Bid a fond farewell to IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth PICTURED: Tribute artwork by Kim Gromoll for Epcot® International Festival of the Arts. In this Issue It’s time to have big fun in the summer sun here at Walt Disney World® Resort. There’s plenty to see and do throughout all four Theme Parks, Disney Springs® and beyond. So come say goodbye Say “Goodbye” to an Epcot® spectacular. Let Your Adventure Begin at to IllumiNations: Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Have a wicked good time Reflections of Earth during a new Magic Kingdom® event. And find new ways to his summer, join us in bidding a celebrate The Lion King at T fond farewell to the IllumiNations: Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Reflections of Earth nighttime Theme Park. You’ll even spectacular at Epcot® after a dazzling discover a thrilling new 20-year run. The last show will be basketball experience at September 30, and it will be followed by Disney Springs®, Water Park the debut of a new limited-time show–– fun for everyone, exciting new Epcot® Forever. But before we look merchandise and more! ahead, we wanted to take a look back at how IllumiNations came to be and Hope to see ya real soon, celebrate its long history. We sat down with Vice President of Live Entertainment Your Passholder Bettina Buckley to get the scoop. Not Program Friends only was Bettina the producer on the original version of the show in the ‘80s and ‘90s, she also worked with the team that created the current version. How did IllumiNations come to be? Bettina: We had experimented with a variety of nighttime shows on World Showcase Lagoon from the time Epcot® opened in 1982. IllumiNations was a big step up when the first version of that show debuted in January 1988. 2 How long did it take to develop from ran for several seasons in the mid-’90s. concept to debut? IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth has remained relatively unchanged for the Bettina: The current show, past two decades. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, opened as part of our Millennium What’s the feeling of saying goodbye Celebration in October 1999 after to this classic show? more than two years of development. Bettina: It’s had such a great run, and Any interesting anecdotes about the popularity of the show can really bringing the show to life? be attributed to its unbeatable music and message of hope. Not only does Bettina: The original IllumiNations the show look back at our history show in 1988 was the first time we and our planet, but it reflects on the introduced technology allowing us to things we have done and how far program the launch of fireworks in time we’ve come. What’s great about live with music cues. It was a new artistic entertainment in our Parks is that we’re tool for us and really changed the able to change things and keep the game in many ways. On IllumiNations: experience fresh and new. We’ve loved Reflections of Earth, our biggest IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth for challenge was creating the Earth 20 years, and now we’re excited for Globe. It was the world’s first spherical what the future holds. video display system, with continent- shaped LED screens covering a globe three stories high. It took a lot of effort to get everything working just right. So gather around World Showcase Lagoon one last time to enjoy this How has it evolved over the years? breathtaking display of lasers, lights and fireworks. And join us in embracing Bettina: There have been several versions of IllumiNations over the years, the future of Epcot®…and all the magic including a special edition for the Walt still to come. Disney World® 25th anniversary in 1996 and a holiday IllumiNations show that 3 a* a Step out in style in this fabulous Figment e Stick with this limited-release pin starring raglan-style shirt. Mickey Mouse. b Carry a torch for this marvelously magical f Get this limited-edition pin featuring Epcot® Mickey tee. mascot Figment. c Give a big hats off (or on) to IllumiNations: g Add this magical Mickey youth tee to your Reflections of Earth with this cool cap. farewell collection. d Adorn your wrist with this most spectacular * Exclusive Annual Passholder merchandise of MagicBands. available at Mouse Gear. c b IllumiNations: Reflections of d Earth Farewell Merchandise Show your love for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and its dazzling 20-year run with this fabulous farewell merchandise collection. Because while the show will always e be in your heart, we think it should also be on your head… and your wrist…and your lanyard. Visit Epcot® beginning June 17 to purchase the goods. And don’t forget to use your 20% Passholder discount. g f* Outside Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Let Your Adventures Begin at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® ere at Walt Disney World® Resort, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. H not only are we celebrating the It continued with Wonderful World 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood of Animation—an excitement-packed Studios®, we’re celebrating the new projection show on the façade of The attractions and lands that make a day Chinese Theatre that immerses you in here even more extraordinary as well. an unprecedented collection of over 90 years of Disney and Pixar animated films. And beginning August 29, experience “…Guests will feel like they’ve the smells and tastes of a cantina set in stepped right into their favorite a galaxy far, far away and feel the rush of films...(and) get to experience taking control of the Millennium Falcon in the much-anticipated new land, Star their own adventures! ” Wars™: Galaxy’s Edge*. Finally, enter a crazy cartoon world as you embark on a wacky railroad escapade aboard Mickey The Park’s remarkable transformation and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. began with the opening of Toy Story Land, the addition of Disney We spoke with Disney’s Hollywood Junior Dance Party! and the debut of Studios® Vice President Phil Holmes 6 about the Park’s evolution and he perfectly. From brassy horns near was understandably enthused. He Echo Lake and jazz at the BaseLine explained, “Right now, Disney’s Tap House to the sounds of live Hollywood Studios® is such an exciting performances outside Rock ’n’ Roller place to be as we’re in the midst Coaster® Starring Aerosmith, it truly of unprecedented growth. We are is music to your ears.” transforming the Park into a place And how does he want Guests to where Guests will feel like they’ve feel after spending a day at Disney’s stepped right into their favorite films, Hollywood Studios®? Fabulous of and on top of that, they’ll get to course! “It’s no secret that our Guests experience their own adventures!” love the stories we create at our Parks. When asked in what ways the Park is Only Disney can let you live your own changing beyond what you can see Star Wars™ story, step into Andy’s and experience, Phil answered, “It’s not backyard or be in an episode of The just new lands or even new attractions Twilight Zone. My hope is Guests we’re transforming. It’s the sights, visiting the Park will feel the true magic smells and even sounds. For example, of Hollywood, a place where everyone we know that every great movie has can live their adventures together, a soundtrack that sets the tone and making memories to last a lifetime.” supports the narrative. With that in Your adventure is waiting. Come live it mind, we worked with Walt Disney today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Imagineering to update the music throughout the Park, complementing *Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its experiences each area’s setting and timeframe are limited. 7 Artist Rendering Explore More to Make You Roar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park n the last issue of the Mickey Monitor, enhanced version of the show will tell a I we talked about celebrating your love new story about our connections with of The Lion King as part of the 25th animals through new footage from anniversary of the animated classic. Disneynature and classic moments from Well now we have even more to roar Disney animated films including The about at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lion King.” He also added, “Guests Theme Park! And not only will you be really respond to beloved Characters able to get down at the new Hakuna and stories from Disney animation, so Matata Time Dance Party and revel in we want to use moments from great the vibrant Festival of The Lion King films to illustrate the emotions and show, you’ll discover new enchantment milestones we all share in our journey at the Tree of Life® and during Rivers of through the great circle of life.” Light as well. Finally, when asked how he felt the First, watch the Park’s iconic tree show would inspire Guests, James become even more stunning during said, “I hope Guests will come Tree of Life Awakenings. Because away from Rivers of Light: We Are beginning Memorial Day weekend, One impassioned by the emotional the show will include brand-new experience and inspired to protect awakening scenes with a new story our animal brethren and the planet depicting moments from Simba’s we all call home.” journey set to evocative music inspired by the score of The Lion King. Come celebrate all things wild, wonderful and new. This summer at Then get ready for the next chapter of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.