News Round Up 2018

[rteetz]

Well, we new it was coming but this makes it feel real

Couple of things I took away / am over-analyzing:

- says 2nd Half of 2019 and also "currently planned to run to the end of summer 2019" - so a bit more specific time frame for people wondering if they will get to say "good bye" during their next trip
- the line "The Disney Parks Live Entertainment team is already busy creating new thrills to debut immediately following the conclusion of “IllumiNations,” " ... tells me there will not be a temporary show that I know there were some rumors of and also that the replacement won't just be "Illuminations: Something other than Reflections of Earth" but something more different and they are dropping the "Illuminations" brand all together
- "During the coming year, we’ll be celebrating this classic show, so you still have plenty of time to experience it again and again, as excitement builds for what’s next." .... a.k.a. merchandising, merchandising, merchandising ... a.k.a., who wants a special cupcake?!?!?!

While I am truly sad to see it go, twenty years is a really good run for a theme park show and I am cautiously optimistic for what will replace it

note: PLEASE don't go too IP heavy!!! I really enjoyed Happily Ever After but I don't need Happily Ever After: EPCOT!

Well the temp show rumor had that starting much sooner.

I wouldn’t read too much into the naming yet.

As for the new show I hope there is no IP at all.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

- "During the coming year, we’ll be celebrating this classic show, so you still have plenty of time to experience it again and again, as excitement builds for what’s next." .... a.k.a. merchandising, merchandising, merchandising ... a.k.a., who wants a special cupcake?!?!?!

This is probably the only Disney Nighttime Show I would buy the "farewell merchandise" for. It has been my favorite show at Walt Disney World for years!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Well the temp show rumor had that starting much sooner.

I wouldn’t read too much into the naming yet.

As for the new show I hope there is no IP at all.

I mean, I pretty clearly indicated I was over-analyzing it

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

News

Illuminations will end in 2019

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...earth-as-part-of-the-transformation-of-epcot/

Looking forward to a change!!!

 

[scrappinginontario]

We’re booked for mid-Sep 2019. Fully prepared for that to be a ‘gap periid’ In nighttime entertainment at Epcot.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Looking forward to a change!!!

Me too! I haven’t watched WDW fireworks shows in years. But I’ll definitely check out the new version once (although I’ve yet to watch HEA... I rather be in shorter ride lines).

 

[jade1]

News

All-New Nighttime Fireworks Spectacular to Replace ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth’ as Part of the Transformation of Epcot

Thanks for the update, its getting to be time IMO.

 

[The Pho]

News

All-New Nighttime Fireworks Spectacular to Replace ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth’ as Part of the Transformation of Epcot

The notice they're giving is great. Let's people that love the show plenty of time to plan a final trip down to see it. Way better handled than Universe and Great Movie Ride.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We’re booked for mid-Sep 2019. Fully prepared for that to be a ‘gap periid’ In nighttime entertainment at Epcot.

well, the article specifically is worded as: "The Disney Parks Live Entertainment team is already busy creating new thrills to debut immediately following the conclusion of “IllumiNations,” continuing the tradition of nightly entertainment on the World Showcase Lagoon."

I take that to mean no gap period between the old and new shows (or at the very least, very minimal)

 

[Tigger's ally]

My heart is completely sad by this news even if we have been expecting it. I'm just happy that I will get to see this show through at least half of next year.

I only hope that the Holiday Fireworks (New Years Eve/4th of July) will stay the same.

I too will get to see it a few times before it leaves, that will be rough. Also note to self, save airfare $ and hotel $ for one day flight for last showing. I need to be there for that

 

[leholcomb]

News

Illuminations will end in 2019

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...earth-as-part-of-the-transformation-of-epcot/

I was running numbers this morning about upgrading to an annual pass and was on the fence. This news guarantees me another trip in the summer to see it again and maybe even the last performance. AP life, here I come (again)!

 

[closetmickey]

We used Minnie van service yesterday morning and it was still the flat rate, by the afternoon the price structure had changed. It cost almost $30 to go from Animal Kingdom to Hollywood Studios.

That’s crazy! I just priced that ride using UBER (on a weekday afternoon) Their standard vehicle is $8.42, their larger XL is $14.73 and their luxury SUV is $17.59. Highway robbery!!

 

[mcd2745]

I love Illuminations. However, a change is overdue.

As regular readers know, we’ve got big plans for our multi-year transformation of Epcot, with new experiences that will “Wow!” guests while keeping true to the original vision of the park. And the all-new nighttime fireworks spectacular coming to Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon will be part of the park’s exciting evolution.

The first part of the bolded statement, I have confidence in. The second part...we'll see.

 

[skier_pete]

Anyone else read this change in Illuminations to be "We need to come up with something, anything, to draw crowds away from DHS next fall."

 

[disneygirlsng]

We’re booked for mid-Sep 2019. Fully prepared for that to be a ‘gap periid’ In nighttime entertainment at Epcot.

Don't know that there would be a gap. There wasn't one between Wishes and HEA at least.

 

[jknezek]

Anyone else read this change in Illuminations to be "We need to come up with something, anything, to draw crowds away from DHS next fall."

I'm sure that's part of it, but I also think the technical equipment for Illuminations is on its last legs. Things wear out. It probably is past time. But as someone who rang in 01/01/00 with Illuminations, I am sad to see it go.

 

[OKW Lover]

News

Illuminations will end in 2019

I prefer to read this headline as "New Show coming to Epcot in 2019".

 

[RAD]

This is probably the only Disney Nighttime Show I would buy the "farewell merchandise" for. It has been my favorite show at Walt Disney World for years!

That and especially when they do the Christmas holiday tag on it. I wonder if the new show will also have a Christmas addition or in the tradition of cutting costs Disney will drop it?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

This is probably the only Disney Nighttime Show I would buy the "farewell merchandise" for. It has been my favorite show at Walt Disney World for years!

given that there isn't really anything big that will be new next summer (unless Micky Minnie runaway Railroad opens earlier than i think it is set to) so I wonder if they really play this up even more than a typical "farewell tour"

 

[scrappinginontario]

Don't know that there would be a gap. There wasn't one between Wishes and HEA at least.

I hope you’re right!!