Epcot's Tapestry of Nations

What were you doing to celebrate the Turn of the Century from the 1900s to the 2000s? Our family decided it was time to go to Epcot- and we were not disappointed!

Of course, being Disney and being an opportunity for a once in a lifetime Millennium party, the brilliant Imagineers did what they could before the accountants took control: they created some wonderful entertainment to mark the occasion. The best part of the mesmerising Tapestry of Nations, one part parade and one part performance art.

There's not too many pieces of concept art out there for The Tapestry of Nations. In fact, this is a fairly poor scan of a very small piece I have tried to enlarge and improve. But if you can imagine larger than life puppets and drummers all moving around World Showcase to an incredibly original sounding theme sound, you'll get the idea. Or just go to these videos to see if for yourself.

Along with the somewhat charming but overblown Millennium Village (now a convention space!), and an incredible new version of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, this spectacle represented much of what was good about Epcot and its original vision. Edutainment at its best.

Our last night visit to Epcot, (a family tradition to spend our last night at our favorite park), was one we will never forget. Let's just hope the suits don't make us wait another hundred years for something so truly magical!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)