CONFIRMED - Illuminations replacement

[MusicalAstronaut]

I'm cool with them doing a HEA style show to replace Illuminations, but I will be a little sad if it's just a characterpalooza like HEA. Illuminations feels different than other shows because it's not about Disney characters, and that's one of the reasons I love it so much. I just hope they keep that same feeling with the new show.

Agreed!!

 

[Catvondita]

This makes me so sad. I am going again in November and am scared the Illuminations I know and love will be no more. I'm also going with people who have never gone before and I really wanted them to see my favorite night time show. I love the music and it always gives me the feels Promise, and We Go On?? I can't. I may have to find some way to fly out there to see it one last time if it is truly going away.

 

[Minnesota!]

There are very, very, very few things at WDW that, if announced were ending, would cause me to book a last-minute to experience it again. Illuminations is one of those few things. I absolutely adore it. I have seen it live many, many, many times. I watch it online whenever I think to, and the music plays often around here.

I get chills as soon as the lights are blown out, and the tears start soon after. I don't know why it affects me so deeply, but it does. I truly hope it is still there in June. I would buy a ticket to see it, and only that.

FWIW - the other things I would book a last minute for are Spaceship Earth, Splash Mountain, Living with the Land, and Everest...

 

[Boardwalkin]

FWIW - the other things I would book a last minute for are Spaceship Earth, Splash Mountain, Living with the Land, and Everest...

Don't give Disney any ideas to ruin these great attractions too.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I always appreciate that Disney have fireworks shows in these less-popular parks like EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. With Magic Kingdom, it's understandable because there are so many guests..

With the other two parks, many times I look around at the paltry amount of people and am surprised that Disney deems it worthy of the expense. Or maybe that's the whole point...to try to get more people into those parks?

 

[Upatnoon]

I always appreciate that Disney have fireworks shows in these less-popular parks like EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. With Magic Kingdom, it's understandable because there are so many guests..

With the other two parks, many times I look around at the paltry amount of people and am surprised that Disney deems it worthy of the expense. Or maybe that's the whole point...to try to get more people into those parks?

Paltry amount of people? I wish!

Disney wants people to stay at their parks all day and night spending money and the fireworks help keep them there until closing. They also help balance the crowds at the parks in the evening.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Paltry amount of people? I wish!

Yes...many times at the non-MK parks in relation to the expense of fireworks(which ain't cheap). If the purpose is to alleviate crowds at the MK and disperse them into EPCOT and DHS, I don't know how effective it's been. For Illuminations, there are so many times where there isn't even an unbroken circle of guests one row deep around the World Showcase and all kinds of space(no pun intended) to stand front and center for Star Wars fireworks.

 

[jlh512]

There are very, very, very few things at WDW that, if announced were ending, would cause me to book a last-minute to experience it again. Illuminations is one of those few things. I absolutely adore it. I have seen it live many, many, many times. I watch it online whenever I think to, and the music plays often around here.

I get chills as soon as the lights are blown out, and the tears start soon after. I don't know why it affects me so deeply, but it does. I truly hope it is still there in June. I would buy a ticket to see it, and only that.

FWIW - the other things I would book a last minute for are Spaceship Earth, Splash Mountain, Living with the Land, and Everest...

I have already told my wife that once the date is set for the ending of Illuminations we will be going.

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

Best nighttime show at WDW: The music, the atmosphere, everything. And do not touch the torches.

 

[Joben]

For Illuminations, there are so many times where there isn't even an unbroken circle of guests one row deep around the World Showcase and all kinds of space(no pun intended) to stand front and center for Star Wars fireworks.

So the world showcase is 1.2 miles around for people to stand. And I will never say that my experience is true for everyone else, but I have never seen gaps for people to just step into. In fact unless you are willing to camp out an hour before hand it is hard to get to a spot without people in front of you. Now before you jump to conclusions, yes i have been more than once, and yes I go when crowds are not at their fullest. I will concede that I have an affinity for Epcot and Illuminations, and therefore I am biased

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

So the world showcase is 1.2 miles around for people to stand. And I will never say that my experience is true for everyone else, but I have never seen gaps for people to just step into. In fact unless you are willing to camp out an hour before hand it is hard to get to a spot without people in front of you. Now before you jump to conclusions, yes i have been more than once, and yes I go when crowds are not at their fullest. I will concede that I have an affinity for Epcot and Illuminations, and therefore I am biased

Don't get me wrong...I love both EPCOT and Illumination. I'm just saying it's routinely not crowded at all and I'm surprised Disney has fireworks every night there due to the cost.

 

[rteetz]

Don't get me wrong...I love both EPCOT and Illumination. I'm just saying it's routinely not crowded at all and I'm surprised Disney has fireworks every night there due to the cost.

That could be said for any show Disney does.

 

[PPFlight75]

Best nighttime show at WDW: The music, the atmosphere, everything. And do not touch the torches.

When he blows out the torches that’s my favorite part

 

[maxiesmom]

When he blows out the torches that’s my favorite part

Mine is when the globe unfolds and the flames shoot out. We go on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Joben]

Don't get me wrong...I love both EPCOT and Illumination. I'm just saying it's routinely not crowded at all and I'm surprised Disney has fireworks every night there due to the cost.

