Will Tapestry of Nations/Dreams EVER COME BACK?

[donnamerry]

I don't know about you guys but I sure do miss the Epcot Tapestry of Nations and/or Tapestry of Dreams parades! I wish Disney would bring it back to Epcot! Ahhh the parade and the music! just awesome! Anyone think it will ever ever return?

 

[Simba's Mom]

When we were on the Illuminations Cruise last month, our skipper said that Disney has no plans to bring it back. Apparently, because of the Florida climate, it was a very expensive parade to maintain-the costumes constantly needed repairing. However, he said that Disney is working on a similar parade in Epcot, hoping to roll it out in the next couple years. But according to him, cost factors were why it was discontinued.

 

[ugadog99]

We miss TOD so much! We listen to the Illuminations CD constantly so we can hear the TON/TOD music. I wish Disney would bring it back.

 

[pewing]

I am sad to hear that! I was hoping that they would bring that back . One of my favorites.

 

[Maverick Mike]

It was perfect for Epcot. It really tied the experience up for you at night watching that parade, eating at a WS restaurant, then watching Illuminations! I wish it would come back!

 

[nanatink]

Bring back TON, please. I really miss it.

When will I ever get tagged? : cool1:

 

[tjkraz]

I heard the same things that Simba's Mom cited. By the end, it was just too hard to maintain the costumes that were 5(?) years old from TON/TOD.

Back in March '03 when the parade ended, there were already rumors here that Disney had hired someone to create a new parade for Epcot. Still waiting...

I've heard many people say that they found it very hard to navigate the World Showcase aroud parade time. You could probably make the same argument for any of the theme parks to some degree, but perhaps this perception is playing some role in the decision to not have a parade there. After all, the WS is one of the more...adult...areas of the four theme parks.

Our family had a wonderful TOD experience several years ago. DS was 1.5 and it was his first trip to WDW. First night was at Epcot. It stormed mercilessly about 4 hours before parade time and many guests left the park. But the weather was perfect for the parade, and about 1/3 of the performers that walked by gave DS a wave, shook his hand or otherwise interacted with him. Watching the videos now and only seeing about 15-20 other WDW guests in the field of vision...you can help but realize it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Anyway, I'd love to see a similarly-themed parade someday. The Disney characters are great...but it's nice to see WDW stretch its wings at times, too.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

To expensive?? Those costumes where not that elaborate. I highly doubt they cost $50 a piece. So the rotating drumbs maybe? Well avg drum head cost $40. I highly doubt that was the reason. I think it was more allong the lines Disney had a parade that wasn't increasing the park attendance and they had union performers getting paid I am sure a pretty good amount. So why not do away with it? People are already there to see illuminations. Are you telling me you would stick around for the parade and not stay for illuminations?

Its all about $$ for Disney. But to say it was to expensive for the costumes I highly doubt it.

 

[DisMN]

To expensive?? Those costumes where not that elaborate. I highly doubt they cost $50 a piece. So the rotating drumbs maybe? Well avg drum head cost $40. I highly doubt that was the reason. I think it was more allong the lines Disney had a parade that wasn't increasing the park attendance and they had union performers getting paid I am sure a pretty good amount. So why not do away with it? People are already there to see illuminations. Are you telling me you would stick around for the parade and not stay for illuminations?

Its all about $$ for Disney. But to say it was to expensive for the costumes I highly doubt it.

Personally I think it was that Disney had a parade that wasn't increasing park SPENDING. From what I saw, people came JUST to see TON but due to a lack of marketing TON products (I mean who WOULDN'T buy a small replica of that dang cool drum?) there just wasn't a great enough income generated from TON.

Too bad because I think it was another one of those incredibly unique experiences that will stay in my memories forever. Don't think I'm the only one who feels that way either. LOL

 

[tjkraz]

To expensive?? Those costumes where not that elaborate. I highly doubt they cost $50 a piece. So the rotating drumbs maybe? Well avg drum head cost $40. I highly doubt that was the reason.

$50 eh? For the large, strap-on contraptions that towered 25' in the air? Something tells me that estimate might be a little low.

I think it was more allong the lines Disney had a parade that wasn't increasing the park attendance and they had union performers getting paid I am sure a pretty good amount. So why not do away with it? People are already there to see illuminations. Are you telling me you would stick around for the parade and not stay for illuminations?

If that logic were true, there wouldn't be any streetmosphere performers at MGM. They wouldn't have the a capella group perform before Beauty and the Beast. Barber shop quartet at MK? Gone. In fact, why run Spectromagic? People already come to the park for Wishes, right?

Yes, I'm sure there was some financial aspect to the decision. But let's not kid ourselves into thinking that every staffing decision at WDW is based upon a cost / return analysis.

Let's also consider for a moment that perhaps the parade had run its course. If memory serves, TON started sometime back in 1999. That means it ran for nearly 5 years. That's a pretty good run for any parade. I doubt the WDW beancounters suddenly realized one day "hey, we've been running this parade for 5 years and can't even sell a souvenir puppet--cancel the darn thing!"

 

[soccercruiser87]

i wish it will come back, i loved that parade!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I would love to see TOD return but has Disney ever brought back a parade? I can't think of any off-hand. TOD will always be my favorite!

 

[2d_star_to_the_right]

I do believe that Disney has brought back parades. The Main Street Electrical parade was gone sometime before Disney brought in Spectromagic. Parades have been movie based at MGM and then gone before bringing in the current parade.

Tapestry of Nations was a gorgeous parade but I don't believe they intended it to run as long as it did- it was brought in for the millenium celebration and stayed - obviously due to popularity. The costumes ARE very delicate to maintain- they are light, airy and rip easily with being taken on and off, through high winds and so on- while there may not be tons of fabric assoicated with it- sometimes the lighter and more sheer the apparel the worse the wear and tear.

just thoughts

 

[annej]

I miss TOD so much! and listen to the music almost everyday at work.

 

[MrsToad]

I thought I heard that one consideration for doing away with the parade was that it had to be cancelled frequently due to high winds that could put the performers at risk? The performers would have to show up for work (and be paid) only to find out just before showtime that the parade was cancelled. Of course, I don't know how accurate this info was.

 

[slo]

We just loved this parade and I was very sad when WDW discontinued it . When we took our DD for the first time at the age of 2 she was absolutly mesmorized by this parade and the CM's in the parade would wave to her and blow her kisses. I will never forget my DD's face while watching that parade. .

I am now sad that my 2nd DD will never see this parade, I feel she is really missing something wonderful.

The only thing I can say positive about this parade not being here is The World Showcase is open till 9pm instead of 8pm and this allowed my oldest DD this year finish her Kidcot Funstations mask which was a real accomplishment for her. She was very proud of that mask.

I do miss the parade!!!

 

[Mrs. Potts]

We loved this parade. I'm a softy, but this parade often moved me to tears. Seeing my kids faces while this was going on was just priceless!

 

[Disneyonmymind]

My whole group just LOVED the Tapestry parade. I think it was the best parade I have ever seen. The others are great, too, but that one was very special. I hope they bring it back, or something similar.

Somebody please respond, WHERE, or WHERE, can I get the parade music?

Thanks much,
Jackie

 

[Disfreek]

I have been to EPCOT way too many times....

And every single time we would find a place to watch the parade & then it would be cancelled due to the weather....aurgh!!! I never did see the parade....

 

[Harambe]

Hey-La . . . Hey-La, Hey-La . . . Hey-La, Hey-la . . .

Just the best!!!!!!