Epcot Rumor: IllumiNations – Windows on the World
We’re back with another Walt Disney World rumor; this time, an update on the IllumiNations: Windows on the World nighttime spectacular coming to Epcot. We shared vague rumors about this a few months ago, which focused on the possibility of a new show in 2020 with an interim fireworks show prior to then due to the recording of soundtrack demos for the new show.
An IllumiNations replacement has been rumored for ages, but we previously expected the new show to debut simultaneously with the substantial completion of Epcot’s re-imagining in 2020 or Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2021. An interim show prior to then would be of necessity, with a smaller-scale offering enabling necessary infrastructure before the debut of the replacement nighttime spectacular.
Well, it would appear that the timeframe has been moved up on the IllumiNations replacement significantly as the rumor mill has gone into overdrive the last few days concerning the replacement, which has been dubbed IllumiNations: Windows on the World (it’s unclear whether IllumiNations will be in the final name). Here’s what we know thus far…
This rumor is not even new as of this year. Three years ago, when we first reported on the plans for a $3.5 Billion Expansion of Walt Disney World, that was one of the specific plans. While many of the specifics of that plan have changed, the scope and scale were accurate, and so to was the rumor of an IllumiNations replacement. As other high-profile projects have been announced, that news has taken center stage, but an IllumiNations replacement has remained in the cards.
There are a few bases for the surge in this new rumor. First, for the last few weeks, land clearing has been occurring south of the Japan pavilion at Epcot. Your first reaction might be that this is for the Japan pavilion’s new high-end restaurant, but that’s definitely not the case. Check out this photo of where the cleared area is located.
On Episode 165 of the Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill indicates that this land clearing will be used as a staging location for drones in the new IllumiNations show. As you might recall, there was a drone show at Disney Springs for Christmas two years ago, which was largely considered a proof-of-concept test at the time. (Those same type of drones were used to much greater effect at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics.)
In terms of using drones, Walt Disney World has gone back and forth with the FAA to receive waivers on its own no-fly zones, which Disney generally has received upon showing a plan to mitigate risks. One such waiver was predicated upon the drone’s having flight paths 100 feet away from guest areas at all times, that they would primarily fly over water and restricted areas, maxing out at 150 feet above the ground.
I haven’t kept track of whether there have been other waivers further easing these restrictions, but even without that, it was long-assumed that World Showcase Lagoon would be the ideal location for a drone show because of the clearance the center of the lagoon provided away from guest areas. Logistically, it’s not clear how this staging area would work in light of those restrictions (assuming they’re still even in place).
Second, there has been a precipitous spike in chatter about the IllumiNations replacement in the WDWMagic thread about the rumor, with many insiders chiming in to corroborate both the accelerated schedule for this project and the detail about drones being used. (Separately, we’ve heard that other effects, aside from drones, originally planned for Rivers of Light that didn’t work out will be integrated into Windows on the World.)
One thing we don’t know is to what degree intellectual property and characters will be featured in the new show. At one point, their integration was rumored to be a sure thing. Now, there’s some inconsistency about whether that’ll be the case. Personally, I’d love to see something abstract and authentically cultural a la IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Knowing that’s really unlikely, I’d compromise with a similarly original (non-IP) soundtrack, and drones forming the shape of characters, or something like that.
Finally, there’s the matter of attendance. If TEA numbers are to be believed (and we’d encourage a healthy dose of skepticism), Epcot is now the third-most attended park at Walt Disney World, with Animal Kingdom having surged past it thanks to the opening of Pandora last year. With Toy Story Land opening this summer, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is very likely to close that gap.
When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in Late Fall 2019, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will blow past every park that isn’t Magic Kingdom, leaving Epcot in dead last. Of course, one of the Walt Disney World parks has to be the least-attended (that’s just how it works!), but Epcot’s recent stagnation could become something worse with increased construction in the next two years. Expanding “Festival Season” has been a useful band-aid, but it can only do so much.
Even with the timeline for Windows on the World moved forward, it remains unclear when, exactly, it will debut. We would still expect at least 6 months between the time of the announcement and the debut of the new show. However, that does not mean we won’t see something sooner, potentially as early as this fall.
It remains possible that Epcot could unveil an interim “IllumiNations 5.0” show as an interim replacement ahead of Windows on the World. We wouldn’t expect this interim show to be a big budget production or a huge marketing draw. Rather, like Fantasy in the Sky at Disneyland, it would be the type of skeleton production that would allow infrastructure refurbishment to occur while a fireworks show still runs.
