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

[DaniMoon]

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.

Yup, flexibility. And my kids will be bouncing up and down when the parade airs saying "We were there, we were there!"

 

[ktlm]

Ugh, that's our MK day too. Do they still have the Festival of Fantasy parade? Or will they cancel it?

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.

Last year, didn't they just move FOF from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on parade taping day? I can't remember whether the same thing happened in years past, or whether that was just because FOF was new. Seems like it might have happened in the past. Seems like Main Street was blocked until after FOF ran, and then re-opened (might have been re-opened by 3:00 or 4:00, but I don't remember that)- but that time of year, it is pretty much dark by then- so your castle shots would be night shots.

Here is a report of someone who attended the taping in 2013, that will give you an idea of what watching the taping itself would be like:

http://disneypinsblog.com/disney-parks-christmas-day-parade-taping/

 

[ErinsMommy]

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.

Staying awake from midnight until 2:00 a.m. is indicative of a "difficult process".

 

[Robo]

Seems like Main Street was blocked until after FOF ran, and then re-opened (might have been re-opened by 3:00 or 4:00, but I don't remember that)- but that time of year, it is pretty much dark by then- so your castle shots would be night shots.

I don't follow.
Sunset in mid-Nov. in Orlando is not until 5:30-ish. And, that means the sky is still light until about 5:50-ish.

 

[wilkeliza]

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!!

It is the gate between the Main Street Theater/Tony's and the Chapeu. It runs behind the Main street shops (main street bakery, main street jewler, ice cream shop, et all) and exits just past the Plaza and onto the Tomorrow land Terrace.

 

[dallastxcpa]

T

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.



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.

Thats great for some people, but some may have little kids that nap in the afternoon and can't stay until 3pm.

 

[Robo]

It is the gate between the Main Street Theater/Tony's and the Chapeu. It runs behind the Main street shops (main street bakery, main street jewler, ice cream shop, et all) and exits just past the Plaza and onto the Tomorrow land Terrace.

And, below is an OLDER image that shows the path BEFORE it was recently updated to shield guests from the "backstage" look.

 

[ktlm]

I don't follow.
Sunset in mid-Nov. in Orlando is not until 5:30-ish. And, that means the sky is still light until about 5:50-ish.

What I was trying to say was if they did keep Main Street closed until after FOF ran- and FOF starts at 5:00, and starts in Frontierland, then aren't you looking at about 5:40 or 5:50 before FOF clears the main street area and the parade crowd disburses? That would make it dark or pretty close to it, by the time you could get any photopass or other shots.
I can't remember whether the reports last year were that Main Street opened up for an hour or two before FOF (like at 3 or 4), or whether it stayed closed until FOF had run. I googled and did find reports stating that FOF had been scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Christmas parade taping days last year.

 

[pooch]

It is the gate between the Main Street Theater/Tony's and the Chapeu. It runs behind the Main street shops (main street bakery, main street jewler, ice cream shop, et all) and exits just past the Plaza and onto the Tomorrow land Terrace.

Thanks and Robo, thanks for the visual! We have breakfast at Kona then FP+ start in Tomorrowland so that would be perfect if we run into the parade taping. Not gonna stress anymore.

 

[Robo]

What I was trying to say was if they did keep Main Street closed until after FOF ran- and FOF starts at 5:00, and starts in Frontierland, then aren't you looking at about 5:40 or 5:50 before FOF clears the main street area and the parade crowd disburses? That would make it dark or pretty close to it, by the time you could get any photopass or other shots.
I can't remember whether the reports last year were that Main Street opened up for an hour or two before FOF (like at 3 or 4), or whether it stayed closed until FOF had run. I googled and did find reports stating that FOF had been scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Christmas parade taping days last year.

Regardless of what's on the schedule, on the actual days that they DO tape what amounts to the "Parade" part of the show,
they have generally performed the "Christmas Parade" instead of the regular afternoon parade.

Nobody knows exactly what will happen on any given year, however.
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the current plans.
(Case-in-point is that nobody knew that they were going to move the taping up so dramatically this year.)

 

[DebbieB]

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?

Yes, when I was there around 2009, the first taping was around 7:30am. When we got into the park at 9:30-10:00, Main Street was open. They started taping again around 11:00-12:00. We saw Kelly Ripa film the finale around 2:00-3:00 while we were eating lunch outside at Tony's.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I am also rather excited for this, as I'll be there Nov 5-14th!! I planned on being at MK on the 12th and 13th. We have a 9:35am ADR for CRT on 11/12, but I am planning on getting there for rope drop and leaving midday before coming back for dinner at BOG at 4:30 and the MVMCP- I shouldn't have any issues with this right? Since Veterans Day is the 11th, I chose to spend that day at Universal/IOA since I figured MK would be really busy that day anyway.

 

[MoxieBadger]

It isn't.
I'm not kidding.

And, far from "everyone" says that it is "bad."

The only part of the park that the parade taping affects is Main St. USA and/or the Hub.
The rest of MK is "business as usual" for that time of year until after about 2:30PM.

Thanks for the info!!!!

 

[lovethattink]

Regardless of what's on the schedule, on the actual days that they DO tape what amounts to the "Parade" part of the show,
they have generally performed the "Christmas Parade" instead of the regular afternoon parade.

Nobody knows exactly what will happen on any given year, however.
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the current plans.
(Case-in-point is that nobody knew that they were going to move the taping up so dramatically this year.)

First I heard rumor of a November taping was Oct 6th.

 

[Bev J]

. No matter when your trip is some show will change, attraction closed. Make adjustments and roll with it, be HAPPY you are able to go to Disney World! There are many that will never have that experience with their family.
Just think, on Christmas day you can watch the parade and remind your kids how much fun you had on your trip.
BEV

 

[luvallprincesses]

Skimmed through this thread; we've been at taping a few times and it's really no big deal as far as crowds/interruptions. Exciting, actually, when you get to see a fun star performing on the stage with only the price of your park admission ticket! One thing I didn't see mentioned is if/when you find out that the parade will be taking in the morning (IF it is the morning), don't expect the rope drop/welcome show to happen at MK. The train will likely be in position and not be moving. Finding out about if it's going to be taping day is the tough part, CMs at the resort don't seem to know or be able/willing to find out. Checking in with the Dis is the best way to find out, maybe on a November trip thread. Usually a mom of someone cheering or dancing in the parade will post at 3 am whether it's a go or they've been called to postpone. The Dis will be your best friend if you want details that morning.

 

[MischaOz]

I'm sorry the OP isn't feeling the Disney magic. Regardless of the destination, flexibility is required when traveling. Hopefully they can find a positive out of this because going into a trip with negativity isn't a good sign of things to come. I know Veterans Day isn't Christmas, but I would expect any federal holiday to have higher crowds. I'm not sure if this is a local thing, but around here that week is teacher conferences too (no school).

I have to say I am excited that I will finally get to see the big tree now!

 

[Robo]

One thing I didn't see mentioned is if/when you find out that the parade will be taking in the morning (IF it is the morning), don't expect the rope drop/welcome show to happen at MK. The train will likely be in position and not be moving.

The Walt Disney World Railroad will be in refurb and not be operating from 10/12/15 to 11/20/15.

 

[ktlm]

In addition to the welcome show and train not running, be aware that the monorail often does not run on performance or parade taping mornings. When we stayed at GF they brought buses for MK those mornings and there were lots of cranky people about that. At TTC it was ferry only those mornings. I don't know why they do that- using the monorail for the stars and crews maybe?

 

[dmc6469]

I was thrilled to find out that the parade would not be taping that first weekend in December which is when we will be there.

Same here. Sure hoping that it's light then