Epcot for New Years Eve, WOW!

            Most of you are very aware of the Disney Universe in Orlando, FL, but do any of you know that much about Epcot? I’ll be more specific: did you know Epcot does several huge stage productions with DJ’s for New Years Eve? We are talking about really nice rigs that several crews work (in the middle of the night only)  to get up in running in less than 4 days. I am not sure how many years Epcot has been providing these great additions, but I have been involved with 2 years (2009,2010) I didn’t get the privilege to work this year, but that does not diminish how amazing these events are. So I would like to bring some attention to a once a year face-lift that happens at Epcot for the New Years Eve festivities.

            Epcot is separated into 2 areas, international culture and technological innovations. Basically the back half of Epcot has a ton of countries in little land plots around a very large lake. The 2 countries that have the biggest face-lift for New Years Eve is China and Italy, and they truly go thru a transformation.  The Fountain Stage at the middle of the park also gets some extra equipment and is more kid friendly with a DJ that does interactive dances. With this stage being located at the center of the park it uses the Spaceship Earth icon as a projection surface.

            The China pavilion has a huge open area, at the mouth of the entrance that has an icon of China and has a small pond to the back of it. This circle area is perfect to erect a tall truss with the DJ area blocking the main on -ramp further into the pavilion. I’m not 100% on the dimensions but I would guess the truss 40 feet high, with the dance floor area being 50 feet wide. Besides the moving fixtures, LED’s, and dragonhead at the end of a curvy truss, the China rig has 4 fire cannons on the top of the truss. This is a simple but effective trick, and because the guests are running all over the park, we get a new batch of people almost every time we fire the fire. Casey Roach was the programmer and used a Grand MA and NSP. The lights included 18 Technobeams, 12 Studio Spot 575, and 12 Studio Color 575. For the truss warmers, architectural, strobe, and other LED looks they had a 8 Selador LED 2’, 36 Color Blast, 4 Marin Atomic 3000, and 8 Par 64 bars. This is my favorite place and is really beautiful (yes I’m biased, but I’m writing this piece) Did I stress how cool the dragon truss with the LED head was? Or that he shoots CO2 out of his mouth? I'll show you in pictures.

            Italy’s land set up is very different as it has more of a corridor feeling. The main plaza area has a large pedestal that has the DJ in the middle. This rig is a little bigger with a few more toys on the rig. Italy has 4 RGB and 4 LED lasers beside the moving head fixtures and architectural lights. Italy has a large circle truss with extensions of truss for the length of the walk up. They also had a Grand MA & NSP with Miles Liston being the programmer. Their lighting package consisted of 60 Color Blast 12, 24 Studio Spot 575, 16 Studio Color 575, 4 Martin Atomic 3000, 10 Par 64 Bar, and the lasers I mentioned before. This is the more popular country because the DJ gets to play all electronic music and has lasers! This is the coveted spot for most LD’s but the rig is so exhausting to put up I’m surprised anyone actually has any fun that night. (Completely my opinion again.)

             The Fountain stage changes almost every year with the shape of the truss and equipment list. This year they had a Road Hog Full Boar console with a really nice lighting package.  10 Bad Boy/ Mac 3 Spot, 10 VL2500 Spot, 12 Color Blast, and 23 Martin EC20 LED panels made the stage really stand out in comparison to previous years. From the pictures I’ve sent his stage looked really good this year. I know Kirk ( the LD ) and he’s a great guy, so I know his crew had fun! This year wasn't as cold as previous years so I know it was a great gig.

            So if you get a chance to be in Orlando for NYE next year, you need to see this event. The technicians and bosses really work their asses off to make it a one of a kind experience for the guests. It’s also a great chance for the technicians to run a great rig! Epcot does several other things to the park for that night, but I'm going to let you discover them on your own. Can't give away all the secrets!

Some of the pictures are from friends! I’ll give proper credit.

This one is my favorite! Angel Lugo took this one- this is China!

Now for Italy

And the Fountain Stage

Please add any additional pictures, because I know people want to see more!