Christmas Parade Taping Suggestions

gboiler1

gboiler1

Active Member
It appears the Christmas Parade will start taping on our last day at WDW this year, 12/1.

My question(s) are...

*Should we avoid MK altogther, if possible?
*If we go to MK, what's the rest of the park like?
*Should we take in some of the taping to catch some celebs and performances, or is it a waste of time? and how long does taping last?

Thanks for the suggestions in advance!
 
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wild01ride

wild01ride

Well-Known Member
gboiler1 said:
It appears the Christmas Parade will start taping on our last day at WDW this year, 12/1.

My question(s) are...

*Should we avoid MK altogther, if possible?
*If we go to MK, what's the rest of the park like?
*Should we take in some of the taping to catch some celebs and performances, or is it a waste of time? and how long does taping last?

Thanks for the suggestions in advance!
Click to expand...


I think that the Christmas Parade which is filmed is actually a free hard-ticket event. (I think that you need to visit the production company website or something to obtain a ticket...which is free...to be admitted. At least I remember something to this effect from last year.)

I have a feeling that MK is a zoo on that day, however, it's really a zoo anytime during MVMCParade, so it's probably no different. If you haven't seen the parade before, I would highly recommend it. Excellent music, in my opinion, and the costumes and parade vehicles are great! Plus, since it's the television version, you will, as you mentioned, get to see several television personalities which should only enhance the event!
Let us all know how it was if you decide to go! :xmas:
 
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gboiler1

gboiler1

Active Member
Original Poster
I'm pretty sure it's not a ticketed option, because my sister in law "stumbled on it" last year. They had no idea what was going on when they first arrived.
 
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reptar77

reptar77

Well-Known Member
The parade taping takes a long time. I found it interesting at first then got bored. The park was crazy and we ended up going to MGM.
 
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vilegirl

vilegirl

New Member
We were lucky enough to go to the taping last year and it was really good. It's not something I'd want to do every year, but it was so cool seeing it all and then seeing ourselves on TV Christmas morning! We took lots of pictures and it's definitely a few pages in the scrapbook that I find myself looking at again and again. We're going a week later this year so we won't be there for the taping, but I highly recommend it.:)
 
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Gorjus

Gorjus

Well-Known Member
We also stumbled upon it either last year or the year before. So, it is not a hard ticket event. If you have no interest in it, once you get past the MOB on Main Street, the rest of the park is ok, but it couldn't hurt to skip the park completely.

If you want to be part of the taping, remember that to get the right shot, it might require 25 takes. So, the director will cue the audience to cheer and yell while the camera is focused on you. Then will ask you to do that again and again and again, etc., till they get the correct shot. Welcome to the world of movies.

So yes, the taping takes ALL DAY. We entered the park early in the morning and later in the afternoon, after we did our thing and were exiting, they were still taping.

Side Note: I've seen Kelly Ripa on TV and never considered her one of those actresses who was absurdly skinny like Nicole Ritchie, the Olsen Twins, Callista Flockhart. However, when I saw her in person at the taping, she looked skinny in a scary way. So if Kelly looking normal on camera is scary in person, what must those "scary on camera" girls look like in person......boggles the mind.:brick:
 
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mousermerf

mousermerf

Account Suspended
Just a reminder...

Because they are taping the "parade" does not mean you'll even see a float or a dance or anything. They could be doing the Regis and Kelly part that day, or just the musical guests (I got that day last year, it was horrid and boring) or you can get the actual days that the parade goes down the route.

It is certainly not like anything you see on TV.

Everything is done with about 5mins of show, 1hr of nothing happening while you sit around REALLY REALLY bored.

Last year, to get the park looking crowded and to get people there in festive clothing, they gave away free park admission via sign-ups through the film crews websites. Regular day guests could also come and go as they pleased.
 
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mousermerf

mousermerf

Account Suspended
To actually answer your questions... (hehe!)

The rest of the park was a slow to moderate day. Last year, none of the freebie guests (i'd say over half of the park's attendance) had physical tickets, so they didn't have access to FP. Think of how short those FP lines were.

Getting into the park, early morning, can be a bit of a mess, as half of the turnstiles were dedicated to guests with the vouchers and forms and etc, being lead into the park in groups. It seemed to make things a little messy for everyone else, but early December is really very slow anyways. On days they actually do the parade-parade, getting down mainstreet can be hard, but the rest of the park feels empty.

If something catches your eye, feel free to stop and watch it - just be prepared to be ushered away if you're wearing logo clothing that's not Disney or if they just don't want you in the shot. It happens *shrug*
 
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gboiler1

gboiler1

Active Member
Original Poster
ClemsonTigger2 said:
We're going to be at WDW during taping, too, and I'd like to avoid the parade - does anyone know where to find out more info like dates and particular times? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yesterday on MousePlanet.com I believe it said taping was 12/1-3. It's in their WDW Update from Tuesday 9/5.
 
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L

LuvtheEars

New Member
MVMCParade

Is the parade they will be taping the same one at the MVMCP? I will be down there during taping time and would like to see the Christmas parade, but I have tickets to the MVMCP and if I can catch it there I will not worry about going to MK during the taping.

:xmas:
 
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gboiler1

gboiler1

Active Member
Original Poster
It's the same parade, sort of, except lots of starts and stops. Celebs doing special performances that you wouldn't normally see in the parade during MVMCP. Go to the actual parade. You'll enjoy it so much more.
 
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B

Blizz

New Member
Lightship Entertainment (the producers of the parade) posts a casting call on their site each year. If you sign up through them you are put in the on-camera sections. After taping you are given the chance to enjoy MK at no cost. Cast members are also given the chance through the Cast Portal to sign up.
 
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