Christmas Parade Taping Tips

[Gator]

I've read so much about avoiding the MK on the days of the taping, but it looks like I'm gonna be there on the Friday of the televised event. As far as crowds go, is it any worse than a typical summer day at MK? Or is it just hard to get around because the parade is sitting still for hours from Splash MT to Main Street? Do the lines for the attractions increase, or are all the locals there to be on TV? And for my wife's sake, what are the chances of seeing Kelly Ripa? Thanks

[Strmchsr]

Friday is not as bad. Generally they do the taping of the musical groups in front of the castle on Friday. Saturday is the worst day for the parade taping. Yes the crowds are big as locals flood in, and the lines definitely increase, too, but it's manageable. Saturday is the big day to avoid. As for seeing Kelly - it's iffy. She's out in spurts, but not always in a place you can see her.

[rjmdds]

We have been there for a parade taping Friday. It was not as bad as we thought. In general, the crowds extend from the castle down Main Street. You want to avoid the hub and Main Street in general as it will be difficult to navigate through the masses. The rest of the park was actually fine. When the taping is over, those there for the taping will start to flood the park, so it may be best to leave the park by then.

[AllDisney]

Friday is not a bad day to be at the taping. We have just adjusted our schedule and don't go to MK until Monday

[epceddie]

We will be at WDW Dec. 9-16. When exactly is the parade scheduled to be taped?

[Strmchsr]

We will be at WDW Dec. 9-16. When exactly is the parade scheduled to be taped?

Nov 30-Dec 2

[natstroop]

Does Kelly Rippa always host the Christmas parade? When we were there the first week in December in 2007, we ran into Kelly Rippa in Animal Kingdom. She was with her kids and other people being escorted by a guide. Her son Michael went to this stand to try on hats right next to me, so I talked to her for a second. I got a few pics of her as we were going the same way she was around the park. And I have to say...she's a lot skinnier in person than she looks on tv. She's so tiny!

[Katzateer]

We have been to the tapings a few times over the years and never saw Kelly. I have seen her and Regis taping the show at the studios for one of their visits to the parks another time of year.

What makes the MK more crowded is they give out free tickets to the locals for MK that day. They line up early and then after the taping (which is in pieces with lots of downtime) they can enjoy the MK the rest of the day.

[CosmicRay]

Nov 30-Dec 2

Oh good! We will be checking in on the 2nd!

We have been there during the parade taping and other than the Main Street area being crowded, we didn't notice a big difference in the crowds around the rest of the park.

[Gator]

What makes the MK more crowded is they give out free tickets to the locals for MK that day. They line up early and then after the taping (which is in pieces with lots of downtime) they can enjoy the MK the rest of the day.

You have got to be flipping kidding me! So it's not just locals with APs. It's locals getting free tickets. Just wonderful

[Strmchsr]

You have got to be flipping kidding me! So it's not just locals with APs. It's locals getting free tickets. Just wonderful

That's correct. That's part of the draw. They put out a "casting call" and folks have to sign up for 4 hour shift, but after that they are able to be in the parks the rest of the day.