From an attendance perspective, fall is the perfect time for the interim show, as Epcot doesn’t need any help getting people through the turnstiles then. Total speculation, but we wouldn’t be surprised if, like Fantasy in the Sky, this is a throwback show, at least in terms of the score. That’d be an easy way to score a win with hardcore EPCOT Center fans.
With all of that said, we should know very soon what’s going to happen. An announcement is expected by the end of this week or early next, and that should clarify at least a little of what we don’t already know. Given the popularity of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (along with past precedent), we’d expect an end date for the current show to be announced so fans have a chance to say their goodbyes to IllumiNations. Whether there will be an announcement concerning the drones, soundtrack, or other features of Windows on the World remains to be seen. I have some very strong feelings about IllumiNations being replaced, but I suppose I’ll save those for when this is officially announced, or my inevitable tribute to IllumiNations.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the prospect of IllumiNations: Windows on the World? Are you ready to say goodbye to IllumiNations? Would a nighttime spectacular featuring drones be a welcome addition to Walt Disney World for you? Any questions about Windows on the World or Epcot’s re-imagining? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments!
We saw our first Illuminations on 4 July 1999, we saw them again 4 July 2016 and it looks like when we’re back next week on the 4th it’ll be the last. We saw them the first year and now the last. Our eldest son will have only seen them the first and last years. We’re seeing them from Spice Road Table this year.
Tom, is there a good place to watch Epcot fireworks outside of Epcot? Does the boardwalk have good viewing spots? Thanks!
Illuminations is my favorite thing at DW. We are going in late April early May next year. And if we get spoon fed some watered down interim show. I’m going to be upset. I don’t think it’s fair to do that to people. We will be paying good money to be there too. At the very least they should drastically reduce ticket prices. That goes for all the parks when they are shutting down attractions and such while doing new attractions or lands. We can’t come back every year so when things are missing from our visit it can be really disappointing. They shouldn’t expect some people to have a lesser experience while they make a better experience for others.
Is the Illuminations show still currently running? I will be there in 2 weeks and was hoping to see it, especially now before it goes away or is completely changed. I love the music!
We just visited Disney last weekend, and yes it is still running but without the SIEMENS logo. Also I noticed, when the show was running, the globe didn’t open to have the fire come out of it. Usually that would happen. So I guessed, things are changing with this show. 🙁
I’ll admit that the reason I love the show is mostly because of the music. Illuminations itself has some fun elements, but I’d love to see it updated. While I expect them to change pretty much everything about it, a nice surprise would be to keep the “preshow soundtrack”!
Noooo!!! Please don’t change the Illuminations fireworks at Epcot. We have loved these fireworks for years and look forward to seeing them! Change can be a good thing, but not always. When something is great….leave it alone.
Here is he answer to our question. Thanks! We were wondering if a change was coming soon because as of now we are not able to book the Frozen desert party in the fall/winter months.
I love Illuminations!! It never gets old for me nor my family. It’s something we always look forward to when we go to Disney. I will be so sad if I don’t get to see it once more before they get rid of it!
First Wishes now this- my two favorites are gone or going soon- I love the music in this show I don’t care if other things about the show change but I love the song at the end
If Disney is wondering why attendance at Epcot is down maybe they shtould take a long look a what they are offering there. Once known as the adult park, it is no longer. Frozen might be breaking records for wait times, but if you are not a 7 year olld your options are limited. Hubby and I are going late summer for our retirement trip. We will always said that we wanted to do Disneyworld without kids. Some of the those things just are not offered anymore. I just don’t think that a new fireworks show is going to increase attendance that much. They got to get people in the park in the first place. Some of the restaurants that we would consider visiting we have ruled out. This is due to fixed menus buffet style at prices where as older people we are getting soaked for amounts of food our stomachs can’t handle. No thanks.
I love Illuminations, but I can see how technology updates would be good. I just wish they would keep the soundtrack as-is. And please, no ip/characters. We have those in MK and DHS. They work great in those parks, epcot should be different.
Agreed all around. Updating the Earth Globe (and increasing its size) and enhancing that scene with drones would help with what a lot of people call the “boring” part. I don’t think IllumiNations needs a replacement so much as a significant tech update.
Seconded.
I can see it from either side. IllumiNations has been around for almost 19 years at this point. My husband saw it back when he was a child on his first visit ever to Walt Disney World. To some it might feel a tad dated at this point (myself included).
Windows to the World could be a good thing for Epcot, but Disney will need to guage interest in it to determine if it’s the right option, or whether they should revert back to IllumiNations or find another option. I personally miss the Main Street Electrical Parade in the Magic Kingdom (which is even older), so I can see why people may be upset with the idea.
