Epcot Update: IllumiNations Farewell Merchandise & More
We’re back with another Epcot update, which this time basically just entails a visit to MouseGear and Art of Disney for a look at the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth farewell season merchandise, new Figment window display, and other random items. We’ll end on a random note, with some cool dusk photos from World Showcase.
I’m not entirely sure how to approach this one, which is partly why I decided to make it separate from our Epcot Update: Now with 50% Fewer Tombstones. While I realize the title there is snarky, the substance of that post is pretty optimistic. I’m really excited about the new Epcot entrance plaza, and even in its half/unfinished form, it was an exciting and surreal sight to see upon entering the park.
A lot of changes are on the horizon that should make Epcot a better park, and on balance, I’m looking forward to Epcot’s future. I don’t think every change is a positive one, and it’s a mixed bag in a lot of ways. One of those ‘mixed bag’ things is the retirement of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth…
I absolutely love IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. I’ve seen it more times than I can count–far more than any nighttime spectacular in any other Disney park. Wishes would probably be #2 in terms of viewings, and I’ve seen that far fewer times. I’ll be really sad to see IllumiNations go, but I recognize that it has had a good run. It’s time for something different.
Everything we know thus far about Epcot Forever leads me to believe that show will really soften the blow. That’s probably part of the idea; ease the pain for longtime fans with a solid and fan service-y interim show, before delivering a more technically impressive show that the general public will love (but EPCOT diehards probably won’t).
It might sound weird, but I was also hoping for some great IllumiNations farewell merchandise to help. Obviously, I’ll always have the memories, but tangible reminders are also nice. Seeing my Summer Nightastic shirt still puts a smile on my face. I’ll also forever regret not having a chance to buy the Universe of Energy dinosaur merch; whenever I see someone wearing that in the parks, it brings me bittersweet joy.
My feelings about the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth Farewell merchandise are…less positive.
I don’t expect everything Walt Disney World does to cater to me personally. Be it in terms of attractions, entertainment, or even souvenirs. I’m not the target audience for a lot of things, or even most things; I respect and understand this.
The style here is just a colossal letdown to me, though.
The jubilant, cartoony style feels at-odds with the tone and message of IllumiNations. It makes me wonder if whomever approved these items had ever even seen IllumiNations.
Everything about these designs just feels off. From the use of Mickey and Minnie to the font and graphics.
It’s like if you created goodbye merchandise for ‘Happily Ever After’ but then used imagery from Spaceship Earth and the Star Wars font. All things that are separately cool, but don’t make any sense packaged together.
I love Figment and am really happy that he’s used in so many festival designs, but even he is a curious choice for an IllumiNations farewell shirt. (Especially this cutesy character model of Figment.)
Don’t get me wrong, these are some neat designs at their core…but not for IllumiNations.
I don’t know, perhaps I’m being unreasonable or my expectations are too high.
Walt Disney World’s merchandise team has done such an exceptional job with so much classic and retro-inspired EPCOT Center merchandise that I expected something better, and appropriate for IllumiNations. I assumed they’d deliver something for the farewell of IllumiNations that strikes the right tone and pays homage to the legacy of this beautiful show.
Instead, we got items that seem like they could be repurposed for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway with a few clicks in a graphic design program.
I’m probably in the minority on this, though. I’ve already seen several guests wearing the Figment shirt in Epcot. Oh well. I’ll just save my money and see what the Epcot Forever merchandise brings in terms of designs.
On a more upbeat note, the Art of Disney Window once again has a new display. This time, it’s Figment along with some fun Figment pieces of art.
Here are some other views of the Figment display:
Epcot’s window display game has gotten really strong.
Art of Disney, MouseGear, and World Traveler all have great displays that change with some degree of regularity. It’s a little thing, but it makes a difference.
In our last Epcot Update, we shared some photos of a beautiful surprise sunset. That’s not the only one of those we’ve had this week.
The stormy weather is a mixed bag, with the obvious downside being the rain. There’s also the dull, grey skies that follow, which make photos just look flat. However, in the hours before the storm, the clouds can look great. Likewise, after storms there’s a lot of potential for colorful sunsets.
Same with dusk and deep blue night skies. While waiting around for IllumiNations in China, I balanced my camera on this railing and took this.
One of my goals between now and the end of summer is to photograph IllumiNations from new-to-me vantages in each World Showcase country. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my tripod, so I’ll need a do-over on China.
Finally, a post-IllumiNations photo of Mexico.
Per tradition, we did the slow stroll out of Epcot following IllumiNations. I really hope Epcot Forever is accompanied by an equally good pre and post-show music loop. Oh, and some brilliant, retro-inspired merchandise that offers fresh twists on classic styles.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of the Illuminations Farewell merchandise? Am I being unreasonable, or do you agree that these things miss the mark in terms of IllumiNations’ tone and message? Thoughts on the Epcot window displays? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
This has always been my favorite nighttime show across both coasts, too! I will miss it. I hope the new show has more similarities than not. HEA and SWAGS aren’t my favorites. In general, I could do without projections. But nothing can compare to the nighttime parades! As for the merch, I do like aspects of the designs, but not for this. One of the things that makes me not a fan overall, they are crazy busy! So many words in that whimsical font. The ornament design is about the only one I would consider, but maybe that’s because it’s so small, it feels less busy. Totally agree about it being very reminiscent (understatement really) of M&M Runaway RR.
