Future of Illuminations and Spaceship Earth in Question with Siemens Announcing End of Partnership

[ucfknight]

I don't understand half of the sponsorships. As a guest I don't go "I need a sylvania lightbulb because they sponsored illuminations" or "good year tires are the best because I see their logo on the moving walkways at peoplemover". We didn't get ATT because they gave money to Disney.
What sort of good does a sponsorship bring to the sponsor? To the sponsoree sure they are getting essentially free money for a logo placement
Does sponsorship at Disney really bring brand loyalty?

You could say the same thing about any type of advertising in any format from any brand that is already nationally known. Do you run out and buy more Pepsi because you saw that they were sponsoring the Super Bowl halftime show? Companies have marketing budgets and use them to keep or gain mind share among their targeted audience. Magazine ads, tv commercials, radio spots, Disney ride sponsorship... it's all the same.

 

[bladiator]

The key being "without realizating it". 12 years ago Siemens made many more consumer level products. But no longer.

I see their name all the time, but the average joe isn't going to be buying a CT or MRI scanner for their living room anytime soon.

 

[DoleWhipAndHubGrass]

Whether this will cause any sort of changes or not (I'm assuming not) - Spaceship Earth needs a new Post-Show...the one they have is outdated and childish (and it has been that way since it opened). AND Spaceship Earth needs a new narration. Jeremy Irons was narrator from 94 - 06, Judy Dench took over in 07...it looks like it's about time for change...or just bring Irons back!!! Either way, I have been worried about the fate of IllumiNations for a while. There is NO better orchestral soundtrack in the Disney Parks and I'm worried they are going to trade in an experience based around unity and togetherness and turn it into a character-driven, branding nightmare. I know the day is coming soon - Siemens or no-Siemens...I just hope they make the right decision and go ORIGINAL rather than just using the same songs we've heard over and over again with just IPs from around the world.

 

[BrianL]

I am fine with some changes being made to SSE, but nothing drastic. A new narrator is fine and maybe a new scene or two. The can change the video portion. The post show definitely needs updating.

Illuminations is great, but It may be time for a change. Or, maybe they could do like they are doing with Fantamsic! at DL and spruce it up with some new effects, yet keep the same basic premise and musical cues, like a respectful updating, considering it is so well-liked. They could build a new, even bigger globe with new technology or something. I don't know. I mean, someone has to pay for that, but with the rumors of Epcot getting some major attention, maybe something will happen. We may find out at D23 soon.

 

[disneydreamer781]

As much as I love Illuminations I remember back when the show would showcase many of the countries. Each one would light up and play music from the country. IMO that was the best Illuminations. I've heard that Disney does something similar at the NYE show but for me that version was something special. If they were to change the show I think the thing I would miss the most is the music.

 

[DoleWhipAndHubGrass]

As much as I love Illuminations I remember back when the show would showcase many of the countries. Each one would light up and play music from the country. IMO that was the best Illuminations. I've heard that Disney does something similar at the NYE show but for me that version was something special. If they were to change the show I think the thing I would miss the most is the music.

The countries definitely light up one by one still just moments before the big music swell.

 

[disneydreamer781]

The countries definitely light up one by one still just moments before the big music swell.

It's not the same show as the music from each country and then ending with the America pavilion and Gershwin. It hasn't been for years.

 

[Brenda Kim]

Were there special benefits for Siemens employees or executives as part of the sponsorship? That would've been cool.

There was more than just the VIP center which was awesome, with a front of the ride line to Spaceship Earth. Crying on having to burn a FP on Spaceship Earth now. We also received discounts on tickets and cruises and sometimes even comped tickets. We had great contests for free trips and cruises, which I never won. One year the grand prize winner got an overnight stay at the room in Cinderella's Castle. That will be the closest I ever got to having a chance to stay in that suite. Needless to say as a Disney super fan, I am really bummed to see all of this come to an end.

But I went online today and got pre-approved for my Disney Visa card, so I have another lovely lounge area in Epcot to chill out in.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

The writer of the article in the original post doesn't seem to know that.


Not surprising.
These kinds of hyperbolic "articles" just seem to want to stir things up unnecessarily.

I totally agree with this. These clickbait articles usually come from one source which has a piece of truth and then portend horrible outcomes (account locking anyone?) based on speculation.

I think SE is too iconic for Disney to do anything other than an update. Illuminations too to a lesser extent, although I would hate to see it go away. Gives me chills every time I see it and love to watch the impact it has on first time viewers. I hope it moves in the direction of adding to the message of world unity. Holiday Illuminations is my favorite show of all time.

 

[toonaspie]

I've hated what they've done to the ending of this ride. They pretty much gutted it out for that stupid interactive "you in the future" video to keep you distracted on the ride down. I wish we could have an ending similar to the Jeremy Irons again. I also find some of Judi Dench's dialogue to be very cringeworthy. I hope that gets fixed too.

 

[bladiator]

There is NO better orchestral soundtrack in the Disney Parks

OK you ... get over and give me a big hug. RIGHT NOW.

 

[arminnie]

I don't really hate the fireworks/illuminations show at Epcot - but it bores me to tears. I haven't bothered to watch it for years and years. It definitely needs an upgrade.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Ha! I doubt they give anything for free if they don't have to!

At the end of the free walking tour of the Boardwalk area, they gave each participant a free scoop of vanilla ice cream. I was surprised.

I've hated what they've done to the ending of this ride. They pretty much gutted it out for that stupid interactive "you in the future" video to keep you distracted on the ride down. I wish we could have an ending similar to the Jeremy Irons again. I also find some of Judi Dench's dialogue to be very cringeworthy. I hope that gets fixed too.

What was the Jeremy Irons ending? I remember the "Tomorrow's Child" song used to play on the way down.

 

[bryanb]

I don't think Illuminations is boring personally. Except for the middle part with the video projections, where the pacing grinds to a halt for too long. I personally like the stirring soundtrack at the beginning and the fireworks finale.

In the next version, perhaps they could tighten up the pacing and maybe make more use of the various country pavilions in the show. Now that projection technology is the biggest rage, maybe something with that.

 

[zebsterama]

My daughters favourite ride ... I like it too, but it does need a serious facelift.

 

[DisneyOma]

I'd love it if they stripped out SSE and put in a smoother ride track. I've found that as I get older, those clunks up the track start to hurt! Also, the seats are unforgiving with all that pressure on the back. Yeah, I'm old.

Illuminations has become the must-skip nightly show. Just not enough good viewing areas, too slow of a pace, and we do it every other trip at most, usually while we sip our adult beverages. It could use a revamp too.

 

[ras1121]

As much as I love Illuminations I remember back when the show would showcase many of the countries. Each one would light up and play music from the country. IMO that was the best Illuminations. I've heard that Disney does something similar at the NYE show but for me that version was something special. If they were to change the show I think the thing I would miss the most is the music.

Completely agree, I preferred this (old) show over the current. The current show has never really done it for me, we've been skipping this show the last couple visits.

 

[Robo]

And, amid all the "Siemens dropping IllumiNations so what will happen to the show" discussion, remember that Siemens was not a sponsor involved with Epcot, much less IllumiNations, when the current IllumiNations was composed, designed and implemented.
Reflections of Earth premiered in the year 1999, and had been running nightly for about 6 years before Siemens came into the picture.

 

[teller80]

For those wondering how the partnership benefited the corporate sponsor, I just assumed this was a tax break to them. Could you write off this as an advertising expense?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Is there any ride that is sacred enough not to get an new overlay one day?