First time visitors, do MK during parade taping?

[Rpsemont]

A friend at work is taking his family to WDW for 8 days 12/1-12/9 and asked for some help in planning. They're not going to have hoppers, so I'm trying to help them stategize, what park, what day.
Parade taping is scheduled for 12/1-12/2 (I think), but I know last year it overflowed to Sunday. As first time visitors, I'm not sure I could ever talk them into being there for 3-4 days before going to MK. If they went to MK just to ride rides and not participate in the taping, do you think it would be overly crowded? I'm thinking MK for Friday - just to get over the WOW! WDW factor, Epcot for Sat, I had them back at MK for Sun (before I saw the taping sometimes overflowed) , MGM for Monday (and late show of Fantasmic) and AK for Tuesday with a possible MVMCP Tuesday night. That would leave the Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat to revisit those parks they liked the best - but I think they're planning to try to visit the launch of the shuttle, too
So, what do you think?

 

[miranda1979]

The parks are very crowded on taping days. And when there on the weekends that is alot to because the floridians are there too. But it is alot of fun to see what is going on. Also if it is raining it will be taped later. Good luck and have fun.

 

[safetymom]

Once they get past Main St. they will be fine.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

Even if they go on taping days, if they walk thru and bypass the crowds, the other lands will be fine, and it may even be better for them. With the crowds up front on main street, they will be able to enjoy the rides with little wait times.

 

[disnut8]

Advise them to go through the stores on Main Street if it's too crowded. Or to take the train around to Frontierland or Toontown.

 

[northie]

We're going on our first day because we already had ADR's at Liberty Tree Tavern at 6:20 Saturday the 2nd before I knew about the parade taping. Rather than swap other ADR's around we decided to brave it. I expect it will be quite busy by the time we get there as our plane doesn't even get in until noon, but if they are still taping that late we decided we will slip on the train and get off in Adventureland. And when we watch the parade on Christmas we can say "We were there! Look over toward Adventureland!" *grin*

Everything's an adventure at Disney World, and this will be one more experience to add a notch to our belts. If it's so busy we can't stand it we will do some resort hopping to see decorations after we eat

Sara