Why don't I get Wishes and Illuminations?

[michelle06]

I did not know that Wishes had a story or music. I've seen it twice, but never tried to get a good spot since they are in the sky. Where do you stand so you can hear? Do you just need to be on Mainstreet?

 

[wiseguyslovethemouse]

No offense, but if you don't get it, you won't understand why others do.

But its ok really, and yes both have story lines to them. I can not even listen to Wishes without getting a lump in my throat.


"Wishes"
Music Composed by Gregory Smith
Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish, I wish tonight.

Ohh, a world of wishes,
A world where dreams come true.
So make a wish, see it through.
Dare to do what dreamers do.

CHORUS:

Wishes...
Dream a dream.
Wishes...
Set it free.
Wishes…
Trust your heart.
Just believe.

We’re all just children,
Reaching for our dreams.
They’re shining high above us,
And even though it seems so far (so far)
We put our faith and hope on a shooting star.

Ohh...

CHORUS:

Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish, I wish tonight.
We’ll make a wish and do as dreamers do.

And all our wishes, (All our wishes)

All our wishes,
Will come,
True…
Wishes, wishes.

To get the full meaning of Illuminations you need to be where you can see the photos reflected on the World globe in the middle of the lagoon.

Exactly the way I feel. I just got a lump in my throat reading this....Illuminations does it especially for me, not to mention, when we're in the car, the whole gang gets pumped and knows the music like they wrote it. ;-) For me, it's like this: my dad, who passed away very unexpectedly and tragically 18 months ago, loved Illuminations and Disney in general. We always vacationed to WDW w/my parents, and even back THEN, both shows made me cry. Now....well, needless to say, it's very emotional for me. And it's okay if people don't feel the same. It is what it is.

 

[blondietink]

Both Wishes and Illuminations makes me cry every time I see them. What I wasn't prepared for was the Holiday Illuminations the first time I saw it. The whole "Peace on Earth" theme with Walter Cronkite narrating caught me totally off guard and on our last trip in December we made sure to see Illuminations 3 times. The tears just stream down my face with Holiday Illuminations!

 

[mom2tah]

After living less than 1 mile from Disneyland for 8 years and seeing/hearing the fireworks practically everyday you just get tired of them. I don't even want to watch fireworks on the 4th of July anymore

We moved 15 minutes away and laughed out loud when on our first night we heard loud noises and couldn't figure out where they were coming from until we looked at the clock noticed it was 9:35p.m. and we could still hear them

 

[jekjones1558]

One of the reasons we love staying at the Boardwalk is being able to walk over for Illuminations at night. I love watching the images on the globe and each time I try to notice something I haven't noticed in the past. I must have seen Illuminations at least 50 or 60 times and I still love it. As a PP stated, the holiday "Peace on Earth" tag makes it even better. I would go to Disney in December just to enjoy that extra 4 minutes of Illuminations. I think that the whole theme of Epcot is beautifully summarized in Illuminations.

 

[joshsmom]

After living less than 1 mile from Disneyland for 8 years and seeing/hearing the fireworks practically everyday you just get tired of them. I don't even want to watch fireworks on the 4th of July anymore

We moved 15 minutes away and laughed out loud when on our first night we heard loud noises and couldn't figure out where they were coming from until we looked at the clock noticed it was 9:35p.m. and we could still hear them

I could COMPLETELY understand how that would definitely make you dislike ALL fireworks!!! I can't believe you could still hear them 15 minutes away!!!!

 

[POOHsie]

Well, being a long-time WDW fan, I will say that I liked the old Illuminations show much better. It seemed to me it was a little longer, and I loved the glorious music. The current show, ending with the We Go On song, is very good but not stupendous (IMO).

Wishes, I guess because I remember the idea of making a wish on a star from my childhood, and now looking around MK at all the children who might be doing the same thing in their young lives, is very inspiring. The words of Wishes, sung with a child-like voice and a child's innocence, brings tears to my eyes every time:

"Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish, I wish tonight.
We’ll make a wish and do as dreamers do.
And all our wishes, (All our wishes) Will come True …"

 

[Kakikomori]

If you look at the big torches around World Showcase, you will see that they are numbered. We often watch from Torch #10 between American and Japan. It is less crowded in that part of the park (as compared to Mexico, Norway, Canada, the France/England bridge), and although there are a few trees right there that can slightly block some of the fireworks, there is a speaker and the sound is great in that spot. If you listen to the music that plays before IllumiNations, you will be able to tell if there is a good speaker near you.

Awesome! Thank you so much, Krista! I'll be sure to check it out.

 

[bcrook]

One of the reasons we love staying at the Boardwalk is being able to walk over for Illuminations at night. I love watching the images on the globe and each time I try to notice something I haven't noticed in the past. I must have seen Illuminations at least 50 or 60 times and I still love it. As a PP stated, the holiday "Peace on Earth" tag makes it even better. I would go to Disney in December just to enjoy that extra 4 minutes of Illuminations. I think that the whole theme of Epcot is beautifully summarized in Illuminations.

I feel the same way. I like your post. Also, The 4th of July illuminations extra feature was the most amazing fireworks display ever.

