Seriously, how busy it is during taping?

[FatCow]

I'll be at MK during the taping of the parade. How busy will the park be? Is it oinly going to be busy around Main Street USA or the entire park will actually be busy?

 

[chamonix]

I've been there for two years during the taping. I think it is usually somewhat less busy on that day in regards to riding and eating, etc, since a lot of people are basically sitting/standing on the parade route during filming--which lasts ALL day btw. (they film each float/dance/song at least three times so it is long and monotonous! They spend a lot of time saying "smile everybody, clap--look excited, look happy" when you are mostly bored out of your mind watching them film for the third time--and it is a lot of waiting in between takes too)

So, it is "busy" or crowded on main street and around the hub while they are filming there, but the rest of the park is "usual" or "normal" busy--which is to say, not so busy since it is during a non-peak weekend.

TBH, the parade filming is a bit of a nuisance since they take up main street and it can be a bit hard to navigate through that area if you need to, but it is also kind of exciting I guess, if you want to sit there all day in the hopes of getting on camera, or to see the celebrities they bring in for the parade. We always do a tiny bit of both--sit for a few parade shots, watch a dance/song number or two to see the celebrities, then move on and enjoy the park.

No worries, you will have a fine time on that day if you don't waste your day, I mean, spend your whole day, LOL, watching the parade.

Oh, one last thing--keep your eyes open all around WDW during the parade weekend for the various celebrities and their families enjoying the parks and resorts. Don't bother them, of course, lol, but they are often riding the rides and enjoying the pools while the "working" member of the family is taping the parade, rehearsing, etc.

 

[Blueberry]

Anytime we have been at MK during any taping of either the Easter Parade or the Christmas Parade..it was packed!!! They rope off Main Street and when we were there they were at times bringing floats down through Frontierland to sit at the end of the Main Street to wait for to pass for filming. Lots of roped off areas where you can walk and not walk, it was in fact GRIDLOCK and we only stayed long enough to go on PoC (we just park hopped over there) and went to another park as fast as we could!! When we walked down Main Street they told us to "keep moving" and would not let us stop to watch any taping. There was a roped off area where those viewing were standing and not letting anyone else in there...I would avoid MK at all costs on taping days, just my two cents....

 

[wallacefamily6]

I was curious as to when they are taping the parade. Where do you go to to find this out?
We are going the week of December 7, 2004
Thanks

 

[FatCow]

IIRC, it's December 4th for this year.

 

[disneyfan551]

Oh, don't remind me... This is my 2nd year in a row being lucky enough to visit the MK then.

 

[FatCow]

until what time do they do the taping? The only reason I'm going there on that day is because it's a Saturday and that's the only time Spectro and Wishes are being showcased.

(and I try not to park-hop)

 

[chamonix]

The time is variable depending on how the days shoot went, but at the very latest they will have to stop when they lose the full light (remember, it's magic, it is supposed to be a parade happening all at once, lol). After they film all the individual parts, they run the whole parade with no stops. I would say it's done by "dinnertime", so it will all be over well before Wishes and Spectro....though, to be honest, I am not sure I would count on there being a Spectro that night unless it is scheduled really late--and I doubt that. (They will modify the schedule in time for you to plan, I'm sure.) Maybe others remember if they still ran Spectro on this day.....? I would think it would be a long day for the performers and some of them may be in Spectro as well.

 

[FatCow]

It's really strange that the schedule is as follows:

Parades and Fireworks


3:00pm Share A Dream Come True Parade

8:00pm SpectroMagic Parade

9:00pm Wishes™ nighttime spectacular

 

[chamonix]

Fatcow, (gee, I kinda feel bad calling you that, LOL) I don't know where you got the information that the parade "will be filmed on Dec. 4th". They generally don't officially announce it--you won't know it until you show up that day, or notice the preparations in the days leading up to it--oh, and once they actually called our room at the Poly and left a message letting us know it would be the next day.

Consequently, they won't have it on any official schedule--I can guarantee you it won't appear on that website schedule before it happens. Share a Dream will definitely not run the day they film, and I very much doubt Spectro. You will just have to decide to go with the flow on this one, and if Spectro is really really important to you, make sure to leave room to see it on another night (if possible). Wishes will still go off on time though, I am sure, so no worries there.

Don't go by the "official" schedule. They will film when they want to, it will be a "surprise", and anything else on the schedule will be out the window at their discretion.

Last year they had such a hard time with the whole filming thing they filmed more on Sunday morning too........

 

[FatCow]

I "know" about the December 4th filming just because many people on the board have mentioned it. I hope it's not happening too. It's the only night they'll have Spectro during my trip.

 

[PAFamily]

Does anyone know if they will be filming during MVMCP on the 5th also? We are sooo looking forward to it and I would hate for it to be too crowded to enjoy! Thanks

 

[Destination Disney]

Originally posted by chamonix
I've been there for two years during the taping. I think it is usually somewhat less busy on that day in regards to riding and eating, etc, since a lot of people are basically sitting/standing on the parade route during filming--which lasts ALL day btw. (they film each float/dance/song at least three times so it is long and monotonous! They spend a lot of time saying "smile everybody, clap--look excited, look happy" when you are mostly bored out of your mind watching them film for the third time--and it is a lot of waiting in between takes too)

I have been there too when they were taping. More people are spending the time watching and standing around then rididng rides! I will say though when you first enter and wlak down mainstreet the crowds are out of control because you can not walk down the street itself, the crowds are standing and sitting on the sidewalks so it is difficult to get down the street because youare also fighting oncoming traffic. BUT...once your past all of that you are home free! I make it a point to walk inside the shops all the walk down the street.

Jaime

 

[disneychrista]

When we were there in 2002 during the taping they did not have the regular afternoon parade but did have a the Christmas Parade. Which was cool because it is the only time they have it during regular park hours until after the MVMCP are over.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

They are indeed filming tomorrow. The "Share a dream come true" Parade will be after they finish all the taping. It is scheduled for 5 pm. Spectro Magic is 9 and 11 and Wishes is at 10. Park is open till 12 am

I understand there is couple area's blocked off at GF which I would assume for the STARS. I belive it's Regis and Kelly again this year, but now sure who else will be with them. I will report in tomorrow after the taping.

Doug

 

[FatCow]

The park was jam packed. Why do they have to stand and stare at Regis and Kelly at all time (along the area designated for walking)? They are just another two human beings just like you and I (and everybody else at the MK, but with a lot more money).

 

[safetymom]

Most of those people standing there were extras that got there at 7 AM. I was one of those people. We were there to be part of the crowd scenes for the parade.

It was publicized that taping was going on that day and the park would be crowded.