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There are Disney fans, and there are Disney stans. And Theresa falls in line with the stans when it comes to her beloved EPCOT. This park is undergoing a lot of changes in the next few years and we happened to be together to experience one of them: the newest spectacular, EPCOT Forever. It’s definitely #NotIllumiNations but… it has some charm, too. 

 

Fangirling EPCOT Forever (Or Are We?) Cause… #NotIllumiNations

Big ol’ Epcot nerd and IllumiNations stan Theresa is back- and we have her first reaction to the new Epcot show.

Immediate first reaction- we went from the Japan Pavilion to the Podcast booth to fangirl this one.

If you have feelings about the old show, the new one, or just want to try to understand why people do: this is the Disney World Fangirling show for you!

Find Theresa @in.sight.full.life on Instagram or @GertieTheDino on Twitter

EPCOT Forever Pictures

I didn’t have a fancy camera but managed to get a few shots of the show from our location. 

This location is great because it’s above the crowds a bit and we had plenty of room to line up and see the show. I tried to sneak some pictures of Theresa’s reactions but it was also pretty dark up there, so whomp whomp those have to stay mental images. 

Trust me, they were priceless! 

And on the podcast, we mentioned this picture. This is where Theresa shows her disdain for the Guardians of the Galaxy invasion of Epcot. And I, obviously, am thrilled it’s happening!

She’s going to love it- even though she keeps saying she won’t! ha!

You can hear all that discussion when we fangirled Epcot properly on this podcast.

But back to EPCOT Forever.

Here are a few of the fireworks shots I did manage to grab.

I like the show! And unlike IllumiNations, I could see myself taking extra time to watch this one more often over the next year. 

 

 

 

 

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There are always movies to review coming to theaters so there’s always something to talk about.

Speaking of: we’ve got a No-Guilt Fangirls Facebook group too. We’re cool, and if you’re cool with being cool, then come hang out with the cool kids!

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Transcript For EPCOT Forever

*Please note: this is unedited and transcribed by AI- so it’s not perfect. But, hopefully, it is helpful for those that prefer or have a need to read rather than listen.  – Patty
 

 

Patty  0:08  
To all who come to our happy place, welcome to the No-Guilt Disney Podcast where we have no guilt about our love for all things Disney. 

Jane  0:16  
We're Jane, Theresa, and Patty, three Disney fan girls who probably know more about Disney Parks than most grown women should. And were perfectly okay with that! 

Theresa   0:26  
Absolutely. 

Patty  0:28  
Hey y'all! I'm Patty Holliday from NoGuiltDisney.com and No-Guilt travel, a travel agency that specializes in Disney and Universal vacations. You can find me on all socials @NoGuiltLife. If you have found us over here at the No-Guilt Disney Podcast, but you came from the No-Guilt Fan Girls Podcast because yes, they are two separate things, this episode might actually be familiar to you. Because that's where it was originally recorded and published. So if you missed it over there, then you are in for a treat. Before Theresa joined me as a host on the No-Guilt Disney Podcast, she was one of my frequent and favorite guests on No-Guilt Fan Girl. Here's one of my favorite episodes with her. It's all about Epcot and how much she loves it. And specifically, if Epcot Forever holds up over Illuminations. Enjoy.

We're live from one of our favorite places. Some would say the Most Magical Place on Earth. Not the Happiest, people. It is not the Happiest, it is Most Magical. Please get that right. Also known as Walt Disney World. We just got back to our hotel room from Epcot, and I've got Twitter famous Gertie the Dino with me.

Theresa   1:53  
I like how every time that it's always, "From Twitter. Theresa that I know from Twitter!" <laughter>

Patty  1:58  
I mean, you do other stuff too. But that's your thing.

Theresa   2:02  
It is my number one. 

Patty  2:03  
And we love Twitter and I love you on Twitter. So yeah, @GertieTheDino, also known as Theresa Mabe, you guys have heard her before. She's been on quite a few episodes with me, on an unofficial co-host basis 

Theresa   2:17  
I'm just happy you always have me back. 

