Taping of Christmas Parade now November 10-13???

[bpadair32]

At the time of booking, say 8 months ago (around when we booked), I didn't think it would be this busy. No one did. Fall is becoming a much busier time of the year with all of the neat offerings like the Halloween and Christmas parties, Food and Wine, and free dining. It's certainly not your fault that you booked at 200 days out, but it's also not Disney's fault that it's going to be busy while you're there.

Right. Its not the OPs fault and it is not Disney's fault. Although I think experience Disney goers would have predicted it to be a busy week. But nonetheless, things change over time, you have to roll with it.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I think with Free Dining being offered that week, Veterans day that week, and Jersey Week the week before, plus the Wine and Dine half on the 6th, and the last week of Food and Wine being that week, plus Christmas parties, it is shaping up to be a busy week.

I belong to a few November facebook groups and all of the people in that group struggled with dining reservations and room availability. Of course the dining reservation availability could be due to Free Dining being offered that week. I think it will be much busier than I thought when we originally booked.

Yes. I remember when ADRs were released that was the week everyone was having trouble with. We are going the following week 19-28th and I was certain we would get nothing after hearing the horror stories the week before of nobody getting ANYTHING. We had no problems at all, got everything at any time I wanted, and the same for FP. So something weird was up with that week all along. We also have free dining, and it's the week of thanksgiving, and it was way easier than that week. Seems strange because I remember looking at the week before and it was not predicted to be busy at all- so I feel bad for those caught off guard. I guess we all need to realize that there is no slow time anymore.

 

[cgattis]

While I sympathize with the OP because of the difficulty that this causes, I am not sure how it is Disney's fault. They likely announced the taping as soon as they had the dates set. Its my understanding that there are a lot of different people and groups that have to be coordinated for these things and I doubt that firm dates can be set that far ahead of time. There is always a Christmas parade taping at some point around the holidays. Seriously, I sympathize, but I am just not sure what OP expected them to do.

Maybe set park hours, special events, etc. at the same time guests have to lock in ADRs and FP+s (and subsequently their park day plans)??? Nah, that'd be WAY too much to ask.

But as other posters have said, other than on MK on those days, I don't think you'll notice any effect. Go, and (try to) roll with the punches.

 

[bpadair32]

Maybe set park hours, special events, etc. at the same time guests have to lock in ADRs and FP+s (and subsequently their park day plans)??? Nah, that'd be WAY too much to ask.

But as other posters have said, other than on MK on those days, I don't think you'll notice any effect. Go, and (try to) roll with the punches.

I would think that expected attendance (as determined by people setting FP+s and ADRs) would be a big part of planning the park hours that day, so is likely part of the reason that it is not done ahead of time. And as I mentioned with the parade, considering all of the performers and others that they have to coordinate with, I do not think it is realistic that they would be able to lock down a date for it more than 1-2 months in advance.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Does this mean there's a good chance that the big Christmas tree in MK will be up for the 1st MVMCP on 11/8? Is there anyway to get a schedule of the performers ahead of time? I leave on 11/10 but I almost would want to push my flight back to be able to experience a taping! Lol

The Christmas Tree only appears after the Christmas Parade taping has been completed. Disney doesn't want it to interfere with filming.

It does mean the tree will appear much sooner this year, but only after the parade taping.

 

[missbrooke06]

Right. Its not the OPs fault and it is not Disney's fault. Although I think experience Disney goers would have predicted it to be a busy week. But nonetheless, things change over time, you have to roll with it.

It hasn't been every other year I've gone so this is surprising but I am okay with rolling with the punches.

 

[rlduvall]

The Christmas Tree only appears after the Christmas Parade taping has been completed. Disney doesn't want it to interfere with filming.

It does mean the tree will appear much sooner this year, but only after the parade taping.

That's what I was hoping as I have missed out on it the last several years because I always go the first weekend of December = parade taping.

 

[bpadair32]

It hasn't been every other year I've gone so this is surprising but I am okay with rolling with the punches.

Thats what you have to do. Things change. There are certainly still slower times for Disney, but I really don't think that there is any such thing as a slow time any more.

