Illuminations to close Aug. 30

[James]

I just heard from a good friend at WDW that Illuminations will be replaced with a version of Tokyo's DisneySea Symphony.
I don't know what will be different from the TDL show.
Are you ready for a change?

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[zakerdog]

I am ready for a change :yes: I love Illuminations but have to say that something different would be nice. It's been a long time.

[Jennifer]

In a word....NO! Illuminations is by far my most FAVORITE show and I would hate to see it go. :cry:

Honestly, I didn't see anything in that video to get me excited about a new show.

[roodad]

Totally ready for a change. Illuminations has become a snoozer for me, even when all of the elements are in place and in play and the weather cooperates.

[Moley]

Yes, that looks lovely. I think it would be a worthy replacement for a time. Jennifer, never fear. Illuminations can always return much as the Electric Light Parade and Spectro Magic rotate.

The show I really miss at Epcot was one they had in 1991 for the 20th anniversary and then again in 1992. It was called Surprise in the Skies. The character hard balloons that opened around World Showcase were well worth standing in the afternoon sun to see. This did not replace IllumiNations but was held before it, during the daytime.

[Robin]

Unless this is only a small section of the show, from what I can see it's not a fit for WS lagoon. WS is simply too large, and too many obstacles if most of the show is at water level.

Most of of the show appears to be low to the ground with few high bursts. Lots of water effects, little fireworks. People will need to be against the railings to see most of the show.

Mickey will not be visible all the shores, plus his appearance in the show is too similar to Fantastic. This actually looks more like a fit to replace Fantasmic then IllumiNations. It would probably fit the small lagoon in California Adventure, but on Epcot it would be like replacing Wishes with the Cinderbration show fireworks.

I hope your friend is off...by about a mile. ;)

[Robin]

I'd love to get Dinkybean's opinion on this, but this doesn't looks like it would get lost on WS, where you often have trees and islands blocking the show.

http://www.infinityvisions.com/tds.htm

A show on WS lagoon needs to be high enough to be seen from all the shores.

[OhMickeyYoureSoFine]

i've been ready for a change for 5 years, not that i don't love illuminations but hey.

I think they need to think of a way to provide better views.

[dinkybean758]

I'd love to get Dinkybean's opinion on this, but this doesn't looks like it would get lost on WS, where you often have trees and islands blocking the show.

http://www.infinityvisions.com/tds.htm

A show on WS lagoon needs to be high enough to be seen from all the shores.

Hi.

Last night a friend twitter about it.
http://www.examiner.com/x-3278-Orlando-Amusement-Park-Examiner~y2009m7d3-Tomorrow-is-the-Day

But then that friend did some research and posted blog post.
http://dis-asia.blogspot.com/2009/07/amber-miko-reporter-for-examinercom.html

Personally I love love love Illuminations that I'm NOT ready for change but also I know Disney is the place for change always.....

Robin, actually I have been to Tokyo Disney Sea just a few times in fact I haven't seen this show in person (surprise surprise!!:shock:).
According to this YouTube post it seems like this show was modified due to high wind and also was the last perfomance of Tokyo Disney Sea Symphony.

The lagoon size in TDS is approx. half of WS lagoon according to Mamoru but to me it looked like 1/3 or 1/4 small.
I know Disney is very good to create/re-create shows and so on that they'll make the show fit to WS lagoon if they replace Illuminations. Oh, wait what about Stitch's new show already gone in MK...:?

I don't know what I'll feel about the new show (if they replace anyway) in person but right now I love love love (enough said?) Illuminations that I don't want to see the replace.

[Jellyrolls]

I'm totally ready for a change with Illuminations. I find it to be very boring. The only time I go see it now is in December to see the holiday ending. It's long overdue for a change.

[Robin]

I found this 1st anniversary version online. It still seems 'small' compared to IllumiNations. What is interesting is the show ends with a volcano erupting. Now where have I seen a mountain that can play the part of a volcano? ;)

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5m-1Lt4QlsY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5m-1Lt4QlsY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m-1Lt4QlsY)

[Ursulinda]

I will miss Illuminations. It's message of hope has touched my heart and given me many happy memories of viewings with friends and family.

[James]

I hope we get some the the good stuff for Fantasmic like DCA is getting. I think Disney could change DisneySea Symphony to fit WS lagoon and add more fireworks(sans volcano & change Mickey's costumes) making it a nice fit for WS.

[WDWDen]

I will be sad to see it go. It is getting a little boring, but its like comfort food, I just can't get enough. Luckily for me, they played Illuminations music last night at the Philadelphia fireworks show.

[FLSharon]

Nope, I'm not tired of it...I watch it over and over. One of the things I like is that it's character free... So we'll see...not much I can do about it anyway. :(

I'm also annoyed that I won't get to see it again...

[Donald is #1]

While I enjoy Illuminations, I am ready for an update to it. Personnally, I would like to see more fireworks added.

On the DisneySea show, I am not sure if it would be right for the WS lagoon.

[Robin]

I wouldn't mind seeing IllumiNations upgraded, but not totally changed. It also some of the best music Disney has every used.

They could upgrade the globe segment with a new story and images. Add a little more color to that slower section. I also don't believe they broadcast the music throughout FW during the show. I wish they would.

I was also surprised to find out Fantasmic is as old, or older than IllumiNations.

[PixiePrincess]

SOOO excited to hear the news! It's needed a change for a LONG time now. :minnie:

[kathleena]

While we can assume they will close it at some point, I suspect they would replace it with something even more spectacular and not move something "Fantasmic" size over from another park. And they would probably time it to some celebration. Maybe Epcot's 30th or WDW's 40th. And then maybe just upgrade the current show with some changes as they have done in the past.

