Taping the parade?

[jill9072]

Is this for the parade they show on cmas day? I thought that was live? How does it work, meaning do u have to sign up to be an extra and will it congest main street?

thanks,
sorry for so many questions but we will be there then, and i want to plan around it.

jill

 

[tjmouse]

Yes, it is taped earlier in the month (12/2 and 12/3, maybe 12/4 if the weather is bad one day) and shown on Christmas Day. Main Street will be somewhat blocked, you will have to go through the shops to get past the crowds. You can sign up to be an extra, but people have said they have stopped and watched portions of it being taped. Some say the rest of the park isn't bad, some have said it was. Any Saturday in MK is more crowded anyway, but add that to it and you'll have crowds. If you only have one day at MK, I would choose another unless you want to be there to see the parade specifically.

 

[DJmommy]

Just realized that they are also filming the Christmas parade on Fri. Dec 2. We were planning on doing EMH at the MK that day. How will filming the parade affect this?

We were planning on avoiding the MK on Saturday but were really hoping to get Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Toon Town done Friday morning? Do we have a chance? And how crazy will it be to get out of there?

Oh, we also have early lunch ADR for CP. Thinking about possibly rescheduling this?

Would appreciate it if anyone can give me any tips. We will be traveling with a 6 and 2 yr old.

Never been at Christmas time so really have no idea what to expect.

Thanks in advance.

Jacqueline

 

[InsanelyMickey]

DH and I were at MK last year for the taping (on a Saturday) and if I remember correctly, the taping was wrapped up by late afternoon, so the EMH should be pretty much the same as it would be if it was a non-taping day. Although it was very crowded the day we were there, it's like tjmouse said, it's always more crowded on Saturdays so maybe the Friday taping day won't be as hectic. I'm thinking you may be able to get your Friday morning MK plans in as you hoped. Getting down Main Street will probably be a little more challenging, but should be a little better once you're past that area.

Not sure about your CP question... are you wondering whether you should reschedule or is it something you were considering before you found out the taping was going on? DH and I also did an early lunch at CP on the Saturday of taping last year, and then we just hung out on Main Street and watched the taping for a while. Maybe you could keep the ADR if you think you'll have time to get in everything you want to before your ADR time, and then just exit MK after your lunch if you don't want to fight the crowds to get back to any other attractions.

 

[DJmommy]

Thanks InsanelyMickey for the info. Yes, we had made our ADR 90 days prior, knowing we would probably be at MK that day. I only found about the taping of the parade today. I had read a few weeks ago that it was going to be on Sat. but didn't know about Fri. too.

When they are filming the parade, with people sitting all around, how long will it take to make our way out of the park, do you think? I have read that it is not the whole parade, but done in sequences over and over again so I don't think my kids will enjoy it that much.

We may try to reschedule CP for earlier in our trip and get out sooner that day. Not sure what to do. If I call disney dining again, I am sure that they will think I am out of my mind, as I have already shuffled around my ADR's so many times already. Ah, the trials and tribulaions of all this early planning. Keeps me busy, though!!!

 

[tink22]

When they film the parade people are EVERYWHERE! Large crowds in front of the castle all the way down to the train station, where Regis and Kelly will be sitting for their commentary. They will have Cast Members there to help out and keep walkways clear behind those who are there for the parade. The taping is normally 'cast' with CM's who sign up to be extras for the filming. Anyone else who wants to watch will have to find a spot to weasle into.
It is true that it is not the whole parade, only certain floats on different days. And sometimes they will back the floats up again and tape the same sequence 3 or 4 times to get it right for the final cut.
I would not cancel my ADR's because of this. Most of the busy areas will be along Main St so you can just work your way around the park through the different Lands to keep away from the chaos.