Taping of the Christmas parade

[disneynewbee]

I found out the Christmas parade will be taped on our MK day and can't really change our schedule. I understand this will mean not getting to watch the daytime parade since it is taped in segments and I don't want to watch it this way. I have other MK days but this will be the only day my sisters will be able to do MK and this is there first time there. So my question is this. Spectro and the fireworks are scheduled for those days. Will they still go on? I'm assuming they will stop taping the daytime parade when it gets too dark- what time do they normally stop taping for the day? We are scheduled for the first Sat in Dec and would possibly be able to change it to Sunday since someone said it was only taped on fri & sat but then later someone else said it tapes fri, sat, & sun. Does it tape on Sunday too? I emailed disney and they did not have an "official" answer yet. I'm not sure why they wouldn't know this close to the date seems kinda silly since people have to work there schedules around it. If anyone can give me an answer from the past year or two I would be greatly appriciative. Also I know they said Main St gets crazy do they start taping 1st thing in the AM or do they leave enough time in the morning for people to get past Main St. and then start? Sorry for the abundance of questions but this is making me nervious since this will be my nieces and nephews first time on Main St. and I want it to be perfect.

 

[Amity 3]

we stumbled on it last year and it was all about the taping. Main St. is clogged with practice sessions and live takes. we had to thread our way through the Emporium to get to Casey's.

the crowds were lighter in front of the castle for wayne brady and some american idol chick.

 

[goofy4tink]

I was one of those who actually was able to be part of the taping. My time slot was Friday morning, early!! We stood in front of the Castle while various groups did their thing. After about 3 hrs of this, my back and knees started complaining!! So, I ambled off. The actual parade taping takes place on Sat morning,and runs until the afternoon. I believe it was pretty much done by early afternoon, maybe around 2ish. A friend and I returned to MK at about 3 and there were no more parade ropes up, or massive crowds along Main St.
So, if you get there early, scootch through the shops rather than try to walk down the sidewalks. The parts of MK that are off to the side, or behind Cinderella Castle aren't too bad. It's just that Main St, up to the Castle area that gets clogged.

 

[HumphreytheBear]

Last year they finished taping around 3pm or so. They reorganized and actually ran the complete Christmas Parade at 5pm for everyone, kind of as a thank you for putting up with the taping. They have been known to do that, but they have also been known to run the regular day parade about 45 minutes to an hour after the taping is complete (they usually make a park wide PA announcement with that info on that day).

The bulk of the taping is Fri and Sat. They have Sun reserved for anything that may need to be re-shot and/or any delays that may arise, rain, technical, etc. So Sun just depends on how Fri and Sat go.

As for Spectro and the fireworks, if they are scheduled for that day they will not be affected, they will be presented at the time that is listed.

As others have mentioned the taping day is a great day to go to MK. Main Street is a complete madhouse, controlled chaos if you will, but the rest of the park is usually fairly empty.

 

[bzzelady]

What date is the taping this year?

 

[pyrxtc]

december 1st and 2nd.

 

[disneynewbee]

Thanks I knew I could count on you guys. I think I'll reschedule it for Sunday and hope they get everything they need on Fri and Sat. I don't really want there first time walking down Main St to be in chaos.