Great Balls of Fire

Lighting Up the World

'IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth' tells the story of our planet through a spectacular combination of lights, water, fireworks and music.

by Sean McDevitt

Those who are lucky enough to witness the visual spectacle known as "IlluminNations: Reflections of Earth" are awed by the nightly finale's dancing flames, cascading fountains and incredible fireworks that light up the sky over Epcot World Showcase Lagoon.

The exhilarating extravaganza tells an important story in a span of 13 minutes. This cosmic event leads to a ballet of fire and "chaos," which represents the origins of the planet. The chaos gives way to a sea of floating pyrotechnic stars on Epcot World Showcase Lagoon. In the process, the stage is set for the centerpiece of the show, a dramatically spinning Earth Globe—a sphere measuring 28 feet in diameter. The Globe is transformed into a three-story wall of video screens—shaped like the continents— that project vivid images paying tribute to human diversity as well as the unified spirit of mankind.

The visual mix is choreographed to an original symphonic score by Gavin Greenaway, a Hollywood motion-picture composer. His powerful composition, blending the melodies and rhythms of many regional cultures, provides the perfect accompaniment for the cascading fountains of water, flames and fireworks.

The technical side of "IllumiNations" is no less remarkable than it's actual presentation. Imagineers like Jerold Kaplan not only had to develop everything from the live fire effects to the lagoon's barges, but they continue to make sure that the many parts of the attraction work together cohesively.

"One of the biggest challenges we have," Kaplan explains, "is getting all the equipment to function well and 'talk' to each other on a nightly basis at exactly the advertised time—that one 13-minute window in the 24-hour-day."

Using more than 180,000 lightemitting diodes, the electronic pictures in "IllumiNations" display primal seas and forests, in addition to tracing the development of landmarks like the Sphinx and Mount Rushmore. The Earth Globe also features diverse visages of famous global citizens like Martin Luther King, Dr. Jonas Salk, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Muhammad Ali and the Dalai Lama. The performance concludes with Earth Globe opening—and a giant fire torch rising 40 feet into the air. A total of 19 torches around the lagoon, and an array of fireworks, create color-rich reflections across the waters.

"My goal was to remind people that our home planet is an amazing place," says Don Dorsey, the show's creator. "This show weaves the story of our planet, using mystical elements that signify unity and peace for all humankind. 'Reflections of Earth,' like Epcot itself, is a celebration of our home planet, our humanity and our potential."

 

By The Numbers

"IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" uses a total of 67 computers in 40 locations, and hundreds of special lighting fixtures.

The 4 fountain barges pump 5,000 gallons of water per minute.

A 150,000-pound inferno barge has 37 nozzles that shoot propane flames into the air as lasers deliver a kaleidoscope of colors.

Some 2,800 shells are exploded during the display—more than twice the number ever used in previous nighttime productions at Epcot.

Fireworks are launched from 750 mortar tubes and 56 firing modules at 34 locations.