HELP!!!!! Quick trip Dec 5-7

[floridalaurie]

We are going to WDW Dec 5-7 for a quick weekend trip to see the lights and get into the holiday spirit. Anyone have any experience with the taping of the xmas day parade? I'm trying to figure out what time they might start and finish the taping. If we get there at opening and get through Main St quickly will things be better in the other areas of the park? OR, should I reverse my plan and and go to MK on Friday and Epcot on Saturday? Only problem with that is MK closes early Fri (7pm I think). I would love to hear any 1st hand knowledge.

 

[Ilivetogo]

We went to MK during the Christmas parade taping ON PURPOSE in 2006 because my MIL really really wanted to watch the taping. She watched it on TV every year and wanted to see the taping.

Anyway, my MIL went and sat by Main Street to watch while me (mom), my (then) DD13 and DS6 ran around everywhere else. It was virtually empty everywhere else. The kids and I were able to multi-ride some stuff in a short period of time.

I guess we met up with her around 1:00 or 2:00 for lunch - they were then done with that day's taping - and the rest of the day was "normal". I believe a lot of people avoid MK on that day - possibly thinking it's over crowded? or they don't want to deal with the crowds?

The only "different" thing that happened is that when we first walked in through the tunnel, they had to detour us around the BACK of Main Street (since you could not walk down Main Street due to the parade) and then you popped out at the other end of Main Street up near Tomorrowland. But that was no biggie. (Just a little anti-magic back there looking at cars and stuff)


Overall, I'd recommend it. We had a great time and MIL got to see what she wanted!!

Have fun! We'll be down for Christmas Week this year!!!

 

[noahdove]

I love watching the parade, I tape it and then am able to rewind and rewind when I get the Disney blues

 

[Ilivetogo]

I love watching the parade, I tape it and then am able to rewind and rewind when I get the Disney blues

That's what my MIL does. She enjoys that particular parade a lot. It's strange to be at the taping though. They keep doing one part over and over till they get a good shot of it. That's why it takes so long to tape it. I have far-away pictures of Regis and Kelly. You can barely see them way up there. They really get the crowds pumped up and cheering and stuff.

 

[BradyBz12]

I'm trying to figure out what time they might start and finish the taping. If we get there at opening and get through Main St quickly will things be better in the other areas of the park?

There are a couple of other similar threads kicking around right now. People have posted that they start stacking up the "parade watchers" pretty early, but are generally done taping by mid-afternoon.

Main St will be wall-to-wall (to wall) but once you get past that, the other parts of the park shouldn't be too bad.

Taping is scheduled for Dec 5& 6...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Christmas_Parade_taping_to_be_open_to_all.htm

 

[zulemara]

They talked about this subject on last week's podcast, so you might want to listen to that. They gave you good ideas of what to expect
podcast.wdwinfo.com

 

[ToddyLu]

We were there one year and escaped around via the train to the back of the park. It was empty, but we ended up leaving anyway. It is a very large and tight crowd from what I remember. And I always thought it was live--it never rains in Florida... the entrance into tomorrowland behind the shops is also open to exit quickly after Wishes--it is in between the Plaza Restaurant and Terrace Noodle Thingamajiggy.

 

[floridalaurie]

Thanks for the input. I feel a little better about the crowds. The park is open til midnight that night so I'm sure we'll get to do everything we want to do. We're really looking forward to getting into the spirit with all the decorations. It's one of the big bonuses of living only a 3hr drive away!

 

[Ilivetogo]

Thanks for the input. I feel a little better about the crowds. The park is open til midnight that night so I'm sure we'll get to do everything we want to do. We're really looking forward to getting into the spirit with all the decorations. It's one of the big bonuses of living only a 3hr drive away!

I know what you mean ... I grew up in Venice (Gulf coast) and it was only a little over 2 hours there. That's why I've been so many times! ha! Now I'm WAY too far away.