Got A Light? – Part Two – Epcot

In Part Two of my Lamppost blogs I’ll be discussing the many variations of these light fixtures found at Epcot. Let’s start outside the gate. Leading from the bus stop to the ticket booths are these very modern fixtures, each with a banner. The ticket booths themselves are covered with a large overhang with recessed lighting so no lampposts are found near the entrance.

Lamp Post - Walkway from the Bus Stop

In addition, the large forecourt in front of Spaceship Earth also has no lampposts. In-ground lighting and fixtures located alongside the flower beds provide a low level, muted illumination.

In Innoventions Courtyard we find lamp posts with a somewhat space aged appearance.

Innoventions Courtyard Lamp Post

The lampposts in Future World West are all identical to one another. They’re also the same make-and-model as the fixtures out front of Epcot, minus the banners.

Future World West Lamp Post

In keeping with the automotive theme, the streetlamps in Front of Test Track in Future World East look like those that might be found along an interstate or turnpike.

Test Track Lamp Post

In front of Mission: Space the fixtures are sleek and straight, almost as if they were blasting off to the stars.

Mission: Space Lamp Post

There are no lampposts in front of the Energy Pavilion. Low level lighting is all you’ll find in this area.

Future World also has some, how should I put this, unattractive fixtures. But what’s interesting is that until I started searching for lamp post to picture in my blog, I never noticed them. Even for all their ugliness, they seem to blend in with their surroundings.

Ugly Lamp Post

Ugly Lamp Post

Ugly Lamp Post

As I did in Part One of this series, I want to include a few non-lampposts — items that have nothing to do with lighting, but scream to be included anyway. This next picture is of a birdhouse located between Test Track and Mouse Gear.

Bird House

The bridge that joins Future World with World Showcase is a transition area. Buildings and fixtures placed here must blend seamlessly with both lands. Here is the lamppost the Imagineers chose to line this walkway.

Transition Lamp Post

Circling World Showcase Lagoon are a number of post not readily associated to a particular nation. There is some variation from one post to the next, but there is a basic style that remains constant as you travel around the promenade. Here are two examples.

Promenade Lamp Post

Promenade Lamp Post

Let’s start our journey around World Showcase with Mexico. The bridge that approaches this pavilion features very ornate, wrought iron half-post fixtures.

Mexico Lamp Post

The vast majority of the lighting within the Mexico Pavilion comes from the various marketplace stalls scattered around the area. However, there are several stylish, five-globe streetlamps that were prominent during the colonial period of Mexico’s history.

Mexico Lamp Post

In the Norway Pavilion we find a number of different lampposts. Everything from the very rustic to the very fashionable. Some of these “lanterns” would have fit right in with the Castle Akershus, the 14th century fortress fashioned here.

Norway Lamp Post

Norway Lamp Post

Norway Lamp Post

As you would expect, China has some very stylized fixtures. Those along the promenade have a pagoda-like feel while those in the courtyard look like stone lanterns. If you venture deeper into the pavilion, bamboo and decorative globes create illuminating works of art.

China Lamp Post

China Lamp Post

China Lamp Post

China Lamp Post

Most of the lighting at African Outpost comes from the shops and a few bare light bulbs strung overhead. But this area does have one “hidden” lamppost. I want to thank my friend Rob for bringing this to my attention.

African Outpost Lamp

The Germany Pavilion was inspired by villages found along the Rhine and the light fixtures here would be typical of many of these communities. Only two posts are represented here and both are very similar in appearance. Notice the posts all sport baskets filled with geraniums year-round.

Germany Lamp Post

Germany Lamp Post

The Italy Pavilion was modeled after the Doge’s Palace in Venice. Here you’ll find some of the most exquisite and beautiful lampposts in World Showcase. They complement the architecture beautifully in the day and even more so in the evening.

Italy Lamp Post

Italy Lamp Post

Italy Lamp Post

The American Adventure only has one style of lamppost. It’s simple and reflects the colonial design of the pavilion.

