Just six days after the final showing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, aerial images from Twitter user @bioreconstruct have shown the remains of the former Earth Globe, which is currently being dismantled backstage at Epcot.
Aerial look at demolition of the signature globe of Illuminations Reflections of Earth. 6 days after the final show. pic.twitter.com/5lsnTKQO8z
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) October 6, 2019
During WDWNT’s very own Reflections of Forever panel on IllumiNations, many attendees asked Imagineers and creators present regarding the future of the Earth Globe, but even then the destiny of the nighttime spectacular’s illuminated centerpiece was still uncertain.
It is still unknown whether Disney will repurpose these parts for the show’s permanent replacement, HarmonioUS, which will debut after Epcot Forever’s short-lived run, or whether these iconic globe pieces are destined for scrap metal.
If this has you feeling nostalgic for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”, you can re-live the final showing in the video below:
Featured Image: @bioreconstruct on Twitter
It would’ve been nice for them to incorporate this somewhere on property as a lasting tribute to the show and the meaning behind the show. But hey…that’s none of my business.
Sad to see it destroyed.
Man…it’s hard to look at that. The show seemed all the more touching in recent years, as those Y2K-era dreams look so quaint and optimistic compared to the colossal world-historical disappointment the actual 21st century has turned out to be so far.
A “new Epcot” was obviously needed, but the actual changes they’ve come up with are a mixed bag, not particularly offensive but mostly pretty safe rather than a reinvigoration of the park’s real spirit. Although the cosmetic/landscaping stuff is great, and the Spaceship Earth refresh has a chance of being an improvement, the Marvel roller coaster can only be received with resignation, and the decommissioning of Future World is truly ominous.
I would have liked to see something that was simultaneously more faithful and more daring. Hiding behind themes like “Story” and “Celebration” and “Play” is a cop-out. There are plenty of other Magic Kingdoms already (e.g., every other theme park in the world).
It was risky to be about the future, and at times Epcot has paid the price for that, but it’s also why it was ever worth building in the first place. The late 70s were almost as grim in some ways as our own time, but if boldly envisioning something better isn’t “Disney” enough, then what is?
I had hoped they might use this in the new Leave A Legacy area. Which would be a great back drop for pics and give those of us who LOVED the show, the option to see a little bit of it when we visit.
Oh well…guess i was wrong. Shame.
I do not like EPCOT anymore.
I do not like EPCOT any more. “thanks a lot” Disney
Ignore the one below.