Patty  2:18  
Always Love it. Love it. All right. How are you doing? 

Theresa   2:22  
I am super emotional. 

Patty  2:24  
Yep. Yeah, that's why we're doing this. That's why we had to sit down and have this discussion for the podcast. First, before we get there, though, tell everyone where we can find you online. And then we'll get into this little show that we're calling #NotIlluminations. 

Theresa   2:41  
So

As you mentioned on Twitter, I'm @GertieTheDino. You can also find me on my blog. It's InSightFullLife.com and also @in.sight.full.life on Instagram. 

Patty  2:53  
All right,

Like we said, we just walked back from Epcot where we watched the first time Epcot Forever, the new... what, are they calling it, a new spectacle? There were fireworks, it's something like that. Here's the thing. Theresa watched it for the very first time. She actually completely stayed away from all video, all commentary. All of that stuff. She put her blinders on. I watched Theresa watching it.  I can't say I watched too much of the show, because I was curious to see what your reactions were, and they did not disappoint. I will say that up front. It was amazing. 

Theresa   3:31  
She got to see some of my sweet dance moves. 

Patty  3:33  
It was pretty exciting, pretty interesting. Let's talk about this. First of all, give me a little history about how you feel about Illuminations. So we can set the stage as to what this kind of meant for you. 

Theresa   3:44  
So

Illuminations, across the board, has been my favorite Walt Disney World fireworks experience and it's less about the fireworks themselves. But it was about the music and the lyrics and just the whole sense of, you know, we're just one large community. And as people "gather around the fire" we can all come together, and make something great when we all come together. I would hear the music and -  my whole thing is, I love Epcot in general. So I would have the music playing in my car. And I would just start sobbing in my car, half the time on the way to work, which is not a good look to start the day. But it's just...I don't know. It just brings all of my emotions to like the very front. And I love it that much more for that, because anytime you can get that reaction from something you've seen 100 times, it's just it makes it that much more special. 

Patty  3:45  
For sure. Well, I think your description, I think that explains why I didn't like it. Because apparently I was doing it wrong. I wasn't watching it with you. Honestly, being with you, and you're so passionate about Epcot in general, which - by the way, we take a picture today which is hilarious. <laughter>

Theresa   4:59  
Especially if you listened to the other episode that we did. 

Patty  5:03  
Yes, and Theresa's not impressed with Guardians of the Galaxy, where I'm screaming and yelling "Yes!! Guardians of the Galaxy is coming to Epcot!"  So we had to have a fun little photo stop. 

Theresa   5:15  
And I'm sure Patty will add that to the page for this.

Patty  5:16  
I will absolutely add it to the blog page if you guys want to check it out on NoGuiltFanGirl.com. So it's been fun. It's been fun spending some time with Theresa in Epcot, because I know what this place means to you. So we wanted to watch the show. We got a great show. We got a great spot - where did we watch it from?

Theresa   5:31  
We watched it from-

Patty  5:32  
Oh wait, it is a secret? Do we want not want to announced it? I don't want to get hate mail. 

Theresa   5:36  
I think we can. It's it's getting a little more crowded, but it's a great spot to watch it. So if you go into the Japan pavilion, and if you go over to where the restaurants are and go up the stairs, so you're watching from the balcony of part of the pavilion. For some people it might not be their favorite spot and for me not having seen this show...that's where I would watch Illuminations from. And  not having seen show, there could be better areas around World Showcase to watch.  But it's a great, elevated view, so you do get a different perspective. And you can see a little bit more of the wider range of everything happening.

Patty  6:11  
Yeah. And the the Japanese arch is right in front of you. And it was it just kind of frames the fireworks and in the action was going on. So I liked it. I thought the view was fine. There are trees in the way in some places. So that's a FYI. But yeah,  we watched it from up there. And like I said, I watched you and when it first started the reaction on your face. I mean, it was adorable,

Theresa   6:43  
Because they have Walt Disney speaking 10 seconds into it! It was just like, "What are you doing to me?" <laughter> And the entire show is 95% based on Epcot music, music from the parks. And I think in the previous Epcot podcast, I mentioned that in my top three things about Disney period, Epcot music is up there. So I was excited for the show in terms of that, but then to hear Walt speaking about his original idea, speaking about Epcot, I was just like "Oh, the feels right away. You're just getting me."