This is a fabulous show and it's brand new to tens of thousands of people every year. So many times I heard 1st timers say they loved it more than Wishes.

I love Illuminations. I never get tired of seeing it. I listen to the music in the car, on my iPod etc.

[AUteacher9905]

Oh I would hate to see it go. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Illuminations. It makes me cry everytime. The music is what really makes it for me. I wouldn't mind an upgrade to it, but I would hate to see it go.

Would they really get rid of it soon? They just did a refurb to the globe.

[aumis93]

Would they really get rid of it soon? They just did a refurb to the globe.

OOOO! Good point!!! I like that reasoning! :D

I would be SOOOOO sad to see it go. Especially before I can even get back down to see it one last time. I need to see it at least 10 more times.

[Robin]

That remind me, I saw IllumiNations about 3 weeks ago and noticed they have cut back on the Inferno. The fire seemed much smaller and ran shorter, but there seemed to be an increase in fireworks.

I have to wonder with the high price of oil, if it's much more expensive to run the extended fire effects than than add a few dozen rockets.

[Mickey4Us]

Seems more fitting for DHS and similar to Fantasmic.

[bullseye759]

okay so I guess I have no choice but to be ready for a change but how soon will it happen? Closing August 30?? We're headed down in September. Hard to believe they'd have a new show all up and running. My luck it'll be Goofy on the shores of the Lagoon waving a sparkler in each hand.

[Simba's Mom]

It really surprises me that in these economic times, they're making any change. Isn't there a start-up cost? Rehearsals? New "props" perhaps? And I wonder if the torches will be for sale on E**y? I guess if it's going to happen, look at the good side-you might be able to buy a piece of Illuminations!

[disneylover]

NOOOOO I love Illuminations! Of all the shows disney has I never miss this one.

[disneylover]

It really surprises me that in these economic times, they're making any change. Isn't there a start-up cost? Rehearsals? New "props" perhaps? And I wonder if the torches will be for sale on E**y? I guess if it's going to happen, look at the good side-you might be able to buy a piece of Illuminations!
All a good reason for them to raise prices.

[kathleena]

Remember this is posted in the "Rumors" section! There is no truth to it until it is official as far as I'm concerned!

And if you google this, all you find is one little blog that started the rumor. Well except for that friend of the OP too, but maybe they read that blog! :lol:

[kathleena]

Oh and here's another rumor, just to add to it. This one has been around for a while...............

http://www.mousebuzz.com/forum/wdw-theme-parks/48513-skydance-replace-illuminations.html

[Timon]

While I'm ready for IllumiNations to leave this isn't the replacement. It's just too small scale for World Showcase Lake.

[tdelaney]

I'll miss the music, but could care less about the show. I end up seeing Illuminations by default. I'm at Epcot at night--I see the show. It just seems shop-worn to me.....

[bullseye759]

Okay I hope I'm not coming in with old news or anything but a friend just sent me this. Not sure what to make of it.

http://www.mouseinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88559


Dean

[Robin]

Okay I hope I'm not coming in with old news or anything but a friend just sent me this. Not sure what to make of it.

http://www.mouseinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88559


Dean

Sometimes I get confused when they talk about Disneyland's DTD as I think they mean the WDW location. This would be a DL/DTD store.

Seriously, I can't imagine IllumiNations being replaced by a smaller show, that only ran a few years before being replaced. I believe the DS show is also less than 10 minutes long. It would seem more reasonable that it would replace the part-time run Fantasmic (which is older that IllumiNations) or have parts of the show incorporated into an upgrade of IllumiNations.

I think more elaborate water effects would be a welcome addition to IllumiNations, but who's going to stick around, or rush over when another park closes to see a 7 minute show?

[JJ]

Good bye Illuminations - it was fun.....but I'll admit my family has skipped watching you 2 out of the last 5 years.

We enjoyed taking the boat cruise and watching you from under the bridge but we've decided it's not worth the wait or the crowds to see you anymore.

[Cruey]

I want more fireworks. Just add appropriate Epcot music and all will be good. It's too darned hard to see all of Illuminations. I remember when EPCOT was first opened there was a terrible lack of shade. I way prefer shade while I am out in the Florida sun touring in my own slug manner. The problem is that the trees and other foliage have grown so much that getting a good view is neigh on impossible. Time to put the show way up in the sky for all to see. We did the Illuminations cruise a few times, it was great-- mostly because we went with good friends. After watching Illuminations from the boat it's hard to watch it from land.

[bullseye759]

Any new news on this? I'm sure there have been Tagrel folks who've gone to WDW since this first posted back on July 4th?
Anybody got any scoop? Aug 30th will be here before you know it.

Thank you
Dean

[dizneeat]

Well, we have a reservation for preferred Illuminations fireworks viewing Sept 3! Since I made this reservation with Disney I doubt they will not be running it in September!

[bullseye759]

Thank you Diz--thats just the kind of info I was looking for. We'll be there Sept 12-19 and we're hoping we'd see it again.
Thanks again
Dean

[Tagrel]

Disney is still booking the Illuminations dessert packages for the fall and beyond so at this time its only a rumor...

[Robin]

The last time (mid June) I saw IllumiNations the inferno segment burned shorter (less fuel costs?) and there were most fireworks added. Maybe that's become a permanent change.

The segment I'd like to see a little change is during the images on the globe. If you don't have a good spot they can be hard to see. Maybe they could update the display on the globe to something easier to see from a distance and add more water effects during that segment.

It's a shame they update more than a few banners when they have a new promotion.

"Celebrate" could be a nice theme for the globe. Leave a section at the end that can be programed daily, with shots of guests taken earlier in the day.