Walkabout The World - A Disney Podcast - Epcot Wanderings and Luminous Spectacular With Producer Josh

Episode Date: December 31, 2023

Hello travelers, and Happy New Year! 🥳 On this last episode of 2023, join Producer Josh as he explores the newly opened World Celebration at Epcot! Then take in some imagination water features, some World Showcase goodness, and end the night with a bang (pun always intended) when we celebrate the new year with Epcot’s new nighttime show, ‘Luminous: the Symphony of Us’.    As always, use good listening devices as we always record in 4 channel surround sound. We hope you enjoy the episode and thanks so much for following along!   If you like what we do, consider joining our crew on Patreon. These wonderful people help us keep the microphones crisp and the servers warm at night.   Visit us a walkabouttheworld.com - find links to all the things - attraction episodes, Insta accounts of all the hosts, and even how to buy your own Walkabout shirt!   Look us up at @WalkaboutWDW on Instagram and drop us a note to say hi.   You can now also drop us at line at [e-mail]. Say hi, tell us how you found us, and give us some suggestions on things you'd love to hear. Please consider giving us a rating and review wherever you listen - it really helps.   Walkabout The World is a weekly Disney podcast, always recorded on property at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort with the simple goal of making you feel like you are in the middle of the magic.

Hello Travelers! Welcome back to Walk About The World! Greetings from World Celebration at Epcot! This of course is the brand spanking new neighborhood here at Epcot. This of course is the brand spanking new neighborhood here at Epcot. The walls have come down and here we are. I am currently sitting on a really cool curvy bench in a nice quiet area. As you can hear the music playing behind me. We're looking directly at a beautiful spaceship earth all lit up this evening. So it's the first time I've really spent any time here since they opened and it's nice. I had thoughts at first but I think it's a nice addition.

I think I'm not going to, I'm going to try not to let my nostalgia get in the way. And I'm going to enjoy it for what it is in this new generation of Epcot. I visited Walt at Dreamers Point. Did I cry? Maybe. I definitely got a little misty, to say the least. It's very cool to have Walt in this park. So, what are we going to do tonight?

Well, first of all, Happy New Year. It is, uh, it should be, at the time that this episode streams, um, it should be New Year's Eve 2023. And maybe you're listening to us in the new year. So happy new year. How's 2024 treating you so far? I am going to take you, as I said, kind of just walk around this new area while the walls are down. And then our ultimate goal is we're going to catch the new fireworks show, Luminous, tonight.

And have that be your big, and our big finale for the year for 2023, our last show. So consider it your New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza. So let's all enjoy that together as we count down to the new year. So I'm going to walk around here, brand new area or neighborhood as they're calling them of Epcot and I'm going to take you with me. If there's something cool, I'm going to tell you about it. Let's go for a walk, shall we? A lovely New Year's Eve stroll. By the way the temperature has

dropped significantly and I'm very cold. It's in the 50s now so that's cold. Don't laugh at us northerners. I should have brought some gloves. So right now we are in the middle of this area. And there's these lovely lights, these really cool lights that kind of change color with the lights on Spaceship Earth. So right now they're purples and oranges. On the ground are some, I like to think that it's a nod to the old lights in the sidewalk. Remember those, the good old days, over in front of Interventions? But there's some cool lights around that kind of make the Epcot flower symbol.

Pretty neat to look at. Of course, that very large flower planter right in the center. I'm going to hold my thoughts on that one. But it's pretty busy, but a lot of space. It's nice. Let's keep walking. A lot of seating areas, which is really cool. Hopefully these trees will grow a little bit bigger so it won't be so hot in the summertime. Lots of seating areas.

So this building, there's still a building over on the, if you're looking at Spaceship Earth over to the left hand side that is still being built still under construction I think they're going to have that that's where character meet and greets and possibly food and

a stage for performances are going to be gosh it is nice without the walls. Like, walking straight through, I kind of got turned around. I didn't realize what this is. The the the the

the the the the the the I'm so sorry. Thank you. The Thank you. Oh my god! Thank you so much. Appreciate you buddy. There it is. Orange bird and a hat.