Patty  7:21  
And I'm not a huge Epcot nerd. As I confessed in that Epcot show. I basically go to Mexico and go back.

Theresa   7:30  
Hey, guess what. We went to Mexico tonight! <laughter>

Patty  7:33  
But anyway, is this the first time that Walt's voice has been used, in any way like this, actually in Epcot? Obviously, this is the biggest, grand scale thing that we've seen. 

Theresa   7:50  
Illuminations had been going on for over 25 years. So I would say yes, in terms of something like this. I would imagine that maybe in some of the pavilions, like how right now they have Walt speaking in the Epcot Experience area. 

Patty  8:07  
Yeah, but that's brand new. 

Theresa   8:08  
Right it's brand new. So, I love Epcot. I'm not going to say that it has never happened, because I'm sure something will correct me.

Patty  8:15  
So if anybody knows, please tweet @GertieTheDino....

Theresa   8:19  
Please do, because I will have a long conversation about it, and anybody who cares enough to like look that up - I want to be your friend. 

Patty  8:25  
That's right. That's right. Yeah, I just be curious I'm a huge I'm a huge Walt person, like, Walt's my thing, by the way, but I saw this on the live feed so I knew it was coming and I wanted to see what your reaction was because I knew you didn't know what was coming. But it didn't disappoint. It was cool. I couldn't get any really great pictures because the lighting is very dark but Theresa, you guys just have to believe me she was definitely DisNerding it out and Twitter would be proud.

Theresa   8:54  
Yes, I was a singing along to Listen to the Land. That's one of the parts [where] it's just an instrumental part. But again, I have the song my phone and I may have some hand motions that I do belong with it. Because as we've established - giant nerd. 

Patty  9:10  
Big nerd, big nerd.

Theresa   9:14  
I couldn't have asked for more from the music they selected. It was from all eras of Epcot. It was music from Future World, they had music from the American Adventure. I think it was a great mixture. Some of it was instrumental. Some of it was actually- they had a group come in to perform new versions of the songs, but like they still very true to the original ones. I know Patty said I avoided everything. I did hear about two comments, one I'll save for later. I know some people had issues with the kids. The person who narrated Illuminations passed away and so,  especially with doing a new show, they wanted to have new things come in. So they have kids sing some lines from the attractions, singing one or two of the songs, and some people really had a problem with that.

Patty  10:04  
Interesting. 

Theresa   10:05  
I didn't. I mean, to the point - it is Disney. I would prefer to actually hear the lines from the attractions as they were. I would have loved to have heard Dreamfinder's voice. Sure, I would have preferred that. However, I'm not mad about the choice that they made. So I know that's been a complaint, but it didn't bother me, especially mixed in with everything else. I'm just like, "Just play more Epcot music."

Patty  10:34  
Not that anybody cares what I thought - 

Theresa   10:36  
I always care what you think.

Patty  10:37  
Aw, thanks Theresa. But from somebody who didn't find Illuminations precious, and I'm not like super tied to that. I didn't even realize that was an issue or a thing. I thought it was cute. I thought it was fine. So I'm saying from the average park-goer who's hearing this, it's gonna be a blip. Or not even a blip.

Theresa   10:58  
And for anybody who's used to any other fireworks, and used to Wishes, or any of those. It's not gonna faze them. That's what they expect from Disney and from Disney fireworks.

Patty  11:10  
Yeah, I like the fireworks shows well enough, but the fireworks and watching shows is not my thing. I'd much rather be on rides or in Mexico.

Theresa   11:19  
And I typically would, except for Illuminations. 

