IllumiNations Gets New, Environmentally Friendly Lasers
Who doesn't love the fantastic pyrotechnic effects, dramatic music, and the colorful fountains of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth? Guests visiting Epcot now have yet another reason to love this spectacular night show. In fact, brand-new lasers debuted as part of the show just a few weeks ago, which really add a lot to the overall experience (we have seen them in person, and they are truly a fantastic addition). Here's the official press release about this major news:
Illuminations at Epcot Features New Environmentally Friendly Lasers
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The nighttime spectacular IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth has been thrilling Epcot guests for 15 years. Beginning this holiday season, the fireworks feature new environmentally friendly lasers bursting over the lagoon to enhance the dynamic display.
The new solid-state lasers uses about as much power as an average hair dryer compared to the original ion lasers, and saves approximately 64,000 watts of energy for each show. The new lasers will reduce water consumption by thousands of gallons, and eliminates the need for a water-cooling system.
“These results are impressive and show how one change in one area can make a big difference,” said Tammy Brister, Walt Disney World Environmental Integration director. “This team is a great example of how a single area is working toward The Walt Disney Company 2020 Environmental Stewardship Targets and their Environmental Performance Connection objective.”
Guests familiar with IllumiNations will see a major difference in the brightness and precision of the solid-state lasers.
“Normally you’d see a fuzzy beam coming off of the islands [in World Showcase Lagoon],” Tony Zmorenski, Principal Safety Professional and Laser Safety Officer said. “That’s cool, but now… we can change patterns. We can do complex graphics and multiple beam paths.”
In addition to the environmentally friendly aspect of the show, Tony is excited about the versatility and power of the lasers, and what it means for the show and the Cast Members who put it on every night.
“Everywhere you look it’s a win for everybody. For our guests, for the Cast… it’s going to save us money, it’s going to be easier to maintain, it’s going to be safer to operate,” Tony said. “It’s going to be a gorgeous show.”
PHOTOS: ©2014 Walt Disney World Resort. All Rights Reserved.
A really exciting development. Recognising the need for an environmentally sympathetic laser show the team at EPCOT appear to have found an answer. I can't wait to see the display. If not in person then maybe as part of one your excellent photo journals here on OTPN.
ReplyDeleteI saw the show a couple of times last week... and the new lasers add a lot. The view from Canada was particularly impressive for the new wave patterns coming off the islands.
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