EPCOT’s newest nighttime spectacular, Harmonious, ended its run on April 2 and we await the all-new night time show which will replace it and is set to debut later this year. A lot of work is currently taking place in the World Showcase Lagoon in preparation so let’s take a look at everything that is happening.
According to new aerial photos posted to twitter by Bioreconstruct we can see a new large hexagonal platform being constructed in the middle of World Showcase at EPCOT.
Aerial overview of EPCOT, with a hexagon taking shape in the center of World Showcase Lagoon.
Hexagonal platform is related to the new fireworks show in development. pic.twitter.com/kgdKeLs5yr
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) August 26, 2023
Here is a close up look at this new platform. The platform is set to extend over the pilings.
Aerial look at a hexagonal platform taking shape in the center of World Showcase Lagoon.
A collection of pilings is capped at right, and the platform will extend over these pilings soon. pic.twitter.com/SP38WPe99i
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) August 26, 2023
Four movable barges have been recently constructed as seen in the photo below.
Aerial look at 4 recently built movable barges. Each has a pair of outboard motors, at the ends of the U.
These are being developed for a new fireworks show in EPCOT.
As seen the EPCOT backstage marina. pic.twitter.com/YVDcGM9l2O
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) August 26, 2023
24 floating square platforms have been constructed, these are speculated to be used in a row at the center of 6 movable show barges.
Aerial look at the staging area for a collection of floating square platforms. There were 24 staged here earlier.It seems like 4 of these squares will be in a row at center of 6 movable show barges of the EPCOT fireworks show in development. pic.twitter.com/e2snA4F3Wd
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) August 26, 2023
The photo below gives more context to the current location of the barges and squares and we can see that barge 5 is being constructed which just leaves the final barge 6 which we assume will be built following the completion of barge 5.
In this aerial photo of 4 recently built show barges:
1 Barge #5 being built
2 A floating square, seen being built earlier
3,4,5,6 Additional floating squares24 squares seen earlier. Likely 4 per barge, 6 barges. pic.twitter.com/36DPWrFttd
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) August 26, 2023
It will certainly be exciting to hear further details about the upcoming new nighttime spectacular at EPCOT and to see exactly where these new movable barges will be positioned and how they will be used as well as the hexagonal platform. We will continue to update with more details when they are released.
The news of a new nighttime show to replace Harmonious was officially confirmed at D23 Expo’s Parks panel in September 2022 where it was also revealed that this new show is expected to debut in 2023 and will be part of the park-wide celebrations for Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder. Few other details were revealed about what this new nighttime show will entail, though as well as debuting as part of the 100th anniversary of the Disney brand, the show’s expected release will see it also serve as a celebration of EPCOT’s 40th anniversary.
Image: Disney A new photo and some further details were released regarding what we can expect from this new spectacular back in March. From the image embedded below in a tweet by reporter, Scott Gustin, we can see lights, fountains and fireworks and it is currently described as follows:
“The show will feature an original composition and evocative selections from the Disney songbook – all woven together to remind us that we are more alike than different.”
NEW: Here’s a first look at the all-new EPCOT nighttime spectacular coming later this year.”The show will feature an original composition and evocative selections from the Disney songbook – all woven together to remind us that we are more alike than different.” pic.twitter.com/YqqpRj6lSd
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) March 15, 2023
We are yet to hear if drones will be included. There has been speculation surrounding this after Disneyland Paris used over 500 drones in their new Avengers: Power The Night nighttime show which debuted on January 28 at Walt Disney Studios Park and ran through May 8 as part of the finale to Disneyland Paris’ 30th celebrations.
Image: DisneyHarmonious’ place among Walt Disney World’s ever-evolving entertainment line-up has been a notable topic of conversation amongst parks fans, with some feeling that the new show is not a worthy replacement for its predecessor, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, which had been enchanting guests at EPCOT since 1999. However, Harmonious was, unfortunately, met with some apprehension and criticism before it even debuted, as its presence meant that World Showcase Lagoon was subsequently filled with a number of somewhat imposing barges that remain on full view even during the day-time.
This overall lacklustre feeling towards Harmonious has meant that parks fans are likely to be equal parts excited and cautious over the upcoming new nighttime spectacular coming to EPCOT later this year. It is not known whether Disney’s plans for Harmonious always meant that it would only run until 2023, or whether the disappointing response from guests has spurred on this swift change.
Harmonious had its last show on April 2. EPCOT Forever returned on April 3, to fill in the gap until the new nighttime spectacular debuts later this year. EPCOT Forever originally debuted on October 1, 2019 to bridge the gap between the closure of Reflections of Earth and opening of Harmonious on September 29, 2021.
Image: DisneyWere you sad to see Harmonious go? What would you like to see from the new nighttime spectacular coming to EPCOT later this year? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
