Tapestry of Nations parade

[PKK/MJK]

debloco is correct. The parade was originally Tapestry of Nations for the Millenium Celebration and then became Tapestry of Dreams. My DD is a
CM and she appeared in both parades so I actually am sure about this. To answer another question--yes, at one time there were three sections to the Tapestry of Nations parade. As I recall, one section went from Mexico to Germany, one went from Germany to Morocco and the third went from Morocco to Great Britain. They elimminated the Morocco to Great Britain segment--although I don't know exactly when or why--probably something to do with the traffic control situation.

Personally, I LOVED this parade and wish they would bring it back! They still have some of the costumes and on occasion at a convention or other special event, they will have Tapestry characters appear.

 

[mandymouse]

Tapestry of Nations was the best WDW parade ever (IMHO), and it was great to be wandering around World Showcase when it was on. The music was wonderful and I would love to see it back, especially if WDW do something special for Epcots 25th anniversary next year

 

[crazyj4488]

Man, I miss this parade. The music, alone, was worth the price of admission. It's nice to hear it being played around the lagoon after Illuminations has ended. At least we have that. World Showcase is a perfect route for a parade...I don't understand why they stopped. It was such a nice thing to catch while out at the parks.

 

[ncbyrne]

I saw both versions of the parades several times on our WDW trips. I loved it. Thanks to the DIS we knew to grab a seat on the bench in Germany - we were able to see one parade begin from this location....and as the last character exited, the other parade was just arriving. It was perfect! I have also seen the parade from the boat with several other DISers on an Illuminations cruise. I too have the sound track and play it often while I'm on the DIS. Ahhh, such fond memories.

 

[bicker]

I don't understand why they stopped.

I bet it is one of those "familiarity breeds contempt" things. Folks always want something new, so we lose the parade (and probably a few other things) but gain Soarin', for example.

 

[subtchr]

Thank you, Debloco...I knew that was correct! We absolutely loved Tapestry of Nations...the Sage of Time leading the parade, the narration at the beginning, the music, the huge puppets interacting with children, everything! We watched it at least twice on our trip in May 2000. When I returned with my oldest son's HS marching band at Xmas 2000, we tried to catch Tapestry of Dreams, but it was too windy that day. Argh! But we still, after Illuminations, linger long after the crowds have dissipated around the WS to hear the Tapestry music. When I went with my DS in 2004, we were walking the long way around an almost empty WS when we encountered a group of CM's leaving AA for the day, dancing to the music as if they were in the parade. We just danced along with them for a while!

 

[suevee]

I too loved this parade!!! Especially the effect it had on children.

 

[cindyfan]

Thanks debloco for making the correction......
We LOVED Tapestry of Nations!!! Our all time favorite.
It just didn't seem to have the intensity or emotion when they changed it to "Dreams".
And ....... I may get flamed here.... but those kids voices annoyed me.

Anyway.... I understood that they had to do away with it because it was costly and too many times it had to be cancelled because of weather. The upkeep on the puppets was extremely costly.

It was really a disappointment if you went to Epcot expecting to see it and then it had to be cancelled. When we went in April 2001 they cancelled it 6 out of 7 days because of either rain or wind.

PKK/MJK.... yes you are correct...... "Nations" first. Changed to "Dreams" spring 2001. And when it was "Nations" it had 3 sections to it.

We saw it the very first week in fall 1999 !!! It was absolutely FANTASTIC!!!
WOW..... this is bringing back great memories! When it first began, I don't think they had any clue it would be so popular. There were no ropes and the crowds could walk right along with the parade!! And we did! It was awesome!!
I think it was originally intended to be even more "interactive" than it ended up. But the crowds got to be too heavy all around the showcase. And with such crowds just there to watch the parade and blocking the way around the showcase....... the countries were losing out.

We love the music so much....... I bought the CD on our trip in 1999 and it is still the most played CD I own!! I play it almost every day on my way to work. It takes me to my "happy place" and puts me in a great mood and easier to handle even the busiest of days on the job!!!

