We have already shared our impressions of EPCOT’s impressive new entry lighting. The lighting package debuted tonight. Now, Imagineer Zach Riddley shared details about the project.
According to Riddley’s Instagram post, LED lighting replaces over 1200 feet of fluorescent tubes.
With more than four football fields, this ribbon of light has been present since the day of the inauguration, but originally it was illuminated by hundreds of fluorescent tubes in solid colors. Now, we’ve updated it with energy-efficient, programmable LED lighting with nearly 3,000 individually controlled light points that blend together to create gradients and color patterns.
thezachriddley on Instagram
Riddley also explains how the color-changing lights will be able to match the new color palettes from World Nature, World Discovery and World Celebration.
Color gradients have always been part of EPCOT’s design legacy, from the amber, blue and purple layered lighting of the Spaceship Terra to the color bands in the energy pavilion, to the new color palettes of World Nature, World Discovery and Celebration of the World, and you will see it all reflected in this new lighting design that we created for the main entrance square and will continue through the new areas of the park.
thezachriddley on Instagram
As we stated in our previous post, the new strip of light, the illumination of the source and the illumination of the next space ship Terra will eventually work in harmony.
The newly coordinated ribbon of light around the entire edge of the square connects with the schedule of the new lighting source and together they will shine together when the new lighting from Spaceship Earth opens with the Beacons of Magic for the 50th anniversary Walt Disney World Resort.
thezachriddley on Instagram
Riddley also mentions Beacons of Magic. The spaceship Terra and Cinderella’s castle will become Lighthouses of Magic for the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort.
What do you think of this internal view of the new EPCOT entry lighting? As always, we appreciate your feedback in the comments.