Want my hand? Touch hands. Love that. Beautiful, beautiful version of When You Wish Upon a Star, Epcot style. Oh, that was great. So when you're standing in the middle, there's some nice pathways. There's one that leads over to Connections and the shop, Creation Shop, and the breezeway there. And then on the other side, right now, you can't really see, but it goes over toward the land. So, which way do you think I'm gonna go? I think you know.

I'm gonna go walk over to the land. Then we're gonna pick up and see if we can get some holiday stuff tonight. Epcot holidays, it's still Christmas at the parks. See what we can hear. So the pathway that leads to land on the left, you'll see that new building I was talking about. And on the right is Moana. Still some walls around here.

But definitely not as many as there used to be. Starting to get a feel for new Epcot. Well, I popped into the land for two reasons. One, because I'm cold. It's cold and windy outside. And it feels wonderful in here. Nice and warm. And of course, the second was to see if we could hop a ride on the land, living with the land,

boat ride, see the holiday lights. But, it is 45 minute wait. Got those holiday crowds. Yeah, I'm gonna pass this time. Sorry, the land. I feel bad, but we're going Let's go check out some water features while we're here. Some jumping water features. One of my favorites as a kid.

Everything imagination, but the jumping water. Jumping water was really fun. Still fun. The old upside down waterfall that we're about to pass. Let's get some of that. The Norske Rundforskning Hear the water jumping over me? That one almost got me. Add the I guess one thing I noticed just now actually, I don't know if it's a recent thing or since they you know started and got rid of all the old music

I didn't realize that it was the same the same theme like everywhere you walk so I guess maybe that's a neighborhood thing maybe the music changes the different neighborhoods. Very tempted to go to the Imagination Restroom because they always have the best music, but

I'm not going to take you in there. We might hear some things we don't want to hear. All right, let's keep going. Well said, small child. It is cold. All right, we can see the tree at the entrance to World Showcase. That's where we're headed. Hopefully we'll find some holiday music over there. Let's go. Alright. Directly in front of me is the Epcot Christmas tree.

One of my favorites. Do you guys have a favorite park Christmas tree? That's a hard one. Some of the resorts are really beautiful too. Can't beat that Wilderness Lodge tree. Coming into World Showcase. Usually I take a right, but you know what? I'm going left today.

No, you can do that. Thank you. La Catedral de la Catedral Headed into Mexico Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen is the booth for Festival of the Holidays is here Giant tostada de chorizo. Tamale. Mmm. Dolce de leche churro. Well, might have to get that tamale. You know what? I'm doing it. I'm gonna get that tamale and then I'll keep walking. Okay, since you were wondering, yes, the tamale was delicious. And we moved on. Continuing in World Showcase.

Headed to Norway. yeah found all the people. The ones who weren't riding and living with the land. I know them! I thought you were talking about me. All right. Good evening. Tonight at 9.30, we invite you to join us for Luminous, the Symphony of Us,

a dazzling firework spectacular featuring fountains, lights, and original music that celebrates the magic that happens when our voices sound together in a symphony of human connection. We hope you'll join us for Luminous, the symphony of us, beginning this evening at 9.30. You're in luck, because we are absolutely going to be joining you for that. Step on. Sounds great. I am.

But first, entering China. I'm going to wind you on the windmill. Sampai jumpa di video selanjutnya. It's delicious. Drop down to 55 degrees right now. And on these cold nights, when the sound travels, we can hear the boom booms. Fireworks, I'm assuming that's across the way at studios, but could be wrong. Must be. Passing the refreshment outpost as I'm sure you can hear. I stand corrected. It is Magic Kingdom. Must be a party over there.

