Don't Forget To Set the DVR!

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I found it pretty disappointing as well. I got so tired of listening to Robin Roberts and Tim Tebow talk about the college football playoffs while several floats went by behind them. And I though that the music was pretty bad.

 

[waltsdream]

We watched too and were also very disappointed, especially when it was just robin and Tim talking with the parades going by behind them in the background (caught a glimpse of Stitch, apparently that's enough). I know there's always a lot of advertisement for their properties during the parade, but it's never been so focused on the hosts talking and the musical performances. Very disappointed and, if this format continues next year, sadly won't be watching. It's been a family tradition to watch the Christmas Day parade on tv for at least the past 15 years, but I guess this year I'll have to watch the actual parade on YouTube.

I did love the family that reunited with the grandmother at WDW though! Very touching!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We watched too and were also very disappointed, especially when it was just robin and Tim talking with the parades going by behind them in the background (caught a glimpse of Stitch, apparently that's enough). I know there's always a lot of advertisement for their properties during the parade, but it's never been so focused on the hosts talking and the musical performances. Very disappointed and, if this format continues next year, sadly won't be watching. It's been a family tradition to watch the Christmas Day parade on tv for at least the past 15 years, but I guess this year I'll have to watch the actual parade on YouTube. I did love the family that reunited with the grandmother at WDW though! Very touching!

Ditto. Granny Franny made me cry.

 

[chartle]

It was terrible. You didn't miss anything. We turned the channel about 35 minutes in.

I'm assuming they did a lot more where it kind of looks like a parade. Were a float/stage rolls up to a spot in front of the castle and people kind of appear out of no where.

At least years ago they made it look somewhat like a parade where a float would roll down main street and the performer would step out and do a little show.

 

[chartle]

Well said. Very disappointing. I loved these telecasts in the distant past (think 20 years ago) but they have evolved to a place right now where I only watch to catch the scenery.

WE watched last year because we were there 2 week after it was shot, one week before Xmas.

 

[JanaDee]

I'm assuming they did a lot more where it kind of looks like a parade. Were a float/stage rolls up to a spot in front of the castle and people kind of appear out of no where. At least years ago they made it look somewhat like a parade where a float would roll down main street and the performer would step out and do a little show.

I didn't see any floats. It was hosts talking and meh singing. No parade.

 

[chartle]

I didn't see any floats. It was hosts talking and meh singing. No parade.

So not even pretending.

 

[riverbend]

We found it disappointing as well. Way too much focus on the big names. I think maybe Disney is trying to appeal to too large of an audience. What's disappointing is that Disney does parades (in the parks) so well! And do you know what people like to see in Disney parades? Mickey Mouse, princesses and big dance numbers performed by talented cast members. Why try to change a winning formula? I understand that there will always be a copious amount of Disney trying to sell themselves to viewers but IMHO a televised parade is a perfect opportunity for them to showcase the parks, highlight new attractions, etc. Just maybe without so much Trey Songz, Ariana Grande and Gavin Degraw next year.

 

[minnie mum]

Count us disappointed, too. Its been a tradition since our kids were little to open our presents while the parade was on. This year, after the first half, we were so ticked off that we turned it off and watched the Christmas Story instead. Epic fail Disney.

 

[redsbe]

Count us disappointed, too. Its been a tradition since our kids were little to open our presents while the parade was on. This year, after the first half, we were so ticked off that we turned it off and watched the Christmas Story instead. Epic fail Disney.

Of course this show is not about us (recent or regular returning guests), it has always been about promoting the parks, latest additions and now Disney Vacations, all intended to attract new visitors. Why show the actual parade when you would rather have visitors come to the parks to see it live?

 

[morethananyonex]

Of course this show is not about us (recent or regular returning guests), it has always been about promoting the parks, latest additions and now Disney Vacations, all intended to attract new visitors. Why show the actual parade when you would rather have visitors come to the parks to see it live?

I barely saw anything in this "parade" that would make me want to visit Disney.

They barely show the parks anymore, or the parade. They just show performance after performance after performance. How is that supposed to make people want to visit the Disney parks, especially new people? I found myself more excited to watch the parks commercials they play instead.