American Adventure Lamp Post

The primary lampposts in the Japan Pavilion have blue tops to match the nearby pagoda. This pagoda was modeled after an 8th century structure located in the Horyuji Temple in Nara. Further back in the pavilion large lanterns, reminiscent of traditional Japanese paper lanterns, hang from bamboo poles.

Japan Lamp Post

Japan Lamp Post

Although not a source of illumination, I felt this stone lantern must be included in my tour.

Japan Stone Lantern

The Morocco Pavilion is divided into two sections. The front half, with a replica of the Koutoubia Minaret, represents Marrakech while the back half is the “old city” of Media. However both sections share the same design of lamppost. Pay attention to the detail and you’ll notice the post has a spiral design and the colored glass is supported by intricate metal work.

Morocco Lamp Post

The architecture for the France Pavilion recalls the Belle Epoque (“beautiful age”) style of design which was prevalent during the second half of the 19th century. The streetlamps also reflect this era. The first posts you encounter are out front of the Chefs de France restaurant.

France Lamp Post

Near the Boulangerie Patisserie the lamps take on a more Art Nouveau design.

France Lamp Post

And finally, in the Galerie de Halles we find lampposts appropriate to this grand marketplace designed by noted French architect Victor Baltard.

France Lamp Post

My next non-lamppost is also found in the France Pavilion. This ornate pole supports a clock and is located in a lovely garden to the right side of the entrance.

France Clock

The United Kingdom Pavilion seamlessly combines a number of locales into a small area. An elegant town square coexists with a waterside pub and rural country dwellings. And the lamppost all blend in naturally with the appropriate surroundings.

United Kingdom Lamp Post

United Kingdom Lamp Post

United Kingdom Lamp Post

As much of the Canada Pavilion is placed in Disney’s version of the Rocky Mountains, the lampposts here have a rustic look. Gas lanterns, the type that miners and frontiersmen might have used, are perched on poles and suspended high above.

Canada Lamp Post

Canada Lamp Post

Canada Lamp Post

In the lovely Victoria Gardens, inspired by the Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, we find a lamppost befitting of this lovely park. These gardens are the largest (and most labor intensive) of all the Epcot pavilions.

Canada Lamp Post

My last offering in this blog is not a lamppost, but how could I ignore possibly the most famous bit of lighting in the park. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a wonderful show and begins each evening with the narrator “blowing out” all of the nineteen torches which surround World Showcase Lagoon. As the show was originally created for the Millennium Celebration, the torches represent the nineteen centuries of the Common Era. The twentieth torch is presented and lit at the end of the show as the globe opens up and it rises from within. Each of the water-side torches stand 27 feet high.

IllumiNations Torch

In tomorrow’s blog I’ll be discussing the lampposts of the Magic Kingdom.

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21 Replies to “Got A Light? – Part Two – Epcot”

  1. I also found some interesting lightposts as I was exiting World Showcase during my December Disney trip. I did not however get to photo the even more unique lamposts as above. I will have to make sure to notice them on a future trip; that would have to be Sept. 2011 for my Golden Birthday. Hey, if I have to turn 50, it will be in Disney-where I can always be a kid. lol

  2. Thank you Jack for all the input on such great articles. These are things that we notice, but take for granted. In lieu of the abscence of the Anita answer columns, I think allears should start a new column. The new column could be called, “If you dont know, Jack does” kinda catchy huh?

  3. I love the lamps in China! I’ve never noticed those before 🙂

    I think it’s great that you blog about things that people take for granted. You really open up everyone’s eyes to seeing new things 🙂

  4. Jack, great article! My friends thought I was crazy when I told them I liked looking at the various lamp posts in World Showcase (and taking a bunch of photos to prove it, though I think I only caught half of the variations you did).

    Though I do have one correction/addition…
    You mention that there aren’t lampposts in the Outpost area other than those around the store. This isn’t quite correct, there are a couple themed lampposts, though during the day it’s hard to realize that they’re lamps. They don’t become apparent until lit at night.

