We Go On: IllumiNations - 30 Years of Nighttime Fun

I would like to take this blog to explore the nighttime entertainment at Epcot for the last 30 years and why Epcot and Epcot Center, were and for the next few days, are my favorite time at any Disney park.

IllumiNations (1988)

The word IllumiNations and Epcot have been synonymous since 1988. Epcot has gone through 4 name changes, and a form of IllumiNations has been playing throughout that entire time. Even before IllumiNations, a New World Fantasy and Laserphonic Symphony led the way to the amazing nighttime shows that we've had for the past 31 years.
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First, a little backstory that may be a bit change of tone, but necessary to tell the whole story.
I was raised by my grandparents from early childhood out of necessity, but my parents were still apart of my life. We, like many families joined the Disney Vacation Club in 1994, so we could make family vacations every year to Florida. My grandparents, aunts and cousins and my mom and dad, would all get a grand villa at Old Key West and have a fun week, usually spring break. This was one of the times of the year I was able to have normalcy in my life. That is what Disney was to me. Normalcy.

Around 1999, my dad got sick. For the next four years he was in and out of the hospital, and we as a family went Disney still but he was only able to go once maybe twice. The last time he was able to go was 2000. There are so few experiences at Disney left from the year 2000 that I was able to experience with my father, and it to this day, makes every showing of IllumiNations so wonderfully bittersweet.

After my father passed in 2002, my family went on an impromptu trip to Walt Disney World for the Fourth of July that year and I made sure that we watched IllumiNations.

Believe it or not, that's not the biggest reason why I love IllumiNations and Tapestry of Nations so much, that would be because of my Grandfather. We did everything together at Disney. He is a champ.
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IllumiNations (1988-1996)
IllumiNations 25A (1996-1997)
Illuminations 25 B (1997-1999)

(I found these in a WDW book from 1992!)

I'm a 90's kid, and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that IllumiNations from this time doesn't get enough love. My Grandpa especially loved these versions of IllumiNations and I remember how (low key) we always had to make time to see IllumiNations, his favorite being the 1997-1999 version. These versions took musical compositions from famous composers around the world. The most unique of them was IllumiNations 25A which had music composed specifically for it. If you you are lucky enough to be at Epcot during one of it's major birthdays, like Epcot 35th, the anniversary tag (addition to the regular show) features some of this music. This show also had the most, "unique" ending in that an arrangement of the "Circle of Life" ended this show. The 25B version featured again, classical music compositions and was the version I always listened too on the WDW official album!

Then the Millenium Celebration...

Walt Disney World: Millenium Celebration

I remember vividly watching the Walt Disney World planning video for that was sent to homes during this time, and there was a preview of the additions that were being added in 1999, which included both Tapestry of Nations and IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth. Basically they are hype videos and are everything! I was so excited. I watched this ALL THE TIME after I got home from school. I couldn't wait until we went on our yearly trip to see it in person.


For the next section, I highly recommend you listen to this: 

Tapestry of Nations

Tapestry of Nations was, by far, my family's favorite parade. It is so cherished and fondly remember by Disney fans that were able to see it, almost everyone that I talk to says that it is one of, if not their favorite parade that Disney has ever done. Besides, Spectromagic in the Magic Kingdom, I would have to agree.

Both IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and Tapestry of Nations have the central theme that is celebrating our past, the past 2000 years of humanity and the earth in general.

As soon as I see it on some home videos, or more often hear it play throughout Epcot after IllumiNations is over I just tear up and want to dance. It was so short lived (1999-2003) and I probably had only seen this 5-6 times, yet it has a resounding impact on me. I remember vividly my Grandpa especially do a little happy dance while the puppets went by. The puppets would reach into the crowd to interact with the children. It was amazing.

The bread and butter of the parade was the music and the joyful atmosphere it created. I have never seen a parade bring so much joy to myself and other parade goers, it's insane. Everyone was dancing, some singing along with the music or trying to reach out and touch the giant puppets/marionettes. The music for both Tapestry of Nations, IllumiNations and the theme of the Millenium Celebration "Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand" were all written by Gavin Greenaway (Hans Zimmer also contributed) and are now ICONIC Epcot music.

Tapestry of Nations ran twice a night, and each performance their was actually two going on at the sametime. If you timed it correctly and sat by either Morocco or Mexico (depending on which way the parade was going). Sadly, the parade ended in 2003 (then under the name Tapestry of Dreams).

Tapestry of Nations sets up IllumiNations as this sort of acted as the pre-show to IllumiNations. It is missed dearly by many park goers. My Grandpa to this day will tell you this was his favorite thing at Walt Disney World.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

I say a lot of things are my favorites in Walt Disney World, and I don't know if that's because of bad writing or I love a lot of things, or maybe both, but when I say that IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is my favorite thing at Walt Disney World, I really do mean this. There is not another thing in WDW that makes my heart so happy than watching IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. I fully expected this to end, so, when I can, I've tried to see it as much as possible.

If you've ever wondered what those 19 torches are that light the perimeter of World Showcase Lagoon, they represent the past 19 centuries. They remain lit, until the iconic words of Jim Cummings echo throughout the Lagoon:

Good evening. On behalf of Walt Disney World, the place where dreams come true, we welcome all of you to Epcot, and World Showcase. We’re gathered here tonight, around the fire, as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years before us, to share the light, and to share a story. An amazing story as old as time itself, but still being written. And though each of us has our own individual stories to tell, a true adventure emerges when we bring them all together as one. We hope you enjoy our story tonight: Reflections of Earth. (cue all the readers blowing out the torches).

