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

[jacksgirl]

Yeah its been around the boards, blogs, and various websites for quite a while now. I think even without that, if you know that Veterans Day is that week, Jersey week is the week before, the XMAS parties are starting, and F&W is ending, it is a safe bet that its been shaping up to be probably one of the top 5-10 busiest weeks of the year, and thats before FD was announced.

I'm still not convinced here. Yes, Jersey Week is the week before, and Veteran's Day will have some impact on the weekend numbers. I don't think the parade taping will impact the crowds much at all. As a matter of fact, I think, once folks find out about the taping, some of them will avoid this day at MK in hopes of avoiding the crowds. The Christmas parties and F&WF are always going on this week (well, F&WF was extended a few days this year), and the crowds are very manageable. The resorts and TS restaurants are full because of FD. Maybe a little busier than this week normally is, but top 5-10 busiest weeks of the year -- I'll believe it when I see it.

Robo, care to weigh in with your thoughts here?

 

[AliceinMaryland]

It depends on what time of day, and what they are taping that day.
On some days in the past, they were shooting nowhere near the castle.

"Normally" (whatever that means at WDW,) the taping wraps and the stars, crew, and CM extras disappear from MK by about 2:00-3:00pm.

I know I've said this before Robo, but you're my hero. I want to be you when I grow up! How do you know everything?????

 

[Robo]

I know I've said this before Robo, but you're my hero. I want to be you when I grow up! How do you know everything?????

I forget.

 

[luvallprincesses]

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

Oh, that's right! I still wouldn't expect there to be a welcome show IF taping is in the morning. Don't they use the train station balcony for a great deal of TV cameras/crew? In any case, just a "warning" for people who are expecting a regular MK morning that this is one thing that may very likely be different; I wish I had known the first time we were there.

 

[redkel]

I'm choosing to view this as a huge positive in that all of the hub and castle construction will be DONE! We are there 11/13, 11/15 and 11/18 and I'm hoping for the tree to be up before 11/18.

I really don't see this year being so drastically different than the last couple have been crowd wise. We're going on vacation as a family for the first time since February, 2013. It's all good.

 

[SaintsManiac]

OP I totally understand frustration when things don't go as planned. However, I really hope you find a way to turn it around and enjoy your trip. Going into it so upset might ruin your vacation. Just think I'M ALMOST TO DISNEY!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Everyone thinks it's going to be really crowded this year. It may not be as crowded as everyone thinks, but with free dining and attendance up all year, it will at least be more crowded than the past. Anyway, what I am wondering is, supposedly a lot of Disney hotels are sold out...could some of them be sold out by groups who are going to be in the parade? I thought there were usually school bands and cheerleaders in the parade, but if POP Warner is still happening in December, am I getting confused here?

 

[flvy]

I'm excited about this. I go to Disney solo so I don't have to worry about anyone else which helps. I got my christmas party tickets for the first day on the 8th, and I'm excited to see what extra magic is around on the 10th, or at the very least enjoy some shorter lines for rides so I can enjoy the interactive queues.

It'll be a great end to my half marathon weekend too!

And I didn't read all the replies, but there seemed to be a lot of concern about sold out hotel rooms. The weekend of the 7th & 8th is the Wine and Dine half marathon so that has a lot to do with the extra booking. That race sold out in a half hour, A LOT of people are going to be there for that weekend and that race.

 

[kmb584]

I'm surprised at how early the taping is this year. We'll be there during that time, and at MK on the 10th and 13th, but don't plan to attend the parade taping. I think it'd be pretty neat to see, but I can't be bothered to just stand around for hours.

 

[anniemae]

we were there for the taping a few years ago. We had no idea. We noticed some teenagers in groups at the CBR, turns out they were in the parade (they were VERY well behaved BTW, very quiet and respectful at the resort.) Anyway, we went to MK, again, we had no idea about the parade. As we were walking up Main St, it was lined with people there to watch the taping. I guess they taped in segments, it's not a continuous parade, there is lots of "down time" with the taping. It had no impact on us, we just walked by and went to the rides. It did get a little busy after the taping was done, I think it was after lunch time when it was all wrapped up.

 

[mdsd8700]

This may be a goofy question, but do they sell any type of special merchandise during the days the parade is being taped?

 

[anniemae]

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.

It does seem like a double standard. NOBODY wants crowds at Disney, but Disney has the opposite goal, they want it crowded. They always seem to add something in all the time to drum up crowds whether its free dining, a special promotion, special party (villain party couple of years ago) etc.