Yeah, because it's early. Coming into Germany. Look, how pretty. Stop and take a picture of the fireworks across the lagoon. Magic Kingdom with the Epcot ball. I'm going to go ahead and get my hat on. It's not even loud. Isn't that great? Isn't that great? Cold? You want to put the

foot down and watch the fire burn? Is that great? got the tail? Germany trains to your left. Running some holiday choo choos. Little holiday decorations heading on into italy we're just gonna finish our rounds around the world showcase and then find ourselves a spot for luminous. I'm gonna find a spot somewhere over on this side. Coming up back by the Christmas tree at the Frontal World Showcase. I'm going to find a spot to enjoy Luminous and I will talk to you when it's over. Enjoy. Enjoy.

Good evening. Tonight, we invite you to join us for Luminous, the Symphony of Us. Due to lower light levels during the show, we ask that you please watch your step and be sure to take small children by the hand. Tonight's performance of Luminous, the Symphony of Us, will begin in just a few minutes. Kampung Kampung Thank you. Kampung Kampung Welcome to the great gathering. Welcome. Welcome. Bienvenue.

Marhaba. Yokozo. Welcome. Benvenuti. Becoming. Karibu. Hanyin. Bencomen.

Bienvenidos. Welcome. Welcome. Everyone on this earth is part of the great symphony of us. Each of us a unique instrument playing harmony to one another. And even though we are all playing different parts, it's our unified heartbeat that connects us, reminding us that we are more alike than we are different. A rhapsody of rhythms that unites us and connects us. reminding us that we are more alike than we are different. A rhapsody of rhythms that unites us and connects us through commonalities of the heart. Come, find your place in the great symphony of us.

Can you hear the sound of the world in motion? The wind through the trees, the tides, the ocean Can you feel the beat of a million hearts All the time in the sun and in the night. And in the tiny moments in between, I remember you are a part of me. And I am a part of you. Just like a symphony, different melodies live in harmony. So go ahead and sing your song.

I'll be there to sing along. We'll be together. And I sing along We come together It's a happy symphony It's a happy symphony Ooh Oh, oh, oh You are a part of me And I am a part of you Just like the symphony

Different deathlights Living under me So go ahead and sing your song Thank you. When we are born, we come into this world to a raw noise. Cradled in tenderness, we tune ourselves to the world around us. I'll stop you crying, it'll be alright. Just take my hand, hold it tight. You can call me to your side. I'll be by your side I'll be with you Cause you'll be in my heart

I'll be by your side Cause you'll be in my heart We'll be together We'll stay one Till the end of time Till the end of time Don't you dare You seem so strong I can't move I can't see

This fun between Adelaide and Taperoo I will be here, don't you lie Cause you'll be in my heart Yes, you'll be in my heart From this day on Now and forever From this day on, I'll wear forever the one I want. We begin to understand what our instrument can do.

We find our voice and add it to the ensemble of our ancestors, our family, nuestra familia. Thank you. And every beat of my crowd would have soared We begin to recognize the music in others. Trading notes and improvising. Music becomes play. Thank you. Can you feel the love tonight? Sometimes we find another and our melodies blend. And suddenly, with the hum of our heartstrings, our world becomes a duet. You're in my arms and all the world is calm. The music playing for only two.

So close to death and death with you. So close to feeling alive. I'm sorry. Oh, I want to be leaving This world's not pretending Let's find home to be leaving For we know we're not alone So close, so close It's still so far. Inevitably in life, the accompaniment drops out, and we experience great loss. We find that the melodies we cherish are gone and for a moment we are playing alone. 이곳은 한국의 한 대학교에서 가장 유명한 학교입니다.

