Illuminations at Epcot has changed...

[detroitdad]

Just goes to show you it's whatever you are used to. We have nothing to compare it to and we saw Illuminations in 2000. We loved it then and love it now! The orchestration is fantastic as it follows a theme from Chaos, to Birth, to Adventure, to Celebration. We bought the CD years ago and it lists all of the different music transitions. Our family knows it by heart. Now we definitely miss the Tapestry Parade. I have such great pictures of the kids when they were young, placing their written dreams in the Dream Catchers nets. And the puppet interaction was just so cool!

 

[pg0314]

I remember the old show. They would highlight a certain country, then play a clip of iconic music while the building lights flashed. France was a can-can song, America started with the clarinet solo at the beginning of "Rhapsody in Blue," etc., etc

That's the Illuminations I know and love! I haven't been to Disney in 12 or 13 years so I didn't know what to expect. Sounds like the newer version is something I can take or leave.

 

[disnut8]

The orchestration is fantastic as it follows a theme from Chaos, to Birth, to Adventure, to Celebration. We bought the CD years ago and it lists all of the different music transitions.

Totally agree. If you don't know the back story, just like with any Disney attraction, you aren't going to "get it". Check out wikipedia or just google Illuminations:Reflections of Earth and do a little reading. It IS Reflections of Earth, hence the globe. To me, it's all about ALL nations coming together. Sure, each country is different but shouldn't we all be working together and not focusing on individualism? That's the message of Illuminations to me.

 

[gator girl]

It's a snoozerama. I use the time to shop with smaller crowds.

 

[pwmitch237]

Totally agree. If you don't know the back story, just like with any Disney attraction, you aren't going to "get it". Check out wikipedia or just google Illuminations:Reflections of Earth and do a little reading. It IS Reflections of Earth, hence the globe. To me, it's all about ALL nations coming together. Sure, each country is different but shouldn't we all be working together and not focusing on individualism? That's the message of Illuminations to me.

I agree 100%.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth (which I love) was originally part of the Millennium Celebration, which had a main theme of “Celebrating the Future Hand in Hand.” To me, I still get this message each and every time I watch the show--I see a message of working together to advance the world as we enter the new day. I always get a message of something like world peace.

 

[d-r]

13 years

 

[karly05]

THANK YOU! (to all who brought this up) I knew I had seen Illum. when they lit up the pavilions and played the music for each one! I really missed that on this year's trip.

 

[POOHsie]

That's the Illuminations I know and love! I haven't been to Disney in 12 or 13 years so I didn't know what to expect. Sounds like the newer version is something I can take or leave.

Frankly, when it was the old IllumiNations show, I would never miss it. Ever. The new show is muted in comparison. No musical pizzaz. Few fireworks flourishes. An ending with some razzle, but no dazzle. Reflections of Earth doesn't convey the cultural contributions of the World's nations (IMO). I could easily leave Epcot without seeing the show.

 

[Geoff_M]

Count me in as one that's seen both the "old" and "new" shows and we love the current format. But if you want to talk about "freshness", every night-time extravaganza at Disney has been around in their current form for some time. The only "new" thing around in that department is the pre-Wishes light show.

 

[TDC Nala]

If the last time you saw the show was in '93, it changed to the current show in 1999. According to Wikipedia it premiered on October 1, 1999, and has been running for nearly 13 years.

 

[Robo]

If the last time you saw the show was in '93, it changed to the current show in 1999. According to Wikipedia it premiered on October 1, 1999, and has been running for nearly 13 years.

Yup.
The show has not changed
from the one which premiered in 1999.

I think that the show is spectacular,
especially the magnificent custom symphonic music track.

 

[RandFamily]

I love the "new" Illuminations because of the incredible music (and because it still reminds me of the millennium celebration).

That said, however, I'd love to see a new show. The imagineers are so clever that I'd really like to see what else they could do!

 

[disneydad78]

You know what our problem is,,,WE ALL JUST GO TO DISNEY TO MUCH .

We are spoiled, when we see the same shows over, MVMCP, wishes, Spectro light whatever parade,etc. We are all just bored with it and we all need to realize, Alot of kids and parents this is their first time at DisneyWorld , they are amazed.
With that being said, what can we do? Can we all just boycot and demand new shows, fireworks, rides etc? HECK no, I need my DisneyWorld fix!!!

 

[Planogirl]

I liked it better when they illuminated the different countries. It's still OK though but just OK.

 

[amg35]

Here you go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfuDsaACOu4&feature=bf_prev&list=PL7A9FDB815C430F8D

EPCOT IllumiNations - The ORIGINAL - 1988 -

The video part is not very good, but you can hear the various songs for each country. I had forgotten about this, too many visits I guess lol

Here is 97-99

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw1kIfbmKKI&feature=related

ummm.....yeah.....those didn't seem that great! Of course put anything to Symphony No. 9 and it all seems exciting, you can listen to that while watching me make a can of soup and think it's amazing.

I went last year and we were walking out of Via Napoli on our first night as Illuminations started and it was just awesome! Even though I'm assuming it's the same show I saw in 2000, it was better than I remembered. The last time I was there before 2000 was the year Epcot opened, so I don't remember if they even had something like that then.

Now Wishes....I could care less about watching that- don't like the little child singing? That's when I ride all the rides I can!

 

[jdonat]

There have been 4 versions of Illuminations.

First one ran from the late 80's to 1993 or so. This is the one that had music specific to many of the countries... You hear some of this country specific music on the special NYE Illuminations (the one that follows the clock)

Then there were 2 versions of Illuminations for the 25th anniversary...
25A and 25B.. These ran from 1993 or so until 1999.

Then... Illuminations -Reflections of Earth. There have not been major changes to the show since it's introduction. there have been temporary changes -like when the flame barge had some issues a few years ago....

Hope this helps.

 

[Celine]

Okay, I clearly have not gone as many times as so many of you, BUT.. in 2002 there was a parade that I just LOVED the music to. I was completely wowed by it.. when I went back again in 2008, it had changed and it was still different in 2011. I wish I could find the music somewhere that they played in 2002. It was so wonderful! Yes, I know that's not Illuminations, but since we're on the topic of Epcot changing stuff.... thought I'd throw that in.

 

[DisneyGirl421]

I don't even remember the original Illuminations... granted, I was just a kid on the few times I went to the parks before '99, but yeah.

I LOVE Illuminations. It's my favorite nighttime show. Gorgeous music (one of the sections was my ringtone for quite some time), beautiful message, and awesome fireworks.

Oh, Celine, are you talking about the Tapestry of Nations parade? That was amazing. But Epcot is totally not built for a parade, that would be a nightmare to work parade control... lol

 

[A Mickeyfan]

what I noticed last week was that they didn't shut the lights by the 2 stores.... they use to... it kept it sort of lit up when it was usually darker. They also use to open up the very very front area for guests to sit down on and they didn't... other than that, looked the same as it has the last few years....

 

[NYDisneyKid]

things change,,,,like prices