So is Illuminations going to end?

[TowMater92]

I think the old show with lasers and each country lighting up individually while that country was announced was a better show overall but it's still a great show. They could update it or come up with a new show it hasn't changed for years.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Other than having the globe projected on SSE like they used to at one point I don't see what else you could project on there that people would be able to easily recognize from that distance.
Maybe a "glow with the show" type of experience where SSE flashes different colors matching up with the music or something but nothing that needs to be looked at closely to figure out what it is.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Maybe the theme of all nations and people coming together as one? How old-school can you get?
I think it's time to finally let Sam Eagle take over and produce the glorious "IllumiNations 2017: A Salute to All Nations... But Mostly America"

LOL! I think San Eagle may be needed over at the HoP when it reopens.

Wouldn't bother me at all, I'm not a fan. I like the fireworks, I like when they light up every country but that globe just bothers me. I've watched it from a lot of locations around WS and have never been able to see the whole thing (I'm height challenged which also causes problems at the Star Wars show and I imagine will at the new MK show). It's my least favorite show in all the parks and I normally leave the park or go shopping when it's on.

I love the music of Illuminations and how well choreographed the fireworks are to it. The weak spot in the show IMO has always been the globe. Even as large as it is, you can't see the images well on it everywhere in the park. I don't agree that Spaceship Earth should be part of the show though. The focal point needs to be in the lagoon so everybody gathered around it can see whatever it is.

 

[DebbieB]

It was written for the Millenium, almost 18 years ago (another thousand circles round the sun). It's always been a favorite of mine, but time to move on to something new.

 

[FastPasser.]

Honestly, I've never purposely walked world showcase looking to see if SSE was visible

I've been at the World Showcase 1 to 3 nights a week, every week, for years and I've never done that either. For my own enlightenment and curiosity I'll make a point of paying attention as I walk around this week.

so it is fully possible that my assertion of it being visible from the vast majority of the showcase is wrong.

As I said, I don't know how much of WS doesn't have a view. I do know that a good chunk around the the UK/France area definitely doesn't and possibly the same area on the opposite side of the lagoon.

 

[Tomh]

I've been at the World Showcase 1 to 3 nights a week, every week, for years and I've never done that either. For my own enlightenment and curiosity I'll make a point of paying attention as I walk around this week.

As I said, I don't know how much of WS doesn't have a view. I do know that a good chunk around the the UK/France area definitely doesn't and possibly the same area on the opposite side of the lagoon.

Yes, I was thinking exactly this when I backtracked on my assertion. I know you can see it from UK, and the landing / island between UK and France I'm pretty sure I've seen it, but I haven't ever really paid that much attention all the way around WS. I will be interested in what you have to report, after your walk this week

 

[Dfan79]

I hope they change it, "Illumination" seems like it's too slow paced. It feels like Betty White and my Grandpa are steering the slow moving globe boat out. Plus you have to be Superman to see all of the details on it.

My guess is they'll come up with some new projection show with some fireworks. Projections seem to be a cheap alternative and Disney loves anything that's cheap.

 

[Tomh]

Playing around in Google Earth, looks like you can see it in Morocco. As you are entering France you lose sight of it. There is some visibility from the landing between UK and France, but not from Rose and Crown, where I was sure I had been able to see it. It looks like similarly, on the other side of the showcase, good visibility starts to happen around the African Outpost.

I would think that would rule it out as a significant part of the show. As a pre-show sort of thing, I think it could still work though. I don't think the field of view is any more limited than the field of view for the front of the castle, or the Chinese Theater.

 

[FastPasser.]

It feels like Betty White and my Grandpa are steering the slow moving globe boat out.

That's a very funny, but also very accurate analysis of that segment, it's too slow. And with some elements of the globe not working reliably every night, it needs work.

Plus you have to be Superman to see all of the details on it.

Right again, old technology.

My guess is they'll come up with some new projection show with some fireworks.

I hope you're wrong, but I fear you're not.

 

[Dfan79]

I hope you're wrong, but I fear you're not.

I hope so too, I woke up the other night saying "NO MORE PROJECTIONS, NO MORE".

 

[ebotheblue]

They could do a projection show on Spaceship earth the same way they do them on the Tree of Life. Have it be it's own freestanding show not an illuminations pre show. Have it run multiple times a night giving everyone time to see it before or after illuminations.

 

[umichigan10]

They could do a projection show on Spaceship earth the same way they do them on the Tree of Life. Have it be it's own freestanding show not an illuminations pre show. Have it run multiple times a night giving everyone time to see it before or after illuminations.

See I like that idea, the issue is Epcot closes at 9 on the regular, and for a good chunk of the year it's still semi light out where that would be detrimental to a projection show. Or maybe I'm over analyzing it

 

[arminnie]

I hate that stupid globe. I took an Illuminations cruise once and actually saw what they were projecting - it was meh - but it's pretty worthless if you are just watching from a distance. There's this whole story around stuff on the globe that most people cant see. I like the fireworks though. I really liked the one where they lit up each country and played each country's music.

 

[Parker Clan]

I love Illuminations and would be sad if it was replaced. It is very uplifting!

 

[umichigan10]

So I haven't seen illuminations in years, (tried to last year but it lightninged one night and the next attempt I'm still drying off from) so I was watching it on YouTube last night. It's a great show: the music, the whole concept behind it gives me chills. I'm hoping the theme isn't abandoned by its successor: I'd love to see it plussed, but the idea behind it is brilliant imo

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I like the show but have seen it too many times. We now watch it once every few years, so for about 15 Epcot park visits, we will stay late enough to watch it once. I look forward to something new - something that might make dealing with the crowds at closing time worth the wait for us again.

ETA - I also miss being able to grab a table at the old Mexico QS restaurant and watching the show while relaxing with my family, seated at a table, with snacks and margaritas.

 

[BlackMagicWoman]

I actually don't care what show they put there as long as I can leisurely sip my cocktail in France while watching it.