 

[goofy4tink]

This may be a goofy question, but do they sell any type of special merchandise during the days the parade is being taped?

Nope.

I've been at WDW on the same weekends as the parade tapings many times. I've actually officially done part of the taping...in front of the Castle. Does it all impact the number of people in the park? Yes. BUT...once you leave the Hub area, it's fine. The time I was officially part of the taping (had to get a special pass, and be chosen prior to taping day), I had to be there by 6:45. Then, we were herded to our 'spot'...the Castle forecourt. There we stood for hours on end. It wasn't much fun after 2 hrs. Actually kind of painful!!! The second time we were just passing through, when a CM asked if we wanted to see the acts and be part of the taping. Having been there, done that, I was hesitant. But it was an act my friend really wanted to see.
So......yes, MK gets really crowded in the afternoon. BUT...Sat afternoons are a bad time to go there anyway!! Stick in the parade taping and you have a recipe for many, many meltdowns..adults and kids alike.

I avoid the MK on taping days. The parade taping itself is just plain boring. Same for the acts throughout the park. And because they tend to tape those acts over the course of a few days, it can bring in heavier crowds. BUT...if you have to be in MK on taping day, you will find that the other areas of the park aren't bad at all...especially in the morning. By late afternoon, it seems that a lot of people have grown tired and left.

 

[bpadair32]

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

Ive never had to stay up until 2am. I think the longest it has ever taken me to get FPs was about 30mins.

T

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

I have little kids that take an afternoon nap, they either nap in the stroller or we go back to the resort and return to the park when they wake up.

. 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

Yep.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Take a look at the Disney World website...not much there for any date in November. Resorts are full. Luckily most DISers are "in the know" and know to use park strategies. That's why even on the busiest days most DISers paint a rose picture of crowd levels. Talk to any casual or first time visitor and they will complain of insane crowds, lack of dining options, long bus rides, etc.

I think the parade dates are a plus. Take advantage of the event and ride attractions in the back of the park. Or stick around and watch the taping. And the tree will probably be up longer for more guests to enjoy.

Ghost Town WDW is a thing of the past. Do your homework and you will be fine.

 

[MudBud]

Do they do pre-park opening taping every day? I have an ADR at 8:25 on Nov 12 when the park opens at 9am. Will it take longer to get into the park or will the hold us at the gates till almost our ADR time?

 

[Robo]

Do they do pre-park opening taping every day? I have an ADR at 8:25 on Nov 12 when the park opens at 9am. Will it take longer to get into the park or will the hold us at the gates till almost our ADR time?

Not every day will Main St. be blocked or crowded.
But, there's no way at this point to predict on which day(s) it will be.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Ive never had to stay up until 2am. I think the longest it has ever taken me to get FPs was about 30mins.



I have little kids that take an afternoon nap, they either nap in the stroller or we go back to the resort and return to the park when they wake up.



Yep.

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.

Ive never had to stay up until 2am. I think the longest it has ever taken me to get FPs was about 30mins.



I have little kids that take an afternoon nap, they either nap in the stroller or we go back to the resort and return to the park when they wake up.



Yep.

Good for you that your vacation planning has gone so perfectly and that you have your kids on the perfect schedule that this parade taping doesn't affect your touring or plans at all.

That is not the case for everyone and for many this is a major change. Many people have had great difficulty using My Disney Experience including booking their Fastpass+. And for many first time visitors this parade taping will have an impact on their trip. I love having pictures taken in front of the castle and that will be hindered. I also made my reservations based on the fact that I wanted to get into the park early and have those beautiful pictures before the masses arrived. I am traveling with 16 people and cannot just change my plans easily. So yes this is a major change to many of us.

 

[jacksgirl]

I'm actually kind of excited that it's happening during our time there. It's an added bonus, as I see it. It will be cool to see some of it, and, when I'm over it, I will simply go to another area of the park, or to another park altogether. We will leave WDW on November 17th, so I was not expecting to get to see the tree in MK. Now we may get to see it. I think folks are making too much of its impact on crowds. It may very well be crowded, but I don't think the taping will be the reason for it.

 

[bc7ate9]

I think folks are making too much of its impact on crowds. It may very well be crowded, but I don't think the taping will be the reason for it.

Agreed! If you want a crowd-free vacation - or a vacation where nothing unexpected happens or a vacation where you can control everything, I think you should REALLY consider vacationing somewhere other than Disney World.