
As the chorus holds that last note, 1,000 white fireworks are launched filling the sky while strobe lights on the pavilions and the Earth Globe flash. Two sets of glittering white tailed fireworks are launched from the torch. Photo: Steve Soares / After the globe has opened, the torch ignites and rises 38-feet above the lagoon. Along with the nineteen torches around World Showcase, representing the past centuries, this single one is for the 20th century. The six panels, made of four-inch thick steel, slowly peel away revealing a single torch. The people pass the light from their candle on to the next person.Īs "We Go On" continues to play, The Earth Globe gradually begins to open up. People begin to hold hands as small white lights on the surface of the lagoon begin to glow and flicker. This symbolizes not only the unity of people on Earth but also how everyone is connected. Then images of athletes carrying a torch give way to images of other torches and candles burning brightly. White searchlights, angled up towards the sky, meet above the center of the lagoon. The celebration of man continues with laser lights, colored spotlights, and fireworks.Īs the gas torches, standing 26-feet tall, are lit around World Showcase, Act III is underscored by the only vocal-accompanied song in the show, "We Go On." The video screens on the Earth Globe now begin to show people of various ethnic backgrounds coming together. As civilization starts to take hold and man appears the countries exteriors around World Showcase are lit up.

Various images begin to appear: forests and trees, animals, famous world landmarks, and man.Ī white, galloping horse freezes and becomes a cave painting… It's a subtle transition, but it's this image that symbolizes man's arrival on Earth. As the newly formed Earth cools, the rotating Globe goes from white to red to blue to green. It's a very calm opening with no fireworks, only the lagoon-based fountains surrounding The Earth Globe. Near the American Adventure pavilion, The Earth Globe, and the barge it rests on, moves towards the center of the lagoon. Since its LED screens are off for the first two minutes and the Globe is brown in color it appears invisible at night. This act is told through lasers, fireworks, and the Inferno Barge.Īs the final burst of fireworks finishes overhead, The Earth Globe appears. There are explosions, eruptions, spewing fire and spouting water. The drums pound faster until a screech is heard as a lone firework races up and arcs towards the middle of the lagoon only to explode and start the chaos that is the creation of the universe and eventually the Earth. The show starts off with a slow drumbeat in the darkness. Lighting on Spaceship Earth is reduced and then.Illuminations begins. Right after the announcement, the announcer "blows" out the torches and the lighting around the lagoon. We hope you enjoy our story tonight Reflections of Earth."

And though each of us has our own individual stories to tell, a true adventure emerges when we bring them all together as one. An amazing story, as old as time itself, but still being written. We've gathered here tonight, around the fire, as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years before us to share the light and to share a story. On behalf of Walt Disney World, the place where dreams come true, we welcome all of you to Epcot and World Showcase. It is told through: An Introduction, Act I: Chaos, Act II: Order, Act III: Meaning, and a Post Show. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.įor those who have never seen the show or for those who saw it a while ago, the show is an emotional journey through the past, present, and future. One of those experiences is seeing Epcot's current lagoon spectacular. For those who have been there before, reliving experiences and memories of restaurants, attractions, and shows are just as important (and sometimes more important) as creating new memories. Back to the Future – Illuminations: Reflections of EarthĮvery year, millions of people visit the Walt Disney World Resort.
