Surprise in the Skies — Former Show · History & Timeline

Former Show · the memorial record

⚰ Permanently closed · 1992operated 1 year · 1991–1992

This show is gone, but its history stays documented — the full lifetime log is below.

Show history

the lifetime record

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2007

UpdateOct 1, 2007#

Music from Surprise in the Skies was replayed for Epcot's 25th anniversary in a special edition of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, alongside We've Just Begun to Dream and Tapestry of Nations.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1992

◆ Latest milestone

Refurbishment1992#

Surprise in the Skies ended its run over World Showcase Lagoon in 1992.

Both sources give the run as 1991-1992 with no closing month or day, so the date is held at year precision. The flightpark article states that the airfield "closed for theme park use in 1992, when 'Surprise in the Skies' ended."

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Area Update1992#

The Epcot Center Ultralight Flightpark closed for theme park use when Surprise in the Skies ended.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1991

New1991#

Surprise in the Skies opened at Epcot Center as a daytime show staged over World Showcase Lagoon using aircraft.

Wikipedia's list of Epcot attractions files it under Former entertainment, Daytime Shows, World Showcase Lagoon, as "Surprise in the Skies (1991-1992)". Neither source documents an opening month or day, so the date is held at year precision. The park was still named EPCOT Center in 1991.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Area Update1991#

The show's aircraft were launched from the Epcot Center Ultralight Flightpark, a private-use ultralight airport in Bay Lake, Florida owned by the Walt Disney World Company that had previously launched the 1985-1987 show Skyleidoscope.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes

Questions & answers

When did Surprise in the Skies open?

Per the documented record, Surprise in the Skies at EPCOT opened in 1991.

When did Surprise in the Skies last close for refurbishment?

The most recent closure/refurbishment documented for Surprise in the Skies is dated 1992: Surprise in the Skies ended its run over World Showcase Lagoon in 1992.

What changed recently on Surprise in the Skies?

The latest documented change (documented Oct 1, 2007): Music from Surprise in the Skies was replayed for Epcot's 25th anniversary in a special edition of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, alongside We've Just Begun to Dream and Tapestry of Nations.

How many changes are on record for Surprise in the Skies?

5 documented changes, dating back to 1991 — the fan-kept show changelog nobody else keeps.

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