Article courtesy Epcot^â Brand Management

ILLUMINATIONS 2000: REFLECTIONS OF EARTH
Epcot^â
Lake Buena Vista, FL

"ILLUMINATIONS 2000: 
REFLECTIONS OF EARTH" 
IS NIGHTLY EPCOT^â FINALE

Dancing flames, cascading fountains and eye-popping fireworks synchronized to a dramatic musical score light the skies and decorate the lagoon of Epcot's^â World Showcase during the all-new "IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth."

The nightly spectacle, created by Show Director Don Dorsey, is the grand finale of each day's 15-month Walt Disney World^â Millennium Celebration which began last October and continues through January 1, 2001.

"IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth" begins with a cosmic event that leads to a ballet of fire and "chaos" signifying the origins of the planet. That mayhem transforms into a sea of floating pyrotechnic stars on World Showcase Lagoon, setting the stage for the appearance of the show's centerpiece, Earth Globe.

The dramatically spinning Earth Globe, a 28-foot diameter sphere, becomes a three-story video screen projecting vivid pictorial images that celebrate both human diversity and the unified spirit of mankind.

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.

Using more than 180,000 Light Emitting Diodes, the electronic pictures depict primal seas and forest and the development of famous cultural landmarks including the Himalayas, the Sphinx, the Easter Island statues and Mount Rushmore. Diverse visages of famous people from around the world such as Martin Luther King, Dr. Jonas Salk, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Mohammad Ali, and the Dalai Lama are captured on the Earth Globe sphere during the presentation.

A dazzling visual mix of leaping fountains of water, fire and fireworks is choreographed to a symphonic score crafted by British television and Hollywood motion-picture composer Gavin Greenaway. This powerful composition blends the melodies and rhythms of many regional cultures with an uplifting, unifying theme.

The inspiring performance concludes with the Earth Globe opening up like a lotus flower. From its heart emerges giant fire torch rising 40 feet into the air. Nineteen additional torches ringing the lagoon combine with a confetti of fireworks creating color-rich reflections across rippling waters.

"My goal was to remind people that our home planet is an amazing place, especially during one of the most unique celebrations in history," said Dorsey. "This show weaves the story of our planet, using mystical elements that signify unity and peace for all humankind."

The 13-minute show requires 67 computers in 40 locations, hundreds of special lighting fixtures, four fountain barges pumping 5,000 gallons 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 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^â itself, is a celebration of our home planet, our humanity and our potential."