Confirmed: Illuminations Being Replaced in 2019

[John]

From Disney:

After nearly 20 years of delighting Epcot® Guests with the emotional story of humanity told through music, fireworks, light torches and more, we wanted to let you know that “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” will be ending in the second half of next year.The Disney Parks Live Entertainment team is already busy creating new thrills to debut immediately following the conclusion of “IllumiNations,” continuing the tradition of nightly entertainment on the World Showcase Lagoon.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I don't like this.... Nope, no I don't... :mad:

Rumor is: this new show will contain... IP, lots and lots of IP....

[John]

I don't like this.... Nope, no I don't... :mad:

Rumor is: this new show will contain... IP, lots and lots of IP....

Yeah, figuring as much and wish it didn’t. We already have that at Studios and MK. Not needed to produce a great show.

[Buttercup]

I welcome a change but I don't want it to be a bunch of clips from Disney movies projected on water cannons. Yawn. :ack:

[Maleficent_vf]

We haven't been to Disney in 5 years (prior to that we went about every other year) and its changes like this that make it unlikely that we'll go back anytime soon. I love Illuminations! We always saw it at least once on every trip and it was always the last thing we did on the last night of our visits. When I convinced friends they needed to take their kids to Disney, Illuminations was always one of the things that impressed even the most anti-Disney people.

While I understand things have to be updated and changed, I think the Disney Synergy is starting to feed on itself. The nice thing about EPCOT was that it didn't beat you over the head with Disney-themed attractions, shows, etc. It was different - the salad surrounded by sugary desserts.

Oh well, less money going to Disney means more for my 401k.

[Cinderelley]

When I convinced friends they needed to take their kids to Disney, Illuminations was always one of the things that impressed even the most anti-Disney people.


This is my thought exactly. Every new person I have taken to WDW LOVED Illuminations. I always made it a point to take new people at least once (which they always turned into wanting to see it twice) even though Wishes was my favorite.

[Jeff]

My entire family is sad to hear this news. (Well maybe not my 2 year old granddaughter). Illumination ROE has always been a favorite of ours, one that we would try to see several times each trip.

And I agree, no more IP please! It’s been done.

[PopPhan]

Took my sister for her first trip for Flower & Garden in 2015 and of the evening shows, she liked Illuminations the best. I have always been a fan of Illuminations, since first seeing it in 2003. It was different because it DIDN'T include all the IP that other shows had and that it truly represented the world as a whole. Changes could have been made to update and upgrade the show, but wholesale removal and replacement will be a mistake, especially if it is for a show full of IP that forgets what World Showcase is all about.

Just my 2 cents worth....

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I'm another fan of the current show, but don't mind a change. However, like everyone, I'm a bit worried about what the change will be. I can only hope that Disney comes through and makes it good, but there is a fair bit of finger crossing involved with that hope.

[JanetMegan]

Well I'm truly bummed (as I sit here and listen to pre show music here at the office.) In fact I am already planning a side Epcot day/night visit sometime this winter since my next scheduled weeklong WDW trip isn't until Sept 2019...

[MNNHFLTX]

Kind of sad about this also. We did a long weekend at WDW just a week after 9/11 and I remember how poignant it was watching Illuminations one evening and listening to the lyrics of We Go On:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years
We go on moving forward, now as one

My son was a nine-year-old that visit and now he's 26! So much history, WDW and otherwise, that Illuminations has existed through. I sure hope they will replace it with something just as memorable (and yes, no water projections please!)

[BriarRose0708]

Illuminations always makes me emotional, even reading the few lyrics in Beth's post above evokes a tear and throat sob. I am sad it's going away and I will always remember how this show makes me feel.

[PopPhan]

Illuminations always makes me emotional, even reading the few lyrics in Beth's post above evokes a tear and throat sob. I am sad it's going away and I will always remember how this show makes me feel.

I felt the same way when Wishes 'closed'...Still not enthused with the new show. It just doesn't have the same 'emotional' component for me.

[Roger's #1 Fan]

Loved them all MSEP, Wishes, Illuminations ROE, but things do need to change.
I really like the new fireworks at MK, HEA, and I hope that Paint the Night makes its way to MK eventually (loved it in DCA) since it had many throwback/homage elements to MSEP and Spectro.
I actually remember the original Illuminations and loved how it was themed to highlight each country represented in the WS, but it changed and I grew to appreciate ROE.
Hopefully this change will take advantage of new technology and give us an improved show.

