Illuminations Behind The Scenes Question

[WorldShowcaseLa]

I have a question about Illuminations. What tour do I have to go on to get a behind-the-scenes of the area where they store the barges and all that?

 

[e4ymod]

Undiscovered Future World and Backstage Magic usually go to that area.

 

[WorldShowcaseLa]

Thanks for the quick reply. While back there what do they do and such?

 

[TheDisneyMagic]

I have done backstage magic and I never got shown behind the scenes of IROE.

 

[Chape19714]

Backstage Magic Did not visit that area as of December. We did visit a numerous amount of other Epcot backstage areas.

 

[tirian]

I walk through that area frequently and have never seen Guests there.

The barges are stored backstage between China and Germany. The area is nothing special; just a little pond and brown barges. The globe, however, looks huge backstage; and it's fun to watch the pyrotechs walk among the barges as they get everything ready for the night's show.

 

[brkgnews]

On Backstage Magic, odds are you'll just drive by the storage lagoon en route between American Adventure and the EPCOT cast services building.

On Undiscovered Future World, you usually stand behind one of the countries (China, maybe?) and look at the storage lagoon area. You get fairly close, but not right up at the barges. And don't expect a complete and full pyrotechnics lecture. It's more along the lines of "these are the barges for Illuminations. The big one is the globe -- it's the largest blah blah blah."

 

[Monty]

I don't think you'd get very close to the barges during any of the tours. There's a lot of pyro on them, all it would take is one tour member deciding this would be a good place for a quick smoke and...

Good safety practices say you never let anyone who isn't fully trained in the hazards anywhere near them.

 

[elle72688]

I did the Undiscovered Future World in September 2005 and we stood next to the waters edge by some of the barges (note though we only had 3 people in our tour). We saw the inferno barge there as well and at the time it was partially covered with some tarps. The guide talked about IROE and read a few parts of the story out loud and talked about what they meant. He also then told us different things about the show and how they prepare for the show each day.

 

[boo52]

Due to strict BATFE regulations, tours of any fireworks areas at WDW are not permitted.

 

[Rob562]

Probably your best bet to see the barges sort of close-up,a t least briefly, is to camp out by the bridge between China and the Outpost. You'll get a decent glimpse of them as they bring them out. (Only a few of the barges require the bridge to be raised)
And no extra cost involved! (Just a lot of sitting around waiting)

-Rob

 

[tirian]

They usually come out in mid-afternoon, about 2:30-3:30.

On a tangent, many lifeguards at Disney wish they could have the Illuminations shift: your job is to watch the pyrotechs and make sure they set up the barges in a safe manner (i.e. without falling into the twelve-foot-deep lagoon). The lifeguard gets paid quite a bit to do this.

EDIT: I'm thinking of the wrong position. Boo52 pointed this out (below), and I posted about it later...

 

[boo52]

They usually come out in mid-afternoon, about 2:30-3:30.

On a tangent, many lifeguards at Disney wish they could have the Illuminations shift: your job is to watch the pyrotechs and make sure they set up the barges in a safe manner (i.e. without falling into the twelve-foot-deep lagoon). The lifeguard gets paid quite a bit to do this.

There are no lifeguards on ROE. All techs are required to wear a life jackets whenever on the water.

 

[kap91]

On a similar note...What tour would I have to take if it is possible to get a backstage or at least daylight view of The Fantasmic Stage and Ampitheater?

 

[mousermerf]

On a similar note...What tour would I have to take if it is possible to get a backstage or at least daylight view of The Fantasmic Stage and Ampitheater?

You could quite literally just walk back there - but i dont recommend it as i'm not sure what sorta restrictions they have on it, I just know i've done it on a Disney-training tour and those people don't really have any authority for the areas we were wandering through, we were all CMs though.

It's big, it's ugly, it's a rock with foliage mesh And oh my god those metal bleachers are hot in the middle of the summer.

 

[tirian]

There are no lifeguards on ROE. All techs are required to wear a life jackets whenever on the water.

Oops! You're right. I'm thinking of something else.

One of my friends, a lifeguard at BB, was offered such a position (to make sure things are done "safely"). I'll have to ask him where it was.

 

[tirian]

...he's insisting he was offered a job to do this for Illuminations.

Maybe they were thinking of adding such a position...

I don't know any of the pyro people and don't have anyone to ask; so until I can talk to someone, I'm taking your word for it, Boo52...

 

[brkgnews]

...he's insisting he was offered a job to do this for Illuminations.

Maybe they were thinking of adding such a position...

I don't know any of the pyro people and don't have anyone to ask; so until I can talk to someone, I'm taking your word for it, Boo52...

Maybe it was at Fantasmic? That's the only pyro-ish show that involves people on boats during the show. Obviously, all the characters aren't out there in life jackets.

 

[tirian]

...That's the same thing I was thinking.