Xmas Parade w/ Kelly & Regis

[Dizzy for Dsny]

Not having ever been to Disney during the Holidays, when does this parade actually happen? I've heard 3 weeks before Xmas - is this correct? And if so, do they ever advertise this or is it just impromptu? As a resort guest, do they ever alert you in the "Happenings around the World"?

Any advice re this parade is appreciated!

 

[hockey mom]

I know last year they taped it on the 5th and 6th I believe.

 

[zurgswife]

HIstorically it is taped the first weekend in Dec. It is not advertised at all.....If they have followed the previous years taping schedule Dec 4 and 5th should be when the taping takes place...

 

[Terk-1]

I've gone to WDW the day after Thanksgiving through the first week of December for the past 2 years. The parade is taped the first weekend of December. I'm not trying to deter anyone from viewing it, but let me fill you in on a few secrets regarding this. The first year I watched it, they made calls to people's rooms stating that something special was happening, but last year they required people to sign up ahead of time and you needed to get a tag for around your wrist. I think they were trying to discourage Joe & Jane tourist and get more people from within the company to be there.

1. The parade is taped in pieces over the entire weekend, which means they could be taping the ending first and the beginning last or in the middle.

2. All of the singing and music is pre-taped. Also, filming is being done prior to the parade at Disneyland as well. We were told that the Wiggles would be there last year and then found out that they had pre-taped their portion at another location prior to this taping.

3. They will tape a specific segment over and over and over again. You can bet you will see the same thing repeated for at least 1/2 hour to 1 1/2 hours.

4. If you plan on viewing parts of the parade, plan on blowing an entire day doing it. Once you move from your spot, don't bet on it being there when you return.

5. The parade is taped in various locations around WDW.

6. Most of the "stars" won't approach people along the sidewalks for pictures or autographs, so don't be disappointed. For example, last year Clay Aiken did not go anywhere near people along the walks, but rather stayed with an assistant in the middle of the street. He also barely acknowledged people along the walks too. However, Wayne Brady did speak to some people while they were waiting for a restart. He was on top of a float however. Also, they corner off Regis & Kelly and don't allow people around their seating area.

As much "fun" as it was to view the first time, I found myself growing tired the second time by around 1pm (they had only taped about 3-4 segments starting early that morning) and left.

 

[PrincessDana]

I'm was hoping to avoid the parade taping. We arrive on 12/04/2004 but won't be going to the parks until 12/05 and I was planning on spending that day at Animal Kingdom.....does anyone know if it also affects any of the other parks. I know the parade is in the MK, but when I've actually watched the parade on TV they show segments from all the parks.

 

[FanofG00fy]

I saw the Wayne Brady taping last year also. He was really good, and did speak to a few of us standing on the sides. As for how we were treated on the sides? We were rushed away or told to get inbetween the lines and to be quiet. When we finally got away from the Wayne Brady taping, we were going to cross over (we were on the right hand side of main street) and go past Crystal Palace to Adventure land. Well, how was I suppose to know that precious Regis and Kelly were down there taping. The rudest people were rushing us. Dang I paid for that day, and I tried my hardest to stay away from Main Street that day. My parents were staying concierge at CR and were told by concierge that they were filming that day and the next. That is how we found out. I was all excited about it, and I knew it would take a while for them to get the "take" they wanted, but it was not fun. To watch Wayne Brady and how he interacted with everyone was pretty cool. If you go, just be prepared to watch something several several times. I hope you have a better time than we did.

Chris

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by FanofG00fy
As for how we were treated on the sides? We were rushed away or told to get inbetween the lines and to be quiet. The rudest people were rushing us. Dang I paid for that day, and I tried my hardest to stay away from Main Street that day.
Chris

I agree. The first time we had the misfortune of being in MK for the parade was in 2002. I had no idea there would be a parade. We had rude people barking orders at us outside of the Emporium, where all I wanted to do was buy a few last minute souvenirs before we left for the airport. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Not a fun last day, for sure.

In 2003, again, the parade was on the day we were leaving. It wasn't as bad as it was in 2002, as far as the how we were treated. We did not run into any rude workers.

That said, I do enjoy watching it on TV, but will try to never be in MK for the parade again.

Tink

 

[Happy2BGrumpy]

They tend to get somewhat uptight when filming. We actually got to talk to one of the producers - Jeff Palmer in 2001. ABC and Disney are under alot of pressure to
make a good production. My DW and I were on TV for the Charlotte Church segment filmed at UK - back where British Invasion plays. It took 2 1/2 hours to film a 5 minute segment!! Everything had to be perfect: lighting, background noise -which was funny because Tapestry of Nations was playing at the time of filming; 10 minute delay, wreaths on doors, watering down the streets for shine, etc., etc., etc

 

[tn_disney_addict]

I hope I miss the taping! We are going the 17th, so it sounds like we will not have to deal with any of that.

