Viewers of ABC’s ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’ generally ask what dates it’s filmed, what watching it carried out dwell is like, and learn how to get tickets to see it in individual for Walt Disney World and Disneyland. If you need to view the parade filming dwell in Florida or California, right here’s what to know. (Updated December 25, 2022.)
First, ABC’s Disney Christmas Day Parade isn’t filmed dwell. Showing as much as Walt Disney World or Disneyland on Christmas anticipating to see these superstar performances dwell is concerning the greatest potential Disney-related mistake you can also make. Not solely will you not see the parade in individual, however you may be topic to one of many busiest days of the yr within the parks. No joke–it’s nuts!
With that mentioned, we extremely suggest visiting Walt Disney World in the course of the vacation season. (If you learn our Best & Worst Months in 2023 to Visit WDW, you’ll see each November and December rank nicely, together with our #1 week of the yr.) For planning fundamentals past that, learn our 2023 Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide. Beyond that, right here’s what you have to learn about ABC’s Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade…
Let’s begin with how all of that is sometimes recorded for tv and Disney’s streaming companies.
In “normal” years, Disney sometimes data the Christmas particular for ABC, Disney Channel, Disney+ and different shops (often, a number of specials are recorded abruptly) in the course of the daytime park hours over the course of some dates in early November when crowds are low. Recording is unfold out over many takes, consuming a number of days. It is most definitely not one-time pass-through of a parade.
Last yr, filming for the tv specials occurred throughout regular working hours as soon as once more at Walt Disney World. At Disneyland, a few of the filming nonetheless occurred in a single day whereas some occurred within the daytime whereas the parks have been open.
We noticed tv crews in Epcot and Magic Kingdom a few occasions. To our data, filming was carried out November 10-14 and once more November 30 and December 1. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive checklist; it’s solely potential that recording occurred different days or in different parks and we simply missed it.
Filming for this yr’s Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade occurred November 12-13 in Magic Kingdom. This was in the course of the busy Veterans Day weekend, which isn’t appear supreme, however Walt Disney World has to work round superstar schedules, which means typically there’s no viable different.
It stays to be seen when the 2023 Disney Christmas Parade will probably be filmed at Walt Disney World. Our greatest guess is someday between November 7 and November 15, 2023. It’s potential that further footage will probably be recorded at first of December 2023–that’s occurred on just a few events in recent times.
The earlier the higher, each by way of the influence on crowds and the lead-time to edit the footage earlier than the Thanksgiving weekend particular airs on ABC and Hulu. (The added filming days in early December are completely for the Christmas Day Parade.) Usually, principal filming takes up 4 days, happening in numerous parks on totally different days.
The 2022 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade airs Christmas Morning on ABC at 10 a.m. ET and 9 a.m. CT/PT and begins streaming on demand the following day on Hulu. The official performer lineup has not but been launched, however for the previous couple of years, Derek and Julianne Hough have hosted.
Last yr, they have been joined by Trevor Jackson and Sherry Cola from Disneyland in California. Additionally, comic Kevin Nealon stuffed the position of Kevin Winterbean, often known as “The Christmas Day Guy” who solutions any and all questions referring to Christmas Day. (Kevin Nealon has carried out this for just a few years.)
Recording in early to mid-November offers Walt Disney World an opportunity to take down the Halloween decorations and rise up Christmas decorations upfront of the recording. Moreover, Disney begins airing these tv specials on Thanksgiving, which just about requires a minimum of a pair weeks of lead-time for ample edits. So, in case you do need to attend the Christmas parade filming, that’s the window to goal for.
One factor that’s value noting is that extra recording is now carried out in out-of-the-way areas. Disney used to file every part on levels in entrance of Cinderella Castle, which prompted congestion. That stage remains to be used to some extent, however not almost to the extent it was, when there have been a number of consecutive hours of high-profile performers (like Mariah Carey) who drew crowds. With Walt Disney World attendance growing, recording for the vacation specials is extra unfold out to diffuse crowds.
In actuality, solely stage performances and interviews will probably be recorded at Walt Disney World, and never the standard parade segments. The conventional parade segments will possible be recorded at Disneyland as soon as once more. Dates for Disneyland are at all times much less sure. Again, Disney makes use of this footage for Thanksgiving specials along with the favored ABC’s Disney Christmas Day Parade, so the timelines will probably be comparable–however sometimes not overlapping–between the 2 coasts.
Nowadays, ‘parade’ might be a misnomer for what’s broadcast on ABC Christmas Day, as a result of what airs is so damaged up and extra like a synergy fest to advertise upcoming film releases, tv reveals, Disney Parks, up and coming artists beneath Disney labels, and extra. It’s mainly a thinly-veiled infomercial for all issues Disney…however a enjoyable one, nonetheless!
In phrases of who’s allowed to observe, tickets for the efficiency/reserved viewing areas at Walt Disney World are distributed to Cast Members and their households. The basic public is allowed to observe from farther again, however crowd management usually necessitates individuals not with the ability to stand in sure areas.
We’ve additionally heard reviews that friends have been randomly chosen to obtain tickets to those viewing areas, however that’s very a lot luck of the draw. It’s in all probability dependent upon how a lot Disney-branded Christmas garb you’re sporting or how photogenic your youngsters look.
These segments was filmed in early December, and we’re not completely certain why they’ve moved to November, however we have now a few guesses. The almost certainly state of affairs is as a result of ABC has been airing a number of vacation specials every year throughout its “25 Days of Christmas” and the longer lead time permits for footage from the filmings at Disneyland and Walt Disney World for use previous to Christmas day.
On Thanksgiving, ABC airs “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” which featured an equivalent lineup of performers, and was filmed simultaneous to the Christmas Day Parade. This particular kicked off the vacation season with a star-studded celebration showcasing musical performances, particular appearances, and Disney magical moments together with the fortress lighting from Disney Parks world wide: Florida, Anaheim, California, Paris, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Even if ABC have been to cease doing this particular, which necessitates filming early in November, rising crowds in December make the parade filming a nightmare for Magic Kingdom operations. Typically, early November crowds are a lot lighter. We can’t say for sure if the filming would happen in November regardless of the Thanksgiving particular filming, however we expect it’s fairly possible.
We’ve been at Walt Disney World just a few occasions prior to now when the parade segments have been filmed there, and it was a depressing expertise. Banish no matter notions you may have of it being enjoyable, and getting up near celebrities. It’s lengthy, drawn out, and what you’ll witness doesn’t resemble the completed product.
We truly suggest avoiding the parks the place the Disney Christmas Day Parade is being recorded, because it’s boring to observe in individual and it creates congestion within the parks. What you’re seeing on tv now may look actually enjoyable to see in individual, however we promise you that’s the results of meticulous work in taking pictures, re-shooting, and cautious enhancing.
This actually goes for the parade segments greater than the stage present performances, that are extra pleasurable to observe, and sometimes contain much less arbitrary stopping, pausing, and restarting. Still, it’s value noting that the songs usually are not like a conventional live performance with the performer singing a wide range of totally different vacation hits. It’s the identical tune a number of occasions, after which the following performer transferring on to their tune…additionally carried out a number of occasions.
Of course, affordable minds can fluctuate on this. We have associates who go yearly to linger within the areas the place the performances are filmed, they usually typically benefit from the ‘behind the scenes’ nature of the expertise, and attending to see a few of their favourite celebrities ‘up close’ (err…from about 100+ yards away).
There’s undoubtedly one thing to be mentioned concerning the inside have a look at how the parade is shot, however it’s not one thing round which you’ll need to plan a visit to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. If you need to see a star within the parks, we expect the higher expertise (by far) is Candlelight Processional at Epcot or Disneyland, which is offered as a completed product.
It’s additionally value noting that in early November when the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade is filmed, Walt Disney World isn’t but completely celebrating Christmas. Magic Kingdom is completely decked out for the vacations because of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, however the identical can’t be mentioned for Epcot or the resort lodges.
While early November is among the lowest crowd occasions of the vacation season, we personally favor the couple of weeks after Thanksgiving. We element every part you have to learn about visiting in the course of the vacation seasons in our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World and Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Disneyland.
Overall, we benefit from the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, and it’s good to see it returning to some semblance of a “parade” format after being merely a “celebration” for just a few years. Yes, it boils all the way down to being an prolonged business for the parks and different Disney stuff, however it’s enjoyable. However, it’s greatest loved as a completed product from the consolation of your own home on Christmas morning. If you’re planning a Disney trip in 2023, you’ll be able to subscribe to our free e mail publication for normal updates, planning ideas, and every part else you have to know earlier than you go!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider ABC’s Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade? Have you been within the parks throughout a filming? What was your expertise like? Would you prefer to attend? Any questions we will help you reply? Hearing your suggestions is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!