They've been slowly moving away from the parade and towards the performances every year, but this year felt like they tweaked the formula big time. I mean, Santa is always the big finish, isn't he? This year he just sort of randomly was shown near the beginning.

 

[TheSweetestThing]

I barely saw anything in this "parade" that would make me want to visit Disney.

They barely show the parks anymore, or the parade. They just show performance after performance after performance. How is that supposed to make people want to visit the Disney parks, especially new people? I found myself more excited to watch the parks commercials they play instead.

They've been slowly moving away from the parade and towards the performances every year, but this year felt like they tweaked the formula big time. I mean, Santa is always the big finish, isn't he? This year he just sort of randomly was shown near the beginning.

It was awful. i kept waiting for something good to happen. I'm still waiting.

 

[Yahweh]

I'm so glad I'm not alone in hating this monstrosity this year! I was there in the parks when it was being taped and actually made people in my extended family watch it with me today. Needless to say I'm embarrassed Disney World would be the last place I'd want to visit if I thought the park had a vibe like they showed today.

 

[karly05]

Set the DVR, but is anyone else as disappointed with it as we are this year? DD kept asking where is the parade, and then we realized is is not even called a parade this year. DD said this is mostly just people talking way way way too much with a few songs from mostly people I don't know. She finally left the room to go play with her new stuff instead. She came back to watch the Olaf number. Bummer! I know the last couple of years has been almost more commercial than parade, put at least there was still enough parade and parks stuff that we would still cuddle up and have our Christmas morning watching it. A lot of the parade stuff is not even from the Christmas parade. I think we will have to hit YouTube and find the Christmas parade later! Is it just us, or does anyone else feel the same way.

The bolded is exactly how I felt. I've only seen the 2nd hour (DVR'd the whole thing) and was disappointed for the exact same reasons. I want to see PARADE and characters.

 

[profdsny]

I could overlook the Frozen theme, the groups or singers I never heard of, and maybe even the hosts, but without a parade it lost most reason for watching. But the final insult was the last soloist doing the 'big' number from Frozen. No doubt there were millions of parents and grandparents across the country thinking their child could do a thousand times better. And they'd all be correct. Certainly going to think very hard about watching it next year.

 

[spiderann]

We watched too and were also very disappointed, especially when it was just robin and Tim talking with the parades going by behind them in the background (caught a glimpse of Stitch, apparently that's enough). I know there's always a lot of advertisement for their properties during the parade, but it's never been so focused on the hosts talking and the musical performances. Very disappointed and, if this format continues next year, sadly won't be watching. It's been a family tradition to watch the Christmas Day parade on tv for at least the past 15 years, but I guess this year I'll have to watch the actual parade on YouTube.

I did love the family that reunited with the grandmother at WDW though! Very touching!

"parade" was a HUGE waste of 2 hours!!! and yes, Granny Franny made me almost tear up too!!

 

[Queuing4Disney]

It is just plain bad. I didn't even think Love Is An Open Door could sound that depressing.

Haha, your comment is spot on!!! Even my daughter who saw that segment commented that it looked like the singers were "on something" or "coming off of something" - but I'm sure that's not the case. And she said the singers definitely looked like they did not want to be there or at least to be there with each other. I agree - a fun, cutesy love song turned into a monotone lament by two bored slackers.

 

[ArwenMarie]

It was really horrible. I kept waiting for it to get better. Didn't help that I hated most of the music.

I know they have to have some music, but I wanted more of just the parade.

It was very bad, never again.

 

[monorailmom]

Well I'm feeling rather relieved I wasn't the only one who was disappointed this morning. My kids were really disappointed as well.

Where was the parade? The scenes from the Parks?

We didn't appreciate the constant singing acts by people we've never heard of. My girls were especially confused by the "commercial" for the Bowl games on ESPN. Really?!

I hope this year was a learning experience and next year we get our little Disney fix on Christmas Day.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes - awful with a couple exceptions! DD's friends were in the cheer number and we loved the girl at the end singing let it go! Yes we made it to the end

That said there was no parade and very few singers that could actually sing.... I already sent an email and will send a snail mail letter.

Just a commercial....... for 2 hours