Christmas Parade

[Eggman]

Just learned i will be there for the Christmas Parade taping on Dec 6&7. Anybody have any tips?

 

[MarkTwain]

Bring lots and lots of patience. The parade taping is a very elaborate process, often involving many takes and celebrities who don't seem to have any sense of urgency in completing their recordings. I went last year and became so frustrated with how long the filming was taking that we just gave up and took advantage of the empty lines instead - and I'm not usually a "commando" type. Also, make sure your food and restroom needs are taken care of before you stake out a spot, because once you leave your spot you likely won't be getting it back.

 

[Sparkle81]

Sorry for the inexperienced question (I've never been in December before) but where & what is the Christmas parade taping?! Wondering if I have to rethink any of my plans

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

My advice show up to the park early and don't bother with the taping just enjoy the park. Oh and take the train to get back to Main Street to avoid the crowd and parade conjestion.

 

[cslafferty]

Sorry for the inexperienced question (I've never been in December before) but where & what is the Christmas parade taping?! Wondering if I have to rethink any of my plans

The Christmas Parade you see on TV on Christmas day is not live - they tape it in the MK on the first Fri-Sat in Dec., which this year is Dec. 6-7. I have never been myself, but understand that those who thought it would be an exciting experience, were surprised at how long and boring it was! We have been going in early Dec. for the past 3 years (this year we will arrive the evening of the 6th and stay through the 11th). We have followed most of the advice given here and have avoided MK altogether on those days and enjoyed relatively low crowds at the other parks. This year, we may try to get into the park later in the evening on the 7th to see MSEP and Wishes.

 

[Sparkle81]

The Christmas Parade you see on TV on Christmas day is not live - they tape it in the MK on the first Fri-Sat in Dec., which this year is Dec. 6-7. I have never been myself, but understand that those who thought it would be an exciting experience, were surprised at how long and boring it was! We have been going in early Dec. for the past 3 years (this year we will arrive the evening of the 6th and stay through the 11th). We have followed most of the advice given here and have avoided MK altogether on those days and enjoyed relatively low crowds at the other parks. This year, we may try to get into the park later in the evening on the 7th to see MSEP and Wishes.

Ah, ok thanks. Being in the UK, we don't get to see the parade on tv over here!
Kind of wish I realised about it before, as we are committed to being in Magic Kingdom on 7th- we have a lunch ADR at Crystal Palace & have made FP+ selections. I hope it's not going to be too crowded there I guess we could maybe just see the morning out, then go back to our resort/park hop in the afternoon.

 

[cslafferty]

Our first year we had a breakfast ADR at Crystal Palace on the day of the taping, and it was advised by people here that I might try to get a reservation on another day, which I was lucky enough to get. I guess once you are away from the Main Street/castle area it's not bad, but considering where CP is located, you might have difficulty getting there. I would allow extra time getting through that area to get to CP and to get to your FP+ rides.

 

[Sparkle81]

Our first year we had a breakfast ADR at Crystal Palace on the day of the taping, and it was advised by people here that I might try to get a reservation on another day, which I was lucky enough to get. I guess once you are away from the Main Street/castle area it's not bad, but considering where CP is located, you might have difficulty getting there. I would allow extra time getting through that area to get to CP and to get to your FP+ rides.

Thanks so much for your advice

I just had a play about with ADRs for a couple of different dates on our trip for either breakfast or lunch, but nothing was available. I think we might just stick it out in the morning, get on whatever attractions we can, use our FP+, have lunch & leave afterwards if it looks like being too busy. At least I know what to expect now, so thanks again!

 

[jencor]

I have been a couple of times and actually the park was not that awfully crowded that I remember. It was bad where they were taping, but we got through it ok. The parade they had a path to walk behind the crowd and or had us go through the stores. When away from the activities, it is a regular day. The taping we thought was boring. The ones with celebrities we waited hours before they even appeared and the taping was one float at a time and they would do the float many times. Go enjoy your day, if you are walking by the taping, stop and watch for a minute, see what they do, just do not waste your time with it.

 

[unkadug]

If you have ever watched the filming of ANY movie then you know just how boring it really is.

Avoid this at all costs if you want to enjoy the park for what it is.

 

[cslafferty]

I think they do most of the filming on the first day, if the weather is nice. So, maybe it won't be so bad on the 7th. And, they are constructing a Main Street by pass behind the buildings to use during parades/fireworks for traffic flow, and I think it should be done by then. Maybe they will have that open during the taping.