IllumiNations

sarahwiggles99

New Member
Original Poster
:cool: hey guys. i was just wondering which version of illuminations you like better, the original version (1988-1996) or the present day version. just curious!:wave:
 

peter11435

Well-Known Member
I believe there have been four different versions of Illuminations. The original Illuminations, two versions of Illuminations 25, and the current Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. That said my favorite thus far is Reflections of Earth. I love the inferno barge, the globe and the torches. My favorite thing about it though is that it actually has a story and an original (incredible) score, not simply a collection of existing music.
 

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
I personally ONLY liked I:ROE. Granted, I was a kid when I saw Illuminations and Illuminations25 (v1.0). I never saw the second. However, as a family, only my mom liked the first two. We all loved the new one.

I think a lot depends on what you are looking for. I like the creativity and somewhat abstract nature of the show. I don't like Fantasmic. Haven't seen Wishes yet. So, I really like the fact that it is the first ENTIRELY original show on property IMHO. Illuminations (originals) was original to an extent, but the music and everything was not, so it was in somewhat the same boat as MK and MGM to me.
 

CrashNet

Well-Known Member
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth by FAR. I'm pretty much saying what everyone did already, but RoE has a defined story and theme behind it. Plus, the score was written specifically for the show, and it flows naturally. Scores that are made of pieced together pre-exhisting music don't tend to flow as well, a strong point as to why I love RoE more than any other show at Disney.
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
RoE is fantastic, but has it`s shortcomings; the countries arn`t utilised as much as they could be, and the laser effects arn`t as striking as they were previously. IMHO of course.

Prior to IllumiNations were Laserphonic Fantasy (1984), New World Fantasy (1983) and Carnival de Lumiere (1982) - each one built on the previous version until IllumiNations in 1988. A lot of RoE`s visual design borrows from IllumiNations too, so in effect it`s been a continual process of refinement for 24 years now.
 

TheOneVader

Well-Known Member
While I think RoE is by far the best, it can definately be improved upon. In the new IllumiNations, I'd like to see some aweomse technology utilized like the inferno barge, glboe barge, ALF, etc. I'd also like to see some amazing original music (preferably by Gavin Greenaway :) ). But I'd also liek to see the nations play a part in the show.
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
RoE...I love the music so much more when Disney makes their own. I hope SkyDance is similar in design but with improved pyro (which I'm sure it will have) and better balance. An incredible double-finale is great, but not if it means the middle half of the show has to have no pyro.
 

tirian

Well-Known Member
The original Illuminations was cutting-edge for its day, and I used to love it. I still remember the little light-up globe in the middle of the lake; I thought it was the greatest thing on earth!

Now, however, RoE blows the socks, pants, shirt, and toupee off all the earlier versions. Some people whine about how it doesn't feature music from each of the countries, but no one can argue that the new score doesn't better unify the show. Furthermore, the music is one of the best instrumental pieces of the late 20th century, and (frankly) touches my emotions better than the combination of Disney music in Wishes (although I love Wishes, too). The RoE composer is a genius.

From the air-launch fireworks to the synchronized lazers; and from the exhilarating score to the earth that floats across the lake and eventually opens, I think that RoE is the best Illuminations yet.
 

will_rogers

New Member
I agree with the last post. The way all the effects come together and the music is what sets the show leaps and bounds over everything else. Six years old and people are still moved by it. The coordination of the pyro and music is insane. You don't see that anywhere else...EVER.
 

RU42

New Member
If I may ask a tag-a-long question in this thread...

Does anyone know of the lighting order of the countries during RoE?

RU
 

peter11435

Well-Known Member
RU42 said:
If I may ask a tag-a-long question in this thread...

Does anyone know of the lighting order of the countries during RoE?

RU
They light 4 countries (china, italy, japan, and the UK) at once, then the five remaining countries (US, mexico, canada, germany and france) at once.
 

Shaman

Well-Known Member
I personally think that RoE has been the best so far (especially the music)...I can't wait to see what they have in store for us with the next version....
 

MKCP 1985

Well-Known Member
The current version is not my favorite. The story is too hard to follow and the show production is not as visually impressive as either Wishes or Fantasmic, IMO.

I understand many, many people love it and it is their favorite show and favorite version. I'm just saying it isn't for everybody. *shrug*
 

Mr.EPCOT

Active Member
I absolutely love Reflections of Earth to death! I have every single note and firework memorized. That being said, I wish there were more lasers in the show. Part of the point of the previous versions was making images out of lasers over the Lagoon, like the Eiffel Tower, I remember specifically. I don't see why this couldn't be an element of Reflections of Earth. Not the entire show, of course, but bits and pieces of it.
 

donaldfan

Well-Known Member
tirian said:
The original Illuminations was cutting-edge for its day, and I used to love it. I still remember the little light-up globe in the middle of the lake; I thought it was the greatest thing on earth!

Now, however, RoE blows the socks, pants, shirt, and toupee off all the earlier versions. Some people whine about how it doesn't feature music from each of the countries, but no one can argue that the new score doesn't better unify the show. Furthermore, the music is one of the best instrumental pieces of the late 20th century, and (frankly) touches my emotions better than the combination of Disney music in Wishes (although I love Wishes, too). The RoE composer is a genius.

From the air-launch fireworks to the synchronized lazers; and from the exhilarating score to the earth that floats across the lake and eventually opens, I think that RoE is the best Illuminations yet.

Couldn't have said it better -- plus the "Celebration" portion of the show is just amazing. I'm going to be at the World for two nights in May (4 on the Wonder!!) and will be seeing ROE both nights.
 

imamouse

Well-Known Member
As much as I love the current version of ROE, when I think back on the other versions, and see how the current one is better, it makes me wonder what greatness could be next?
 

mickeyfanatics

New Member
Inferno Barge

Is ths inferno barge officially back? I am taking 170 students to see this show (and all of EPCOT) Friday and want to make sure they can experience the incredible beauty of this show.
 

bobr0001

New Member
I agree with many of the posts, ROE is a fantastic show.

The firework synchronization to the music is excellent!! I think it's a boon for Disney to show this awesome show each night. No matter how busy the park is, or any frustrations that may have occurred at the park during the day, finishing the day with ROE sends you off on a really good note.....
 

Mimi

Active Member
I like ROE but I must say that I liked the original best. Each country was introduced individually with lights and music from the respective country. I thought it was touching that special attention was given to each. I loved it!
 

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