Tapestry Of Nations (Millennium Edition) -- Old Version | Epcot | Walt Disney World

There is a newer and better re-edit of this parade: • Tapestry Of Nations (2...
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"Behold! The Great Millennium Walk..." -- The Sage Of Time
This video was taped in June and July of 2000, in NTSC video. It was tweaked and coerced into becoming 1080p, but it's really NTSC 480i underneath it all. It's also the first time I was seriously using a video camera. So with that said...
World Showcase (or any of Epcot for that matter) was never designed to hold a parade. Yet, Disney thought it was a good idea to put one together for the Millennial Celebration, and disrupt moving around World Showcase twice a night.
Debuting at the same time as Illuminations 2000: Reflections Of Earth, the parade consisted of three units. One would travel between Canada and Morocco, another between Morocco and Germany, and the third between Germany and Mexico. (If you were watching the parade at Morocco or Germany, you could see one parade unit leaving backstage, and the other arriving, getting two parades in one, lol.) The parade ran twice a day, once in the evening, and once just before Illuminations. (The parade times would vary through the year, depending on when sunset occurred. More than once, Illuminations was delayed due to a parade that went over time, lol.)
It was a majestic parade, especially at night, accompanied by an excellent score. It was led by The Sage Of Time, who would inject some narration throughout the parade. (I think I have all the segments...)
The cast members controlling the puppets did an excellent job of interacting with both each other and the guests. The Millennial Drums (actually the drummers) ran hot and cold. Some got into it (and may have been drummers in real life), and were a pleasure to watch. Others, not so much.
It was wildly successful, so much so, that they kept the parade after the Millennium Celebration ended in 2001. The references to the Millennium and The Sage Of time were removed, becoming just the Tapestry Of Nations and some tall guy leading the parade. As time progressed, the parade was reduced to two units, then one.
Tapestry of Nations (Post-Millennium Version): • Tapestry Of Nations (P...
In 2003, Disney finally put the nail in the coffin by renaming and reworking Tapestry of Nations into the absolutely terrible Tapestry of Dreams (for the 100 years of Dreams event).
Edit: After posting two version of Tapestry of Dreams, it's not terrible, and I can understand they needed something for the 100 Years Of Magic celebration. But it's not the same, lol.
Tapestry of Dreams (Afternoon Edition): • Tapestry Of Dreams (Af...
Tapestry of Dreams (Nighttime Edition): • Tapestry of Dreams (Ni...
It's said the giant puppets destroyed the backs of many a Cast Member. I can relate. The parade could also be cancelled minutes before scheduled due to the slightest wind or rain. (Especially since the tall puppets were walking lightning rods.)
In 2012, I saw some of the puppets in the Prop Shop (a backstage reception area of sorts,) in Disney's Hollywood Studios during a D23 event.
Pictures of the Prop Shop:
backroadjunkie...
Video of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth (with the Christmas tag):
• Illuminations: Reflect...
My Theme Park page:
backroadjunkie...
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[@cab8866]

They will never be able to make a better parade than this. Tapestry of Dreams was a slap in the face. Made 4 trips to EPCOT from TN just for this parade, followed by Illuminations.

[@Backroad_Junkie]

Yes they did. They Main Street Electrical Parade. 😁 But you're right, Tapestry of Nations was a truly majestic parade. Along with Illuminations, it always made for a great evening's entertainment. Didn't like Tapestry of Dreams, but it was an understandable change for the 100th year celebration, and you'll notice "Dreams" was finished off the day the 100th year celebration ended. I miss those evenings in Epcot... We'll probably never see the likes of it again. Too weather dependent, too many cast member injuries...

[@726berkshire]

Still my favorite Disney parade to this day.

[@taylorshelton3267]

This was my favorite parade at epcot. I remember seeing it when I visited the walt Disney world resort during the Christmas and new year's holiday which was in December of 1999 to January of 2000. That was the best time to visit walt Disney world.

[@Backroad_Junkie]

Christmas is *always* the best time to visit the World! Must have been nuts there during the Millennium, though! 😁

[@taylorshelton3267]

@@Backroad_Junkie Yes it was which is why I took some extra time to visit sea world, and the natural history museum in Gainesville Florida when things got nuts.

[@johnbowman1076]

Totally nuts. I was there November 1999. Everyone groaned and ran when the parade started 'cuz it clogged the already crowded streets and you were stuck where you stood.@@Backroad_Junkie

[@hthbellcaptain]

I’ve just been rushed with emotions watching this again. I’m in tears and cannot stop crying. This parade was beautiful and I will love and cherish it forever. The music, the design, the people, the message….. You could not get any better than this. Tapestry, May peace go with you forever and ever, as you Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand!!

[@majkus]

Reminded anew at all the talent and hard work it took to bring this show to so many people. The actors, the dancers, the puppet operators, the drummers, the costumes prop, and puppet constructions, the storyboarding (a parade that didn't just rush by), and of course the wonderful memorable music. And not to promote the latest Disney properties, but a celebration of joy. They will never do anything better, and I hope all those people involved know how much delight they brought, and remember the experience fondly.

[@bonnafide2606]

Love all the music they made for the Millennium Celebration. It was all composed by the same gifted guy who helped Hans Zimmer bring us the music for Gladiator. Man, I miss Reflections of Earth....😢

[@Backroad_Junkie]

Agreed. I have all three pieces on my MP3 player, lol. I've got a decent video of Illuminations with the CD audio overlay online, though it has to be re-posted sometime with a better bitrate...