IllumiNations recent rumor

[Father Robinson]

I know a lot of people read the recent article by thisisinfamous.com about the rumored HS changes. There was one line that seemed to grab a lot of people's interest and many asked sporadically about it. The very last line of the article was "Oh, and that doesn’t even include the new nighttime show being lined up for EPCOT to replace Illuminations or the new attraction that will be kicking Journey Into Imagination to the curb."

I know this subject gets stirred up every now and then, but thought it might be nice since this most recent article seemed to point to something closer than anticipated on the horizon, that maybe it should get it's own forum. I hope anyone who has any info on this rumor will kindly way in as I know a lot of people are concerned.

Thanks!
FR

 

[wdwmagic]

A replacement of Illuminations reminds me very much of the Star Tours 2 situation - it gets talked about constantly, and eventually it will happen, but when is the big question.

Reflections of Earth had a 10 year life, and it's now over 5 years past that point. It is clear that the strategy at the moment is to keep the current show ticking over. The focus now is on the new Frozen additions, so I don't see a new night show being added before that opens.

 

[Bolt]

Pretty sure this guy was looking for his 15 minutes of internet fame.

 

[Haymarket2008]

I wouldn't expect a new show till after Rivers of Light premieres.

 

[Master Yoda]

A replacement of Illuminations reminds me very much of the Star Tours 2 situation - it gets talked about constantly, and eventually it will happen, but when is the big question.

Reflections of Earth had a 10 year life, and it's now over 5 years past that point. It is clear that the strategy at the moment is to keep the current show ticking over. The focus now is on the new Frozen additions, so I don't see a new night show being added before that opens.

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.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

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.

Couldn't agree more. Update the screens on the globe, get some new types of fireworks, and maybe add some World of Color type fountains around the lagoon and keep RoE going strong.

 

[Father Robinson]

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 couldn't agree more! It isn't broken, never will be. It's the story of life, can't rewrite it!

 

[wdwmagic]

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.

Illum 2000 was extremely popular when it first opened. Such a big upgrade from the previous IllumiNations. It had people jaw-dropped form start to end.

Is it still as popular now? I don't think so. I see people completely lose all attention during the lulls in the pyro, talking amongst themselves, checking phones etc.

People love firework shows, and it will always be a draw, so it will there will always be crowds lining up to watch.

It is clear that if the desire is there, a new show could be developed that would be as big an upgrade as 2000 was to Illum. You are right, there is a danger of making things worse, but it can't stay the same forever.

 

[wdwmagic]

Couldn't agree more. Update the screens on the globe, get some new types of fireworks, and maybe add some World of Color type fountains around the lagoon and keep RoE going strong.

What you are outlining there is basically a new show.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

What you are outlining there is basically a new show.

I don't mean the show scenes on the globe, just the screen tech. It's very difficult at times to see what is being displayed on the globe depending on where you are around the lagoon. The fountains can just be timed to the same music and so long as the "new types" of fireworks are timed in the same as the old it wouldn't really be that new of a show on the whole. A plussing of RoE is really all that's needed, IMO. As @Master Yoda stated, I would fear a completely new show would not be as amazing as RoE has been.

 

[wdwmagic]

I don't mean the show scenes on the globe, just the screen tech. It's very difficult at times to see what is being displayed on the globe depending on where you are around the lagoon. The fountains can just be timed to the same music and so long as the "new types" of fireworks are timed in the same as the old it wouldn't really be that new of a show on the whole. A plussing of RoE is really all that's needed, IMO. As @Master Yoda stated, I would fear a completely new show would not be as amazing as RoE has been.

The screen system was completely replaced in 2008. I don't see that happening again anytime soon. The issue is more the size of the screens are just not big enough to be viewed easily at distance.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

The screen system was completely replaced in 2008. I don't see that happening again anytime soon. The issue is more the size of the screens are just not big enough to be viewed easily at distance.

Oh wow, I had no idea. Funny what 7 years difference can look like now compared to like 20 years a couple of decades ago. Tech gets outdated quickly. But I agree they won't touch that thing for a while if it was just updated in '08.

Now if they made a larger globe... Haha.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I know a lot of people read the recent article by thisisinfamous.com about the rumored HS changes. There was one line that seemed to grab a lot of people's interest and many asked sporadically about it. The very last line of the article was "Oh, and that doesn’t even include the new nighttime show being lined up for EPCOT to replace Illuminations or the new attraction that will be kicking Journey Into Imagination to the curb."

I know this subject gets stirred up every now and then, but thought it might be nice since this most recent article seemed to point to something closer than anticipated on the horizon, that maybe it should get it's own forum. I hope anyone who has any info on this rumor will kindly way in as I know a lot of people are concerned.

Thanks!
FR

90% of what that person wrote was old, rejected news.

What you should take away from that?

- $3B+ budget.

- Star Wars is coming.

- Pixar is coming.

Everything else is rehashed nonsense.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

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 love Reflections of Earth as much as the next person and agree that it is just about perfection in terms of what a nighttime fireworks show can be.

That said, it's time for something new. At least the Epcot techs have managed to keep the show somewhat fresher with the new pyro, upgraded lasers and updated pavilion lighting cues (now please update those fountains!). But there's so many new pyro effects and music pieces and story lines that could be explored in a new show.

@wdwmagic said it about perfectly in his post. RoE was jaw dropping when it was new. And while it is still very good today, it doesn't have the oomph it used to have.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Illum 2000 was extremely popular when it first opened. Such a big upgrade from the previous IllumiNations. It had people jaw-dropped form start to end.

Is it still as popular now? I don't think so. I see people completely lose all attention during the lulls in the pyro, talking amongst themselves, checking phones etc.

People love firework shows, and it will always be a draw, so it will there will always be crowds lining up to watch.

It is clear that if the desire is there, a new show could be developed that would be as big an upgrade as 2000 was to Illum. You are right, there is a danger of making things worse, but it can't stay the same forever.

So would NOW be a good time to point out that this site started as an Illuminations fan site?

 

[Master Yoda]

Illum 2000 was extremely popular when it first opened. Such a big upgrade from the previous IllumiNations. It had people jaw-dropped form start to end.

Is it still as popular now? I don't think so. I see people completely lose all attention during the lulls in the pyro, talking amongst themselves, checking phones etc.

People love firework shows, and it will always be a draw, so it will there will always be crowds lining up to watch.

It is clear that if the desire is there, a new show could be developed that would be as big an upgrade as 2000 was to Illum. You are right, there is a danger of making things worse, but it can't stay the same forever.

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.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

So would NOW be a good time to point out that this site started as an Illuminations fan site?

Ah, how far this site has come!

 

[Goofywilliam]

I would expect a new nighttime show coming to the Magic Kingdom before Epcot. Illuminations has been getting a lot of updates lately and will hopefully be receiving more in the near future. The Magic Kingdom is ready for a completely new show, hence the new hub, updated lighting, new control booths, projectors (although they are kinda old now), and main street bypasses.

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

I see people completely lose all attention during the lulls in the pyro, talking amongst themselves, checking phones etc.

That probably has less to do with the show itself and more to do with attention issues.

They could literally bring out Walt's frozen head (urban legend, I know) during the show, and people would still be checking their phones, if they weren't already recording.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

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.

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.