ERIC TUCKER - EPCOT ILLUMINATIONS 2000 ROE

Go backstage with Eric Tucker the lead pyro designer on Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and Wishes.

Walt Disney Entertainment created a new way of launching fireworks by using a compressed air system, instead of black powder, which pollutes more and causes the trail of an igniting firework shell to be seen. The compressed air technology allows for explosions to be timed perfectly with the music and for the desired height of the shell to be reached. Not all the shells use the ALF (Air Launch Fireworks) technology. A timing chip is inserted into the shell and can be programmed to ignite and explode with precision. Eric Tucker, an award-winning pyrotechnics designer, was brought on board to design new fireworks effects. Eric and show director Don Dorsey traveled to China, the birthplace of fireworks, to meet with fireworks manufacturers to create these new dazzling effects. 1,105 firework shells are ignited during each show and are launched from 750 mortar tubes and 56 firing modules at 34 locations around the lagoon.

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• ERIC TUCKER
• WDW
• EPCOT
• MILLENNIUM
• ILLUMINATIONS
• FIREWORKS
• Walt Disney World Resort
• Magic
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