A View from the Water

Welcome to Kenny's World. You may be wondering what it takes to get your own "world" and I would tell you but then I would have to shoot you. We certainly don't want that! Kenny's World is a chance for you to get a peek into the world of a WDW Disney pro. I hope to be able to deliver insider insights and comment on events with a historical flare.

Needless to say, I love it when they unveil something new. Recently they did just that when they began the Tapestry of Nations Cruise. A couple weeks before our scheduled cruise, a friend contacted Walt Disney World through their (407)WDW-PLAY [939-7529] number and arranged for a group of 11 adults to experience a soft opening of the Tapestry of Nations Cruise. It was a great way to see the Tapestry of Nations parade at Epcot. We gathered about a half hour before the parade started at the Bayside Marina at the Yacht Club Resort. Once we were all gathered, we boarded one of the many 12 passenger Sun Tracker pontoon boats and headed towards World Showcase Lagoon.

IllumiNations photos by Karl Buiter

The Bayside Marina offers Fireworks Cruises (mostly IllumiNations Cruises since the Disney-MGM Studios stopped performing Sorcery in the Sky after Fantasmic! opened) and the soon to open Tapestry of Nations Cruises. In addition, the second (8:10pm) Tapestry of Nations parade can be combined with IllumiNations to provide a Tapestry of Nations / IllumiNations Cruise.

The driver parked the pontoon boat just inside the World Showcase Lagoon looking towards the bridge that connects France to United Kingdom. The bridge itself is the stage upon which we will watch the parade elements travel. No one is allowed to stop and watch the parade on the bridge, only moving foot traffic is allowed. The foot traffic path is on the side closest to the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and not on the side from which we watched.

It takes about eight minutes before the Parade that started in Morocco makes it to the bridge, but the driver continuously positioned the pontoon boat to have the best possible view of the far off parade approaching. Then the driver chooses a place to stay when the parade was on the bridge. (One note on the sound: while we were watching the parade approaching from afar we heard echoes on the Lagoon from many speakers but once we "parked" up close, the sound was perfect.

It was an unobstructed view of each of the Tapestry of Nations parade elements: the Sage of Time , the big Drums, Aztec Man , the Sprites , Hammer Man , Bird Man , Marionette Man , Wiggles , and Angel . It was a great spot to take photographs of the parade. And because of the location, some special attention is paid to the Guests in the boat. The bridge is one of the hardest places for the performers to be able to have interaction with the guests, so the boat became a magnet for the performers. During one of the drum interludes, one of the large drums was stationed on the bridge as if just for us, and we had a private performance.

IllumiNations photos by Karl Buiter

The IllumiNations Cruise is another story. IllumiNations itself is a little harder for anyone to find the "perfect spot." And underneath the bridge (where they "park") is not the perfect spot. Although, with IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, the Millennium Celebration version of IllumiNations, the view isn't as bad as it was in the original versions. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth has more show elements in the center of World Showcase Lagoon than the prior versions. 

The original IllumiNations showcased all the countries in one act during the show. The countries are not showcased as much in IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth than in the past. [I thought they should have dropped the "IllumiNations" part of the title and stuck with "Reflections of Earth." You can tell from the soft opening shows, they were planning on it as well. But apparently Marketing decided that Guests wouldn't like it without the IllumiNations title. I thought it was a good opportunity to move on to the next stage of the show, which is what the show itself was doing, but some "higher ups" or maybe not so high, decided otherwise.

The Tapestry of Nations Cruise provides one of the best opportunities to see the parade. The unobstructed view is better than you can find most places along the parade route and you can avoid the distractions of Guests wanting to continue around World Showcase. Any time I have the chance to get 10 other friends (the 12 person maximum assumes some children, otherwise they limit it to 11 adults) to join in and experience the Tapestry of Nations Cruise, I will jump at the opportunity to see it again. If you are considering an IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks cruise, consider adding the Tapestry of Nations portion to that cruise as well.

Some miscellaneous thoughts:

I keep telling everyone about the Pirates of the Caribbean rehab that was done this spring, "Boy, those costumes look good now. I didn't think that the costumes looked too bad before the rehab, but after seeing how much brighter they are now, what a change. That was a good show and is appreciated."

Summer hours have begun for most parks at Walt Disney World, with the Magic Kingdom beginning its summer season on Saturday, the 17th (Magic Kingdom hours: 9 am to 11 pm; Epcot hours: traditional 9 am - 9 pm [delayed opening for World Showcase]; Disney-MGM Studios: 9 am - 11 pm; and Disney's Animal Kingdom: 8 am - 7 pm).

Inside the park, the Cast Members are starting to say that the Disney-MGM Studios will finally lose the MGM brand next year and expect the Great Movie ride to go by the wayside since most of the movie clips are from MGM Studios. Speaking of Disney-MGM Studios: I thought they had problems with the park name of Epcot on property, not knowing how to capitalize it and such. Well, I just saw an interesting sign for the Disney-MGM Studios: "Disney's MGM Studios". I almost fell on the floor laughing when I saw that. Though, I didn't understand why they can't get that right. You wouldn't think it took a rocket scientist to keep some of these things straight. They should be able to be consistent with their own signage don't you think?

Future columns coming real soon include:

You won't believe what the two ideas for transportation expansion on Walt Disney World property includes. It is frightening that they are even considering one of the ideas in the mode that they are showing to focus groups on property.

Countdown to Extinction is changed to DINOSAUR in the Animal Kingdom and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular re-opens after a spring long refurbishment in the Disney-MGM Studios.

Bayside Marina current hours: 10am - 7pm

Water Mice (two person speed boats) $18.87 per half hour per boat

Canopy Boat $20.28 per half hour per boat

Small Pontoon Boat $28.30 per half hour per boat

Sunset Cruise $70.75 per cruise

Pontoon Fireworks Cruise (11 or 12 people) $113.21 per cruise

Guided Bass Fishing Tours $150.94 per half hour per cruise

Breathless Cruise $70.75 per half hour

Breathless Fireworks Cruise $150.54 per cruise

Cruises and tours include drivers. Prices quoted do not include sales tax.

A Walt Disney World Resort Identification Card or a valid Drivers License are needed to rent boat.

And as always with Walt Disney World prices... they are subject to change without notice.

Reservations for the cruises may be obtained by calling Disney Recreation phone number at 407-WDW-Play [407-939-7529]

Go to: Top | Section Contents | MousePlanet Main Page

Copyright © MousePlanet® Inc. | Legal Information & Privacy Policy | About/Contact MousePlanet | Link to us

MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.