IllumiNations recent rumor

[Father Robinson]

I can't imagine a new show having anywhere near the same impression on people. The subtleties alone in ROE are enough to keep it interesting. All the them are unspoken (less is more), but believe me they're there. For example, during the scene when the globe is almost to the center of the lagoon and the scene on it is the trees growing, the fountains simulate that by starting with a very low flow and then grow tall gradually, finally ending with a brilliant green shine.

Then when we see the running horse transformer into a cave drawing, the fountains drop to a single tiny red stream simualiting the flame early man would've used while creating these cave drawings!

As the early man ventures out of the cave, the red flame effect changes to a tall, bright, full-blue to represent the bright sky, symbol of endless opportunities.

The images of boats, planes, and trains on the globe appear just before the countries light their outlines indicating that now that we can navigate the globe, we can visit and explore our neighboring nations.

The subtleties in telling the story of our planet in ROE are timeless and endless. I certainly hope Disney realizes what a winner they came up with and don't change it any time soon.

 

[OliveMcFly]

It begs the question 'Why replace such a popular show?"

I would much rather see Illuminations run for 50 years with incremental improvements to the elements of the show than have it replaced with something inferior.

I agree. I really love this show. It's something I still make a point to see after 1,000 times.

 

[Master Yoda]

Well, it is lame by today's standards. But back in the late 80s, a show that incorporated high powered lasers (which, back then, were still a relatively new thing to use in an entertainment show) moving spotlights, fountains, fireworks and lighting and projection effects on the pavilions, with everything taking place on and around a massive lake, was pretty astounding. You were literally surrounded by the show.

It was something never done before and was a big contrast from the "fireworks over the castle" show over at MK. May seem pedestrian and quaint today, but back then it was pretty mind blowing.

You are quite correct about the effects, but the biggest shortcomings I saw with the original Illuminations were the music and no real cohesive story/theme. Both of those exist outside the technology of the effects.

 

[Father Robinson]

90% of what that person wrote was old, rejected news. Everything else is rehashed nonsense.

As I figured. However, a lot of people don't keep up with these things, and something like IllumiNations is very dear to people, so I thought this would be a good place to stay on top of the talk regarding the recent mention of it changing.

 

[wdwmagic]

In all fairness, Illuminations pre 2000 was pretty lame. The music was mainly a collection of recycled standards from the countries represented in WS with fireworks not starting until 9 minutes into the show.

There was a lot of room for improvement.

I just don't see that much room for improvement to the core of what we currently have. Sure, fountains could be better, fireworks can get better, maybe tweak the pacing a bit or add some effects for the zero attention span crowd, but I just can't envision a drastic jump like we saw from Illuminations to Illuminations Reflections of Earth.

I sincerely hope I am wrong. I would love to be wowed with something better.

Illum 2000 was really an evolution of Illum, with much the same elements.

The central laser barge that projected images onto water screens was replaced by the new Earth barge with LED screens.

The fountain barges remained, and are still in use today.

The laser booths remained.

The fireworks were there, but different.

The counties were lit.

The two shows were EXTREMELY similar, and much of the awe of Illum 2000 was for fans of the original who saw how it had evolved an improved, but still retaining most of the same elements. The biggest wow was that the Earth barge now moved, and had color images, and then opened up. That effect was a bit lost on those who didn't see the original.

I can't see why something similar can't be done with a rework of Illum 2000 to its successor. I think Illum 2000 is now in the same state that the previous Illum was in when it was replaced by 2000.

Technology with fountains, fire effects, pyro and lasers has moved on so much further since 1998. There is no question that Disney can wow people with a new Illum, if the desire is there to do so.

 

[wdwmagic]

You are quite correct about the effects, but the biggest shortcomings I saw with the original Illuminations were the music and no real cohesive story/theme. Both of those exist outside the technology of the effects.

Yes the story element in 2000 was a big component and improvement. There is enough creative talent out there to repeat that genius with a new show though. Epcot's nighttime show story doesn't have to be set in stone.

 

[Master Yoda]

Yes the story element in 2000 was a big component and improvement. There is enough creative talent out there to repeat that genius with a new show though. Epcot's nighttime show story doesn't have to be set in stone.

I hope you are right if they ever change it.

 

[Father Robinson]

Illum 2000 was really an evolution of Illum, with much the same elements.

The central laser barge that projected images onto water screens was replaced by the new Earth barge with LED screens.

The fountain barges remained, and are still in use today.

The laser booths remained.

The fireworks were there, but different.

The counties were lit.

The two shows were EXTREMELY similar, and much of the awe of Illum 2000 was for fans of the original who saw how it had evolved an improved, but still retaining most of the same elements. The biggest wow was that the Earth barge now moved, and had color images, and then opened up. That effect was a bit lost on those who didn't see the original.

I can't see why something similar can't be done with a rework of Illum 2000 to its successor. I think Illum 2000 is now in the same state that the previous Illum was in when it was replaced by 2000.

Technology with fountains, fire effects, pyro and lasers has moved on so much further since 1998. There is no question that Disney can wow people with a new Illum, if the desire is there to do so.

For those who understand what the creators of ROE were trying to accomplish, there is NO comparison to any previous IllumiNations show. Yes the countries still light, yes the fountain barges remain, and yes, the lasers are still used, but come on, how can you have an EPCOT night show around the lagoon and not utilize these elements in some way (Insert fountain barge arguments)?

ROE added:

Huge torches all around the lagoon to represent the first 19 centuries

A barge that makes the show interactive by allowing the audience to feel the great heat of 60 foot tall fire blasts

A globe that moves, spins, plays video, opens to reveal another torch, shoots pyro out of said torch.

