Walter Cronkite is gone

[joelkfla]

I watched Illuminations Holiday Finale last night.

They've replaced the late Walter Cronkite's moving narration with a generic, emotionally sterile female announcer.

The fireworks are still spectacular, and the song is still moving, but it's just not the same without Walter.

 

[DaisyNY]

So sad...hearing his voice and message of peace was such a beautiful ending.

 

[caribn7]

I can't believe it. I have been waiting all year to see the holiday tag of illuminations and hear his voice, and it's gone. I'm completely heartbroken!

 

[Sandy Fisher]

That really is sad. I didn't like when they changed the narration of Spaceship Earth, but I loved Walter Cronkite's voice. I'm not sure why they'd change it now.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I watched Illuminations Holiday Finale last night.

They've replaced the late Walter Cronkite's moving narration with a generic, emotionally sterile female announcer.

The fireworks are still spectacular, and the song is still moving, but it's just not the same without Walter.

I'll miss Walter for sure, sad to see him taken out, but certainly not a generic replacement.



http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/holi...des-for-this-year's-peace-on-earth-finale.htm

....in his place comes Mary Thompson Hunt, who's voice has been heard all over Walt Disney World in the past. Mary was a performer at the Comedy Warehouse, and also voiced the original pre-show announcements for Reflections of Earth when the show debuted.....

http://marythompsonhunt.com/index.php/about/






.

 

[joelkfla]

I guess I called it generic just for that reason. Maybe ubiquitous would have been a better choice of words.

Nothing against Ms. Hunt. She doesn't flub her lines or anything. But it just sounds like someone reading from a script, not heartfelt like the Cronkite narration.

Walter was blessed with a unique moving vocal style. His voice has been referred to as "the voice of God." It just was so appropriate for the finale's message.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If Walter said it, it was true. He was one of a kind.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

When I posted how much I was going to miss the Hat at the Studios, people laughed.

But now we have a thread about the voice that is part of a fireworks display. And how people are heartbroken that it is gone.

Sorry, don't get it.

 

[Reddog1134]

When I posted how much I was going to miss the Hat at the Studios, people laughed.

But now we have a thread about the voice that is part of a fireworks display. And how people are heartbroken that it is gone.

Sorry, don't get it.

The hat had a polarizing effect on people. They either loved it or they hated it. The people that laughed were probably in the latter group.

No one (or very few people) wished for Walter to be gone so you won't see many contrary responses to someone missing it.

 

[SirDuff]

I forgot which forum I was on and, when I read the title, my thought was "Wow, I thought Walter Cronkite died a while ago".

I'm much less confused now!

I wonder why they made the switch?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Walter Cronkite died in 2009.

I can't even imagine what might have been their actual reason for changing the narration. But I won't say anything about it until I see the new tag.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....But I won't say anything about it until I see the new tag.

It can be viewed/heard here.


http://api.viglink.com/api/click?fo...ww.wdwmagic.com/events/holid...rth-finale.htm

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Nope, when I see it in person.

 

[DebbieB]

Walter Cronkite died in 2009.

I can't even imagine what might have been their actual reason for changing the narration. But I won't say anything about it until I see the new tag.

It's possible they had a contract to use the narration for a specific time period and it expired.

 

[RustManFan]

We loved the Walter and Robin Williams movie at the Studios!

 

[Skywise]

The new narration doesn't bother me too much but the delivery loses something which I can't quite put my finger on... Cronkite's reading makes it sound like I'm sharing something with the world - Her interpretation makes it sound like I'm being lectured to even though they're saying the same thing. (although her voice also reminds me too much of the computer on the ship in Wall-E - "Mmmm... it's time for lunch... pizza... in a CUP!" so that might have something to do with it.)

But that new choir... Ick... We've got from majestic and awe inspiring to the Ewok's singing about Wookie life day...

(Also, speaking out each nation, in English, before they say their greeting is dopey and dumbs down the experience)

It could've been worse I guess... might have had Anna & Elsa do the narration...

 

[MouseMomx2]

We loved the Walter and Robin Williams movie at the Studios!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7U4opY4f-I&noredirect=1

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It could've been worse I guess... might have had Anna & Elsa do the narration...

wouldv'e been Olaf.

 

[Skywise]

wouldv'e been Olaf.

"Feliz Navidad! Tee hee! That was Mexico everyone!"

 

[disnut8]

I forgot which forum I was on and, when I read the title, my thought was "Wow, I thought Walter Cronkite died a while ago".

I'm much less confused now!

I wonder why they made the switch?

I was at Disney World over the Thanksgiving break and I was actually going to cringe if Walter Cronkite was still the narrator. Yes, he's Walter Cronkite but he's passed on and Disney World needs to move on. The entire theme of Illuminations is "We Go On".

I didn't watch Illuminations and the holiday tag for a person's voice - I watched it for the message. I won't share my feelings because this is a public forum but the message of Let There be Peace on Earth can and should be followed by many leading up to these holiday times.