Update: watch a replay of the show below and learn more about its replacement “Epcot Forever” in our new post.
Last year Disney announced that it would retire “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” as part of it’s multi-year transformation of Epcot. The nighttime fireworks and water show ends at the end of summer and will be replaced with a temporary show called “Epcot Forever.”
If you can’t make it to the park for one last in person viewing, Disney will share a free livestream of the show on April 9 at 8:55pm ET. Be sure to return here tonight to watch the livestream.
When it goes live, you will be able to watch it here:
The nightly spectacle was created by legendary Disney show director Don Dorsey. It begins with chaos that symbolizes the origins of planet Earth then transforms into a beautiful and powerful exploration of all its beauty.
The centerpiece of the show is a 28-foot diameter Earth Globe that becomes a three-story video screen projecting vivid pictorial images celebrating the planet and the unified spirit of humankind.
The entire float weights 35 tons, houses six computers, 258 strobe lights and an infrared guidance system. The globe has more than 180,000 LEDs to create the electronic pictures featured in the show. Inside is a giant fire torch that rises 40 feet into the air during the show’s dramatic finale.
“My goal was to remind people that our home planet is an amazing place,” said Dorsey. “This show weaves the story of our planet, using mystical elements that signify unity and peace for all humankind. ‘Reflections of Earth,’ like Epcot itself, is a celebration of our home planet, our humanity and our potential.”
The 13-minute show requires 67 computers in 40 locations, hundreds of special lighting fixtures, four fountain barges pumping 5,000 gallons per minute, a 150,000-pound inferno barge with 37 nozzles shooting propane flames into the air, and lasers delivering a kaleidoscope of colors.
Some 2,800 shells are exploded during the nightly display — more than twice the number used in previous productions. Fireworks are launched from 750 mortar tubes and 56 firing modules at 34 locations.
In 2020, Epcot will debut a new nighttime show and work is already underway upgrading the infrastructure required to support the show.
“IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” was a guest favorite at Epcot for nearly 20 years. Share your favorite memories of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” in the comments.
Is there any way to have this as a post production/show video to show my class for Earth Day festivities?
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