To me they are just fireworks shows, but I saw in another post that people seem to get pretty emotional about them? So, what makes them so great? Maybe I just viewed them from the wrong area?
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What is so great about Illuminations or Wishes?
- Thread starter sublimesting
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EPCOT Explorer
New Member
First off...Two VERY different shows.
IllumiNations:Reflections of Earth is the story of the creation of the Earth. It shows how a tiny planet can be borne from fire...Create a civilization and show how that civilization grows, flourishes and comes together despite many differences. It’s an intellectual marvel and at the heart of the EPCOT values. The combination of the setting (WS), MUSIC, and the excitement of the fireworks makes it VERY emotional.
Wishes!-quintessential Disney. All of the Disney characters, story and music we all know and love brought to life in the sky before your eyes. It’s the Classic Disney moment of being among friends and family watching the sky above a fairytale castle for a glimpse of REAL magic.
I love 'em both.Can you tell?:lol::sohappy:
IllumiNations:Reflections of Earth is the story of the creation of the Earth. It shows how a tiny planet can be borne from fire...Create a civilization and show how that civilization grows, flourishes and comes together despite many differences. It’s an intellectual marvel and at the heart of the EPCOT values. The combination of the setting (WS), MUSIC, and the excitement of the fireworks makes it VERY emotional.
Wishes!-quintessential Disney. All of the Disney characters, story and music we all know and love brought to life in the sky before your eyes. It’s the Classic Disney moment of being among friends and family watching the sky above a fairytale castle for a glimpse of REAL magic.
I love 'em both.Can you tell?:lol::sohappy:
Were you able to hear the music and the words from your viewing location for Wishes? Its also good if you can see the front of the Castle.
Since1976
Well-Known Member
For Illuminations:ROE, it's definitely the music that does it for me. Your typical New Year's or 4th of July fireworks show usually features the old standard classical music pieces you've heard a hundred times. Since 2000, Illuminations has featured an ORIGINAL score, written specifically to tell the story along with the globe and the fireworks. And it works perfectly.
I love Wishes too, but it comes second to Illuminations by a large margin. But the first time I saw Wishes there was a moment, as the voice of Peter Pan came on, and green fireworks lit up along with the music "the second star from the right," when I felt a tear coming on. Odd, since I was only familiar with the ride, and not the movie.
I love Wishes too, but it comes second to Illuminations by a large margin. But the first time I saw Wishes there was a moment, as the voice of Peter Pan came on, and green fireworks lit up along with the music "the second star from the right," when I felt a tear coming on. Odd, since I was only familiar with the ride, and not the movie.
So, I am probably in the wrong place. Cause I watch them from areas where I'm like "Wow that was a good one!", but all I hear are blasts and all I see are fireworks (no characters or anything). This year I will stand in front of the castle instead of the rear of Toontown.
disneymyway
New Member
For me it's the music - I get pretty emotional with sentimental music.
But that said, Wishes is just a fireworks show, but my oh my WHAT a fireworks show and it has pretty much ruined me for all other fireworks shows.
But that said, Wishes is just a fireworks show, but my oh my WHAT a fireworks show and it has pretty much ruined me for all other fireworks shows.
Lucky
Well-Known Member
Never mind the music and characters, even the fireworks part of it is not designed to be viewed from behind the castle or way off to the side like near BTMRR.
If you've been watching from Toontown, it's no wonder you don't get it. The entire show is centered around the castle. I mean, it's not even good if you're standing 30 feet to the side. You have to be dead smack in the center, as close to the Walt & Mickey Partners statue as possible for the best view. If you are too close to the castle you won't see the fireworks, if you are too far back you won't see Tink.
IllumiNations I absolutely love, though I've never been fond of the "globe" part. I love the music, but wish the no-fireworks section of the show was a bit shorter.
gjohnson66
Member
Well, for me Illuminations: ROE is simply THE best show of it's type i have ever seen! The combination of the music (which is simply excellent) and the effects (pyro, fire, lasers and lights) actually makes you feel like you are part of the show! There are several "preferred" places to watch ROE, but mine is at the end of the path leading to futureworld (opposite of the American pavilion) -- I'll even show up there up to 2 hours early just so I can get to my favorite spot!