 

[Lightgician]

A mistake is looking at both Wishes and Illuminations as "just fireworks."
They are perfectly timed, layered, firework shows. For instance, they know exactly how long it takes each shell to go up and explode right in time with the music or narration. If a piece requires 2.8 seconds to go up and explode, it is fired 2.8 seconds ahead of that music cue. That's precision. Plus there will be layers of high altitude pieces with low altitude exploding at the same time to produce a certain look. Illuminations can be viewed from all around the lagoon, but best viewed directly across from the American Pavillion. Wishes is best viewed from Main Street directly in front of the Cinderella Castle because the Castle is part of the overall picture. I like to be in the area of Casey's Corner. Worst place on Main Street is down by the Train Station. Yes, you get out of the park quicker but you miss the real beauty of the fireworks show. And that's a big part of why I am there. Enjoy the fireworks, it is not just people lighting some stuff. It is Imagineers that have designed a rehearsed a show for you.

 

[blondietink]

Whenever you go to view Illuminations, be sure to notice what direction the wind is blowing. It is not fun to be smoked out by the fireworks and you end up seeing nothing. We met somebody waiting for the show to start and they had an Epcot view at Beach Club. I asked them why they were in Epcot if they could view the fireworks from their hotel room. They said that they did that the previous night, only to be smoked out after the initial fireworks, they could not see anything and their room smelled like gunpowder the rest of the evening. So, no matter where you pick to watch, make sure the wind is not blowing in your face.

 

[Eoywin]

I love both Wishes and Illuminations! For our honeymoon, we watched Wishes from Ohana and it was magical. And we watched Illuminations from the deck at the Rose and the Crown.

While I love those, my favorite is HalloWishes - so amazing!

 

[StarLight StarBright]

I love Wishes It's where I got my DIS name from! The minute I hear the little girl sing "Star light, Star bright, first star I see tonight....I bawl.
I know it's coming, and I try to prepare myself( no reason to cry, you've seen this a hundred times) and then my chest feels shaky, and I get a huge lump in my throat, and then I can't hold it back. I don't know how to explain it. I think it is just remembering how I felt at Disney as a little girl, with my family, immersed in the Disney Magic. Then I look at my kids faces when they are watching the fireworks and it is just a very emotional moment for me! My hubby finally admitted recently that Wishes "does something to him"That is high praise coming from him!
Now, Illuminations is beautiful and very stirring, but I don't get the same feelings I do watching Wishes. I know Disney is all about moving forward, but I pray they never change Wishes.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

I tear up watching Wishes and Illuminations! I love them both equally even though they each give such a different feeling! Maybe I'm just a sap! I can tear up listening to Disney music no matter what I'm doing, and the commercials get me every time! The kids always laugh at me, lol, although the star light, star bright does make my dd a bit emotional!

 

[Disney_Jill]

"I think it is just remembering how I felt at Disney as a little girl, with my family, immersed in the Disney Magic."

That's how I feel about the Main Street Electrical Parade. I remember first seeing it in 1976 when I was 6. I was on main street by the hub. I thought it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen! I was mesmerized, especially by the little bugs that spun around. I have never forgot exactly how I felt. When they finally brought it back to MK I was so excited. I took my kids and told them the story and was in tears seeing it again after 30ish years. I love Spectro but MSEP holds a special place in my heart.

 

[P00H1010]

Everyone gets something different from these shows. Both, to me both are more than just firework shows.

Illuminations is a beautifully put together show. The music is really cool and the message to me is about peace and togetherness of the world.

Wishes means more to me personally though. When I am at Disney I love to take everything in and Wishes I feel is the epitome of Disney. The song Wishes is so beautiful and I can not hear it while at Disney or at home without tearing up. The whole atmosphere of Disney; the happiness, the wonder, feeling like a kid again, believing in your dreams etc are all wrapped up into that song. The feeling I get while I'm standing there, looking up at something as beautiful as Cinderella Castle in the daytime is amazing enough. But seeing it lit up in all its glory with fireworks in the sky listening to such a beautiful song, a song that puts in words everything I am feeling; is very overwhelming.

I am a bit of a sap as if you couldn't tell. I'm sure if anyone would understand though it would be fellow DISers lol. My advice to the OP is to really take in the magic of Disney. Maybe it will mean something special to you too.

 

[DOOM1001]

Not everybody likes the same things,I could see Wishes or Illuminations thousands of times without getting bored,in fact I've probably seen Illuminations a good 200+ times since we finish so many days at Epcot during their festivals for the concerts,and seriously it has to be that many times and I've yet to get tired of it.Now Fantasmic I might see 2 or 3 times a year and that's enough for me,but I know Fantasmic is a favorite for some people.

 

[Planogirl]

I admit that we use the time during Wishes to ride things but we've seen it often enough to be satisfied. I do still like to watch Illuminations though.

Not everything is for everyone. Maybe find a quiet place to sit and just take in the show. Then you'll know if it's definitely not for you.

 

[KellyNY]

If you do not get it, you do not get it, not everyone likes same things. I personally love both shows, infact we spend 1 day at AK and the rest in Epcot and MK because of fireworks.
Wishes show is just such a pure magic, childhood, dreams, it makes my inner child smile every time I see it.
Illuminations make me cry every time, something about being a part of a whole is very touching.
Music is the best part of both shows IMO, having CD of both.

 

[kadesha]

I LOVE Wishes! Something about it is just magical!

However, I don't get into Illuminations. I've saw it twice and now I just skip it. It's not for me.