Not to mention, probably the single most amazing original musical score ever to be heard at Disney, which still brings people to tears each time it's played.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

I have little faith that today's Disney could create an adequate replacement for IllumiNations.

Rivers of Light at AK will be a good benchmark to see what the Imagineers and show designers come up with in terms of a large scale, non-character/fantasy based outdoor night show.

I also hope it doesn't fall into the synergy trap that World of Color has fallen in to. The original version of WoC was fine overall (though not without faults), but recent versions have just become a way to market the latest movie or IP. The most recent version with Neil Patrick Harris is downright painful to watch.

 

[wdwmagic]

For those who understand what the creators of ROE were trying to accomplish, there is NO comparison to any previous IllumiNations show. Yes the countries still light, yes the fountain barges remain, and yes, the lasers are still used, but come on, how can you have an EPCOT night show around the lagoon and not utilize these elements in some way (Insert fountain barge arguments)?

ROE added:

Huge torches all around the lagoon to represent the first 19 centuries

A barge that makes the show interactive by allowing the audience to feel the great heat of 60 foot tall fire blasts

A globe that moves, spins, plays video, opens to reveal another torch, shoots pyro out of said torch.

Not to mention, probably the single most amazing original musical score ever to be heard at Disney, which still brings people to tears each time it's played.

Of course there is a comparison to the original Illum. The original show setup the whole concept of a lagoon based firework show using the pavilions as part of the show. Nearly all of the elements were retained, with the torches and inferno barge being the only 'non-technology upgrade' additions.

I'm not saying the pavilions can't be part of any new show. I am sure they will be.

And yes, the score is fantastic. That still isn't a reason to never change the show.

 

[Father Robinson]

Of course there is a comparison to the original Illum. The original show setup the whole concept of a lagoon based firework show using the pavilions as part of the show. Nearly all of the elements were retained, with the torches and inferno barge being the only 'non-technology upgrade' additions.

I'm not saying the pavilions can't be part of any new show. I am sure they will be.

And yes, the score is fantastic. That still isn't a reason to never change the show.

I agree change can be a good thing. That is why plussing and adding are fun and effective ways to do so. Outright changing the best show Disney ever came up with just for the sake of change is silly, when there's soooo much else in WDW that needs change, desperately.

 

[OvertheHorizon]

I wish they would add lights to the Morocco and Norway pavilions like the ones that appear on the original nine pavilions. That would be a great "upgrade" to Illuminations.

 

[Father Robinson]

I wish they would add lights to the Morocco and Norway pavilions like the ones that appear on the original nine pavilions. That would be a great "upgrade" to Illuminations.[/QUOTactually can't do that, the

Morocco actually can't light up because of religious reasons. I believe it's been said that the pavilion is a representation of a prayer building in Morocco, and that country has firm beliefs to the contrary of it being highlighted like that.

Norway simply can't light up because it was the built a few years after all the rest of the pavilions, and was never fitted with the outline light strands like the rest were.

(Edit) I see I was too late in my response, as AJH219 beat me to it.

 

[OvertheHorizon]

Hmmm, interesting. I just Google searched "Mosque Illumination" and found numerous images of Mosques very well lit, including some adorned with strings of lights.

Regardless of the situation with the Morocco pavilion, I think it's time to fit the Norway pavilion with the outline lights.

 

[Nmoody1]

I think one of the major hurdles is Disney knows illuminations has a huge fan base. I was once told that nobody wants to be 'that guy' who is tasked with creating a replacement for illuminations when the money available isn't going to create the same kind of show.

As a former world showcase CM, I loved watching illuminations every night... This was back when it was Illuminations 2000: Reflections of Earth... 15 years on the show is still good, but not great - remember the unique colors that were created for the show? Gone... The unique shells for the show... gone. The recent laser upgrade was great, and I appreciate pyro is cheaper when purchased in bulk and shared with the Magic Kingdom and the pyro used today is a lot more economical friends.

 

[Father Robinson]

I think one of the major hurdles is Disney knows illuminations has a huge fan base. I was once told that nobody wants to be 'that guy' who is tasked with creating a replacement for illuminations when the money available isn't going to create the same kind of show.

As a former world showcase CM, I loved watching illuminations every night... This was back when it was Illuminations 2000: Reflections of Earth... 15 years on the show is still good, but not great - remember the unique colors that were created for the show? Gone... The unique shells for the show... gone. The recent laser upgrade was great, and I appreciate pyro is cheaper when purchased in bulk and shared with the Magic Kingdom and the pyro used today is a lot more economical friends.

Pyro being what it is, the upgrades a few years ago made the pyro much more exciting! The former pyro in spots was great, but the upgrade brought it to a whole new level. I miss the screamers greatly, but I'd gladly sacrifice them in order to keep the show around.

 

[WDWLover#1]

I think a new illuminations is definitely happening. Sources are claiming that Steve Davison is involved and they're trying to do drone technology over the lake;similar to the patents released a couple of months ago. Steve himself confirmed he had pitched two things that were given the go ahead. I think it's a high chance this is one of them.

 

[odmichael]

Illuminations needs more Frozen and more Bob Iger

 

[WDWLover#1]

Ugh, I hope he isn't involved. His creations are visually stunning but, in my opinion, lack substance.

His shows are great but also mainly great from one angle.

 

[marni1971]

ROE consistently pips Fantasmic! in exit surveys as the most popular night time show in WDW.

Expect more enhancements to the current show. And for it not to be running in present form by the 50th.