

 

[ntsammy5]

So Deb, would you say it was boring ?

Except when they blow up the castle!!!!!!!!

 

[2goofycampers]

Except when they blow up the castle!!!!!!!!

Got a pic?

 

[seabee]

We were there for the taping in December 2006. What a ZOO! You could go to some site, I don't remember what it was, and get passes to be apart of the taping, as extras, for the parade(got you in the front) and the performers. However, you could be a part of the parade with out the passes, you were just in the back with the commoners, unless you found a way to squeeze in. You could also see some of the performances. It was done the first weekend in December, and the performers were filmed on that Thurs. and Fri. from 7 or 8 am until 11 or 12, if I remember the hours right. Of course you couldn't see the performers that started before the park opened unless you had the pass.(All the good ones were early) We did catch the end of the HSM cast, kind of. Like I said it was a ZOO. Thurs. and Friday's taping weren't that bad, but Saturday'sThe back side of MK(away from Main St.) was great until about 1pm or so. Then they stopped taping, and released the masses. That park filled up worse then 4th of July I swear. We had to leave, I couldn't stand it. Finished the day at EPCOT.

If you don't mind the crowds, and have nothing else to do or really just want to be a part of it, go ahead and try it. BUT, it really isn't that great. If anything I would try to watch for when the passes are being given for the performances, forget the parade. It's pretty much the same as the MVMCP anyway.



Ok, went back and found the site that gave the info on the taping passes, etc. It's the production company's site. Here ya go... http://lightshiptv.com/contact.htm

 

[ntsammy5]

Got a pic?

Sorry, debris from the castle broke the camera but it was spectacular. Debbie had to get 12 stitches in her head when Tink's wand hit her.

 

[ntsammy5]

I think the otters had something to do with it.

 

[2goofycampers]

Sorry, debris from the castle broke the camera but it was spectacular. Debbie had to get 12 stitches in her head when Tink's wand hit her.

So, Deb doesn't really remember this period of time and just thinks it was boring ? Did she sue Tink ?

 

[ntsammy5]

So, Deb doesn't really remember this period of time and just thinks it was boring ? Did she sue Tink ?

Yup - that's exactly what happened. The only bad thing was that they don't sell beer in the MK so I wasn't drunk!