WDW Millennium: Tapestry of Nations and Illuminations 2000
Page 5 of 5
After a large burst of fireworks the sky darkens. A single voice echoes over the World Showcase Lagoon accompanied by a guitarist. The Earth Globe illustrates various peoples.
We Go On!
With the stillness of the night there comes a time to
understand
To reach out and touch tomorrow take the future in our hand
We can see a new horizon built on all that we have done
And our dreams begin another thousand circles round the sun
The music builds and a choir joins in the singing:
We go on! Through joy and through the tears.
We go on! To discover new frontiers
Moving on! With the current of the years
We go on! Moving forward now as one
Moving on! With the spirit born to run
Ever on! With each rising sun, to a new day we go on!
-- Lyrics by Don Dorsey, (c) Copyright 1999 Walt Disney Music
The Earth Globe blossoms, bring in a "Higher Meaning"
Trumpets herald the new Millennium! The mighty earth globe opens to reveal a large
flame. Moments later fireworks shower up from this flame. The sky is then lit by
20-30 seconds of continual fireworks and suddenly the sky is dark. All that is left
is the solitary flame burning in the center of the lagoon.
We Go On!
Behind the Scenes
The very high-tech "Reflections of Earth" is 13 minutes long. It requires 67
computers in 40 locations, hundreds of special lighting fixtures, four fountain barges
pumping 5,000 gallons of water per minute, a 150,000-pound inferno barge with 37 nozzles
shooting propane flames into the air, and lasers delivering a kaleidoscope of colors. Some
2,800 shells are exploded during the nightly display -- more than twice the number used in
previous productions. Fireworks are launched from 750 mortar tubes and 56 firing modules
at 34 locations.
The spinning Earth Globe is a 28-foot diameter sphere that becomes a three-story video screen projecting vivid pictorial images that celebrate both human diversity and the unified spirit of humankind. Covered with video screens in the shape of the continents, the twinkling, steel-ribbed Earth Globe rotates on a 350-ton floating island that houses six computer processors, 258 strobe lights and an infrared guidance system. The Earth Glode uses more than 180,000 Light Emitting Diodes create its electronic pictures from around the world.
While the fireworks, lasers and other special effects get much of the attention, it's the story of "Reflections of Earth" that will likely make it a crowd favorite. Much like Epcot itself, "Reflections of Earth" is all about bringing the people of the world together. "The dawn of the third millennium is an appropriate time to look back on our origins, heritage and accomplishments, and to contemplate the course of the future we will build together," said Dorsey. "'Reflections of Earth,' like Epcot itself, is a celebration of our home planet, our humanity and our potential."
Related Links
- Purchase The Illuminations and Tapestry of Nations CD from The LaughingPlace Store
- WDW Millennium: Wand Lighting Ceremony
- WDW Millennium: Journey Into Your Imagination
- WDW Millennium: Merchandise
-- Posted 11/11/99
-- Story by Rebekah and Doobie Moseley
-- Pictures by Doobie Moseley, Rebekah Moseley and Chris Peters