Went to the DL Christmas Day Parade Taping-Updated w/Tips for anyone wanting to do it

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

We had a wonderful time. They started out the day by taping performances. We got into the park just in time to be in the center of the audience for the Jonas Brothers! It very early in the day and, therefore, was a fairly small crowd (they'll make it look bigger from the camera angles they used) and somewhat of an intimate performance. The boys did Joy to the World (with pyrotechnics) and then a capella versions of Burning Up and another song. Since we had the girls with us and were holding them in our arms, we left the audience after about 3 taping sessions, so we could listen off to the side. After they finished, Jose Feliciano took the stage for "Feliz Navidad". We heard him from a distance, as we had already taken up spots on Main Street for the parade taping.

We saw Ryan Seacrest doing the DL parade hosting, again, this year. Corbin Bleu made an appearance, and so did the Disney 365 hosts. They brought out all of the dance troupes that perform the parade's opening number first. Then they lined the floats up and went through taping each float's performances 1 by 1 in an orderly fashion, until they were satisfied, then they moved onto the next float. They got a bit of a late start - not until about 11:15 - and it took them until about 3pm or so. The floats look really great this year and we loved the dancing gingerbread men.

We also did our new Pixie Hollow attraction and I'll post a thread up here, also if folks want, to show some cool details. I'm going to put one up on the DL board. As the DL one is completely outdoors, unlike the WDW one, they have used the surroundings/landscaping to add some beautiful sculptures of Tink and the girls.

All in all, a really fun day!!!!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

that sounds cool! we love to watch that on tv when it's all said and done...I love how it looks like it's really happening as it is rather than pieced together afterwards!

 

[sanapunk]

Sounds wonderful! I'm sad that JB won't be at WDW this year though.

 

[DebºoºS]

Wow, what an exciting and cool day you've had! Very interesting to hear the way they tape it. Didn't realize they taped so much. But of course that's why it's always perfect. Did you take any pics? Would love to see them

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

We downloaded our photos and videos late last night, so I need to run through them. I know we took a bunch of video during the 3 taping of Joy to the World that we saw. They went on to do about 10 more tapings - to complete Joy to the World and then their other songs. I was sad that I didn't get as many photos of the parade stuff, as we had to leave to meet some other DISers for Northern California for lunch.

We learned a lot for next year about how the taping run and how and when to duck in and out of Main Street during the tapings to be able effectively handle watching something that long with little children who get bored!

Lessons learned (that can also apply to the WDW taping):
1) Stay on the side of the street that has either shade or potties and position yourself within an easy access point to them. We were on the shady side, in front of a store that provided a back-door route to Baby Care.

2) Keep the Market House or Bakery in easy access. Wither that or stock up with snacks and counter service breakfast goods before getting your spot.

3) If planting yourself near a tree, keep in mind that they may haul another fake flocked tree over and plop it in next to it on the Town Square side. Yep - look at the DL shots when watching the parade.

4) After the kids dancing in the parade do their things, all of the parents leave to go meet them and half of the parade route people disappear! This leaves a lot of good seats open.

5) Wear red and your Santa hats, scarves, mittens and Ears and make lots of noise. This gets you noticed by the camera crews and the people filming the little segments. They love holiday attire! Especially dress your kids that way.

6) People will get bored over halfway through and leave - especially when it is really lunchtime or when the characters leave the floats for their breaks. The floats come out initially manned, but then the Disney performers come in and out. Interest will then stay low after that portion of the day.

Hope this gives some help to others who may be interested in attending one of these in WDW or next year in DL. They always have a thread about the taping on the DL board!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Great tips Nancy -- we'll look forward to getting a glimpse of your family in the parade!!!

 

[MM32830]

If anyone is interested, Disney World is taping their Christmas parade on Dec 5th and 6th. I'll be there (at least on the 5th, maybe both days).



____________________
Armand

 

[sanapunk]

If anyone is interested, Disney World is taping their Christmas parade on Dec 5th and 6th. I'll be there (at least on the 5th, maybe both days).



____________________
Armand

Is this a definate? Because I heard it was the 6th and 7th.

 

[MM32830]

Is this a definate? Because I heard it was the 6th and 7th.

Saw those dates on two different sites. Not sure if that qualifies for a "definite" or not.


_________________
Armand

 

[goofy4tink]

The parade routinely is taped on Sat, with Friday kept open for the Castle forecourt act tapings.
No one has heard, definitively, yet as to what is going on with the tapings. Usually, the production company has had some kind of signup by now..usually for those with DVC or AP status. But, nothing has been seen/heard yet.