Cue the waterworks (and not for the usual reason!)! After months of speculation on the interwebs, Disney Parks Blog confirmed today that Epcot’s beloved IllumiNations Fireworks Spectacular is coming to an end!
We know, we know: this is a huge blow to thousands of IllumiNations fans who stake out their spots (and carefully book their ADRs) to catch the fireworks, torch, laser, and light-up-globe show. Unfortunately, we’ll all have to “go on” starting in the second half of 2019, when Disney plans to begin a new show immediately after the final finale of IllumiNations.
The new show is described as an “all-new nighttime fireworks spectacular”, and the “new thrills” are already being designed. Will this new show help us “take the future in our hand”? We won’t know until it begins, but we do know that “with each rising sun / we (reluctantly, in this case) go on.”
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We know you have some strong feelings about this news! Let us hear it in the comments (and don’t forget to tell your IllumiNations buddies the bad news!).
Aida Arthur says
This is not good news! I just hope they can keep the music!
Bellamouse says
Very excited for something new. It is a very, very tired show IMO. The same for far too long. We never stay and watch it anymore. But I’m sure there will be others who disagree! Cant wait to hear what the new show theme will be.
Jackpast says
I miss the ‘90’s illuminations using Handel’s Fire and Water music! Looking forward to something new.
Natalie says
About time! Yay!
Tom says
IllumiNations had a great run, but glad to see it is being retired.
I am looking forward to the new show. Nothing quite beats watching fireworks over the lagoon with the Ball in the background!
Jamie Allie says
I LOVE Illuminations, but I agree that it’s time for something new. If you want to hear a little about the new show, check out TouringPlans’ podcast, with Len Testa and Jim Hill. They discuss this a bit, a few episodes back. I hope I can catch Illuminations one more time before it goes away, but either way, I’m excited to see what the new show will be. The music better be just as good, if not better! 🙂
Kirsten says
Yay! This is the most boring fireworks show at WDW. The only thing I like about it is afterwards hearing the Tapestry of Nations music while leaving the park
Eileen says
Yippie!!
And THAT’S why it’s the Happiest Place on Earth!
Nicole H says
It’s about time. Such a boring and outdated show, especially in comparison to the other spectacular nighttime shows at WDW. We’ll be there in November 2019 and I’m hoping to see something new and exciting then!
Virginia C. Molloy says
I’m VERY SAD to see illuminations leaving!!!!
Caryn says
Noooooooo! Our absolute favorite thing at the parks. The meaning is so important, especially now.
Having done an intense year of Disney on annual passes that ended this past winter, I’d hoped to wait a few years for our next trip. Looks like we’ll have to get back sooner than I thought.
Thanks for the heads up.
Kelly says
Your not changing The Extra Christmas part are you ?? Please don’t . Let There Be Peace on Earth Is The Best !!!! One always walks away with a touch more warmth in your heart. We all know this world could use that .
Shari says
Illuminations has it been the same for me since the original was taken down. I used to love when the spotlight would highlight each country and play a song for them. The Can-Can for France and so on and then finally Rhaposdy in Blue for the US. It used to give me chills. The “newer” shows that came for the millennium and this version now have always paled in comparison. They are boring and I never ever watch them. Glad to hear they are moving on!
Donna says
O no!!! I love the Illumination!!!! I highly recommend it to everyone!! It will sadly be missed but I guess it’s time to move on to something new.
David says
Seeing the negative comments made me angry, so I guess I better comment as well. Illuminations is currently the best firework show at WDW, now that Wishes is gone. It’s beautiful, perfectly telegraphed, with excellent music. It’s by far the most inspiring, makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and partly due to nostalgia makes me a little teary. Emotion is what I want from a fireworks show. When I first saw it at age 16, it was the best thing I experienced at Disney and was the most defining moment in the entire trip. Without that, maybe I wouldn’t have got hooked on Disney at all. It’s no wonder it had this long of a run. I only Wishes hadn’t been cut so fast, which similarly made me have an emotional response.
Rosemarie Missmer says
Yes, yes, yes!! The music from Tapestry of Nations should be included in the new fireworks, etc. for 2019, not when you are leaving EPCOT.
George says
Illuminations always pulls at the heart strings but it has lost its luster. It used to be we couldn’t wait to see it but now it doesn’t matter if we see it. Definitely looking forward to something new that will once again stir the heart and the senses.
Sharon A says
Sad to see it go ?. But, knowing Disney, We won’t be sad for long….. I’m sure the new show will be spectacular!!!
Joni says
Time for a change, but I’m d still LOVE to see the tapestry of nations parade make a comeback. That was absolutely the best parade in any of the parks by far
Rhonda Cole says
So ready for a change!! Yay!!
Jean B says
I am just so sad about this, though I know it is time for a change. Thank heavens I have the music so I can always listen. With Illuminations as a model, I am sure the new show will be just as beautiful. The rumors of Gardians of the Galaxy & Ratatouille tie-ins is a tiny bit scary, but I am anxious to see what they come up with. With Disney it’s pretty much a win-win (most of the time)
Pam Kiessling says
I am among those who think Epcot needs a new nighttime spectacular. While I enjoyed Illuminations for many years, I haven’t seen it in several years. I was actually more sad to see the parade go. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Donna says
It’s sad to see another thing end at Disney World. So many changes going on, and just when you think nothing could be better, the Imagineers come up with something better. Will look forward to the new experience.
Marie says
This is a bummer, but 20 years is a great run! I have faith that the new show will live up to Illuminations. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
NENolan says
So we at least have another 11 months to enjoy Illuminations so that’s something. We will be definitely catching it a couple of times on our trip in December. I think I will miss the music even more than the show itself. I have loads of memories when I hear that music. I’m concerned that the next show will be heavy on IP and I’ve heard some murmurings that is what Disney plans to do. I’m not sure how I feel about that. That would go against Epcot’s message and I would prefer something unique to the park itself instead of just a rehash of Happily Ever After. Nothing wrong with HEA where it is but I think it’s lazy just to gear all yours show to IP.
Carole Ezekiel says
It’s been a nice show, but we go so often, that it has become boring. Change is always hard, but they usually replace with just as good, or better shows. We are going in March, so I guess we will see it once more.
Linda Hillebrand says
Sorry, clueless here–What’s IP? I’m assuming HEA is Happily Ever After
Joe says
Loved illumiNaions had a great run but was getting out dated looking forward to something else.
Jess says
Illuminations is my favorite fireworks show. I understand the need for change, but I feel like Disney is taking away too many of the nostalgic aspects all at once
Susan says
Sad to see Illiminations end, the music is so beautiful. Knowing Disney magic they’ll create another fireworks display for us to marvel.
Rebecca B says
I like illuminations, but it’s had a good run and I’m excited for something new. I was REALLY sad when Wishes ended, but then I saw Happily Ever After and I really love it. I still miss parts of the Wishes show, but Happily Ever After is so well done and well updated, that I’m sure a new generation will grow up loving it. I feel like we can trust Disney to put out a great new show after Illuminations is retired. I’ll download the music from Illuminations and remember it fondly, but I think whatever they replace it with will probably be great too.
RJ says
I just tried to book the Frozen Dessert Party since I’m going to be in Epcot on Sept 10th, but it only is bookable through July. I wonder why because I want to do this!
DFB Sarah says
RJ, don’t panic! They’ve been releasing the dates for the Frozen Dessert Party much closer to party dates. Keep checking, and we’ll post when we see an updated timeline!