Illuminations: Reflections Of Earth
Image Credit Matt Wade|https://www.flickr.com/photos/44768401@N07/4125843005
Image Credit Matt Wade
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Phone (407) 824-4321
Address 200 Epcot Center Dr, World Showcase, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32821
 
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A nighttime show with fireworks, fountains, fire, lasers, and music. It's Epcot's kiss goodnight.
Features
• Type: Fireworks • Type: Movie / Show • Extras: FastPass • Extras: Level: All Ages / Family Friendly • Extras: Loud Noises
• Access: Wheelchair & ECV Accessible
IllumiNations is a 12 minute nighttime show that takes place in the lagoon at the center of World Showcase and thus you can view the show from just about anywhere around the lagoon.

So what is it? It's a fireworks show combined with fountains, fire, laser, music, and other cool effects. It's a pretty neat site to see. An inferno barge shoots fire over 60 feet in the air and a massive (350,000 pound) Earth globe will float out and becomes a 360 degree television.

And in true Disney fashion, there is a story being told which covers how the Earth is born, how life takes over, and how we have hope for the future. It's all quite corny actually and hard to actually follow the story if you ask me. This is one of those times where water, fire, lasers, music, and fireworks are awesome all on their own and don't need a story.

The show itself is fun, especially if you've never seen it before, but feels old and outdated and just not as good as something like World of Color in California's Disneyland Resort.

My main complaint is finding a good viewing spot. Also in typical Disney fashion are the people who camp out for the best spots hours before the show. And when the show starts plenty of rudeness will come out as people push and shove to get in front of you.

The show starts when the park closes and after the show is over the mass of people will be heading towards the exists which makes the transportation to the hotels really slow. So you have two options here. Either watch from the side of the lagoon closest to Innoventions and then leave a minute or two before the show ends. Or, watch the entire show and sit around or shop a bit until the crowds are gone.

Okay, there is a third option as well. Watch from a spot near International Gateway and then you can walk out of Epcot's back door and head to the Boardwalk for a while. Of course, this is best if you're staying at an Epcot area resort. If not you'll need to bus somewhere else like Disney Springs and from there take a bus to your hotel.