christmas show taping

[ROBINHOOD1]

does anyone know where christmas parade is filmed?

 

[kilee]

Usually the first Saturday in Dec, personally I haven't heard anything official-- someone may have though.

 

[DisneyChristmas]

We've been there twice during filming. Both times it was the 2nd Saturday of December. I'd guess that it's weather-dependent. We were unaware of any general announcement within the resort and just happened to discover that it was taping day when we got to MK. The first time I wanted to tape the parade from the curb. Since a person with a camcorder stuck to her face doesn't make for good TV, we sat just off camera in the circle outside of Tony's. If you've ever watched on TV, the people on Main Street are standing. There are some breaks in the progress of the parade while the taping occurs to get special acts lined up, camera angles, etc. That's a lot of standing. Because the Santa finale includes special dancers, etc for TV taping, there's a big break as Santa hits the bottom of Main Street. Being part of the parade is fun, though it can be tiring and take longer than you expect.

 

[Pea Picker]

We have seen the taping of the Christmas parade twice, both times have been the first full weekend of December. I would guess that this year they will be taping at the MK on Saturday 12/4/04. Main Street will be packed that day for a big part of the day.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I'll be there 12/5-12/15 so I might make it! That's if they tape it on the 11th. It seems like it would be fun to be there for the taping, but it might ruin the magic of how it is really done. When you see it on TV it seems really amazing.

D4D

 

[disrailfan]

We were there last year and saw the taping of the parade and the taping the following Saturday of Enrique Eglasias(sp). There are things being taped through the week of Thanksgiving and the first couple of weekends in December.

It was interesting seeing the taping of this parade and then watching it on Christmas Day. The chearleading that goes on during the taping is awesome and they move you around the different areas on Main street when they are taping certain segments. The park (MK) was not crowded at all that day since it seemed everyone was more interested in being in the show.

It is neat to see at least once.

 

[Terk-1]

They tape parts of the parade up and down Main Street, as well as special spots in other parks.

There was another thread on these boards talking about the taping of the parade. I've been down to WDW the last 2 years during that time. Not to discourage, but let me give you a heads up regarding this.

"I've gone to WDW the day after Thanksgiving through the first week of December for the past 2 years. The parade is taped the first weekend of December. I'm not trying to deter anyone from viewing it, but let me fill you in on a few secrets regarding this. The first year I watched it, they made calls to people's rooms stating that something special was happening, but last year they required people to sign up ahead of time and you needed to get a tag for around your wrist. I think they were trying to discourage Joe & Jane tourist and get more people from within the company to be there.

1. The parade is taped in pieces over the entire weekend, which means they could be taping the ending first and the beginning last or in the middle.

2. All of the singing and music is pre-taped. Also, filming is being done prior to the parade at Disneyland as well. We were told that the Wiggles would be there last year and then found out that they had pre-taped their portion at another location prior to this taping.

3. They will tape a specific segment over and over and over again. You can bet you will see the same thing repeated for at least 1/2 hour to 1 1/2 hours.

4. If you plan on viewing parts of the parade, plan on blowing an entire day doing it. Once you move from your spot, don't bet on it being there when you return.

5. The parade is taped in various locations around WDW.

6. Most of the "stars" won't approach people along the sidewalks for pictures or autographs, so don't be disappointed. For example, last year Clay Aiken did not go anywhere near people along the walks, but rather stayed with an assistant in the middle of the street. He also barely acknowledged people along the walks too. However, Wayne Brady did speak to some people while they were waiting for a restart. He was on top of a float however. Also, they corner off Regis & Kelly and don't allow people around their seating area.

As much "fun" as it was to view the first time, I found myself growing tired the second time by around 1pm (they had only taped about 3-4 segments starting early that morning) and left.

I did find some cm's a bit rude last year, compared to the year before. The staff had a group of 6 employees sit and stand in front of myself and another group that had been waiting for like an hour. They were extremely rude and kept making comments about how Disney should close off the park for taping days and not allow people like this into the park. Ok, that pretty much did it for me. I began speaking to the group next to me (we had already struck up a nice conversation) about how rude some cast members are and about how if it were not for "us people", they would not have a job here. Also, the family next to me "accidentally" spilled there drink on the sidewalk and the rude cm's got up and left in a huff.

I think if Disney does not want guests at the parade or they want to be more selective about who they invite, then they need to be taping this parade either very early in the morning before the park opens or after the park closes during the week.

 

[suerob]

disrailfan - What time of day were you there? We were there from open until about 2 and park was EXTREMELY crowded. We found the lines to be very long at the attractions. I'm glad that Terk-1 clarified that the filming is not where you just sit down on Main Street and watch a 2 hr parade while they tape it. I'm sure many people go to MK that day thinking that's what it will be and then they're disappointed when they get there. I actually liked watching it and we did get to be on tv for the finale but it truly is not a day for people that are interested in doing all the attractions and especially first-timers because it will be chaotic and you won't get to just walk down Main Street like normal. So if it's your first time and you want that picture on Main Street in front of the castle, you may want to go another day.

 

[disneyfan551]

We were unfortunately at MK last year during the taping and I swore I wouldn't do it again... However, I was lucky enough to get a CRT ps for Dec. 4th at 8:10, which I later realized falls on the 1st Saturday in December! I'm tickled pink about the early CRT ps, but I'm thinking about parkhopping that day (which we have NEVER done!!!).