Parade Taping in Magic Kingdom. When??

[DizziDezi2]

When are they taping the parades in Magic Kingdom? I am trying to avoid the parks on that day. Thanks!

 

[Eljay]

December 1, 2, 3.

 

[DizziDezi2]

What time? During the VMCP? Or during the day?

 

[Starrin]

MAN! All 3 days? I will be there Friday Night ... but was hoping to avoid it as I am sure it is crazy crowds.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

They usually do have it the first weekend in December (which would be Dec 1st-3rd). I have been checking for an "offical" announcement on it & so far nothing... I love to go & watch the taping of the parade!

 

[Eljay]

I'm quoting from my AP newsletter, the Mickey Monitor. All it says is Dec. 1, 2, 3. no specifics. Thinking back to past years, when I see the parade on TV, it's daytime at MK. I don't recall nighttime scenes. Does anybody else?

 

[lindsey]

We went to MVMCP on the Fri night after taping the parade last year and had no problems. Everything was already wrapped up for the day.

 

[jlmarr]

We had planned to tour MK on Dec 2nd before hearing about the parade taping. Is it still feasible to do so, or is MK a place to avoid that day? I.e. are the crowds going to be crazy even away from the parade route?

 

[DizziDezi2]

We had planned on MKon Friday the 1st- since there are no extra magic hours that day, but the parade will probably make it crazy- Im thinking maybe to wait until later in the week. MVMCP starts then too- so we would only have the park until 7 pm anyways.

 

[disneyandme]

bumping to maybe find out times of day

 

[goofy4tink]

I was there for the taping last year. THe time slot I was given was for Friday morning, early...about 7ish. They sent us to the Castle forecourt where we were supposed to be the audience for the forecourt shows. I got tired of standing in one place after 3 hrs so left. But, I understand that they were pretty much done with that part by 2ish. There are other spots around the parks where they may be taping specialty acts/singers or such for the Christmas show.
Then, on Sat, they taped the actual parade. You can get to the other areas of MK if you cut through the shops. Main St. is pretty much taken up by those who were given that time slot, by preregistering, so if you just walked up and tried to sit on the curb, there wouldn't be a spot. This part of the taping can go on for a very long time, but was over by early afternoon I believe. I headed to MK around 4ish and there were only sporadic tapings going on in different areas but not of the parade anymore.
Sunday isn't a big deal at all. So.....if you want to go to MK on taping days, go early in the day, while people are still actively involved in the taping. As they get pooped, they start to wander off and head for the attractions.
I'm just glad I don't arrive until the following week....did the taping once, don't need to do it again.

 

[dbarker]

Goofy4Tink:

How / Where do you sign up for slots for the taping? DH and I may be interested in participating this year.

TIA for all the info.

 

[HollyJoy]

This is why we won't be hitting MK until Monday, Dec. 4. We were there two years ago on the Sunday, the day after the taping (they were still taping castle performances), and the park was MOBBED! Longest lines of our entire trip! We'll be hitting Epcot that sunday this go around.

 

[anicholson75]

I'm still new at this, but what do they tape the parades for? And why do people want to watch them tape it? To be on the tape? Just curious, we'll be at the MK on Dec. 2-3. Should I switch my itinerary around to avoid the parade taping?

 

[goofy4tink]

I was able to preregister via the AP site last year. You had to request a particular time slot, if it was open, you got it. Then you had to print out a voucher that you had to show to get in the special gate area. Each group was then split into several different groups and sent to different areas to be audiences for the stage shows.

The parade taping they do is for the special Christmas Day show. It's the Holiday Parade, but it doesn't just 'run' down Main St. It stops and goes, goes back again, and they keep at it until they get the pefect footage of each float and act. A parade that would normally take about 20 minutes to view will take up to 5 hrs to tape!!!!

There is an incredible amount of just standing around and waiting. But, if you have no problem with that, then keep your eyes open for any advance notification about the taping. After 3 hrs I just couldn't take it anymore. I've done plenty of stage work, as well as 'extra' type stuff, and I know how much hurry up and wait goes on, but man, my old bones are just too old for that nowadays!!!

 

[Eljay]

I'm still new at this, but what do they tape the parades for? And why do people want to watch them tape it? To be on the tape? Just curious, we'll be at the MK on Dec. 2-3. Should I switch my itinerary around to avoid the parade taping?

Last year, if you happened to see the WDW Holiday special on TV, with Regis & Kelly on Christmas day, that's the parade that they are taping on Dec. 1, 2 & 3. In the past, I always thought it was broadcast live, like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it's taped.