I'm sorry, but I routinely hear complaints from people that there is NO time of the year that it is not crowded. I usually try and get there in early March and/or late fall (when kids are in school) I have never seen a crowd that makes it easy to get a prime viewing spot in Epcot(unless weather plays a factor). I have made it my mission to find obscure spots where I can photograph Illuminations with out crowds in the frame, and it is not easy and I am still searching for that elusive spot/time of year. In fact I have stopped giving out advice on my past spots. But when you make statements like "routinely not crowded" and "paltry crowds unworthy of the expense for shows" I just don't know how to respond to that. Your signature says your a veteran, but that sounds like a rookie speaking to me. I would really like to know when you go when the crowds are so low that you experience this phenomenon.

And as rteetz said.the expense Disney puts into all these fireworks shows is extreme. On paper it makes no sense whatsoever. But Disney is not a fool parted with their money easily( I was going to say except for ESPN, but my belief is in a few more years that tune will be changing too) and they know that the return on these investments is worth it.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

Illuminations is hands down our favorite and we have been going for 20+ years. We extend our Thanksgiving trip to see Holiday Illuminations which, for us, is the best fireworks show we have ever seen.

I remember being there with my family after 9/11 and being from NY near to NYC, hearing "We Go On" was amazing and I will always think of that.

I understand the need for change as long as it isn't a sellout and the new show has the same overall theme. IMO, we liked HEA very much even though we loved Wishes. RoL is a hot mess, and such a missed opportunity. The Star Wars fireworks (2nd version) was not at all what we expected and much more a advertisement of the movies - the lasers don't come close to replacing the fireworks but I'm sure it is a lot cheaper. Fantasmic is a much better show all around - and my family calls the Jingle Bam show....well I can't use the language on a family board, our initials for the show: JBJS

We loved Tapestry of Nations, and the "other" versions of Illuminations over the years, but I truly hope that the new version encapsulates the idea that we are all one, with the hope for the future that this one does.

 

[Joben]

I have always been in the camp that Disney is not a museum and that change is necessary to keep things attractive and exciting for (most) everyone. This is one of the first times that this policy has bothered me so much. I suppose that is why I reacted strongly and to OnSpaceshipEarth, I apologize if I was defensive and reacted strongly to your opinion. You are of course entitled to whatever opinion you want. It just bothered me knowing that something I have enjoyed for so long might (will) be going away (hopefully after I can see it one more time).

We extend our Thanksgiving trip to see Holiday Illuminations which, for us, is the best fireworks show we have ever seen.

I remember being there with my family after 9/11 and being from NY near to NYC, hearing "We Go On" was amazing and I will always think of that.

I regret I was never able to see one of the Holiday variations, I think that would have been awesome. I'm sure the 9/11 show was special to say the least, but I'm thankful it wouldn't have hit as close to home as it did for you. That would have made saying goodbye even harder. I do hope the new show will be just as grand, But i don't have a lot of faith in the current administration. I just hope the theme of Illuminations carries forward.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I have always been in the camp that Disney is not a museum and that change is necessary to keep things attractive and exciting for (most) everyone. This is one of the first times that this policy has bothered me so much. I suppose that is why I reacted strongly and to OnSpaceshipEarth, I apologize if I was defensive and reacted strongly to your opinion. You are of course entitled to whatever opinion you want. It just bothered me knowing that something I have enjoyed for so long might (will) be going away (hopefully after I can see it one more time).



I regret I was never able to see one of the Holiday variations, I think that would have been awesome. I'm sure the 9/11 show was special to say the least, but I'm thankful it wouldn't have hit as close to home as it did for you. That would have made saying goodbye even harder. I do hope the new show will be just as grand, But i don't have a lot of faith in the current administration. I just hope the theme of Illuminations carries forward.

No problem, Joben. I absolutely respect and love your passion.

You're a true fan.

 

[rinnythepooh]

Illuminations is my alltime favorite attraction in WDW. We see it at least 3 times when we go. We changed where we stay so we can walk to it. Lets hope that Disney doesnt cheapen this up and make it into a large version of ROL. When I heard this I played We Go On and cryed. We go again in Dec. After 14 plus visits, if the new show disapoints I can honestly say we will call it quits and find a new vacation destination. (I never ever thought I would say these words)

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Illuminations is my alltime favorite attraction in WDW. We see it at least 3 times when we go. We changed where we stay so we can walk to it. Lets hope that Disney doesnt cheapen this up and make it into a large version of ROL. When I heard this I played We Go On and cryed. We go again in Dec. After 14 plus visits, if the new show disapoints I can honestly say we will call it quits and find a new vacation destination. (I never ever thought I would say these words)

I hope they do it justice with whatever they replace it with. I was very nervous when they were replacing Wishes as that gave me a lot of the Disney *feels* but I think Happily Ever After is pretty great - and knowing it is the 50th for WDW and then the 40th for EPOCT not long after that, the optimistic part of me hopes they will create something unique and great for EPCOT. It won't be Illuminations, but Illuminations wasn't Tapestry of Nations and it was still pretty great. Really hope they don't just make it like Happily Ever After with a ton of IP and stuff - let it retain something unique and feel like a true "EPCOT show"