As Epcot already received its new parade, Tapestry of Nations, as part of last year's Millennium celebration, the parade has now been partially modified to add the elfin-like dreamers and an additional vocal/music track that seems to have been laid over the top of the existing music. The Sage of Time and his entrance music has been replaced by a new character, Leonardo Columbus, who represents every child's thirst for discovery.

In order to have something fun and new for kids to do at Epcot, the Kidcot child activity centers have been included in the parade festivities.

The Kidcot station in the United Kingdom Pavilion (Photo by Brian Bennett)

At each Kidcot stop, children can decorate a facemask with hanging paper ornaments from each country in the World Showcase. As a part of the Tapestry of Dreams celebration, a special "passport" with a punch-out ornament is available at every activity center.

Each point of the star (or "Dreamtale") contains an area where a child can have the Kidcot representative for each country write their language's word for "dream." After the child finishes collecting all the dream words, the Dreamtale is punched out of the card and can be hung on the facemask. Also, the child can write his or her favorite dream on the back of the card.

Then, at parade time, children are encouraged to drop their dream coin (which is punched out from the center of the star) in the elf characters' butterfly nets so that their dreams can come true.

Parade Viewing Tip: If you wish to see the mini-performances for the beginning and end of the parade (and especially if you have children who are anxious to participate), suggested viewing areas are:

• For the first showing of the parade: the gates between Mexico and Norway.

• For the second showing of the parade: the gates between Germany and Morocco.

The elves seem to only collect the dream coins at specific times in the parade, so grabbing a spot as listed above is the only certain way for your child to be able to give a dream coin to the elves.

Tapestry of Dreams opens with a new float.

On it rides Leonardo Columbus, the eldest of the elvenfolk, who in a mini-performance, urges everyone to go after his or her dreams. Then, the strains of the old Tapestry of Nations music comes on and the parade commences.

Accompanying Leonardo are two new characters.

Photo by Jeff Moxley

Photo by Jeff Moxley

The puppet dolls gracefully dance down the pathway.

Photo by Jeff Moxley

The only changes to any of the puppet dolls are that tinkly sleigh bell-like anklets have been added to each performer's ankles, creating a bell sound as they walk and dance down the parade route. [Note: In some mythologies, the bell is used to summon fairies and other magical creatures so its use here seems appropriate.]

The drum floats are still here.

During the middle of the parade when the music turns slow and dreamy, a female voice is heard singing a descant line over the orchestra. Throughout the parade, children's voices in different languages are heard sharing their dreams: "I dream of flying into outer space!" "I dream that everyone is happy!"

Photo by Jeff Moxley

At the end of the parade, Leonardo and his friends appear again. The male and female elves each hold a butterfly net and collect the dream coins from children in the area.

They all stop and perform, urging us to follow our dreams.

If you'd like to write Sheila you can reach her at
showplanet@yahoo.com

Photos on this page, unless otherwise noted, by Sheila Hagen

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