이곳은 한국의 한 대학교에서 가장 유명한 학교입니다. We made everything was beautiful Every hour spent together lives within my heart Stringed the song around the phone We had each other in the zone Just she and I, the country, I gave her husband a son when she loved me. But we are never truly alone. Sing out so others can hear you. The music we make echoes back at us in chorus. in concert,

in symphony. Together, our voices can illuminate the world. If we only listen closely for the sounds of each other. At last I see the light and it's like fog has lifted. At last I see the light And it's like the sky is blue And it's warm and free of the night

And the world has somehow changed And all at once Everything is different How she did love All it was Everything is different Now that I've found you How miraculous that we exist on this planet at the same time Now that I've found you. And yet, it's the human connection that unifies us. A pulse, a beat, a gravity.

The rhythm of our hearts is all around A bond, a pledge, a common thread Connects us in a unifying sound Like the coming of a dream, steady spinning round the sun The beating of our hearts Echo straight up to the stars For all the world to hear In ember rain Steady already Can you feel it here in Hulhul

Come together as one Like a wave across the ocean Like a rhythm going Your heart's wide open Sound It's a love that we all love Feel it in the beat Feel it in the beat of our hearts

Beating up our hearts One single moment in time Resounding all together And the night is over And the time is now The end of our lives Thank you. It's a song that we hear all the time We're living our life Living our life Living our life

Living our life In the great symphony of us. We'll make the world a better place. We hope you enjoyed Luminous, the Symphony of Us. From all of us here at Epcot, we wish you a wonderful evening and a safe journey. Thank you and good night. All right, I hope you guys enjoyed that. I am back where I started the episode, over in World Celebration, between World Nature and World Discovery neighborhoods. Hey, thanks so much for coming along with me today, travelers. This is, if I'm not mistaken, was our 54th episode this year, I believe. And our 188th altogether, I think.

I'm pretty sure. So that means that we will be hitting our 200th episode milestone sometime early in 2024. No plan to slow down, you guys, anytime soon. So I really do want to thank you guys for listening to what we put out there. In many ways, we do this for us, but without you guys, it means nothing. So we thank you so much for your support this year and for coming along with us on our weekly adventures. Speaking of support, on this, our very last episode of 2023, we want to thank and give a shout out to our patrons at the Beautiful Tomorrow level.

Beck Castle, Bill and Aaron Zeese, Bryony Grant, Debbie Gambala, Derek at Satisfactual Sign Company, Eric Steinhauer, John Hamilton, Meredith Izzo, Josh Nakano, Hannah Ginn, David Krause, Jessica Davis, and Lindsay O'Connell. Thank you guys so much for your support. Like I said, it really does mean the world to us

and it helps us to keep this show moving forward. Hey, if you want to be a part of the show and join us in the new year, check us out at patreon.com slash walkaboutwdw. This is Josh and I just want to wish you all a great big beautiful new year from myself and from all of us at Walk About the World. Happy New Year guys. See you real soon. Thank you so much for listening and following along with us each week here at Walk About the World for our little in-park family reunion that we do. We really, really appreciate each of you that listen.

You can find us online at walkabouttheworld.com where you can find links to pretty much everything that we do, including attraction ride-throughs, and where you can get your very pretty much everything that we do, including attraction ride-throughs and where you can get your very own Walkabout t-shirt if that's a thing that you would like to do. You can find us also on Instagram at walkaboutwdw. You can find each of our hosts on Instagram. Find me, Jeremy, at jeremy__hunt__fl.

Our producer, Josh, at at The Steel with an E. Pete at Neverland Local. Rick at Optical Jedi. And Michelle at Havoc Jedi. If you like what you hear, can you do us a favor? Wherever you listen, please give us a rating or a review.

It helps a lot. It helps people find us. And it really makes our day to read them. Drop us a line via DM on Instagram at walkaboutwbw or you can send us an email at contact at walkabouttheworld.com. If you want to support us further, you can find us at patreon.com slash walkaboutwbw. Lastly, we want to end the way we always do by saying there's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow out there and we will see you in one of those tomorrows on a future WalkaboutWDW. Lastly, we want to end the way we always do by saying there's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow out there, and we will see you in one of those tomorrows on a future episode of Walk About the World. Bye, everybody. © BF-WATCH TV 2021