Patty  11:23  
Yeah, yeah. So was there a favorite standout moment? Was there anything that kind of hit the right notes and all the ways that you really liked?

Theresa   11:35  
I didn't have any, "Oh, I'm so -" Well, so when they did Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit, I just think it's hilarious. So the fact that was included was amazing. I think the moment for me that the emotion really started to bubble up was when they did Golden Dreams from the American Adventure, and then when they started doing the Meyla Weylas from Tapestry of Nations. Because that was something that they would play after Illuminations ended, when people are getting ready to leave the park: they would play the music from Tapestry of Nations. So I thought that was a really nice add-in to link back to the previous show and it's just...it's just fun. I would just kind of dance through Epcot as I was leaving. I was really happy they had both of those in there, but it was it was Golden Dreams, when I heard that, that's when I started to feel like "Oh, there might be might be some water coming out of my eye area." 

Patty  12:29  
Yes, yes. Was there any moment in the show that you might have, I don't know, turned and looked at me with a kind of a disgusted look on your face? <laughter> I'm just I'm just guessing that might have happened.

Theresa   12:43  
So towards the end, when you think they're finally having this big closing, it's all Epcot music. And then they toss in A Whole New World. Which, I think it's funny - I'm gonna make that face, because as you know if you've heard the other podcast, I have no problem saying I have some issues with the Disney-fying of Epcot. I know it's in Disney, and in certain areas, I don't mind it.  Like adding Ratatouille to the France pavilion, totally get that. Having characters in World Showcase, I totally get it. We've established I really don't like Guardians in whatever they're calling Future World now. But so they started playing A Whole New World from Aladdin. And initially I'm just like, cringe,

Patty  13:38  
And when I questioned it, because I cringed too. And I was giggling and I was laughing about it. And when we walked down the stairs and I said, "Do you want to talk about this?" <laughter> And, and I said, I didn't think it was bad. I you know, I enjoyed it, except that the Whole New World did stand out to me and that did jump out at me. And I didn't get it, but you actually had some very thoughtful thoughts on this one. 

Theresa   14:02  
Well, this took like 10 minutes after she'd asked that question, because this was my first time seeing a show that's not Illuminations. So, I was having some moments and it snuck up on me way more than I would have expected. I was still having my moment of mourning for not having that show. 

Patty  14:24  
She was crying, guys. And as we're walking and crying, I looked at her and I said, "Do you need a moment?" And I was a little confused, to be honest. I thought maybe she thought it was that good. <Theresa laughs> Because, I knew how much you love all those songs. So that was my first inclination was that you were crying like happy tears that they brought all this amazing stuff back and I was like, "Oh, she's such a DisNerd!" And then she's like, "I just need a moment. This is the first time with no Illuminations and I'm walking at Epcot." And she cried.

Theresa   14:57  
I have no shame in that. You know, I lost something special to me. And that's no reflection on the show that they have right now. It's a temporary show. So they're coming out with something in a couple of months called Harmonius, so it's no reflection on what currently is there. It's just the first time experiencing something- or not having something that I'm so used to, when that was always such a highlight for me.

Patty  15:22  
It makes total sense. What were your thoughts? Tell us what you thought about A Whole New World.

Theresa   15:29  
It's still bugs me. However, I understand that Future World, as they announced at the D23 Expo - once they're finished all the work that they're doing, Future World doesn't exist anymore. They're giving it different neighborhoods. And so I understand using that both as a tie in to the next show, which is going to feature Disney music, and this kind of being like a placeholder for the Epcot fans. That's the part I have some slight issue with, that they're patronizing us - like "Have this! But then we're taking it all away." So I think that they're establishing a "new world" is coming, especially to the Future World side of the Park. A new world is coming for Epcot. They even tied in - they had Walt speaking right before they played it, or right after, saying how Epcot is always going to be evolving. So I understand why they did it. I totally get the motivation behind it and so with that I don't hate it as much as you probably would have expected me to. I still don't love the characters. I still think that part is super cheesy and I wish it was just a straight up Epcot tribute. And I want to have that all the time. <laughter> But it feels somewhat appropriate given the direction that they're going.

