Magic at Last TOD Parade

[spike@okw]

We made the last TOD Parade on 3/1/03, my wife, three kids and I went to Italy about 30 minuets before the parade to get a good spot. We parked the strollers and reveled to the fact that we made it, after arriving to WDW that day from New Orleans. We were relaxing and crowd watching when a large group of 30 young adults (twenty something’s) gathered right next to us. They were yelling whooping and having a great time, they appeared to be spring breakers. I told my wife we left New Orleans to get away from Mardi Gras and it followed us here. I then notice Disney Security guards walk over a start talking to them, it looked like the security officers were going to quiet them down, but they just got louder. Then I notice other CM’s that came over to chit chat with the group. I also saw some CM Suits taking pictures from the 2nd floors of the Italian Pavilions across the street from the group, then I realized that all of these kids were off duty CM’s . Of course I struck up a conversation with some and yes they were all off duty CM’s of Disney most were from EPCOT and were in the TOD at some point. They told me that tonight was the last TOD Parade never to be seen again. I told them this is why I am here. Then the parade started, and of course all of the kids new all the words to the songs as well as knowing everyone in the parade. The parade participants put on quite a show for their friends by dancing, singing, jumping, and crying. I got goose bumps just watching what was going on. The parade had ended and there was a lot of crying, and I asked one of the kids where they were going to be for the 7:30pm parade she told me that the were going to be in Morocco, but the it was not going to be pretty. After a ride on test track we got back to Morocco where that TOD would end for good and the crowd was four or five people deep. I saw most of the CM’s that were at the earlier parade and a lot more. I could not get a good spot so I just stood in back and watched, much of the same went on as at the first parade, with the drummers throwing their sticks into the crowd as the paraded turned behind Morocco for the last time. As the last Parade participants cleared WS, they were followed by a huge crowd of CM’s holding signs that said DREAM ON! As you can tell I am not a writer, and I wish I could describe the parade in more detail, all I can say is what I saw that night was Magical.

Dream On!

 

[chessie]

Tapestry is my absolute favorite. I think that if I had been there with you that night I would have been actually sobbing. I had tears running down my face wile reading your post. thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.

chessie

 

[kilee]

I too got teary eyed and had a very large lump in my throat after reading your post. This parade seemes to be either something people love or hate. I loved it. I am very sad to see it go.

 

[kamgen]

What a wonderful post! I saw Tapestry for the first time on my honeymoon and was blessed to see it many times since...I loved that parade....
Sad to see it go

Thanks for sharing that night with us!
Kamy

 

[Ted and Holly]

We were there too!

There was a huge group of CMs who stayed at the courtyard near the Italy pavillion and danced to the music until well after Illuminations.

It sure was Magic!

Ted

 

[Credit Man]

Great post for a great parade. Thanks for sharing your emotion.

 

[MICOL]

I was there this past Friday night and it was sad not to see the TON/TOD. Illuminations was great as usual. By the way we got to Epcot at 1pm and it was like a ghost town. Never have I seen it so empty. Walked right up ShipEarth. TestTrack no waiting. Malestrom no wait. It got busy at night as all the other parks closed at 7. I think there will be less people going to Epcot without TON/TOD, the kids loved it.

 

[freediverdude]

I posted a report on this too, the day after the last parade, as did some other people- here's a link to the thread with some more comments on this. http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=336032 I still can't think of what happened that night without getting tearful. It really took a lot during those last few minutes of the parade to hold back the sobbing.

 

[tigger71]

TOD was my absolute favorite thing about disney. I saw it in 2000 and in 2002 and cried tears of joy each time! I didn't know it would come to an end. but my question is what will they replace it with? Something equally as cool that will make us cry?

 

[Capt Jazbo]

As I read your post I too began to cry. Of course mine were tears of joy knowing that TOD would not be there to clog up the WS when we're there in May. A got choked up again (with happiness)when I thought about not listening to that repetitive tune they played over and over and over.....

Oh well, one man's garbage is another man's treasure.

Regards.

 

[MamaQuack]

Spike:

What a beautiful post. I too am crying as I read it. My 11 year old son and I were there on Feb 25 and many, many of the CM's were there too. Tears were falling all around us - including us.
This too has always been our favorite.

Mama Quack

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Thank you so much for sharing!! I had goosebumps when I was reading. We would have loved to watched the parade one more time. My 3 year old just loves "Hay-lah Parade" He keeps asking if we will see it when we go to Dizy World again, and I tell him no but thankfully we were able to tape it last trip and we have the Millenium Celebration CD which is constantly playing in the car.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

I just had to post that as I get the message that my last post was sent.....the Tapestry of Dreams Parade began on Magictrips Radio

 

[Ted and Holly]

Originally posted by Capt Jazbo
As I read your post I too began to cry. Of course mine were tears of joy knowing that TOD would not be there to clog up the WS when we're there in May. A got choked up again (with happiness)when I thought about not listening to that repetitive tune they played over and over and over.....

Oh well, one man's garbage is another man's treasure.

Regards.

Of course, you could have read the post and not said anything. Especially in the mocking tone that you had.

 

[HM]

How ironic......I just realized I'm listening to the parade on Magictrips right now while reading this too.! -HiddenMickey

 

[Matty_Disfan]

I was giving this some thought and I rested on a neat idea:

A nightitme themed parade before Illuminations bringing to life all the hazy and fanciful bedtime characters from your childhood. The man in the moon, pixy fairies, a ghostly sailing ship, the sandman, some monster-like creatures kept at bay by the good denizens of the childhood nightscape. Do all this in sparkly but muted purples and dark blues with the artistic flair from TOD and you would have another classic parade.

What I am sure of is that they can't simply put a 'character' parade in its place. Would be SUCH a let-down from the artictic character of its predecessor.

Just my .02

 

[Capt Jazbo]

Hey Ted - lighten up.

When someone starts a thread I assume that they aren't expecting everyone to agree with them. After all, isn't that what makes this country great - the exchange of thoughts and ideas, the debating of a topic that one feels strongly about, the ability to exercise the freedom of speech? I'm sure that isn't the case and after careful reconsideration you will agree with me.

As for my thoughts on TOD, I stand by them. In my opinion it was a gigantic waste of time that has deservedly ended. But that's just me, and I defend the right of everyone to disagree with me, preferably while mocking me severely.

See you at WDW!

 

[Ted and Holly]

This thread was not started in the Debate Forum nor was it asking for opinions of the parade. The Freedom of Speech also implies the freedom to NOT speak.

From your other posts, you seem to like to flaunt you dislike for the Tapestry parades. That is fine, but in a thread like this, it can only be to get a debate going. Shame on me for falling for it.

Ted

 

[spike@okw]

“May your journey forever be laden with peace, and jubilance dreams may future increase. We look to the future to a beautiful dawn. Till then we will be with you, farewell and dream on, dream on, dream on……”

 

[njziggy]

Spike-
That was very appropriately & beautifully put!