"Cost-efficient" Illuminations

[*MichelleP*]

I know there is info somewhere around here about this, but I can't seem to find it.

Can anyone fill me in on when the "cost-efficient" Illuminations started? Any word how long it will continue, or is a permanent revision? Is it driven by attendance at all? How apparent are the changes?

I really enjoy Illuminations. To me, there is so much more to it than just the obvious visual things. The whole experience of walking through World Showcase at night after the crowds have cleared out is so relaxing to me. I'd hate to see anything take away from it.

Thanks for any insight anyone can share.

 

[attisb]

I don't know exactly when it started but it seems like it will permanent from what I heard. The changes are mostly with fireworks not lasting as long. Meaning that a firework that when set off would glow for 5 seconds now only glows for 3 seconds. They still look the same but don't last if that makes sense. If you have seen the show a lot then you will notice it however if you have never seen it or have only a few times the changes don't look so bad.

My guess, and this is only a guess, is that they cut cost to come up with a new show. Illuminations is a great show but is becoming dated. So spend less money on the current show and put what is saved twords a newer show in research and development.

 

[BrerPete]

I hope it doesn't change the show too much. As an anniversary gift, my wife rented "The Breathless," one of the high speed Disney motor boats, and it docked under the bridge connecting the UK to Canada. We watched the show from the water and it was awesome. It was like a carriage ride, only without the horses and on water, if that makes sense.

 

[barnum42]

When did this start? I last saw Illuminations first week of May. Was it the low calorie version then, or has it changed since?

 

[KevinPage]

I've seen Illuminations more times than I can count and never noticed any changes myself.

I guess it depends on how hard you look for these things. Depending on where I view the show I see new things all the time. It can also be people's "perceived perceptions" that the show is changed. There has been no concrete evidence, just speculation and opinions.

So I wouldn't worry too much about it

 

[ToTBellHop]

I started noticing the changes at least a year ago...it IS about time for a new IllumiNations, but it looks like that will have to wait till 2007.

 

[speck76]

I have not noticed much change in the fireworks, except for a few shells. The difference I have noticed is the sychro with the music. I dont really know if it has always been this way, or if since seeing Wishes more, if Wishes has set the new standard.

 

[Shaman]

I have not noticed much change in the fireworks, except for a few shells. The difference I have noticed is the sychro with the music. I dont really know if it has always been this way, or if since seeing Wishes more, if Wishes has set the new standard.

Having seen this show countless times, and having recorded it countless times from different locations...I have to agree with you...the changes are small...In some places though, some fireworks have been taken out and in some areas more go off...nothing big though....

The 4th of July fireworks were beautiful...so many went off at once that it was great...Epcot is still the place to go to see fireworks (Wishes is great but RoE is still a bit better).....

 

[wdwmagic]

In my opinion any changes to the show have been very minimal over the years. I have recently compared various videos from the 1999 shows to 2004, and I can see very little difference. Infact some shows from the later time periods have appeared slightly more pyro-rich than the previous shows, and vice-versa. I believe it may be down too:

1. People's perceptions of how they "think" the show used to be, giving the impression it has been cut back.

2. Pyro supply problems during the times the show is viewed. There are often times when a certain component may not be available, and has to be substituted or removed from the show.

3. Weather conditions affect which elements can be used. Sometimes pyro has to be left out due to high winds.

4. The viewing angle often affects how "full" the show appears to be, and can give the impression of more or less pyro.

5. Smoke (more or less) during the show can conceal some elements, again giving the impression of changes to the amount of product fired.

I have no definitive information on whether the amount of pyro product has been reduced, but based on personal viewings, and video evidence, I would say there hasnt been a significant reduction. I am trying to verify this however.

 

[*MichelleP*]

Thanks for the insight and observations!

 

[SirNim]

...have appeared slightly more pyro-rich than the...

*adds to proprietary vernacular*

 

[bgraham34]

Thats really interesting,. As long as the fireworks dont go down to 1 second a pop I am ok with it. I understand saving money.

 

[Sloan]

Illuminations variations

I'm a big fan of Illuminations, and don't like to hear about any reductions in quality. I've noticed some variations - some that may have been associated with the weather conditions - and I've also felt that some shows have been different/better than others, but I've not detected any major changes. My last visit was in February, and I saw the show a few times that trip, and it seemed 'fine'. I'll be back next month, and will try to pay even closer attention to see if I can detect any changes .... As for saving money by reducing the burn-time of the charges, it seems unlikely that would result in very significant savings, as the labor to 'build' the shell would be the same, and I'm guessing that is the most significant factor in the expense of the fireworks (Special skill, lots of safety and handling precautions and restrictions, etc. - can the charge material/powder really be that big a percentage of the cost??)

 

[1disneydood]

I know they used to use more lasers. The first time I viewed it, it was much better than the times thereafter. :veryconfu It was like the entire WS was alive with laser projections once, but now I don't see nearly as many.

 

[MrNonacho]

A big factor with the lasers is the smoke from the fireworks. If the wind blows it all away from the laser beams they won't be very visible. Since the lasers come from different locations around the lagoon, someone watching from Germany or Italy may have a better view of Canada's lasers than someone in France would have of Mexico's.

 

[dxwwf3]

it IS about time for a new IllumiNations, but it looks like that will have to wait till 2007.

Amen to that. I, personally, think that ROE is the most overrated show on Disney property. It certainly has it's share of fans, but I just do not think it is half as good as the original. Now that Wishes has raised the bar, it is time for a new Illuminations (Hopefully with a theme more like the original) to come back strong.

 

[KevinPage]

In my opinion any changes to the show have been very minimal over the years. I have recently compared various videos from the 1999 shows to 2004, and I can see very little difference. Infact some shows from the later time periods have appeared slightly more pyro-rich than the previous shows, and vice-versa. I believe it may be down too:.

Great minds think alike


P.S. - this isn't some lame ploy to get a zillion rep points from the webmaster. Or is it? :lol:

 

[wdwmagic]

A big factor with the lasers is the smoke from the fireworks. If the wind blows it all away from the laser beams they won't be very visible. Since the lasers come from different locations around the lagoon, someone watching from Germany or Italy may have a better view of Canada's lasers than someone in France would have of Mexico's.

Yup exactly that. There are lots of factors that affect the laser performance. As well as those you mentioned, some laser shots also have to be terminated because of aircraft flying through the scan area. There is also the humidity and darkness level to be taken into account.

 

[wdwmagic]

Amen to that. I, personally, think that ROE is the most overrated show on Disney property. It certainly has it's share of fans, but I just do not think it is half as good as the original. Now that Wishes has raised the bar, it is time for a new Illuminations (Hopefully with a theme more like the original) to come back strong.

The original IllumiNations was a great show, I was a huge fan. RoE raised the bar even further for me though. Its an incredible show. Everything from the scale and size of the show, the wonderful musical score, the precision timing and design of the firework display, and to the different components used (laser, light, fire, fireworks, water).

Recently I watched 2 videos, one of Illum and one of RoE, back-to-back. Now don't get me wrong, Illum was a great show. But compare the two together, and there really is no comparison. RoE dominates in every category I choose to judge it on. Everything is so precise and tight in RoE comapred to Illum. The syncronisation, timing and precision is on a different level. I would ask you to watch the 2 videos on WDWMAGIC.COM of the shows, and see what you think. My fond memories of Illum often mask the hard facts, that RoE is the much better show. Hats off to Disney and Don Dorsey for topping a classic.

 

[scorp111]

Well I have never seen it, and I look forward to seeing it at least a couple of times in September