Did anyone NOT have a horrible time doing MK the day of the Christmas parade taping?

[Shea&Van]

Nearly everywhere you look it seems like going to the MK on the day of the Christmas Parade taping is a horrible idea. I totally get it after reading about all the details.

However, I'm wondering if anyone has a positive experience to share? Have you done it just for the experience? Do you have any tips/tricks to share?

The parade taping day is our last day in WDW and we have a few traditions we typically do on our last day...one of which is going to the MK and riding one special ride as our last ride of the trip and then getting a good-bye picture with Mickey and Minnie on our way out. Would really like to keep the tradition going, but with all the advice to stay clear of the MK that day, I'm scared.

Thanks for any insight and remember it's nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice

I'd appreciate any feedback, but hope that everyone will respond kindly (with good or bad reports) and this doesn't turn into one of *THOSE* nasty threads.

Thanks so much!!!!!

 

[LCoulter]

We went during the parade taping a few years ago just because we wanted to experience it. It was the most crowded we have ever seen MK…it was grid locked on Main Street, the Hub and the walkways around the immediate area. It was interesting to see how they did the parade though and it wasn’t taped in the way I thought it would be.

We did try to avoid the main congestion the best we could and used the train to move between lands and to leave the park. We actually managed to do a walk-in lunch at Crystal Palace….it was grid locked all along that walkway though.

The ride lines were short but it was sometimes tough to get to a ride because of the congestion on the walkways. Most people were positioned to see the celebrities and the floats. We watched some from a distance, just to try to understand how it is filmed but we were more interested in the rides, moving around the park to ride but watching a little of what was going on with the parade. I think they had a walkway open behind Main Street through the back stage but I’m not sure….I think that our niece and MIL used that walkway when they left. We used the train.

I can’t remember why, but DH left the park to go to the car but was told that he may not be able to get back in because they were close to closing to capacity. He was able to get back in though.

It was an interesting experience and I’m glad we got to see it but I wouldn’t do it again. I would still go that time of year, just avoid MK on those days. Seeing it taped does take away some of the magic when you actually watch the parade on TV.

 

[jamiesmom07]

We have been there the last two years on parade taping day. Yes, it's congested on Main Street, Cinderella's Castle Main Stage and surrounding area. We did however enjoy seeing LOTS of cheerleaders, the giant green and red Mickey balloons, the paper boy skit at the train station etc.. It's fun to watch and then on Christmas Day relive all of it. It is the last day of our trip as well and we wouldn't change a thing. We stay in the back of the park typically, to ride all those rides and when we want to leave we exit through the gift shops as they are all connected, exactly what we do when leaving MK after the fireworks. It all depends what you want out of that day. By this time in our trip we have already stared at the castle with mouths agape, we have had our traditional 900 photopass pics in front of the castle, etc. This is usually the 3rd or 4th time we have been to MK. I hope someone else can chime in and give you their opinion. No matter where you go that day, HAVE A GREAT TIME!

 

[mrs.sammich]

Our last day of vacation was a day of the parade taping last year. There was a huge crowd just as you got past the train station. We did have to wait for the never-ending group of cheer leaders to go through the gates at the fire house area, but like a pp said, we then traveled through the gift shops and went to the back of the park. Honestly, we were so absorbed in what we wanted to do with our last hours there, that is all I remember of any crowd. It was cool to see the final product on Christmas Day.

 

[katrast]

When is it?

 

[Shea&Van]

Thanks for the feedback!!! Keep those opinions coming!

As far as I can tell, the concert portion of the parade will be taped on Friday, December 6. Most of the information I've seen regarding this seem to indicate that it will cause minor issues around the hub/castle, but the rest of the park will be okay.

The actual parade taping day is supposed to be Saturday, December 7. This is the date that most sites recommend staying far away from MK.

It's nice to hear that some folks have been and it hasn't been bone-crushingly awful and horrid

It's our last day and we're on the fence about doing it, soley for the experience of it as a spectator. It will be our 3rd MK day of the trip and I'm thinking we will have already covered all of our must-do things by that point.

Happy planning DisPals!

 

[Happyjen27]

We went on parade taping day last year, and it was fine. We were there at Rope Drop and well into Fantasyland by the time Main Street filled up. We rode everything we intended to with minimal waits.

By noon we were heading to the gates. It was tricky navigating Main Street with a double stroller, but we plodded along. While the sidewalk along the street was packed, it was possible to walk close to the buildings as long as we were fine with moving slow.

It was a thrill for the kids to see all the cheerleaders, and we did have a pause by the train station while we waited for them to exit. However, I consider that a bit of Disney Magic rather than an inconvenience.

Based on last year, I would never bother skipping MK on a parade taping day.

 

[~Kristina~]

We've been there three times during taping and didn't have any issues, we just avoided the area they were taping in.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

The parade taping day is our last day in WDW and we have a few traditions we typically do on our last day...one of which is going to the MK and riding one special ride as our last ride of the trip and then getting a good-bye picture with Mickey and Minnie on our way out. Would really like to keep the tradition going, but with all the advice to stay clear of the MK that day, I'm scared.

I have no parade taping experience, but the bolded part did catch my eye. Just so you know, Minnie no longer meets with Mickey in Town Square Theatre, so your good-bye picture will be with Mickey alone. Sorry to break the bad news!

 

[Shea&Van]

jtowntoflorida - this is such sad news! I absolutely love our pics with Mickey and Minnie.

What a huge bummer!!!

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone.

Have a happy day y'all!!!!