 

[ktlm]

I do fault WDW because they now expect their visitors to "lock in" as they call it FP+ 60 days before they arrive; however WDW won't "lock in" their schedule. In others words WDW wants you locked into your schedule, but once they have you locked in, it is fine for them to not be locked in and make major changes. I think they should be forced to lock in their schedule at the same time the guests lock in theirs.

That said, we have been parade taping week in December many times. We avoid MK on the actual taping day. The other parks have never felt any more crowded that day. We have been to MVMCP on parade taping week, and even on a parade taping day, and it didn't seem any more crowded. Typically, they blocked 4 days for parade taping-- Thursday through Sunday. The last day was always a tentative day in case of rain or other issues. The first day is performers, the second the parade, and then the 3rd and 4th were basically make-up days in case they had weather or other issues. I have no idea whether they will keep this kind of schedule. It seemed like in the broadcast last year there was very little parade and it did not have parade in the title. It look like this year may be the same. One year there was a lot of rain and they did tape the parade and some performers on Sunday and we were at MK. We refer to that as Jonas Brother's Sunday. That year the park was fine that morning, but the minute the taping stopped at the castle stage it was insane. I think that was directly related to the popularity of the Jonas Brothers at that time though. Adding the parade taping into your week is definitely an annoyance, but you can easily work around it and still have a great trip. I don't think you will notice any difference in the other parks (a lot of people go to MK because of the taping, not realizing it is stop/start/stop/start for hours). IF you can avoid MK on the actual parade taping day, I would do it. If you can't, MK might be a little busier on parade day, and there will be no walking down Main Street or photopass castle shots, but it should still be manageable.

 

[bpadair32]

I do fault WDW because they now expect their visitors to "lock in" as they call it FP+ 60 days before they arrive; however WDW won't "lock in" their schedule. In others words WDW wants you locked into your schedule, but once they have you locked in, it is fine for them to not be locked in and make major changes. I think they should be forced to lock in their schedule at the same time the guests lock in theirs.

That said, we have been parade taping week in December many times. We avoid MK on the actual taping day. The other parks have never felt any more crowded that day. Typically, they blocked 4 days for parade taping-- Thursday through Sunday. The last day was always a tentative day in case of rain or other issues. The first day is performers, the second the parade, and then the 3rd and 4th were basically make-up days in case they had weather or other issues. I have no idea whether they will keep this kind of schedule. It seemed like in the broadcast last year there was very little parade and it did not have parade in the title. It look like this year may be the same. One year there was a lot of rain and they did tape the parade and some performers on Sunday and we were at MK. We refer to that as Jonas Brother's Sunday. That year the park was fine that morning, but the minute the taping stopped at the castle stage it was insane. I think that was directly related to the popularity of the Jonas Brothers at that time though. Adding the parade taping into your week is definitely an annoyance, but you can easily work around it and still have a great trip. I don't think you will notice any difference in the other parks (a lot of people go to MK because of the taping, not realizing it is stop/start/stop/start for hours). IF you can avoid MK on the actual parade taping day, I would do it. If you can't, MK might be a little busier on parade day, and there will be no walking down Main Street or photopass castle shots, but it should still be manageable.

I don't think that this is a major change. It was clear long ago that it was going to be a busy week parade or not. Most people that have been during the parade are saying that it is no big deal really. I wouldn't call it a major change.

 

[cgattis]

I would think that expected attendance (as determined by people setting FP+s and ADRs) would be a big part of planning the park hours that day, so is likely part of the reason that it is not done ahead of time. And as I mentioned with the parade, considering all of the performers and others that they have to coordinate with, I do not think it is realistic that they would be able to lock down a date for it more than 1-2 months in advance.

No offense, but that response sounds to me like it comes from someone who's never jumped through fiery hoops to plan specific aspects of their trip (many with cancellation fees), only to have Disney change something with no repercussions to them. If it's realistic for me to decide where I want to eat 6 months in advance, I'd appreciate the same treatment.

 

[ktlm]

I don't think that this is a major change. It was clear long ago that it was going to be a busy week parade or not. Most people that have been during the parade are saying that it is no big deal really. I wouldn't call it a major change.

