Originally Posted By LindsayC According to Wikipedia Illuminations: Reflections of Earth soft opened on September 23rd 1999 - a few days before the official opening on October 1st. ROE has been my favourite Disney show since then - no trip to WDW is complete without seeing it - and I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since the Millennium kick-off. I posted a couple of photos on our blog: <a href="http://artoftellingtales.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://artoftellingtales.blogspot.com/</a>
Originally Posted By disney pete Happy anniversary ROE looking forward to seeing it again on 10th oct.
Originally Posted By Mr X Wow, too weird. I actually saw that speak preview on the 23rd quite by accident (I was in fact LEAVING the park under the assumption that it was the same old show I'd just seen the week before, walking somewhere near the Mexico pavilion when that first rocket went up and I was like "hmm, THAT'S different" and stayed to watch). 10 years, eh? Time sure flies when you're getting old! Happy anniversary to a cool show!
Originally Posted By irishfan I was actually lucky enough to be there on the 23rd as well! I was on a bus from Downtown Disney to my hotel when the bus driver told us it was going to premiere that night. Needless to say I made my way over to Epcot. Loved the show back then, and still love it today. It's my favorite "Disney Theme Park" score.
Originally Posted By Mr X I'm surprised the driver knew about it. I was hanging out with entertainment people *from* Epcot all day and nobody mentioned it (perhaps they just didn't care lol).
Originally Posted By danyoung Nice pics on your blog, Lindsay. IllumiNations is my 2nd favorite outdoor mixed media show, right behind DL's Fantasmic! I can't wait to see it multiple times within the next week!!!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I'm surprised the driver knew about it. << Bus drivers know everything that is going on or planned for WDW.
Originally Posted By leemac Wow, it has been ten years already? That show is testimony to the strengths of the creative team - it was a ground-breaking show that literally breathed new life into Epcot. It took IllumiNations to a whole new level of storytelling, pyro and music. The score is still my favorite show music - Gavin Greenaway's score fluctuates wildly between intimacy and epic and works perfectly. We Go On is simply wonderful. He struck gold with his other score for Disney too - BraviSEAmo. A very talented classical composer who completely understands pomp, circumstance and grandeur. I'll always remvember opening night on October 1 and the performance on Millennium Eve. There are times when I wish it was updated (and enough talented folks have tried to convince WDW to do that) but then I wonder if it is wise to toy with perfection. Do we need a bigger, snazzier globe for instance? I'm torn. I'm just glad it is still performed nightly unlike its nighttime brethern in other parks. And I'd like to know if there is anyone else that can take fireworks photos like Lindsay....I sure can't!
Originally Posted By MPierce In my opinion, it would be very difficult to alter the present performace, and hope to achieve something better. While it's always exciting to get new things at WDW, somethings should not be tampered with. When the time comes ROE should simply be retired.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo This was without a doubt the most awe inspiring nightly show I had seen by our honeymoon in 2000. I am torn as to whether I prefer Remember or ROE as all time best shows, but there is no doubt that Tapestry and ROE were two of the finest, most emotionally amazing, and wonderfully scored shows created in our life times. I adore the score of ROE, and even sitting at home or just thinking about it makes me mist up. The story and messages, the images on the globe, the giddy feeling. It is honestly one of the very best reasons to go to Florida.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ^^^^Agreed, davewasbaloo. The score of ROE and Tapestry is one of my absolute favorites. My soundtrack CD is probably warped from my playing it so much. ROE can still bring me to tears. At one time I thought it needed to be refreshed, but I really do love it just as it is. It is quintessential Disney.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...there is no doubt that Tapestry and ROE were two of the finest, most emotionally amazing, and wonderfully scored shows created in our life times.< I had my problems with the Tapestry parade. I mean, it was beautiful and unique, but when the 2nd float came by and was the same as the first, and then the 3rd and then the 4th, I really felt cheated. I understand the concept of all the drummers around the WS, but I still think they should have done something a little different with each float. But I totally love the music track, and am glad that Disney still uses it for walkout music after IllumiNations. And Nikki, a totally wore out a cassette and almost wore out a cd before I got an mp3 player. I also have downloaded from various sources the pre-show music that used to play in the late 90's and early 00's. It really sets the mood for listening to the IllumiNations soundtrack!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Happy Anniversary to the best show WDE has created. The story of the world, and it's nations as told through music, pyro,lights, and water. Amazing.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 All of the preceeding posts perfectly stated my feelings too. Thank you whoever created Tapestry and ROE. Dan if you were female, you'd probably like the men with the drums better, I sure liked looking at them, I mean listening to them.
Originally Posted By danyoung Actually there was a (male) drummer in the Lion King Parade in DL that was just incredible to watch - a huge guy who just put everything he had into playing those drums. He was the star of the show for me!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I absolutely love ROE, but I also want to see it replaced. By an even better show. It debutted for the Milennium and had a very simple message about living together and going on ... it seemed like the 21st century held all sorts of possibilities for mankind ... and then ... recession ... 9/11 ... terrorism in Spain .. in the UK ... two wars involving the USA ... a worldwide economic meltdown. I dunno, some folks might say its core message is more timely now than ever. But I think it's time for something newer and fresher, something that celebrates EPCOT's themes but in a different way. The 21st century is here and it sure wasn't the happy world we all hoped for when Y2K came ... guess I'm going off-topic a bit ... but I don't buy into or believe that any shows should stay forever. As great as ROE is, it can be topped and I'd like to see Disney do so. That said, I'd not be surprised to see the same show running a decade from now. This IS Disney we're talking about, after all.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Spirit- If they kept the music, message and integral theme, I would be happy. You are right though, it can be topped...And to do that, I would think they could just modernize the effects. Would that be plausible?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 they have so many other things badly in need of upgrading - ROE should wait - just my humble opine. I am jsut afraid that what we get will NOT compare with what we already have.. I do think the message still very much applies as much around us sucks right now
