Sara Rue, Eric Roberts and Andrea Parker on ABC's Christmas Day Parade

[Pavan]

REGIS PHILBIN AND KELLY RIPA TO CO-HOST 19th ANNUAL
“WALT DISNEY WORLD CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE”

Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa (“Live with Regis & Kelly”) return for a second consecutive year as
co-hosts of the 19th annual “Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade,” set to air WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, Christmas Day (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Presiding over all the fun and festivities of the two-hour holiday extravaganza, Regis and Kelly will provide color commentary for the traditional Walt Disney World Christmas Parade down Main Street, USA. and serve up the introductions for the telecast’s special guests, including comedian Wayne Brady of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and “The Wayne Brady Show”; John Ritter (“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter”); Meredith Vieira, co-host of “The View” and new host of the syndicated “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”; Hillary Duff (“Lizzie McGuire”); stars of “Less Than Perfect” Andrea Parker and Eric Roberts; and from the Disney Channel, the superstar children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles.
In addition to the special’s popular performers and parade pageantry, the ”Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” will showcase all the fun and fantasy of the globally renowned theme parks at Walt Disney World – from the enchanting Magic Kingdom and spectacular Epcot to the thrill-filled Disney-MGM Studios and majestic Animal Kingdom. The program will also feature show-stopping Walt Disney World entertainment, including Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage! with Bear in the Big Blue House, Rolie Polie Olie, Stanley and unforgettable performances from the cast of Beauty and the Beast and the inspiring Cirque du Soleil.
At the heart of the telecast – and a television tradition nearly two decades strong – is the annual
parade in which everyone’s favorite Disney characters take center stage, as it makes its merry way down
Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom.

[Pavan]

MORE STARS ADDED TO THE DAZZLING LINEUP OF THE 19th ANNUAL
“WALT DISNEY WORLD CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE”
More top stars from TV, pop music, country music and Broadway will join the lineup on
Christmas Day, as Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa (“Live with Regis & Kelly”) co-host the 19th annual
“Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade,” set to air WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, Christmas Day
(11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Star Jones (“The View”), Sara Rue (“Less Than Perfect”) and Robin Roberts (“Good Morning
America”) join the show, as do the following musical performers: John Rzeznik, the lead singer of the
Goo Goo Dolls, who sings the title track to Disney’s “Treasure Planet,” “I’m Still Here”; Andrea
McCardle, Broadway star of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Annie,” with her daughter Alexis; Lee Ann
Womack, Grammy Award-winning country star; Heather Headley, Tony Award-winner for the title role
in the Broadway hit, “Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida”; and Jump 5, the hit teen group that performs the
title track on the recently-released “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” DVD. Roy E. Disney, the vice
chairman of the Board of Directors of The Walt Disney Company and head of the studio’s Animation
Department, will make a special appearance too.
The previously-announced talent roster includes: comedian Wayne Brady of “Whose Line is it
Anyway?” and “The Wayne Brady Show”; John Ritter (“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage
Daughter”); Meredith Vieira, co-host of “The View” and host of the syndicated “Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire”; Hilary Duff (ABC and Disney Channel’s no. 1 “tweens” hit, “Lizzie McGuire”); Eric Roberts
(“Less Than Perfect”); and from the Disney Channel, the superstar children’s entertainment group, The
Wiggles.
Plus, the ”Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” will showcase all the fun and fantasy of
the globally renowned theme parks at Walt Disney World – from the enchanting Magic Kingdom and
spectacular Epcot to the thrill-filled Disney-MGM Studios and majestic Animal Kingdom. The program
will also feature show-stopping Walt Disney World entertainment, including Playhouse Disney-Live on
Stage! with Bear in the Big Blue House, Rolie Polie Olie, Stanley and unforgettable performances from
the cast of Beauty and the Beast and the inspiring Festival of the Lion King.
At the heart of the telecast – and a television tradition nearly two decades strong – is the annual
parade in which everyone’s favorite Disney characters take center stage, as it makes its merry way down
Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom.
The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade is produced by Lightship Entertainment in
association with Harborlight Entertainment. The executive producer is Andy Perrot. Jeff Palmer and
John Best are co-producers. The director is Ron DeMoraes and the writer is Tom Horn.