To me, If I had a trip where I had one day at MK and parade taping day was the day I had my FP+ and ADRs booked at MK, not being able to walk down Main Street at all, and not being able to take any photopass or other pictures in front of the castle or on Main Street would be a major change- especially if it happened to be my child's first trip. I would agree that the loss of FOF parade probably wouldn't be considered a major change, because you could lose that if you had storms that day. Having main street closed the whole day to me is a major change. When we were there on parade taping day, they tried to get us to walk the back route to and from the other areas of the park (the one that is redesigned and nice now, but a magic spoiler then). We elected to go through the stores instead. They did keep a slight walking path on the sidewalks open like they do during regular parades, but it was packed solid and they were trying to discourage people from being on it.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm praying this is the case. I would think though that if people come to the park for the taping, after the taping is done or inbetween they'll remain in the park for the rides/events. And again, just IMO, but wouldn't the guests that would otherwise want to go to MK that day and change their mind because of the taping cause a ripple affect and make the other parks busy?

FoF will not take place on a day when they are actually recording the "Christmas Parade,"
but, we don't yet know on which day or days that would be happening.

We don't yet know much of anything.

Don't they film stuff before park hours too?

I've been there on parade filming days. You really don't even know it's going on. Especially if your in Tomorrowland or Fantasyland.

Don't they film in segments too?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Don't they film stuff before park hours too?

I've been there on parade filming days. You really don't even know it's going on. Especially if your in Tomorrowland or Fantasyland.

Don't they film in segments too?

A lot of filming takes place before park hours. And segments are filmed over and over.

In 2013, the MK parade, Celebrate a Dream Come True, ran at 5:00p due to parade taping. MVMCP attendees were able to watch it and the two MOUCParades. Did FoF not run on parade taping weekend in 2014?

 

[bpadair32]

No offense, but that response sounds to me like it comes from someone who's never jumped through fiery hoops to plan specific aspects of their trip (many with cancellation fees), only to have Disney change something with no repercussions to them. If it's realistic for me to decide where I want to eat 6 months in advance, I'd appreciate the same treatment.

1. I book my ADRs when the time comes and book my FPs when time comes and their have never been any fiery hoops involved. Its not a difficult process.

To me, If I had a trip where I had one day at MK and parade taping day was the day I had my FP+ and ADRs booked at MK, not being able to walk down Main Street at all, and not being able to take any photopass or other pictures in front of the castle or on Main Street would be a major change- especially if it happened to be my child's first trip. I would agree that the loss of FOF parade probably wouldn't be considered a major change, because you could lose that if you had storms that day. Having main street closed the whole day to me is a major change. When we were there on parade taping day, they tried to get us to walk the back route to and from the other areas of the park (the one that is redesigned and nice now, but a magic spoiler then). We elected to go through the stores instead. They did keep a slight walking path on the sidewalks open like they do during regular parades, but it was packed solid and they were trying to discourage people from being on it.

The taping is usually done by 2-3pm from my understanding so you can explore MSUSA and get your pictures then. Do a slightly different order than normal. Not a major change and might be a nice change of pace.

 

[Retro Magic]

Interesting. Unexpected.
Will be there 7th-12th. Thankfully, with the exception of MVMCP, I'll only be at MK one other day and most likely that will only be in the later evening. At first it sounds exciting...but not any more. Maybe many years ago but this just seems like a headache for guests. But I have no first hand experience.

It would be cool to see the Muppets live and in person if they were to attend, though!!!

 

[DaniMoon]

I don't see this as a big deal. There have been quite a few posters who have been there during past parades that say once you get past Main Street and the Castle it's fine - So I am going to run with this, it's not anything I can change, so we will make the best of it. 11/12 is our first park day. It will be an MK day. We will get there at RD, if Main Street is packed and we don't have an opportunity to get some photos with the Castle in the background, we will try again at another time and enjoy the rest of the day. We do have 3 FP and an ADR, everything else is bonus.

 

[Vernie822]

I agree. If anything, I think it will be fun to see everything! Sorry to those who aren't as excited.

 

[pooch]

If I could please ask for a clear explanation of (Robo, thank you for the pictures but I can't see) where the path starts and ends? East/West/North/South are meaningless to the directionally challenged like me!!

 

[wdw4lif]

One thing I've learned about WDW vacations is that if you plan to the point of not expecting last minute changes, you will be disappointed in some way. It's unfortunate, but true. I'll roll with it. I think its cool that my kiddos can say they were there while the parade was being filmed, but plan to take advantage of the hopefully shorter lines in the back of the park during the day.