PHOTOS - Preparations underway at Epcot for future nighttime spectaculars

Dec 20, 2018 in "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth"

Epcot future firework show preparations
Posted: Thursday December 20, 2018 9:53am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Work is underway both onstage and backstage for the Illuminations replacement show set to debut in 2020.

In the fireworks marina behind the Outpost, ground clearing is underway on the site that will be used to build the floating set pieces that will be part of the new show.

In the World Showcase Lagoon, both of the islands are being worked on. Construction barges are working in the island closet to China.

On the second island near to Japan, barriers are in place, although heavy construction is yet to begin.

The unnamed new nighttime spectacular will celebrate how Disney music inspires people around the world, and will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers.

Before that new show begins, there will be a limited-time experience, called "Epcot Forever," which will debut in fall 2019 and will feature classic Epcot tunes. 

"Epcot Forever" will begin with a spark of imagination that swells into an epic spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers, and special effects kites.

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Chi8417 days ago

Saw it last night and loved it! Visibility was much better than the previous show.

Jayspency18 days ago

Imagine this is the song they play right before the fires around the world showcase go out for illuminations when it comes back

Cmdr_Crimson18 days ago

Problem now with the Illumination Name it now reminds me too much of this..

Cmdr_Crimson18 days ago

Yes, see this is why I'm not a fan of The most recent shows since Epcot Forever..They don't interest me.

Captain Barbossa18 days ago

“Harluminously EPCOT: Reflections of Centerous!”

Nottamus18 days ago

I think the next show name should also sound like Luminous, harmonious, illuminations, festivus, fireworkious - so we At some point just give up and call it The Epcot show

MisterPenguin18 days ago

No animated projections. Just planar lasers and spotlights.

Starship82418 days ago

Luminous has no projections?

Gusey18 days ago

Luminous got the perfect balance for its projection infrastructure. The Illuminations globe was too small that you couldn't see what was going on, whilst Harmonious had the giant tacos that couldn't be moved and also needed to be viewed dead center to be fully experienced. Luminous is right in the middle in that you can see the projections but the floats can be moved backstage

MisterPenguin18 days ago

I am not of the opinion that IluumiNations was the epitome of fireworks shows. It had issues of pacing and visibility... And less fireworks. While I hate that Luminous includes You Got a Friend, it's a nice mix of new and well-known songs. It's visibility around the Lagoon or standing behind a crowd is great.

DreamfinderGuy18 days ago

Luminous feels like it’s trying to be Harmonious 2 (which in itself was essentially HEA) while trying to capture some drops of RoE’s essence. It’s better than Harm, but the lot of successors are all a far cry from IllumiNations

Jayspency18 days ago

You’re talking about luminous right?

Cmdr_Crimson18 days ago

IMO I just think HarmonioUS feels more like it has 5 years on it's lifespan before they end it..Unless by 2032 For IllumiNations 50 we at least would see something amazing.

heapster41119 days ago

I believe it's all about concept. IROE was a story of how we came to be and what we have become, and possibly what our future could be. Everything else IMHO is just a low brow movie soundtrack sing-along. To me, once you leave the true story telling that was the concept of IROE and Epcot, it will be very hard to go back.