Final date for Illuminations, debut date for Epcot Forever announced
The final date for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” has been announced as well as the debut date for the new show “Epcot Forever.”
The current 14-minute long “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” features flames, fireworks and flowing water to punctuate the nightly show in the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon. The centerpiece of the show is the 28-foot in diameter Earth globe, which contains what Disney calls the world’s first spherical video display system with 180,000 LEDs.
“Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” debuted on Oct. 1, 1999, and will end after a 20-year run on Sept. 30, 2019. A new show “Epcot Forever” will debut Oct. 1, 2019.
The limited-time show will be a celebration of the past, present
The new show will feature fireworks, lighting, lasers and choreographed, special effects kites, accompanied by a collection of songs that paints a picture of Epcot.
Disney Parks Live Entertainment is collaborating on the show with noted conductor and composer Don Harper, who is producing all-new arrangements of classic Epcot tunes to weave into the soundtrack of “Epcot Forever.”
“‘Epcot Forever’ is a celebration of what Epcot has been and what Epcot is going to become,” said Alan Bruun, show director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment.
“Music is the star of the show, and we use songs going back to the very beginnings of Epcot to music in the park today – from attractions, spectaculars and other shows – and put them into a fireworks spectacular on the lagoon every night. Guests are going to hear music they know and love but in a whole new way.”
After it launches Oct. 1, “Epcot Forever” will continue into 2020, when it will then make way for the debut of the nextEpcot nighttime spectacular as part of the park’s multi-year transformation.