Once the current show is replaced, there’s no going back.
I agree that IllumiNations has had a good, long run…I just worry about what ‘modern Disney’ will do in terms of a replacement.
Illuminations is my favorite fireworks show at WDW, and I’ll be sorry to see it go– but a lot of what I like is likely to carry over to a new show, having to do as much with the setting as anything, so perhaps I’ll like the replacement just as much. It’s got a chance, if it’s done well.
Your mention of Epcot’s attendance standings made me think of a connection I hadn’t before with the overall redesign of the park: I’ve been wondering when they’d actually begin construction there, and suddenly it seems obvious the perfect time will be to begin right after Star Wars opens at Hollywood Studios, drawing away as much attendance as possible and thus minimizing the pain of having a lot of Epcot closed. Though inevitably disruptive to visitors’ experience, Epcot under construction will have its least disruption if it happens when the fewest people would be there anyway.
Right after Galaxy’s Edge opens is definitely not the perfect time for construction at Epcot. Galaxy’s Edge is going to increase attendance at all four parks, not just DHS.
Now, if you adjust that and say right after Toy Story Land opens, I’ll agree with you.
I agree, I hate to see Illuminations end. It is my favorite nighttime show!! But, if they use drones as they were used in the Olympics I think that may be a plus. They do need to keep the theme intact and not make it character based. I agree with Stephanie, if they bring back Lights of Winter i could overlook a character based theme, at least during Christmas. I am kind of excited about this announcement. We will be there in December, maybe we will get to see the new show.
Windows on the World is such an unfortunate name. All I can think of is the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center and all the people who died there.
Borrowing a line from the new Wreck-It Ralph trailer: you’re not wrong.
Several people have said the same on social media. I wouldn’t be surprised if the final name is thus not ‘Windows on the World.’ Given the nature of the show, I think ‘Window to the World’ makes more sense, but it could be something completely different, entirely. Tentative/project names are often different than the finished show.
I’m definitely not ready for an Illuminations replacement but I don’t think I ever will be. It’s my #1 favorite thing in all of Disney World. My husband and I even held our wedding reception during an Illuminations dessert party. I will miss it so much!
Illuminations is my favorite thing in all of Disney World as well, and it’s ending will be sad for me. But I’m very hopeful that the new show will be fantastic, and remain somewhat true to the current theme & “feel” of Illuminations.
Agreed! Its my very favorite night time event at WDW!
I hate to see it end. The drone show is just a bummer. ..need new firework show if anything. Bring back the whistlers.
To clarify: this wouldn’t be drones, exclusively. There will be pyro, too.
I’ve been aware that a replacement for Illuminations is inevitable, however, the proliferation of characters in World Showcase doesn’t make me hopeful that the replacement will have the same significance and meaning as the current show. I’m worried that instead of following the history of human kind and celebrating the stories we share as human beings, we will end up with “Anna and Elsa! They live in Norway!”
While I know not everyone agrees with me, I was disappointed with the replacement of Wishes. Happily Ever After has beautiful projections, but watching the project directors talk about the “story” of the new show was lost on me. Wishes had a story – plot, rising action, conflict, resolution – and Happily Ever After, in my opinion, is a collection of movie clips. If characters have to be present in the new show, I hope they are not the only focus. I, too am hoping for a show that is abstract and authentic, but sadly it isn’t likely to happen.
Of course, if they bring back Lights of Winter, I might be willing to forgive them for making changes to Illuminations!
Thank you as for sharing thoughts, Tom!
My thoughts exactly. I agree with you 100% about the story from HEA being a downgrade from Wishes and its making me skeptical about the new Illuminations in comparison to Illuminations: ROE.
I’m not meaning to offend, but I don’t get how someone can’t sense a story in HEA. Beginning the dream, desiring the journey, friends in the journey, love, adversity, the heroes happily ever after, then finding your own happily every after. It flows well, and like illuminations (since that is the post topic) it doesn’t have to narrate every step of they of the way for you.
Agree about HEA, just a collection of movie clips. Wishes had much better music, and stronger themes. The projections leave me cold, and I wonder if they are a way to reduce the use of fireworks. Don’t know.
As far as a reboot of illuminations goes, don’t want to see any IP characters. Epcot was an oasis of ”non-Disney” Disney, if you will, a break from the other parks. Until they started bringing over the character meet and greets. And the current score of illuminations is just superb. Would be very hard to let that go.
Can they keep the earth globe it represents the world and the soundtrack let it at least play throughout, after the show is over.