On the other hand, I was not impressed with Together Forever at DL which tried to use projection mapping and fireworks like MK, but fell flat for me because of the height challenged Sleeping Beauty castle which limits viewing and the projections on main street which distracted from the fireworks. Likewise, Rivers of Light tried too hard to incorporate new technology which proved to be finicky on the water and left us with a shell of the original show.

Here's hoping they get it right!

[joonyer]

It had a good run, but it's time to keep moving forward. So, I'm looking forward to seeing something new in its place. I just hope forward will be better.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Torches are rumored to be going away... And if not, then they won't be as prominent as they currently are... And drones... we spoke of drones before... But drones are also rumored to be a part of the new show...

Remember these are all rumors, so treat accordingly until we can solidly confirm... And even then, things change...

[Fangorn]

Drones could be interesting, especially if somehow they could incorporate aspects of Tapestry of Nations/Dreams (the puppetry and the music) with them.

But I don't see the point in removing the torches. They're a unifying design element of WS during the day (if they're noticed at all), and they 'plus' the ambience at night when they're lit.

Steve

[PopPhan]

Torches are rumored to be going away... And if not, then they won't be as prominent as they currently are... And drones... we spoke of drones before... But drones are also rumored to be a part of the new show...

Remember these are all rumors, so treat accordingly until we can solidly confirm... And even then, things change...

Dang! The torches were part of the fun of the show. I guess they can't afford the gas anymore! LOL

[magicofdisney]

I felt the same way when Wishes 'closed'...Still not enthused with the new show. It just doesn't have the same 'emotional' component for me.
Wishes also had an emotional component for me (as did SpectroMagic). I do like the new show, however, if it left tomorrow, I wouldn't be sad.

[TikiLounger]

Well? I guess I'm okay with a change, but I'll miss Illuminations. I agree with the person who doesn't want the change to be just a bunch of movie clips projected on stuff. Ugh. No more, please. And...the torches...I think I'll miss them more than the show itself, if they do indeed go. They add such a magical touch the World Showcase at night. :tikki:

[DizneyFreak2002]

Dang! The torches were part of the fun of the show. I guess they can't afford the gas anymore! LOL

LOL.... We keep raising the gas tax in NJ, we won't be able to afford our gas either.... Topic for another day though...

I'm thinking the gas pipes are in need of major repair and it isn't financially feasible (who we kidding, Disney can afford to fix the pipes!!)... Or operationally feasible to fix them...

May I add, I wrote this post while listening to: ILLUMINATIONS - REFLECTIONS OF EARTH, preshow music included.... Ahhh how I love this music....

[Cinderelley]

I LOVE the torches. I get cold at night, and our spot right next to the torch in front of Canada feels wonderful.

[brad192]

What do I want with nighttime fireworks? FIREWORKS! Not some lame, tired old water projections, or some redone, rehashed material we all have seen hundreds of times before. Come up with a totally new show, as good or better than Illuminations and I'm in. Especially with some really cool drone element involved. LOTS of fireworks though, and if I see ANY Disney characters, I'm headed straight to Guest Services to complain - loudly.

[Crow]

just think of all the money they will save on fireworks..i remember talking to a CM when i was waiting at the raised bridge about the costs.. it was my fav nighttime show. and if no torches...

[EeyoresBestFriend]

I'm heartbroken, but knew this was coming when Siemens severed ties with Disney. I'm actually surprised it took this long. They will go after SSE next, I imagine. Sigh.

[Crow]

SSe needs a little help though. i go on it every trip twice

[magicofdisney]

The problem with SSE is that they DID go after it. Now we have that long, dull backwards descent. :(

[mrte62]

Change is not bad .... if the new show is creative and well done ..... and if we are lucky the folks that thought replacing Off Kilter with the Lumberjack show won't be involved here .....:cool:

[Tekneek]

They will probably feel empowered to really change up SSE finally. Now that they've proven retiring the concept/focus of Future World is acceptable to today's crowds, there won't be so much blowback when they propose gutting it and making some sort of thrill ride out of it.