Question about park opening on the days of MK Christmas parade taping

[happymom52003]

I've been to the MK on parade taping days before, but not at opening.....so I have a couple of questions.

I know all of the downsides to going to the MK on the parade taping days....so I'm not asking about those. I just want to know what to be prepared for as far as getting into the park (as a regular guest...not someone partipcating in the parade taping) at opening time on those days.

I've seen photos of the hundreds of people lined up to get in for the taping....do they let these people in early? I'm wondering if getting into the MK at opening time is a madhouse on these days, or if the people that are there specifically for the taping are already in the park by the time the park officially opens.

Also, do they still do the opening ceremony with Mickey coming in on the train on parade taping days?

 

[bcornette]

This is not an answer but you seem like you know the answer to my question and I need to know the answer to yours as well.
I have never been to WDW in December but apparently our first trip in December ends on the days of taping.
What should I expect knowing that my 2 smal children are going to want to spend one of the last days at WDW in MK?

thanks for allowing me to tag along.

 

[Carolyn1717]

Here is some information I was able to get on last years event which may help you. It seems that availability for this event is gone within hours of release....


Walt Disney World Christmas Day parade taping

posted by Kristin Ford on Nov 2, 2007 1:28:33 AM Discuss This: Comments (13) | TrackBack (0) | Linking Blogs | Add to del.icio.us | Digg it
Before I could tell you about it, they were gone. It took less than 6 hours on Thursday for passholder tickets for the taping of the Walt Disney World Christmas Day parade to be snapped up. I knew they went quickly because I hadn't been able to secure reservations in past years. But 6 hours? Unbelieveable.
Earlier this week, a note appeared on the passholder Web site, indicating that in November we would be able to submit requests for the Nov. 30 taping of celebrity performances on the castle stage in the Magic Kingdom. That especially interested me because of the expected performers: 'High School Musical' stars, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Joey Fatone and Drew Lachey, Josh Groban, Harlem Boys Choir and Whitney Houston. The lineup has not been confirmed by Disney, but I did find it on an online source that has been accurate in the past.
If you were not one of the lucky ones and you want to see the taping, you still can.

The Magic Kingdom is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day, which means you can arrive an hour after those with reserved tickets. Also, the following day, Dec. 1, Disney will be taping the Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin segments. The park opens at 9 a.m. that day as well.
Be forewarned: It might not be worth your while. My family went last year without tickets and it was incredibly difficult to navigate Main Street. Cast members were firm in not allowing anyone inside the ropes who didn't have a wristband, which meant we couldn't see much over the crowd of spectators that were a dozen or more deep.

From MousePlanet:

When you fill out the form, you will be able to print out your registration information. You can present the printout to the Cast Members at the Magic Kingdom toll plaza to get free parking (if you don't already get free parking from staying on-site or having an Annual Pass). When you get to the front of the park, there will be an Audience Check-In area at the far-right turnstiles. Once you are confirmed to be on the list, you will get complimentary admission into the park and you will be sent to your reserved viewing section.
Bright-colored clothing is recommended, especially holiday colors, but nothing with logos and advertising. (Except for Disney logos, of course!) They're also encouraging children ages 10 and under to wear Disney character costumes, and all guests to wear holiday clothing


From all of this, I assume you have to fill out a registration form to be able to really see the parade. I would check periodically with MousePlanet.com to see when these will be available or how to go about getting the form. I appears if you just go into the park, you really cannot see the parade from any good location. Good luck!! :xmas:





Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

 

[mnfootballmommy]

I don't know the answers to those, but I will tell you that they remove some of the holiday decorations to accommodate the taping of the parade. We were at MK the Monday after the taping and were 'disappointed' by the lack of holiday decor, not knowing that some was removed to accommodate the parade taping. When we were back on Friday, things had been put back and there was a noticiable increase in decorations. Just something to keep in mind...:xmas:

 

[PrincessBitty]

We were there last year and the park was packed. Disney sends a special invitation to Annual Pass Holder that gives them get special entrance prior to park opening and of course all of the best seating. It's difficult to get great reservations for priority entrance b/c it fills up so quickly. It is an interesting thing to see, but keep in mind it is not like watching an actual parade. There are large gaps of dead time and the performers are taped on different days and on stationary stages that look like floats. So even if you have a spot on the route, there is no guarantee that you will actually see celebrities / performers. I've seen both the holiday & Easter parades, and they are neat but kids definitely don't seem to have the attention span for it with the reshoots and breaks (we sat for 30 minutes with nothing going on). It is a good time to get on the rides early b/c most people are trying to see bits and pieces of the parade.

 

[PrincessBitty]

Oops - I forgot to mention that it is very difficult to get down Main Street if you are there at park opening, so definitely don't expect to get anywhere in the park quickly. The AP holders get in early are packed by the parade staff into the front of the park and down the sidewalks so it makes for an uncomfortable travel (it was even difficult trying to cut through the shops b/c everyone who wasn't watching the parade was using that route as well.:brick:

 

[happymom52003]

Thanks for the replies so far, but again.....I have been there on taping days before so I know what to expect.

The question I need answered is about that park at opening time on the parade taping days.

Last year someone posted pictures of the HUGE crowds outside the gates on taping days waiting to get into the park.....these were the people who were actually participating in the parade taping. I want to avoid being right in the middle of them as I try to enter the park.

I need to know what time people who are actually particpating in the parade are at the gates....are they allowed in extra early (and if so, what time?), or at the same time as the general public?

I also would like to know if they still do the MK opening ceremony on those days.

I'm still hoping there is someone out there who can answer my questions!:wave:

 

[donaldfan]

Which days are they doing the tapings this year? Does anyone know when the Christmas Tree should be moved back to Town Square?

I have no interest in seeing the parade, I like to have everything "normal" during our holiday trips.

thanks!

:xmas:

 

[wdwfan22]

Thanks for the replies so far, but again.....I have been there on taping days before so I know what to expect.

The question I need answered is about that park at opening time on the parade taping days.


I also would like to know if they still do the MK opening ceremony on those days.

I'm still hoping there is someone out there who can answer my questions!:wave:

I can't speak for last year but the year before that we were able to enter the park at 7:00 am. The welcome show was not performed on the taping date. Hope that helps

 

[PrincessBitty]

Sorry my answer was too wordy for you - I know that your post said that you had been there before - but I was trying to help the 2nd poster too who also had a question (you know - share the love). Again - it's a total zoo in the morning b/c of the AP people that are in the park extra early. So you can expect that it is difficult to get around but once you fight the crowd out of Main Street the lines on the attractions in the back areas of the park are not too bad.

 

[happymom52003]

I can't speak for last year but the year before that we were able to enter the park at 7:00 am. The welcome show was not performed on the taping date. Hope that helps

Thank you!:wave: