Taping of annual Christmas special begins today at Walt Disney World

Beginning today (Nov. 10), segments of the Disney Parks special that airs on Christmas morning will be taped at Walt Disney World. According to the Disney cast member web site, taping will take place through Friday (Nov. 13). In past years, the tapings typically took place at the start of December, so this is a much earlier schedule. The name of the holiday special also has changed yet again this year; the special will be titled “Disney Parks Unforgettable Christmas Celebration.”

For years, Walt Disney World invited various groups, such as passholders, sports volunteers and even the general public, to apply for free tickets to the tapings. In exchange, ticketholders agreed to be in the audience for a block of time. For the last couple of years, however, only cast members were eligible for the tickets, and that is the case again this year.

But even if you don’t have one of the complimentary production tickets, you still may be able to take part in the tapings — or at least see some of the acts. The Magic Kingdom, where taping takes place on Main Street, U.S.A. and the Castle Forecourt Stage, opens to the public at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10, 11 and 12 and at 8 a.m. Dec. 13. Passholders and guests who pay admission may enter the park, and if there is room in the roped-off areas for the pre-selected audience — which usually happens later in the afternoon — they may be allowed to join cast members.

Production may take place at other locations across Walt Disney World resort, as well. One year that my family and I had tickets for the production taping, we ended up at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to watch Celine Dion perform because it began raining and the production couldn’t continue at the Magic Kingdom. So, don’t be surprised if you happen upon a temporary production set this week!

Fans love to speculate who will be performing, but that, too, is a closely guarded secret, for the most part. Presumably, this is to help avoid overwhelming crowds that would be disruptive to other guests’ park experiences.

A word of warning: This is an actual television production, which means that songs are sung multiple times and individual floats are sent down Main Street over and over again to get the desired image from the correct camera angle. That means you most likely will spend more time waiting than viewing the events, and you shouldn’t expect to see a seamless concert or parade.

I speak from experience when I say this can be a tedious process when you have young children. If you’re determined to take part, though, I’d suggest bringing plenty of snacks, drinks and electronics to occupy the kids during the wait. Still, it can be a unique opportunity. When else would my daughter stand feet away from Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers while they serenaded the crowd with Christmas songs a few years ago?

Taping at Disneyland is scheduled for Dec. 11 through 13.

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