Illuminations not what it once was from my point of view

[yulilin3]

You maybe right I think the thrill is gone for me. But Disney was a place where I expected great customer service I'm not getting that. Too long to break down all the reasons why if feel that way. But even managers don't go out of there way to make things right. At least not in my case. Now that was one case a few months ago. But that really upset me. I don't feel entitled but I pay disney my hard earned and saved dollars for a service and they are not providing me what I paid for. You don't have to agree with me. It's not your money and maybe Disney is still a value to you.

The statement posted as the title for your thread is "Illuminations not what it once was" And multiple posters have said that the show has basically been the same since it first opened. I'm including myself in this sentiment, as I am a local, that goes to the parks at least once a week for the past 15 years, the show has not changed. Now if you want to talk about Disney costumer service or the value of Disney to you that's another thing.

 

[jetdoctor]

I think more over more changes are coming to Epcot not any us old timers are going to like. But they are out to bring the masses back. So Epcot that I enjoyed for so many years is just not what it was. I know things must move on and I have run going to Disney into the ground I just going to take a long break. Maybe g

What you are experiencing is normal, not just for Disney. It's the law of diminishing returns. The more you consume a product or service, the less it is worth to you over time. Whether it's going to Disney World in general, or watching Illuminations, or eating a Big Mac, or anything else, the value of your 1st time (on average) is more than the value of your 19th or 30th time. That's why 10-day passes cost less per day than 1-day passes. Because each day is worth less to the consumer (not just to Disney), so the price has to be lower to keep people on-site.

People who do something too often feel like it's worth less and less. Disney is not getting worse, but your valid perception of the value is getting lower after you've spent "$1000s upon $1000s every year." You're consuming too much of the product.

When I worked at Disney, people said things were getting worse and that Disney standards had slipped since the 1990s. But they said the same thing when my uncle was a CM in the 1990s. People complained about the "good old days" and how Disney standards had slipped so badly that the 90s were the worst. But has Disney been constantly getting worse every year, for decades and decades? Not possible. But I'll bet if you surveyed the history of Disney message boards, every year you'll find some of the biggest fans complaining that Disney is getting worse and worse in value compared to some presumed past era.

That said, I would be completely in favor of a new show at Epcot, or an update to Illuminations.

I made no comment about customer service, manager's attitude, or prices.

ok great

 

[jetdoctor]

The statement posted as the title for your thread is "Illuminations not what it once was" And multiple posters have said that the show has basically been the same since it first opened. I'm including myself in this sentiment, as I am a local, that goes to the parks at least once a week for the past 15 years, the show has not changed. Now if you want to talk about Disney costumer service or the value of Disney to you that's another thing.

Ok sorry I upset You in the title of my thread. I'm a local too maybe I should of said illuminations not what it was to me a a boy.

 

[FastPasser]

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[yulilin3]

Ok sorry I upset all of you

I don't think anyone has said you are upsetting them, you just made a statement that simply isn't true, I know it's not upsetting me.

 

[jetdoctor]

I don't think anyone has said you are upsetting them, you just made a statement that simply isn't true, I know it's not upsetting me.

There title changed

 

[Hopefully]

There title changed

Still doesn't reflect the fact that you are posting about customer service and the lack of value you now find at Disney,
You have changed the focus of your thread,

 

[jetdoctor]

Still doesn't reflect the fact that you are posting about customer service and the lack of value you now find at Disney,
You have changed the focus of your thread,

I give up forget it. I love all of the forum police. The tread started going in a different direction. The point of these boards are to engage in conversation. So what if they get a little off track. My god take it easy.

 

[AngiTN]

That really what I'm trying to get off here all fireworks shows in my small mind just don't seem to be what I remembered. I'd admit maybe I have manufactured things in my head JUST NOT THE SAME. Good day and blessings

I think the fact that you mentioned Morocco no longer lights up shows that you do not remember it correctly, since it never lit up. It's easy to get a thought in our minds that something has changed when in reality, it's the same and we have changed (or forgotten).

 

[L&Lfan]

To ne honest, I've always thought that the post 1999 Illuminations sucked. I loved the original or at least the one where each country was highlighted with special lighting and music. I remember they played a can-can melody when it was France's turn in the spotlight. That's the Illuminations I enjoyed. This one I skip after having seen it 2-3 times over the past 17 years and being disappointed each time.