  5. So I’m not the only one who loves lampposts. I take pics of lampposts and light fixtures everywhere I go. But only ones that catch my eye. And I see somebody else saw the similarity in the Cinderella Castle light and Italy light. Check out the lampposts outside of Tiki Birds in MK, very cool! Thanks for the wonderful blog!

  6. Jack, thanks for these types of blog entries. They help me appreciate the details that separate Disney theme parks from everyone else.

  7. The thing that impresses me most about WDW outdoor lighting is that there’s so little of it. None of those glaring orange things that cities are so fond of. The amount of light cast on the pathways and buildings is invariably enough, but just enough so that folks can see where they’re going. It adds to a quieter, more restful atmosphere after dark, especially around the resorts (where there’s another whole world of lamps to photograph some day!)

  8. Jack,
    I just love to read your blogs! They remind me to not just run through the parks from one ride to another, but to relax, I’m on vacation, and to recongnize all of the detail and thought that goes into everything Disney!

  9. Deja vu? I swear I remember reading a blog (you wrote?) about light fixtures in each country at Epcot before. And I feel like it might have even been my very first visit to allears.net when I moved to Florida last year. What a revelation! I had prided myself on appreciating Disney details, but I suddenly realized I hadn’t even scratched the surface. I now follow in your blogged footsteps on every visit to the World. You are an inspiration to detail-oriented Disneyphiles the world over! Beyond fantastic, Jack!

  10. Hi Jack,
    I’m enjoying this new blog. In 2002 my husband and I took the Hidden Treasure Tour at World Showcase and we learned that the stone lantern was a gift from Japan to Roy Disney.
    Looking forward to the MK blog.

  11. Again, the details are amazing. Your blog is so fun to read, as well as all the pictures! Looking forward to reading about MK!! Great Job!!

  12. Jack,

    I get so many wonderful ideas from you when reading your blog, I feel like I owe you lunch at The Crystal Palace or something! On our next trip (at Christmas this year) my family will be counting lamp posts when standing in line, waiting for the parade to start, waiting for food orders. What a great way to entertain the kids. And me too, of course!!

    Thanks,
    Tracy

  13. I love your blog posts, they’re a great mix or architecture and disney. Being an artist, i understand how important the details are when creating a mood or style, so thanks for paying attention to the little stuff 🙂
    ~Sarah

  14. Excellent blog! Us faithful readers love this stuff! What about a blog about the theming in the pavement/walkways? I think about the jewels in the pavement by the Magic Carpets in MK and I think there are/were some sea shells or something similar in the Ariel meet and greet area.

  15. Bravo! I love these kinds of details. They’re all minor things that add up and make the parks the experience they are.

    While the lights/lamp posts play an integral part in theming all over WDW, I would love to see them take it to the next level. I just wrote an article on my blog talking about lighting and how I think they could do this.

  16. So much fun! Love the details here. As I read through, I tried to pick a favourite, but I kept changing my mind. I think maybe the Japan lampposts with the blue tops, along with the miner’s lanterns in Canada.

  17. Loved this blog — I’ve always enjoyed the details around World Showcase and the lamp posts are definetely part of that!

    I’ve always thought the posts in Italy out on the isola and the posts leading up to Cinderella’s Castle were very similar if not identical, but have never take close up pictures of both to prove it — I’m interested to see tomorrow’s post to see if my memory serves me correctly.

    Jack’s Comment:

    Wow! I’m impressed. I had to go back and look at my pictures, but you’re right. The fixtures are identical (except for glass insert). I never would have notice this. Thanks for sharing.

  18. Great! My wife is always making fun of me for taking pictures of lamp posts whereever I go. Good to see I’m not the only strange person out there! Thanks for the great blog.

  19. hey jack
    loved the blog on EPCOT’s lightposts. It was very interesting to see how the different lamp posts tied into the surrounding elements they were with and with such detail. can’t wait for the next blog and as always keep up the great work.