We have already shared our impressions of the impressive new entrance lighting at EPCOT. The lighting package made its debut this evening. Now Imagineer Zach Riddley has shared specifics regarding the project.
According to Riddley’s Instagram post, the LED lighting replaces over 1,200 feet of fluorescent tubes.
At more than four football fields long, this light ribbon has been present since opening day, but was originally lit by hundreds of fluorescent tubes in solid colors. Now we’ve updated it with highly energy-efficient, programmable LED lighting with nearly 3,000 individually controlled points of light that blend together to create color gradients and patterns.
thezachriddley on Instagram
Riddley also explains how the color-changing lights will be able to match the new color palettes of World Nature, World Discovery, and World Celebration.
Color gradients have always been a part of EPCOT’s design legacy from the tiered amber, blue, and purple lighting of Spaceship Earth to the bands of color on the Energy pavilion, to the new color palettes of World Nature, World Discovery and World Celebration, and you’ll see all of that reflected in this new lighting design we’ve created for the main entrance plaza and it’ll continue through the new areas of the park.
thezachriddley on Instagram
As we stated in our earlier post, the new light ribbon, the fountain lighting, and the upcoming Spaceship Earth lighting will eventually work in harmony.
The newly color-coordinated light ribbon around the entire rim of the plaza connects with programming on the new fountain lighting and together will shine in concert when the new Spaceship Earth lighting debuts with the Beacons of Magic for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.
thezachriddley on Instagram
Riddley also mentions Beacons of Magic. Both Spaceship Earth and Cinderella castle will become Beacons of Magic for the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary.
What do you think of this inside look at the new EPCOT entrance lighting? As always, we welcome your thoughts in the comments.
Love it! Thank you for posting videos of the new lighting. Can’t wait to see the new Spaceship Earth lighting looks like after it gets it’s new look!