And speaking of the ROE soundtrack -- as an audio engineer I use this soundtrack to tune my sound systems for the corporate theater and concert gigs I do. Hearing this powerful piece during a full power system test (around 130dB or so) brings chills to my spine every time I do it!
Wishes is a great show in it's own right, although it takes a backseat to ROE by a huge margin (IMHO). It also has an excellent score to it, but the show is more driven to the character and ideals of Disney. The fireworks and effects are excellent and I would suggest that you view them from in front of the castle somewhere on main street. I typically watch from right around the "circle" intersection (sorry, don't know the actual name) and that location tends to provide the best viewing -- however, to hear properly I would suggest you get a spot closer to one side or the other...the speakers at MK are not as large as they are at DL and therefore you can't hear quite as well.
And speaking of the ROE soundtrack -- as an audio engineer I use this soundtrack to tune my sound systems for the corporate theater and concert gigs I do. Hearing this powerful piece during a full power system test (around 130dB or so) brings chills to my spine every time I do it!
Wishes is a great show in it's own right, although it takes a backseat to ROE by a huge margin (IMHO). It also has an excellent score to it, but the show is more driven to the character and ideals of Disney. The fireworks and effects are excellent and I would suggest that you view them from in front of the castle somewhere on main street. I typically watch from right around the "circle" intersection (sorry, don't know the actual name) and that location tends to provide the best viewing -- however, to hear properly I would suggest you get a spot closer to one side or the other...the speakers at MK are not as large as they are at DL and therefore you can't hear quite as well.
Lucky
Well-Known Member
Exactly right on Wishes - near the statue is the place to be.
I think the globe is key to I:RoE. I saw Illuminations twice without it a couple of weeks ago, and it wasn't the same.
sarabi
New Member
I personally favor Illuminations, but I can answer for both...
Wishes is the quintessential "fireworks over the castle" that people long to see from the time they are kids. My mother went to Disneyworld for the first time when I was 14. She had wanted to go from the time she was a kid and watched World of Disney on TV but her mom would never take her and then she didn't have enough money. The fireworks over the castle are something that some people take for granted, and something other people dream of their whole life. To be able to stand on Main Street USA and watch them is a blessing and I suppose that's why some people get emotional.
Illuminations has a powerful story to it. It's the formation of the Universe, the coming into being of Earth, and then the rise of Man. I think that's a pretty powerful story... and I love the way Disney interpreted it. I get emotional when I watch it because it puts things in perspective and gives me hope. There can be war raging "outside the gates" but during Illuminations, I actually feel like there is hope that we can all live in peace together. I can only speak for myself, but that makes me emotional.
Wishes is the quintessential "fireworks over the castle" that people long to see from the time they are kids. My mother went to Disneyworld for the first time when I was 14. She had wanted to go from the time she was a kid and watched World of Disney on TV but her mom would never take her and then she didn't have enough money. The fireworks over the castle are something that some people take for granted, and something other people dream of their whole life. To be able to stand on Main Street USA and watch them is a blessing and I suppose that's why some people get emotional.
Illuminations has a powerful story to it. It's the formation of the Universe, the coming into being of Earth, and then the rise of Man. I think that's a pretty powerful story... and I love the way Disney interpreted it. I get emotional when I watch it because it puts things in perspective and gives me hope. There can be war raging "outside the gates" but during Illuminations, I actually feel like there is hope that we can all live in peace together. I can only speak for myself, but that makes me emotional.
krankenstein
Well-Known Member
Something about fireworks over the castle screams Disney to me. Wishes completes a day at MK for me. Heck, even if I am not watching show, hearing the soundtrack pipped throughout MK produces some sort of emotional response within me.
That said, Wishes pails in comparison to ROE. I think the combination of the music from ROE and the fact that I am an optimist has something to do with it. I want to believe that everyone in the world can come together. It just fits the setting of WS lagoon to a T. The overall message of the show makes up for the aspects I do not like!