For the next section, I highly recommend you listen to this (I have added time stamps for the corresponding events): 

Chaos (0:26):

As the drums get faster and faster a single firework from the American Plaza Theater is launched. An explosion, followed by fireworks that explode on the lagoon and a roaring fire, the universe is being made.

The music is sporadic and loud, with crashing cymbals throughout. After witnessing the universe for a brief second being made, we suddenly focus our attention on earth burning with another blast from the inferno barge. This time it burns brighter and, hotter. With one long blast earth is made.

Space (2:09):

We see Earth finally in the distance floating through the stars (that are lit on the surface of the water). The music slows, a vast contrast from the harsh staccato notes from before. The music changes and a beat starts.

Life (3:39):

The fountains turn green, representing life on earth. We see animals, water and forests. We see a horse running and it becomes a painting.

Man and Adventure (4:16):

A cave painting to be exact, and as other paintings are made on the wall of these caves, we look towards the opening of the cave, to the new horizon. The music crescendos, and the fountain lights up blue. The globe shows us different people from around the world, different vessels and innovations.

Suddenly half of the countries silhouettes are bright with lights lining the buildings, then the other half. If anyone remembers the previous IllumiNations, you'll definitely love this tribute to the shows that ran before. On the earth globe you'll see different countries and cultures. Fireworks explode above the globe.

The globe turns darks as the lagoon starts sparkling with lights on the water. The globe shows an artists pallet. We see the fountains light up pink, green, orange, yellow, these colors our the colors they use to paint a picture in the night sky.

First the pink fireworks shoot straight up, then towards the globe, away from the globe, and again straight up. This repeats with green, orange, and yellow. All of the colors then start shooting up in a circle around the globe, and a few fire over the globe.

The globe then shows people who have impacted the world like Martin Luther King Jr, Amelia Earhart, John F. Kennedy and Walt Disney.

We zoom in on earth.

Home (8:00)

All the countries are lit, and fireworks burst over the lagoon and twinkle in the night sky. All the lasers shine and the music starts to slow.

Celebration (8:34)

Probably the coolest effect in the entire show, usually surprising guests, fireworks are launched from the perimeter of the lagoon (near the guests) and shoot off towards the center. The music in this section is iconic. In the past it has been used in numerous marketing materials, to hype people about Epcot.

The fireworks dance in the night sky, as video of Tapestry of Nations is shown. A true celebration of the last 19 centuries.

As it culminates the perimeter fireworks are fired again, and the music ends.

Meaning (9:30)



My favorite movement in IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, by far. The song "We Go On" is played in this section, and acts as the grand finale. The lyrics to this song, and the post show song Promise are powerful and ring true the original concept for Epcot. The smoke clears, as Kellie Coffey starts to sing.

With the stillness of the night
Their comes a time to understand
To reach out and touch tomorrow
Take the future in our hand

Small torches on the surface of the water light up.

We can see a new horizon
Built on all that we have done
And our dreams begin another
Thousand circles 'round the sun

All of the 19 torches surrounding World Showcase Lagoon suddenly start burning in unison. At this point, I'm a mess.

We go on
To the joy and through the tears
We go on
To discover new frontiers
Moving on
With the current of the years

The earth globe starts to open up, and we see the 20th torch, emerging from the center.

We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on
With a spirit born to run
Ever on
With each rising sun
To a new day
We go on

The 20th century torch now aflame, every country shining bright.

Then, 3 sets of fireworks shoot from the 20th torch on the earth globe.

We go on...

Blinding fireworks fill the night sky. Truly a sight to see. Followed by one more perimeter firework, and a thunderous ending.

Immediately following IllumiNations the song Promise is played. Again it is sung by Kellie Coffey, and all the torches, including the earth globe remain burning during it.

This song in the last few years has really hit me hard. I've ugly cried before. The lyrics are so fitting to how I feel about these shows, and Epcot in general.

Promise

Every evening
Brings an ending
Every day becomes a legacy

Every sunset
Leads to morning
With the promise of opportunity

We can reach for the stars we find along the way
Dreaming as we learn to love everyday

Promise 
You will take my hand
As tomorrow comes 
We'll go on

We'll go on
Growing closer through the years
Moving on
Through the good times and the tears
Ever on
Another thousand circles 'round the sun
If two can be as one
We'll go on

There is music
If you listen
In the rhythm of each breath we take

Destinations
Undiscovered
Revelations from every choice we make

And I know
There are diamonds dancin' in the sky
All we have to do 
Is open our eyes

Promise
We'll walk side by side
As a new day dawns
We'll go on

We'll go on
Growing closer through the years
Moving on
Through the good times and the tears
Ever on
Another thousand circles 'round the sun
A new life has begun
The two of us as one
We'll go on

Moving on
Through the good times and the tears
Ever on
Another thousand circles 'round the sun
A new life has begun
When two of us are one
And we live to keep the promise

We'll go on
Ever on
We'll go on


And of course, the icing on top is Tapestry of Nations is played while everyone is heading out of the park.

IllumiNations in any form will always have a special place in my heart. Through the good times and the tears, we'll go on!

Also please check out this the following link, of CLIFFLIX's IllumiNations Reflections of Earth 2017. It's in 4K and the best on YouTube: CLIFFLIX IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth