Illuminations questions...

[KingdomKeeper]

Hey everyone! I went this weekend to EPCOT for the day, and decided to walk around the lagoon in order to take pictures of all the Illumination torches (I figure some day TDO will cease Illuminations and remove the torches, I wanted to have pictures should that ever happen). Found 19...I thought there were supposed to be 20 torches though. I asked several cast members around the lagoon and none of them knew how many there were supposed to be. I thought the story of Illuminations was that there were 20 torches around the lagoon, one for each century so far, and then the one that rises out of the globe is the 21st one to represent the arrival of the 21st century. Do I have the story wrong?

Also, I noticed that some of the torches were never lit. I counted only about 13 lit torches, unless the trees were blocking my views of some of the other torches. I know torch #2 was out, but then its right next to the construction scrim so they probably don't want to burn that down. I believe it was in the area of torches 5, 6, 7, and 8 that I had a clear view of and only one or two were lit. I know when taking pictures of the torches, some of them did seem to have trees rather close to them. Does anyone have any idea how long these torches have not been lit? Its not a big deal I guess...I just don't see what excuse Disney has for not keeping the trees cut back (assuming that is why some of the torches don't light)...it can't be that expensive to pay someone to take a chainsaw to some of the tree branches, can it?

Finally, I have always heard that you can watch Illuminations from anywhere around the lagoon, which is true enough I guess. Before this trip I had watched it from Japan one or twice, Italy once, and the island place between France and UK twice on NYE. This weekend I made it a goal of mine to see it from International Gateway. Got there an hour early and it was empty! I have to say, its even more amazing when you are watching it from international gateway! It feels so much closer, like you are in the show yourself! Just wondering, does anyone else feel this way?

 

[LucyintheSky]

from http://www.wdwvip.com/epcot.htm

World Showcase Lagoon is a man made lagoon with a perimeter of 1.2 miles. During the day, the lagoon offers a beautiful panorama for the Epcot guest; however, the lagoon is the site of Illuminations, a thirteen minute fireworks show, the finale of the evening before the park’s closing. At the center of the show sits a large globe with screens on it which display scenes from around the world. Around there are 19 torches lit while the fireworks show goes on. These 19 torches represent the 19 centuries that have past. At the very end of the celebration, the globe opens to reveal a 20th torch, representing the 2oth century and welcoming the 21st century.

To answer your other question, I've watched Illuminations from the International Gateway many times. I actually prefer it from somewhere like the bridge before Mexico or in Norway. I feel closer over there! :shrug:

 

[Polyman]

What Happened

What's the deal with ROE? There has been no inferno barge nor opening bang for the last couple of nights. Was working perfectly this past weekend. Is this another cost-cutting measure for the weekdays?

 

[LucyintheSky]

Eeesh I hope not. :fork: I haven't seen RoE in weeks, but I hate when there's no inferno barge.

 

[wdwmagic]

What's the deal with ROE? There has been no inferno barge nor opening bang for the last couple of nights. Was working perfectly this past weekend. Is this another cost-cutting measure for the weekdays?

Sounds like a tech issue. Those are big elements that would not be cut from the show without good reason.

 

[nngrendel]

What's the deal with ROE? There has been no inferno barge nor opening bang for the last couple of nights. Was working perfectly this past weekend. Is this another cost-cutting measure for the weekdays?

Really hope this is fixed before the 29th!! Never seen RoE without the inferno. I dont want to experience that.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

There are 19 torches around the lagoon to represent the centuries that have PAST. Keeping in mind that RoE debuted for the Millenium Celebration in 2000, the 19 torches around the lagoon represent the 19 centuries that had past BEFORE the 20th century (i.e.: 0 AD-1899 AD). Reflections of Earth itself is a symbolic and artistic history of the world from the creation of the universe all the way up to the present day. By the time the show reaches its conclusion, the 20th century has concluded and the 21st is beginning. This is where the torch from inside the Earth Globe rises up to join the other 19 torches around the lagoon, thus marking the passing of the 20th century. There is no torch for the 21st century because it has only just begun; all torches represent time that has PAST, not time in the present or future.

As for some torches not working...was there rain earlier in the day or even the day before? If a moderate to heavy amount of rain falls, it can gather in the torch cauldrons or make the ignitors too wet to light. Since they're outside, the torches are susceptible to the elements and can have issues from day to day. Age is probably playing a factor these days too; they are over a decade old now. In my experience, Torch 1 can be rather spotty when it comes to lighting for the show, so I wouldn;t be surprised if some of the other torches are like this as well.

The lack of big bang or inferno barge should only be a technical issue.

 

[WDWCPF98]

This is why I love this site!!! You can't get this info anywhere else!

 

[marni1971]

To the OP; the (2) bangs at the start are launched from the inferno barge. Without one you don`t get the other. Highlky likely technical as said.

