Tapestry of Nations to become Tapesty of Dreams

Sep 24, 2001 in "Tapestry of Nations"

Posted: Monday September 24, 2001 by WDWMAGIC Staff
Opening Date: October 1, 2001 (unofficially opened to Guests on September 24, 2001), in honor of the "100 Years of Magic" Celebration at the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Walt Disney.

Show Length: 30 minutes

Location: From Mexico to Morocco in World Showcase at Epcot®

Description/Theme: "Tapestry of Dreams" celebrates children, dreams, and the legacy of Walt Disney. The spectacle begins with Dream Seekers dancing alongside the Dream Catcher -- an enormous "float" that interacts with Guests. This magical event is a "visible dream," in which ideas, images, and emotions are evoked through a series of extraordinary puppets and music.
Additional Highlights: "Tapestry of Dreams" is divided into the Parade and the Celebration.

• Parade:
o The Parade blends music with children's voices, each telling their own dream, interspersed with a narrator revealing the power of dreams. There are three Dream Seekers: Elfin (representing nature, magic and emotion) and Cosmo (representing space, the universe and infinity) dance the parade route, interact with Guests and "harvest" dreams; Leonardo Columbus (representing discovery, invention and genius) rides the Dream Catcher float, operates its gigantic "wings" and manipulates the float so that chimes and bells ring magically.

• Celebration:
o The Celebration is a spectacular street festival combining color, music and larger-than-life puppetry that weaves its way through World Showcase. During this joyous celebration, whimsical puppets dance together with Guests. Each puppet's specific movements emphasize its distinct character.

Audio System: The largest networked audio system in the world with 416 speakers throughout the promenade and 137 amplifiers, totaling 164,400 watts of power

Lighting: Features 412 lighting fixtures throughout the promenade

Music: Original music was composed by Gavin Greenaway and Jonathon Barr, and recorded in London by members of the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic.

Performers: There are 112 Cast Members, including drivers.

Puppets: Eight different puppets and 54 designs. Colorful, larger-than-life puppets soar 12 to 19 feet high with wingspans between 8 and 16 feet wide.
The puppets include:
• Angel -- A spiritual, uplifting, heavenly puppet whose movement is graceful, inspiring, free, and interactive.
• Aztec -- A primitive guardian of the human spirit who moves in a precise, regimented, and uplifting manner.
• Birdman -- A tribal, eagle-like protector whose movement is majestic, statue-like, slow, and commanding.
• Discman -- A teenager, class clown, a rag doll who loves people, very interactive, thinks he's a dancer but is uncoordinated.
• Hammerman -- A futuristic, powerful, and mature spiritual warrior that is friendly, with moves similar to a praying mantis.
• Reverse Marionette -- A toy-like, fatherly teacher who moves in a tender, gently protective way.
• Sprite -- A fragile, vulnerable, shy character who moves in a graceful ballet-like manner.
• Wiggle Girl -- A flirt, child-like, funny and beautiful, who moves like a dancer in a playful, explosive, interactive, and unexpected manner.

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