Disney News: EPCOT Forever
We've known for some time that Illuminations would end its 20 year run sometime in 2019. We now have the date of the last showing, what the temporary replacement will be, and news of the permanent replacement.
And I have to say I'm not disappointed.
I am a crazy Illuminations fan. For me, it's personal. Illuminations debuted during my College Program internship at Walt Disney World. Some of my friends went to the Cast Member preview, and I remembered them trying to tell me through their awe how amazing it was. "The EARTH floats OUT! And then it OPENS UP!" I remember one of them exclaiming.
It wasn't until I saw it for myself that I realized how special it was. So I saw it again. And again. And again. I have every movement down, every note of the music, every pyrotechnic explosion. I KNOW Illuminations and the last time I saw it, I had the exquisite pleasure of watching it next to someone who by all appearances had never seen it before as they were shouting "Wow!" and "Yes!" during the entire show.
I. Love. Illuminations.
But. I'm really excited about EPCOT Forever.
So here's what's happening:
September 30, 2019 - the last showing of Illuminations! (sob!)
October 1, 2019 (EPCOT's anniversary) - the first showing of EPCOT Forever! (yay!)
Check out this concept art:
EPCOT Forever will be a limited time show that will run through some point in 2020. It will be a tribute to classic EPCOT music and will feature an alarming array of technology including:
Pyrotechnics
LED kites
Jet skis
Sometime in the fall of 2020 - The permanent nighttime show will begin.
It is said that this permanent show will be themed around how the music of Disney inspires people around the world.
And if you thought EPCOT Forever sounded impressive, check out this array of features in the 2020 show:
Pyrotechnics
Lasers
Choreographed fountains
Floating set pieces
Custom LED panels
Yes, Disney. I suppose you have my permission to pull out all the stops.
Check out this video for a preview of EPCOT Forever:
I feel a little bit like Goldilocks in the musical "Into the Woods". I'm excited and scared! So what do you think? Are you scared that nothing will ever be as great as Illuminations? Are you excited for the new development? Like and comment on our Facebook page, and check back each week for a new blog.