Patty  16:52  
That makes total sense, and I will just say you continue to amaze me because I really thought we would get a good 'ol rant on that one. Anything else that you want to say about the show for anybody who hasn't seen it? Or who has concerns about it? Who's excited by it? How would you wrap it up? What would you say? Epcot Forever, #NotIlluminations. 

Theresa   17:21  
I will say I really, really hope that somebody soon gets a mp3 of it so I can listen to all of these Epcot songs together. And maybe cut it off at the Aladdin part. <laughs> If you appreciate Epcot history, if you've enjoyed any attraction at Epcot, chances are there will be a song in here that you connect to. I know you were saying when they were doing the music from Soarin', that was like a moment that really tied you in.

Patty  17:56  
Yeah, I love the Soarin' music. 

Theresa   17:59  
If you've been going to Epcot for a while, you'll find something you will enjoy about this show. If you have never been to Epcot before, if it's your first visit and seeing this, it might make you interested in like, "Oh, I want to see what some of these attractions were." And maybe we'll get a new generation of retro Epcot fans who were never there. I appreciate it for what it is. I don't know if it's something I'm gonna watch every time, and again, I think that's moreso - you know, me and Illuminations. That's my thing. So I might not watch it every time. Maybe in like another couple months I'll do it again. But I think it's very good for what it is, and especially for being a temporary show. They took a lot of time and care into into producing it and so I respect that. 

Patty  18:57  
It felt respectful to me. It felt like it was for the fans, like it was for y'all that are out there that really just love it. But again, you know me, I'm not precious about those things. It's okay for most things in Disney to change. If they did anything massive for say Haunted Mansion, or try to do something crazy with it's a small world, I would say that - you know, if they turn it's a small world into Marvel It's a small world, even I would get a little upset. <laughter>  Even I would get a little upset there. Because I can't. Yeah, no. But you know for the most part, that was my impression. I also understand some of the concerns that I've seen online, but for the average person that's going to go and is looking for a night time spectacular, they're going to be happy with it. They may not understand the music or the significance, but the music itself flows nicely enough to me. And the fireworks...I felt like there weren't as many, or it was a little low. Like they cheaped out a little bit, I don't know. 

Theresa   20:11  
I think that's something I would have to watch it again, because since I was taking it all in I can't really compare it in terms of the actual firework bursts to Illuminations. Because that I just knew so well, I knew when every moment was happening. So I was very hyper-focused on what was in front of me. So it's something I would like to even watch a video from another angle. It was weird not having the globe. They do have kites with lights on them. And I think that was also something that I'm just like, not having my one focal point too that I was expecting.

Patty  20:45  
I don't know how I feel about the kites. They're kind of funky looking.

Theresa   20:49  
So my thought with that is, because they've talked at D23 Expo, they mentioned that there's going to be a stingray type thing going through Spaceship Earth. 

Patty  20:59  
Ohhh, this makes more sense then. 

Theresa   21:01  
And to me that's kind of from the concept art. That's what it looked like me. So my thought is that's another tie into the next phase of Epcot.

Patty  21:10  
You paid a lot more attention than I did because I didn't get the stingrays.

Theresa   21:15  
Well I also can't see very well, so to me they looked like stingrays. <laugh> 

Patty  21:19  
No, honestly they did. That's what I was trying to figure out what they look like. And that's why I said funky, because I couldn't figure out what it was.

Theresa   21:26  
I mean, that's my impression, and I could just be making that up, that might not be what it is. But that's kind of what I remember the concept art looking like. 

Patty  21:40  
Alright, well we are rope dropping Extra Extra Magic Hours tomorrow, and it's getting late. So, we out. Please leave those reviews, the five stars. Appreciate it. Please, please, please and thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Theresa   21:56  
And join us each week on the No-Guilt Disney Podcast. Because as Patty likes to say

Patty  22:01  
It's no fun to fan girl Disney alone.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

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