Some of the torches have issues with the gas supply; last September the one outside Norway was having major issues all night, every night.

 

[LucyintheSky]

To the OP; the (2) bangs at the start are launched from the inferno barge. Without one you don`t get the other. Highlky likely technical as said.

Some of the torches have issues with the gas supply; last September the one outside Norway was having major issues all night, every night.

Oh, I thought they meant that first shooting star looking thing that comes from the perimeter during that first bit of music. It used to come from around the UK, now I think it shoots from America.

 

[wdwmagic]

Oh, I thought they meant that first shooting star looking thing that comes from the perimeter during that first bit of music. It used to come from around the UK, now I think it shoots from America.

Yep it comes form the roof of the theater. here is the hardware
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions...lery/20Feb2009-Air-Launch-Firework-cannon.htm

 

[Rob562]

To the OP; the (2) bangs at the start are launched from the inferno barge. Without one you don`t get the other. Highlky likely technical as said.

Some of the torches have issues with the gas supply; last September the one outside Norway was having major issues all night, every night.

Martin, I thought I read that after the inferno barge incident, they'd moved the launchers off the Inferno Barge and installed them on the dock out there...

Or did they simply relocate the launch tubes themselves to get them away from the barge (so another accidental firing wouldn't cause the same damage as before), and the air compressors and other hardware are still on the barge?

-Rob

 

[WDW Monorail]

To the OP; the (2) bangs at the start are launched from the inferno barge. Without one you don`t get the other. Highlky likely technical as said.

Martin, I thought I read that after the inferno barge incident, they'd moved the launchers off the Inferno Barge and installed them on the dock out there...

Or did they simply relocate the launch tubes themselves to get them away from the barge (so another accidental firing wouldn't cause the same damage as before), and the air compressors and other hardware are still on the barge?

-Rob

You're right Rob. All of the hardware is located on the center slip. The 2 shells come out of 1 tube that is on the slip.

 

[marni1971]

My bad; indeed after the accident the 2nd & 3rd lift ALF/S was moved off the inferno. Tid bit - the inferno was originally planned to take a lot more shells than it eventually did. Surprise surprise it was too hot for them.

 

[KingdomKeeper]

There are 19 torches around the lagoon to represent the centuries that have PAST. Keeping in mind that RoE debuted for the Millenium Celebration in 2000, the 19 torches around the lagoon represent the 19 centuries that had past BEFORE the 20th century (i.e.: 0 AD-1899 AD). Reflections of Earth itself is a symbolic and artistic history of the world from the creation of the universe all the way up to the present day. By the time the show reaches its conclusion, the 20th century has concluded and the 21st is beginning. This is where the torch from inside the Earth Globe rises up to join the other 19 torches around the lagoon, thus marking the passing of the 20th century. There is no torch for the 21st century because it has only just begun; all torches represent time that has PAST, not time in the present or future.

As for some torches not working...was there rain earlier in the day or even the day before? If a moderate to heavy amount of rain falls, it can gather in the torch cauldrons or make the ignitors too wet to light. Since they're outside, the torches are susceptible to the elements and can have issues from day to day. Age is probably playing a factor these days too; they are over a decade old now. In my experience, Torch 1 can be rather spotty when it comes to lighting for the show, so I wouldn;t be surprised if some of the other torches are like this as well.

The lack of big bang or inferno barge should only be a technical issue.

Ah...that makes sense. And yes...it had been raining cats, dogs, and assorted other small furry mammals just a few hours earlier. Never thought of the rain making it too wet.

 

[LoriSue]

Ah...that makes sense. And yes...it had been raining cats, dogs, and assorted other small furry mammals QUOTE]:ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

 

[Alektronic]

What's the deal with ROE? There has been no inferno barge nor opening bang for the last couple of nights. Was working perfectly this past weekend. Is this another cost-cutting measure for the weekdays?

Actually, I heard it was a globe problem.

 

[raven]

The past few nights after the park has been closed they've been working on the show lighting and torches. Couldn't see everything (as I was in FW) but they ran the show a few times minus the music and fireworks/inferno barges.

 

[wm49rs]

The past few nights after the park has been closed they've been working on the show lighting and torches. Couldn't see everything (as I was in FW) but they ran the show a few times minus the music and fireworks/inferno barges.

Raven- any idea why the wall between France and Morocco?

 

[KingdomKeeper]

The past few nights after the park has been closed they've been working on the show lighting and torches. Couldn't see everything (as I was in FW) but they ran the show a few times minus the music and fireworks/inferno barges.

...that actually sounds like something I would like to see. Would be really different from the full show...Or well, I would be interested in seeing the show minus the fireworks/inferno, but with the music...Glad to know that they are working on the show.