Illuminations torch no pyro

[disney1023]

I'm not sure about the overall changes to the show, but much of central FL has been under a burn ban for the past several weeks. I recently saw a map that showed the Orlando area as having severe drought conditions. If the pyro effects are back in full force once the June rains begin, I'd be willing to bet the reduced pyro was Disney's way of working with the burn ban(s).

but what about the big lotus in the end of Rivers of Light?

 

[V_L_Raptor]

but what about the big lotus in the end of Rivers of Light?

Not having yet seen Rivers of Light, I couldn't tell you. I'm not claiming to have all the answers on this. All I'm saying is, lately a lot of fun and games around central FL have been held off because of low rainfall and dry conditions. (Tampa skipped out on fireworks along the Hillsborough River for Riverfest because of a burn ban, even. Talk about a water feature...)

 

[raven]

The show is, yes, but they'd need to have an eye toward what could go wrong. If they're also under a watering restriction (as a lot of places are), that might make them cautious around all of the landscaping. Again, I'm not sure, but the timing seems right, considering the burn bans and the wildfires around.

This is the reason why they ran water, electric and gas lines out to the islands in the lagoon. There are sprinklers on the island that soak the trees and grass before the show behinds in order to help prevent accidents. A few little fires have happened on them over the years but are put out within minutes.

World Showplace also has sprinklers on top of the building to water down the vynal covering on the building as a precaution.

 

[Ralphlaw]

Of all the shows, Illuminations is the most timeless. There are no IPs, and no movie allusions that would date it. The music is basically from the 1990s, but nothing else sounds like it. It will be a long time before we can say the music is out of date.

Fireworks also never go out of style, and all the other effects can go on for a long time.

The globe itself is subject to updates, making the images clearer, or the whole thing bigger and easier to see. Nevertheless it is a great effect.

Of course the latest tech in these areas is projection, and for that Epcot lagoon is not well suited. There's no true backdrop to project onto, and as a 360 degree show, the projection about have to be far larger than anywhere else. Plus the smoke and fog would obscure it. I could envision potential high resolution projections on some of the buildings, I suppose, like Spaceship Earth, Test Track and Soarin'. But you don't want to start slapping projections on the pavilions to make the whole thing into a cartoon. That would seem to be disrespectful of the culture behind them.

Finally, Illuminations is adaptable. Stuff can be added in, removed, changed and otherwise upgraded. The absolute worst thing they could do is cheapen it or IP it with singing birds, Scandinavian Princesses, genies or anything else.

Overall, ROE is so amazing to me that I would probably take an instant dislike to anything that replaces it. Call me a curmudgeon, but any such replacement would have to be absolutely amazing for me to like it.

 

[monothingie]

You've seen Sydney and Dubai?

Stop bringing reality into these discussions!

 

[marni1971]

Of all the shows, Illuminations is the most timeless. There are no IPs, and no movie allusions that would date it. The music is basically from the 1990s, but nothing else sounds like it. It will be a long time before we can say the music is out of date.

Fireworks also never go out of style, and all the other effects can go on for a long time.

The globe itself is subject to updates, making the images clearer, or the whole thing bigger and easier to see. Nevertheless it is a great effect.

Of course the latest tech in these areas is projection, and for that Epcot lagoon is not well suited. There's no true backdrop to project onto, and as a 360 degree show, the projection about have to be far larger than anywhere else. Plus the smoke and fog would obscure it. I could envision potential high resolution projections on some of the buildings, I suppose, like Spaceship Earth, Test Track and Soarin'. But you don't want to start slapping projections on the pavilions to make the whole thing into a cartoon. That would seem to be disrespectful of the culture behind them.

Finally, Illuminations is adaptable. Stuff can be added in, removed, changed and otherwise upgraded. The absolute worst thing they could do is cheapen it or IP it with singing birds, Scandinavian Princesses, genies or anything else.

Overall, ROE is so amazing to me that I would probably take an instant dislike to anything that replaces it. Call me a curmudgeon, but any such replacement would have to be absolutely amazing for me to like it.

Skydance was looking at mapping onto the Showcase buildings. And also the "in the air" projection system seen in RoL.

When it happens I expect (educated guess) to see certain parts radically altered but remaining, and other sections replaced.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Another point of note, audio in front of the Norway beer cart (long been my go to viewing spot) has been mediocre at best for close to a year now.

 

[Delgado]

Sure. But none of that is mere feet away from the viewer. The sheer force of the special tags for Illuminations is incredible. I see videos all the time of people going "whoa" and laughing like crazy people at what they just witnessed.

Yes! This was me!!! Nye was phenomenal! Nye at mk is great too but Epcot was LOUD you could feel the vibrations of the fireworks through your body. Insane. So good

 

[Cesar R M]

One of our favorites from the Millennium celebration. 2000.

The song was very inspiring!

 

[Biff215]

This show needs to go. Yes it's a classic but so was Wishes, and they replaced that with Happily Ever After. If Disney can do that with the Magic Kingdom, imagine what could be done for Epcot. I would also like to point out that Illuminations was made for the 2000 celebration only, and Epcot is the only park with no projection shows.
(maybe they could do World Showcase AND Future World shows? Figment...?)

