"Epcot will stage an international
celebration of the human spirit ... showcasing the accomplishments
of today that will shape our tomorrow .... providing hope for
a better world."
The Walt Disney Company's
Millennium Celebration was centered at Epcot. Disney kicked off
the event officially on October 1, 1999 with press and soft openings
occurring before that date in late September, 1999. A lot
of preparation work took place throughout 1998 and 1999 for the
event. The following are pictures showing some of the changes:
The wall surrounding the construction of the new Innoventions West
sign in October 1998.
These blue walls became a familiar sight throughout Future World
as Disney was "Working Toward a Future Epcot."
The real Epcot Discovery Center area in Innoventions East closed
in October 1998. The area was left empty and unused until the winter
when these walls went up and other walls went up outside the building.
The Centorium store was expanded into the EDC area and the old EPCOT
Poll theater area. The store was renamed MouseGear.
This area between the United Kingdom and Canada pavilions is where
the new Millennium Village was to be built.
This shows the same area from a different angle.
Construction on Millennium Village in March 1999.
Construction on Millennium Central in the center of Innoventions
Plaza in March 1999.
Construction on base of torch for the Millennium shows in March
1999.
A more completed torch base also from March 1999.
During March 1999, the walkway to the left side of Spaceship Earth
was closed.
During May and June of 1999, most of the Entrance
Plaza was closed. Guests entering through the turnstiles were faced
with a blue wall a few feet into the park. The original cement and
planters were removed and were replaced with new sculptures to be
called Leave A Legacy.
"With the international cultures of World Showcase
and the technological attractions of Future World, Epcot is the
natural setting for an event that draws together all mankind in
a celebration of what lies ahead," WDW President Al Weiss said.
"As we move toward the new millennium, Epcot
will highlight those things which make our cultures unique and those
things that bind humanity. Walt Disney World will be a place where
our guests can celebrate this moment in time in a spirit of fun
and also discover the exciting breakthroughs that lie ahead."
The Millennium Celebration brought
the following changes/additions to EPCOT:
WDI's Marty Sklar in front of Spaceship Earth model with the additional
structure holding Mickey's arm, hand, wand, and "2000".
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Millennium Central
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Located in Innoventions Plaza
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New Epcot Tip Board
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Bright, colorful, kinetic design
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Pin trading location
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By mid-July 1999, the cables and posts that
held up the kinetic shapes above Innoventions Plaza were
installed
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Innoventions
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Journey Into Your Imagination
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Millennium Village Pavilion
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65,000 square feet of space
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Exhibits from more than 20 countries, the
United Nations, and World Bank
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Examples of two exhibits were a Brazilian
rainforest and the four seasons of Sweden.
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Tapestry of Nations Millennium Procession
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Opening Ceremony for the New Millennium
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Each day this show celebrates the spirit of
mankind
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Guests and performers participate in a huge
street party that marches through World Showcase celebrating
"both the diversity and unity of mankind"
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120 large figures (towering 20 feet over guests'
heads) represent faces from around the world
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15 percussion units resemble giant timepieces
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The puppets were designed by Michael Curry
("The Lion King on Broadway")
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IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth
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ACT I: Chaos (fire, aggressive music)
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ACT II: Order (continents and countries form,
waltzes)
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ACT III: Celebration (classical themes)
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Show utilizes state-of-the-art fireworks,
lasers, water fountains, fire, and moving set pieces combined
with fitting music
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Finale: 1,000 Points of Light
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A huge torch lights up the center of the
lagoon
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Torches surrounding the lagoon fire up
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New Disney-developed fireworks technology
secretly launch and explode bright white fireworks simultaneously
ending the show and creating a permanent memory of the
celebration
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Wrapped in 15,000 LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes),
the new Earth Globe at the center of the lagoon is the world's
first spherical video display system
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2,800 fireworks effects are used for each
show
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A 150,000-pound inferno barge uses 37 nozzles
to shoot propane flames skyward 40 feet above the lagoon
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The musical score was composed by Gavin Greenaway
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Recorded by a 71-piece philharmonic orchestra
and a 30-voice chorus
