In case you missed it, Epcot’s iconic Illuminations: Reflections of Earth had its last show last night…cue ugly crying here!
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
But there’s still a fireworks show in Epcot, of course, and we get to share the news! Before IllumiNations’ permanent replacement, HarmonioUS, arrives in 2020, Epcot Forever has debuted as the temporary nighttime spectacular!
We got the chance to check out the brand new show tonight and we’re ready to fill you in on all the details! Let’s dive into our first Epcot Forever experience.
Epcot Forever
The show begins with Walt Disney himself describing Epcot while a child sings One Little Spark. And then we’re immersed in memories of this incredible park.
Epcot Forever revolves around a soundtrack of music that guests have loved at Epcot for years. The musical score, which was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, includes classic Epcot tunes such as “Tomorrow’s Child”, “Listen to the Land”, and “One Little Spark” for all you Figment fans!
Epcot Forever
In addition to lasers, fireworks, and lighting displays, Epcot Forever also features a kind of kite technology never before seen in Disney World. These special effects bring some really unique artwork to the sky over World Showcase Lagoon.
Epcot Forever
Our favorite parts of the show undoubtedly include that memorable music — it’s such a joy for all of us 80s kids to hear it again!
The show clocks at about 11 minutes but it went by in the blink of an eye! It’s definitely not as grand or dramatic as other Epcot spectaculars have been, but it’s a great stand-in while we wait for the official replacement for IllumiNations.
Epcot Forever
For the best view of the show, we always recommend dining at certain restaurants in World Showcase that provide fireworks views, like Spice Road Table and Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room.
While we’re still grieving over the end of IllumiNations, we really did enjoy Epcot Forever!
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Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their Epcot Forever media event. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
Are you looking forward to seeing Epcot Forever? Let us know in the comments below!
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Any idea when in 2020 the new show will start?
Dawn, no update from Disney on this.
Does anyone know what the designs on the kites represent? I’ll admit, I was wrong when I gave my initial thoughts about this show. That’s what happens when you view 2 different videos that aren’t done well. The first was taken from far away, and the second was way too dark. This is a good show, but unfortunately, I won’t get to see it in person.
Epcot Forever was a choppy mess. The beautiful Tapestry of Dreams music just cut off and the new walk out music annoying, and not peaceful like the old one. Illuminations was beautiful, interesting, and had such a strong emotional impact, which Epcot Forever doesn’t have at all. Very disappointing. I cannot believe somebody approved that. They should have just continued with Illuminations until HarmonioUS is ready.