You are definitely not being unreasonable! I have been a huge RoE fan since its debut and was really looking forward to seeing what Disney had in store for the farewell merch. But, I was really let down with it. And as someone with a graphic design degree, just downright confused. I was hoping for something that harkened back to the Millennium Celebration, where it all began. Something more serious and heartfelt. Instead we get…cartoons? A cool design in and of itself I guess …but NOT for my beloved RoE. As you said, it just doesn’t make sense and feels disjointed. Unfortunately I’ve felt the same exact way about many of Disney’s recent changes. Hoping for something heartfelt, but instead getting cartoons.
Totally agree about the farewell merch for Illuminations. I will really miss this show, but am so happy for the memories I had watching it so many times with my dad. I can hear the introduction to the show in my head now, when Jim Cummings blows out the torches… chills! I do hope that they keep the spirit of the show alive! Thanks for you perspective Tom & Sarah!
The first photo of the backdrop display is giving me Genndy Tartakovsky vibes.
Any merchandise which includes Figment is beautiful and wonderful regardless of color scheme or animation (as you can tell i have a Figment bias)
The rest of the non-Figment Illuminations merchandise is ok but too whimsical for ROE theme.
Does anyone know if The Frozen After Dessert party will be ending with Illuminations ending or will it continue with the interim show? We are going in December.
None of the merchandise has any appeal to me. I am just thankful that we get to see it one last time. Our family has enjoyed slushies while watching Illuminations for years and it will be sad to see it go. I am also very apprehensive about the change based on Happily Ever After replacing Wishes. I may be in the minority but I think the night time entertainment at the Magic Kingdom is at its worse right now with no night time parade. To me, it seems like there is less emotion, symphony, and story telling these days. I’m hoping the replacement for Illuminations is not another disjointed montage of Disney I.P. with a kids bop, pop tune.
While I’d disagree that Wishes is better than Happily Ever After, that’s a matter of personal opinion/preference.
There is little denying that Wishes + SpectroMagic (or literally any Disney nighttime parade ever) is far superior to Happily Ever After alone.
100% agree with your night entertainment opinion. I preferred the Wishes/SpectroMagic/Main St Electrical Parade over HEA.
edit: 100% agree with KenR (sorry Tom)
I agree about “less emotion, symphony, and story telling…”
Maybe I’m just getting old and cranky, but I miss what I remember as so much more backstory, etc., to tweak your imagination and help you feel transported, if you will, by the different Disney rides/attractions.
I guess its hard not to include at least one character on the merch (I doubt it would appeal to kids otherwise), but they could have done a better job – it really does seem as not a lot of effort was put into the designs.
PS: Tom, you forgot to include in the update the information on the price increase for the reusable bags mentioned in the intro.
“PS: Tom, you forgot to include in the update the information on the price increase for the reusable bags mentioned in the intro.”
Ah, I forgot to remove that.
Basically, the price of reusable bags increased last week along with many other things. I had a lengthy rant prepared about this, but decided to cut it at the last minute because I thought it would provoke some heated responses. After the recent reader comments about price increases, strollers, smoking, etc., I’m starting to tire of such topics. Suffice to say, I’m not pleased with any price increase on reusable bags.
I was in WDW last week and wanted a shopping bag to take home and use. I waited until the end of the trip and thought to myself, “hmm” I thought this was a different price yesterday when I looked at it. I literally bought it the day the prices increased! Oh well. It’s just a buck, but given that these are pretty low quality and likely won’t last long (compared to what you can get at a place like Trader Joes, for example) it’s a bit annoying.
I’m also let down by the merchandise. And I was prepared to buy it all. This would have been ok if they wanted to have some regular IllumiNations merch. Not for its farewell. It’s not in the spirit of the show, and the irregular punctuation disregards the significance of its name. I do like the nod of Mickey blowing out the torch, but I’d never wear a shirt like that so *shruggy shoulders*
All I can say is the new shows better have MORE pyro, not less. While the castle projections are pretty cool now, the original versions sucked big time. And less pyro is never acceptable.
Agreed!
Less pyro would be distinctly unpatriotic 😉
Caroline, that’s for damn sure!
Are the Farewell Illuminations Magic Bands now available? I’ve asked for one for my birthday!!
I agree! I don’t think the merch is the right tone for Illuminations, Reflections of Earth. It’s a beautiful reflective show about how people around the world are all united in that we’re joined together here on Earth with each circle around the sun. How we come together in all nations to create and move the Earth forward. Each culture brings something different and unique to all of our well being and “We Go On” to discover new things together with each new day bringing a new opportunity! Figment doesn’t make sense to me either. I like the Ornament design though…
Tom, agree 100% about the Illuminations Farewell merch. Like you, Illuminations is near and dear to my heart (there will be ugly crying the last time I see it), and I would have been the target audience for merch. I do not like ANY of it, unfortunately, due to the cartoonish look, as you said. Disney definitely missed the target and lost my money on this one.
I was also hoping for some Illuminations merch that evoked the spirit of the early days of the show, when the Tapestry of Nations parade was also running. That’s the sentimental sweet spot for me, personally. I’ll probably try to get an ornament to have something from the show, but the shirts don’t speak to me for the same reasons you note in this post.