Made for 2000 only? While it debuted then as one of the main pieces of the Millennium Celebration, I've never seen it mentioned that it was only supposed to last for those 15 months. Even if it was, it more than earned these past 17+ years. I realize it will be replaced at some point, I just don't think the other shows should have anything to do with that.

 

[WisDisneyFan]

One of our favorites from the Millennium celebration. 2000.

My wife and I agree! That was the best year!!

 

[Kamikaze]

I understand how you can see it like that, but lose the projections and you're left with basically lasers, spotlights and the same amount of fireworks as ROE. HEA is a wow moment in MK history for sure, but can't hold a torch to the storytelling aspect of RoE. And a HEA style show can't really be accomplished on the lagoon. So while I agree compared to HEA, RoE seems a little more primitive I still feel it's the best show for EPCOT. I actually love how there's no projections in it, sets it apart from all the other projection relying spectaculars. They're great don't get me wrong, but the fact that RoE portrays such an amazing story of past, present and future with the effects it uses makes it the perfect fit for EPCOT I feel.

So you're saying 'if you take away a good portion of the show, its the same as this other show'? Thats some good logic to make yourself feel better about RoE, for sure.

 

[Kamikaze]

This show needs to go. Yes it's a classic but so was Wishes, and they replaced that with Happily Ever After. If Disney can do that with the Magic Kingdom, imagine what could be done for Epcot. I would also like to point out that Illuminations was made for the 2000 celebration only, and Epcot is the only park with no projection shows.
(maybe they could do World Showcase AND Future World shows? Figment...?)

And you'd be incorrect in pointing that out.

The original Illuminations started way back in 1988.
It was replaced in 1996 by Illuminations 25, which changed slightly in 1998, before being replaced in 1999 by Illuminations 2000: Reflections of Earth. This again was changed slightly into the Illuminations: RoE that we have today (basically just dropping 2000/millennium references). RoE was changed/created for 2000, yes, but Illuminations has a long history.

That isn't to say it doesn't need an upgrade. Doesn't necessarily need to be projection based, but with all the area they have to work with, I think they could do something truly impressive.

 

[disney1023]

That isn't to say it doesn't need an upgrade. Doesn't necessarily need to be projection based, but with all the area they have to work with, I think they could do something truly impressive.

I think that future world should have a projection show, maybe on Spaceship Earth (considering the other three icons have projections).

 

[Kamikaze]

I think that future world should have a projection show, maybe on Spaceship Earth (considering the other three icons have projections).

It can certainly have one, but the 'end of night' show needs to stay on World Showcase Lagoon.

 

[disney1023]

It can certainly have one, but the 'end of night' show needs to stay on World Showcase Lagoon.

Fair enough.

 

[marni1971]

I would also like to point out that Illuminations was made for the 2000 celebration only, and Epcot is the only park with no projection shows..)

Thank god.

And ROE wasn't made for "the 2000 celebration only"

 

[Father Robinson]

So you're saying 'if you take away a good portion of the show, its the same as this other show'? Thats some good logic to make yourself feel better about RoE, for sure.

No, I'm saying take away the projections and you're left with lasers, lights, fireworks and music, the same elements that make up most shows including ROE. However ROE has other elements that these shows don't..torches, fire barge unbeatable story.. So to each their own but ROE certainly is no lackluster show compared to HEA, It's just older.

 

[Father Robinson]

Of all the shows, Illuminations is the most timeless. There are no IPs, and no movie allusions that would date it. The music is basically from the 1990s, but nothing else sounds like it. It will be a long time before we can say the music is out of date.

Fireworks also never go out of style, and all the other effects can go on for a long time.

The globe itself is subject to updates, making the images clearer, or the whole thing bigger and easier to see. Nevertheless it is a great effect.

Of course the latest tech in these areas is projection, and for that Epcot lagoon is not well suited. There's no true backdrop to project onto, and as a 360 degree show, the projection about have to be far larger than anywhere else. Plus the smoke and fog would obscure it. I could envision potential high resolution projections on some of the buildings, I suppose, like Spaceship Earth, Test Track and Soarin'. But you don't want to start slapping projections on the pavilions to make the whole thing into a cartoon. That would seem to be disrespectful of the culture behind them.

Finally, Illuminations is adaptable. Stuff can be added in, removed, changed and otherwise upgraded. The absolute worst thing they could do is cheapen it or IP it with singing birds, Scandinavian Princesses, genies or anything else.

Overall, ROE is so amazing to me that I would probably take an instant dislike to anything that replaces it. Call me a curmudgeon, but any such replacement would have to be absolutely amazing for me to like it.

This!

 

[Kamikaze]

No, I'm saying take away the projections and you're left with lasers, lights, fireworks and music, the same elements that make up most shows including ROE. However ROE has other elements that these shows don't..torches, fire barge unbeatable story.. So to each their own but ROE certainly is no lackluster show compared to HEA, It's just older.

Right, but HEA is clearly a superior show *now*. RoE, as you said, is older and is based on older tech. It just can't compete with a brand new show like HEA.