That said, Wishes pails in comparison to ROE. I think the combination of the music from ROE and the fact that I am an optimist has something to do with it. I want to believe that everyone in the world can come together. It just fits the setting of WS lagoon to a T. The overall message of the show makes up for the aspects I do not like!
I personally love that everyone likes Illuminations because I do not, except the end. So the lines for Soarin are much shorter. I think it's because of the whole big bang, earth born from fire piece, the same reason I never liked the beginning of Universe of Energy.
As for Wishes I try to watch it multiple times a trip, all from different places, Poly Beach, centered on the castle, and the bridge to tomorrowland so Tink goes right over my daughters. I think the way it is put together with the music and characters defines what Disney is to our family.
As for Wishes I try to watch it multiple times a trip, all from different places, Poly Beach, centered on the castle, and the bridge to tomorrowland so Tink goes right over my daughters. I think the way it is put together with the music and characters defines what Disney is to our family.
daverube
Active Member
I think Wishes is great because it empties the lines for most of the popular rides.
Although some folks may really love the show, I think fireworks are fireworks.....and when you can buy/listen to the soundtrack whenever you want, I just don't find it that special....
Flame On....:fork:
dave
Although some folks may really love the show, I think fireworks are fireworks.....and when you can buy/listen to the soundtrack whenever you want, I just don't find it that special....
Flame On....:fork:
dave
Oh yeah you are watching it from about the worst place possible. View from Mainstreet, and I think you should have a new appreciation for the show.
In short, Disney produce the best pyro shows ANYWHERE. The fact that they are done every single night of the year is just astounding. The pyro design and show production are second to none. It's really a privilege to see such high calibre shows. Big thanks to everyone involved in the shows :sohappy:
I think you either get it or you dont. Things like this will usually slighlt impress me but the Disney ones are just out of this World. For me, it's just a great way to end a great day.
hokielutz
Well-Known Member
Yep, you have to watch Wishes from Main Street. I've gotten a little choked up with the show from time to time. The musical score with the display is really classic Disney and is one of our favorites. The show is immersive and knows what strings to pull.
To dave... I won't flame u for your thoughts. You either get it or don't.
To dave... I won't flame u for your thoughts. You either get it or don't.
Susan Savia
Well-Known Member
We look at Wishes standing back where you come into the park under the train station, looking straight up Main Street. The music, the fireworks, absolutely amazing. (Also allows for quick getaway when its over...)
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Next Trip - January 2009
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Next Trip - January 2009
Since1976
Well-Known Member
In 1990, when I was 13 and restless and rebellious, I went against my mother's wishes that we see the fireworks over the castle, and I insisted we do a ride instead. (We'd seen the fireworks from Frontierland on our previous trip in 1986, and I didn't think they were all that). So, we only caught glimpses of the fireworks as we walked through Tomorrowland. My mom was disappointed, but I said "We've seen 'em before, and we'll see them next time."
Little did I know that "next time" would be 12 years later, 2002, and my mom wouldn't even be on the trip with me! I skipped the fireworks AGAIN, seeing them only from afar atop the Contemporary.
Only in 2005 did I see the fireworks the way they were meant to be seen, right smack dab in the middle of Main Street. Only then, with the music and lights and everything, did I "get it", and boy did I regret denying my mom the chance to see them all those years ago. My mom will be with us on our next trip in 2008, her first trip since 1990, and I can't wait to show her Wishes!
Little did I know that "next time" would be 12 years later, 2002, and my mom wouldn't even be on the trip with me! I skipped the fireworks AGAIN, seeing them only from afar atop the Contemporary.
Only in 2005 did I see the fireworks the way they were meant to be seen, right smack dab in the middle of Main Street. Only then, with the music and lights and everything, did I "get it", and boy did I regret denying my mom the chance to see them all those years ago. My mom will be with us on our next trip in 2008, her first trip since 1990, and I can't wait to show her Wishes!