And I always thought the explanation that Morocco and Norway were not lit for "religious" reasons and "balance" was BS! Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[jetdoctor]

I think the fact that you mentioned Morocco no longer lights up shows that you do not remember it correctly, since it never lit up. It's easy to get a thought in our minds that something has changed when in reality, it's the same and we have changed (or forgotten).

I guess because I used to only come here only once every few years a lot of what I remember is wrong. I was a boy who just went by how I perceived things maybe my imagination took over a bit. I agree with an earlier poster, that I think I have gone so many times now that I am a local that i have over consumed it.

 

[Jennasis]

To ne honest, I've always thought that the post 1999 Illuminations sucked. I loved the original or at least the one where each country was highlighted with special lighting and music. I remember they played a can-can melody when it was France's turn in the spotlight. That's the Illuminations I enjoyed. This one I skip after having seen it 2-3 times and being disappointed each time.

And I always thought the explanation that Morocco and Norway were not lit for "religious" reasons and "balance" was BS! Thanks for the confirmation.

Me too. That's the one I loved!

 

[jetdoctor]

To ne honest, I've always thought that the post 1999 Illuminations sucked. I loved the original or at least the one where each country was highlighted with special lighting and music. I remember they played a can-can melody when it was France's turn in the spotlight. That's the Illuminations I enjoyed. This one I skip after having seen it 2-3 times and being disappointed each time.

And I always thought the explanation that Morocco and Norway were not lit for "religious" reasons and "balance" was BS! Thanks for the confirmation.

I totally agree maybe that the show I remember? Like I said I have been going to Epcot from the year it opened.

 

[Wdwfan2016]

IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth has not changed since 1999.

I recorded the entire show with six video camera positions around the lagoon in the year 2000.
After personally spending 30 hours, or so, editing the show (picking the best camera angles for each and every scene of the show... scenes last about 3-10 seconds on the screen) I can tell you that I absolutely KNOW that show.
Anyone with professional video editing experience knows what I mean.
Listening and re-listening to every section of the music track, and re-watching video clips over, and over, and over.

I can play that edited recording to this day and see exactly what the show was like then.

The show has not changed in all of those years.
On certain nights, they don't load or fire the "perimeter" fireworks from the lagoon shore,
and they didn't (on certain nights) do that back in 1999-2000, either.
(It likely depends on the wind and/or rain forecast.)
I recorded the show over the course of 4 nights, and on some nights they didn't fire the perimeter effects.
(Yes, even when the show was that new.)

So, when I go to see IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth on recent trips, knowing the entire show as well as I do,
I can tell you that it has not changed in any substantial way.

They used to run the gas torches the entire evening.
More recently (past 5-8 years, or so) they only light them within about a half-hour before show-time.

Sorry but that's not true. IllumiNations has had several changes since Reflections of Earth has premiered. The lasers have been upgraded (2014) as well as enhancements to the fireworks and elimination of the screamers.

 

[AngiTN]

I guess because I used to only come here only once every few years a lot of what I remember is wrong. I was a boy who just went by how I perceived things maybe my imagination took over a bit. I agree with an earlier poster, that I think I have gone so many times now that I am a local that i have over consumed it.

Depends on how old you are. There is chance you do remember a different show at Epcot. But it was a different name too.
Sort of like over at MK you had nighttime electric parades but which you saw as a kid depends on how old you are. It may be the current MSEP or it may be Spectro
It may seem like they changed Spectro to some but the truth of the matter is it's a different parade.

 

[Jennasis]

Sorry but that's not true. IllumiNations has had several changes since Reflections of Earth has premiered. The lasers have been upgraded (2014) as well as enhancements to the fireworks and elimination of the screamers.

Screamers?

 

[Bullseye]

This show has run, as it is now, (except for referbs and holiday endings) since Oct. of 1999.

That's what I thought. We see it several times every year and it always seems like the same show and we love it.

Fireworks, fire barge, spinning movie globe, music, lasers, lights, etc.

 

[Robo]

Screamers?

Fireworks that have a loud screeching report.

 

[FastPasser]

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[disneyseniors]

There title changed

HALT! OP, enough already with the saying you are sorry, and changing your title(really?).
YOU have an opinion, expressed it (quite well), and that's all there is to it.
Some people don't agree, that's okay.
This is a discussion board, you discussed your opinions, experiences, and that should be it. No Need to apologize. You'll never make everybody happy.
Just my thoughts.
By the way, I agree with you about things deteriorating at WDW, in several areas. There are many threads about this so you are not alone.