 

[Robo]

World Showcase is a perfect route for a parade...I don't understand why they stopped.

It was a staffing and logisital nigthmare (think $$$) for Epcot.

It required a HUGE number of CMs IN the pararde (puppeteers, drummers and "float-drivers" in 2, or sometimes 3, simultaneous parades) and a massive number of WS CMs to direct "foot-traffic" as the parade basically choked off the walking areas around WS for the duration of the show.
They had to constantly, carefully direct folks (in small groups), trying to get to attactions and PS restaurants, across and through the gaps in the show.

Also, there were reports of the puppeteers have neck and back problems from the way they "wore" and operated those tall (beautiful) puppets.

Not sure of the health issues, but I personally WATCHED all of the confusion and "foot-traffic snarls" each and every parade... ALL AROUND the WS lagoon.

But, the show was MAGICAL.
The parade CM's were SO GOOD at interacting with the crowd and making everyone a part of the celebration.

I'd love to see it come back in some form.

 

[cindyfan]

It was a staffing and logisital nigthmare (think $$$) for Epcot.

That about sums it up!!!!!

 

[pxlbarrel]

We loved the parade (It was the Tapestry of Dreams when we saw it). I loved the music. I remember waiting on a park bench just at the gate where they come out (around Germany) and watching the front end as they came out and the front end of the Mexico parade as it ended.

I taped the entire parade but for most of it you can hear the person who was standing next to me singing through the whole thing!!!! (Think American Idol gone awry).

 

[cindyfan]

I taped the entire parade but for most of it you can hear the person who was standing next to me singing through the whole thing!!!! (Think American Idol gone awry).

Sounds like our video from 2002!

 

[granmaz]

We saw Tapestry of Nations twice on our trip in 2000. It was amazing with those giant puppets, the drums and that awesome music. The children around us just loved it. I was so disappointed it wasn't on when we returned last year, but understand why. I believe you can still buy the CD - perhaps Tapestry of Dreams now, so will be looking out for it. Am I right in thinking they play the music after Illuminations when we are crowding out of the park? Seem to remember the 'way-la' music. Oh, that has set me off!!! If I could just find it online right now!

 

[Pluto4Pres]

My first recollection of this parade happened when we were waiting at a bus stop at OKW. The music was unbelievably loud and we didn't know where it was coming from. Later in the week we saw the parade at Epcot and made the connection. This was the first time that I realized how close OKW is to Epcot. If you look on an aerial map you can see that the WS is just across the highway from OKW.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Many visitors do not realize you can still see this parade..........
Well, sort of......
There are clips of the parade shown on the globe during IllumiNations. it is just that so many don't even watch the globe during the fireworks.......

 

[Polyfor30th]

This parade was a favorite of mine as well. I listen to the soundtrack all the time--in fact, right now I hope they revive a version of this parade for the EPCOT 25th anniversary celebration.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Many visitors do not realize you can still see this parade..........
Well, sort of......
There are clips of the parade shown on the globe during IllumiNations. it is just that so many don't even watch the globe during the fireworks.......

Thanks-now I know what I'll be looking at next time.

 

[stacy6552]

I bet it is one of those "familiarity breeds contempt" things. Folks always want something new, so we lose the parade (and probably a few other things) but gain Soarin', for example.

Well if thats the case, then why wont they change out the MK parade? its definately time to switch out the MK daytime parade. Im tired of those snowglobes and that music!

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

We loved this parade!! I had the soundtrack before Dd#1 broke it!!!
This parade brought such great memories for us. It was our first trip ever to Disney. The music was beautiful...we have pictures of the cm's coming up to the kids and dancing with them...I miss it!! It definitely holds a special place for us.
But as others said, in with the new and it did make it harder to get around too.

 

[freediverdude]

I think what they should do, is bring it back for once per night, and only from Germany to Morocco. That way people wouldn't be trapped for the whole night trying to get around WS, or are able to avoid it by staying in the France to Canada areas or Mexico to Germany areas, but yet still have it for people who really want to see it.