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Epcot - IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
I am sure that many people have watched this award-winning night time spectacular but does anyone know the background?
IllumiNations first premiered on 1st October 1999 but it was named IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth as it formed part of the WDW Millennium Celebrations. It was such a success that WDW decided to carry on with this but dropped the ‘2000’ from the name.
There are three acts that make up IllumiNations:
Act 1: Chaos
Act 2: Order
Act 3: Meaning and Show Finale
The show starts with an introductory speech and all the lights of the different nations dimming and the 19 torches around World Showcase Lagoon being lit.
Act 1 represents the creation of the Earth and you see fireworks and massive hot flames rising from the Inferno Barge.
For Act 2 the torches around the lagoon are dimmed and the Earth Globe appears and moves towards the centre of World Showcase Lagoon. At the same time you will see the water fountains from the various barges. The Earth Globe changes colour from white to red and blue. A brief history of the earth can be seen through various images on the globe and famous events, people and landmarks across the ages can be seen. Each of the countries of the lagoon are now lit up and you are see laser lights and even more fireworks.
In Act 3 the torches around the lagoon are re-lit. The World Globe opens out to look like a massive flower and there are even more fantastic fireworks and the very last set of fireworks end with a loud bang which you can hear in many different parts of WDW. The lights on the globe are then put out but all of the torches around World Showcase remain burning. You then hear an announcement thanking everyone for joining in the celebration of life and hoping that everyone enjoyed Reflections of Earth.
In total some 1, 100 fireworks are launched from 34 different locations around the lagoon during the 12 minute show. If you are working around World Showcase during the middle of the afternoon you will see the Fountain Barges and the Inferno Barge that many of the fireworks are launched from being manovered into place on the lagoon and also the World Globe.
People start taking up the prime viewing sights from as early as 19:30 particularly when they have younger children so that they can ensure they have an unobscured view but you can watch from all around World Showcase.
At special times of the year such as Christmas, Independence Day and on New Year’s Eve there are extra special additions after the main performance.
Author: Mike and Michelle Walden
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