I have never been at Christmas and mostly just want to see the decorations and ENJOY the parade.

 

[ChristyJ]

My DH's 37th & DD's 8th birthdays are both on 12/5 (Sunday of the 1st weekend in Dec.), and I was planning on that day at MK, but now I don't know...esp. for a special day like that (and our 1st trip to Disney) it would not be nice to have to deal with rude people!

Not sure what we should do...

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Like I said above, the rudeness we experienced was in 2002. The short time we were there that day in 2003 (less than 15 mins), we didn't have the same bad experience. I think some folks that were watching the parade and not trying to buy souvenirs, may have been having a good time. Who knows, you might have fun. Expect crowds and some confusion though.

Tink

 

[zurgswife]

WOW!!! We were there the entire day for the 2002 taping at WDW and the people running the show couldn't have been nicer...we did sit on the hub for about 7 hrs total....but everyone was very friendly....We ended up "making friends" with a number of dancers as they kept having to retape portions of the show....

We were right beside Regis and Kelly during their intro to the show taping and they were joking a friendly...


We all and all had a great time....we might even stop by again this year...

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I'm glad you had such a nice experience at the taping of the parade. I think we caught the brunt of it because the parade had not started yet and the workers were under more pressure to get it all organized with large crowds.

Also, we needed to catch a plane that day, so were only interested in snagging some souvenirs. I think those that intended to stay for the parade had a better time staying in one place as opposed to those who were trying to make their way from the lands, down Main Street to the Emporium, and then out of MK.

I sure don't want my post to make anyone think it would be a bad idea to watch the taping. Everyone has different experiences.

Tink

 

[zurgswife]

I realize...I just wanted to share my positive experience....

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Last year a lot of the stars got caught in a snow storm and were not there until Sunday. WE avoide MK on Sat. but were there on Sunday. WE had no desire to sit and watch the whole thing but ended up in front of the castle haivng a snack while they were taping. A really nice CM came over and sat with us as we were watching from a distance. He sat with us about a 1/2 hour and told us all kind of stories about the stars and how they tape things. WE really enjoyed the talk and watching a few minutes and then were on our way.


Jordans' mom

 

[mickeymousefan]

We were at MK the first saturday of december last year and saw the christmas parade taping. If I had known this, we would have probably gone a different day. This was our first trip with our 2 DD's and I was so excited about them walking down Main Street the first time and seeing the castle. Well, that didnt happen. Main Street was mobbed and you could barley pass through the crowds. People wouldnt or couldnt move out of your way, even though there was a rope. The park lines were not bad, but the mob scene on Main Street was not to my liking!! We had NO interest in actually watching it (although when Wayne Brady walked right past me, I was star struck!). Unless you want to watch it, I would suggest avoiding it.

 

[Terk-1]

I was not trying to discourage people from viewing it either, but wanted to give a more realistic idea about how this is done.

I did find some cm's a bit rude last year, compared to the year before. The staff had a group of 6 employees sit and stand in front of myself and another group that had been waiting for like an hour. They were extremely rude and kept making comments about how Disney should close off the park for taping days and not allow people like this into the park. Ok, that pretty much did it for me. I began speaking to the group next to me (we had already struck up a nice conversation) about how rude some cast members are and about how if it were not for "us people", they would not have a job here. Also, the family next to me "accidentally" spilled there drink on the sidewalk and the rude cm's got up and left in a huff.

I think if Disney does not want guests at the parade or they want to be more selective about who they invite, then they need to be taping this parade either very early in the morning before the park opens or after the park closes during the week.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by Terk-1
I think if Disney does not want guests at the parade or they want to be more selective about who they invite, then they need to be taping this parade either very early in the morning before the park opens or after the park closes during the week.

I totally agree with this.

Tink

 

[bjakmom]

I hope they're not still taping on Sun (5th) when MVMCP begins!! We plan on arriving in the late afternoon for the party and I hope they're all done and gone by then - if they're not then we will go right up to the train platform - see what we can see from there (wanted my little nephew to be awed by Main St when it's decorated for Xmas!) - then take the train back into the park and avoid Main St altogether. Someone reassure me that they don't do any taping/controlling of the crowds during any MVMCP hours !

 

[Mandalou]

OK. . . just so I got this right. . . the Christmas Parade taping is usually done the first weekend in December at MK, right? If so, then I know to avoid that park on our trip on that weekend. I wonder if the other parks have fewer guests on the taping days. . . hmmm.

THANKS!!!