Debate: Loss of TOD to kill WS

[OnWithTheShow]

Frankly I am very very concerned about the loss of Tapestry. I think Disney may unwittingly kill World Showcase attendance. In all my trips to Epcot I remember very few times being in the World Showcase in the day. I most often only go to Epcot in the late afternoon to get dinner, watch tapestry and illuminations, and hit Spaceship Earth on the way out. That is about all I do at Epcot (well I hit all the World Showcase shows). My question is do you think some people will no longer be visiting the World Showcase and instead park hopping to the Studios or MK? Of course since I dont pay for admission most people may be different in what they do at Epcot. I will sadly miss Tapestry. Evenings in the World Showcase were like the eye of the Hurricane, the calm center of the world where I could truly relax.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I wish they had gone back to ToN.
Seems like they had to cancel ToN/ToD quite abit due to any kind of breeze whatsoever.
And then they made the route short. That was the sign there of things to come.
I am not surprised. But would like to see ToN return.
ToD, the short version, was more like asking -- Why bother?

 

[airlarry!]

I saw the parade during Mardi Gras weekend of 2001. I don't remember which version it was. Where could I find out what was running at that time?

 

[pheneix]

Disney already killed any chance of promoting growth in the World Showcase when they butchered Tapestry of Nations.

Considering that Tapestry of Dreams has the lowest guest satisfaction ratings of any parade that Disney has ever done, I doubt the impact will be all that significant.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

The first time we went to WDW after Epcot was completed, I took one look at the LONG distance you had to walk to get around World Showcase and decided it was too much trouble and except for taking some pictures of the architecture, we only stopped for snacks or drinks.
The second trip we went the whole way around and just looked superficially at WS and by accident caught a couple performances.
Mostly we went for Illuminations and to have lunch and take some pictures - particuarly of the Mimes and some of the performing musical groups.
After ToN began, we beat it to WS for every performance we could squeeze in. We spent as many afternoons and evenings there so we could see it frequently. We did not neglect the other parks or activities.
Once Tapestry is gone for good, we probably won't bother with WS unless we go for lunch or to see a particular group perform. The music (although it was better for ToN than ToD) would be enough for me to be there for the parade.
I don't have a whole lot of faith in something as good or music as stirring in any new production and will have to see it to believe it. I can't believe it was such a poor attraction that they can just wipe it out.
Sorry to ramble, but it's a sore spot with me..........one of those If it ain't broke, don't fix it attractions that makes me wonder who's pulling the strings behind the scenes.

 

[wdwfreak]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but my favorite place to go with DW is World Showcase, and we've never seen ToD/ToN. With a couple of exceptions (TT, HISTA, LS), FW isn't all that interesting to us. Even our kids love WS, with the addition of Kidcot and more characters.

 

[Planogirl]

I suspect that people who enjoying shopping and dining (and staying in the parks past 7PM during the off season ) will continue to go to World Showcase. I can only speak for myself but I never bothered with ToN/ToD after the first viewing but only because I'm not much of a parade viewer. Also, we run so hard through the other parks that it's nice to come to WS just to slow down a bit. I think if Disney boosts the number of acts performing around the WS (one can always dream) that these may just offset any decline in attendance.

Actually, I think it's the Future World portion of Epcot that has hurt attendance.

 

[All Aboard]

Not sure what the impact will be in general. But for us it will change how we conduct our weekend trips. Typically, if I can get out of the office early on Friday, we'll shoot up, check in and head to WS to see the second run of Tapestry (7:45 or 8:15) and then grab dinner there. Perhaps I'll just hit one of the Popeye's on the Turnpike now.

 

[Capt Jazbo]

I don't want to offend anyone, but I'm glad that TOD is ending. I think it was named Tapestry of Dreams because it was designed to put you to sleep. It made traveling around WS a genuine pain.

I won't miss it and I doubt it will spell the end of WS - jeez!

 

[wtg2000]

I enjoyed the parade but won't miss it. That melody got in my head! And if you didn't want to see the parade it sure messed up the promenade.

I usually spend each evening at WS. It's my Downtown Disney. I like to watch the entertainment, talk to the cast members from the different countries, go to an attraction or two, have dinner and pasteries, and just wander around. And I don't shop. I never get tired of the place.

It's fun to talk to the CMs, especially ones in stores that aren't too busy. One night the outside CM from China started showing me how to twirl those baton-type thingys with the stick - whatever they're called. Next thing I know, a whole bunch of people are trying it. I don't think anyone bought one though.

I'm reluctant to say this, but I often hear the "it's boring, there's nothing to do" comment. It depends on the attitude. It is possible to make things happen youself, to seek things out and explore. This is also true of Animal Kingdom, as ME said it would be. Talk to the CMs from the various countries, ask them questions and you get neat info and stories - sometimes. WS is much more than just shopping and eating - although eating plays a major part.

Just curious - can you still get on Spaceship Earth after Reflections of Earth is over? That's about 17 minutes after official park closing time.

 

[Eeyore2U]

How long has it been in WS. I remember it when Illuminations was the draw since it was the only thing going on. I think it will still pull a significant crowd.

 

[ScottJoy]

I absolutely love World Showcase, and will continue to even if there is no parade at all.

 

[robinb]

I won't miss the parade. IMO, it was boring and derivative ... the same thing again and again. Oh look! It's another drummer! We nicknamed it the "Lame-o" parade because that's what the music sounded like: "Lame-o, lame-o, lame-o ..." Most of all, it made walking through the WS an huge pain in the butt. The one thing I liked about the parade was the CM's interaction with children.

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by OnWithTheShow
Frankly I am very very concerned about the loss of Tapestry. I think Disney may unwittingly kill World Showcase attendance. My question is do you think some people will no longer be visiting the World Showcase and instead park hopping to the Studios or MK?

World Showcase attendance was just fine for the sixteen years Epcot went without a parade.

 

[pheneix]

>>>I know that this is untrue. Several other parades, including Mulan in particular, were considered much less guest popular.<<<

After seeing the ratings and feedback that got passed around about ToD, I highly doubt that Mulan could manage to do worse. In addition, ToD also has a horrific turnover rate with their CMs, by the far the highest of any parade currently running in Florida. That played somewhat of a part in the decision to finally can this parade.

Of course, to call any parade worse than Light Magic is a bald-faced lie (although I really wasn't even thinking about Disneyland when I made that statement), so yes, you are right about ToD not being the worst.

 

[d-r]

Originally posted by airlarry!
I saw the parade during Mardi Gras weekend of 2001.

Did you catch any good throws?

PS I'm pretty sure it was TON, I don't think that TOD started until fall of 2001.

 

[d-r]

Show,
Just my opinion, but I don't think it will hurt world showcase to see it go. Illuminations is the big draw.

Honestly, to me, after they changed it from TON I'll be sort of glad to see it go, at least it won't be in the way to get around. I really loved TON, but TOD just wasn't the same, to me.
DR

 

[HorizonsFan]

I really loved TON, but TOD just wasn't the same, to me.

I agree. TON seemed to fit in with the millenium celebration while TOD felt like it was trying to hang on to the energy created during the millenium celebration.

 

[mickey1010]

I agree with a number of your responses!! WS is definitely one of my favorite places in WDW. I love wandering through the countries and of course eating and drinking way too much! I also agree that ToN was wonderful, while ToD was not-so wonderful. I'm not really sad to see it go.

 

[Wes]

I liked both Tapestry of Nations and Tapestry of Dreams -- though I liked ToN more than ToD.

I do agree that ToD was too many of the same drummer floats. But it did have a good variety of the very creative puppets. We especially lked the puppet that had its own puppet.