IllumiNations Reflects Earth at Epcot in Walt Disney World, Florida
Written: Mar 12 '03 (Updated Apr 03 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Awesome, fantastic, unlike anything I've seen.
Cons: Crowded.
The Bottom Line: A must see "free" show. It is worth the price of admission (almost!).
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| jo.com's Full Review: IllumiNations 2000 |
I am reviewing IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth shown at Epcot each night. They have taken 200 out of the name but the show is the same.
Some background:
We have been to the Orlando area and theme parks a number of times. This was our 4th trip to Epcot and our only one without children of any age. I am not reviewing Epcot at this time but I will. My comment is that over the years I have found Epcot to get better and better as I age, and for the kids, worse and worse. They couldn’t wait to leave the last time we took them 1-½ years ago. If you are faced with that, please, please, stay to watch this show. It is worth (almost) the exorbitant price of admission, which is $50 if you are 10 and older, or $40 if you are 3-9. Again without reviewing Epcot, I will just say that there are a number of options that will make those numbers more tolerable. If you are here on a conference, check to see if there is a conference rate.
We took “the kids” to see
Fantasmic at MGM and they really didn’t like it. It is geared for children, primarily. IllumiNations is for everyone. It is the most spectacular show that still leaves an imprint on my mind of awe.
IllumiNations is shown each night at 9:00 pm and if you stay at
Wyndham Palace Resort Spa you can see the show from the 27th floor.
What is IllumiNations:
This is a show of lights, music, lasers and fireworks. It is held on the water on the World Showcase Lagoon. You may read to get there 30 minutes ahead of time. Many people do and many are there even earlier. When my husband and I went we were able to have a good view (not super close up – you might want to bring binoculars just for this purpose) within 5 minutes of the show. When there were 5 of us and we were standing close to the exit (I told you the kids wanted to leave!) seeing was a bit more difficult. It will be crowded and if you have a little one with you, you’ll probably end up putting him or her on your shoulders. Most people will be standing up unless they have managed to sit on a post or rail.
It isn’t at all scary unless your child doesn’t like the sound of fireworks. Right before the show starts you’ll hear some soft music and watch the torches as the flames get higher and brighter. There was so much to watch all at one time. I don’t think I could ever tire of watching this show!
I remember the narration as the show began. Its essence is that although we all have our own stories, when they come together something special happens. I thought of a very special book with that message
Actualizations: You Don't Have to Rehearse to Be Yourself
The show starts with the torches and lights going out and a burst of fireworks, lasers and fire set to music. Water fountains add colors in various areas around the fire. The fireworks are gorgeous, as is everything about this show.
When the fireworks end (for now) and the music softens you’ll start to see a sphere that rotates gliding across the lagoon to the middle of it. This rotating sphere is Earth. You'll see it with no people, then animals, cave paintings, then people, countries and continents as it follows the history of our planet. At various times during Earth’s evolution, fireworks are displayed. These fireworks are superb. They are not your backyard firework display. They are really a high quality show.
At one point all the buildings around Epcot light up. It is beautiful. They don’t stay on throughout the show. They go off and you know the finale is coming when you hear a drum roll. The continents on the sphere of the Earth sparkle to show people of varying cultures and ethnicities standing together. It looks like a pin I have of people standing in a circle holding hands. The whole thing, in my opinion, is just breathtaking and awesome. The torches are lit again as music comes on. The most amazing scene is the end when the Earth, which is now lit up, opens and 1,000 fireworks are launched
This show runs for 13 minutes.
Some information:
I found this information on www.intercot.com/edc/IllumiNations/facts.html and wanted to pass it on:
~2,800 fireworks shells are used for each show and are launched from 750 mortar tubes and 56 firing modules at 34 locations around the lagoon.
~In one part of the show, four sets of colored fireworks appear one color at a time. The colors were specially created colors for the show.
~The Earth Globe is said to be the most complicated piece of show equipment ever built by Walt Disney Imagineering. The Globe is 28 feet in diameter and sits atop a 10 foot pedestal. It weighs 350 tons. Six computer processors control the Globe with 258 strobe lights.
~Slightly less than 300 images appear on the Globe's spherical 15,000 LED (light-emitting diode) video screen, the world's first.
~Gavin Greenaway is the composer for Reflections of Earth. Friend Hans Zimmer, composer of The Lion King's score, asked Gavin to take on the project because he was busy with other projects.
My final thoughts:
This is a must see show. Stay and watch no matter how tired you are or cranky your kids are. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Epcot is wonderful. IllumiNations is certainly one of its highlights.
The links below are to many of my Orlando/WDW reviews:
Islands of Adventure
Going to Disney World? Orlando? Need a Place to Stay? Look No Further"
Sleuths Myster Dinner Theater
Fantasmic at MGM
Boston Lobster Feast in Orlando
Fantasia Gardens-a golfing fantasy
Honey I Shrunk the Audience at Epcot
Wyndham Hotel
and by my good friend Anthony:
Walt
Disney World
Recommended:
Yes
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