Walt Disney World Resort has been dishing out exciting news as we roll through January 2023. And now, news that has seemingly made the entire Disney fandom happy… Disney has announced it is removing one of its greatest eye sores from EPCOT.
Disney has revealed EPCOT’s current nighttime spectacular, Harmonious, will end on April 2, 2023. EPCOT Forever will return on April 3, 2023.
Sadly, both Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at EPCOT did not receive the warm welcome Disney intended. Magic Kingdom’s Enchantment lacked any signs of Walt, which Disney tried to correct, but it was too little too late. Additionally, EPCOT’s Harmonious was considered a lackluster show, despite Disney’s efforts with it being “one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney Parks.”
So, what exactly was the issue with EPCOT’s Harmonious? While some love the music and projections, many Disney fans said it simply couldn’t measure up to EPCOT’s long-standing Illuminations nighttime spectacular. Illuminations offered a 360-degree experience in the World Showcase Lagoon with the circular barge that would be moved in and out of the lagoon prior to the show.
When Harmonious debuted, Disney installed massive barges in the middle of the once-stunning World Showcase Lagoon. The barges are so huge and distracting that they were quickly deemed an eyesore for many fans. Plus, the large circle Harmonious barge took the former 360-degree Illuminations view and cut it in half, with the entire show only being able to be seen from the World Showcase entrance and the American Adventure Pavilion.
Disney promised the barges would be used as fountains during the day to help with the unimpressive look of the mechanics, but the fountains sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t… and yes, it was still an eyesore despite efforts.
Thankfully, it seems like Disney not only heard Disney fans, but they have announced the barges will be removed, stating, “Similar to how it appeared in 2021, “EPCOT Forever” is the perfect offering while our Entertainment team preps the Lagoon, including a phased removal of fireworks platforms following the final “Harmonious” performance on April 2.”
Additionally, @ScottGustin confirmed that yes, indeed, this means the Harmonious barges will be removed from the theme park:
Happy New Year from Walt Disney World Resort! 2022 was a big year for us as we continued our 50th Anniversary celebration with cast, guests and the community, debuted our newest groundbreaking attraction with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and reopened beloved experiences from Fantasmic! to the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (center front right) and Jeff Vahle, president, Walt Disney World Resort (center front left), pose with Disney cast members for a photo in front of Cinderella Castle, July 11, 2020, prior to the phased reopening of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
2023 brings even more to look forward to – from the triumphant return of the Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular to the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom Park, and one I personally can’t wait to experience, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT!
Today, we’re excited to announce a few other updates we’re making to improve the guest experience and to let our fans know we are listening to their feedback, including Annual Passholders, who are some of our most loyal guests:
Enjoy complimentary self-parking when staying at a Disney Resort hotel
Beginning this evening, Jan. 10, overnight self-parking will once again be offered complimentary to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels at Walt Disney World. This is a Disney difference many of you have asked us to bring back, and we’re happy to reintroduce it to make your vacation a little easier and more affordable – whether you’re road tripping across the country, renting a car or vacationing as a local Florida resident. As a reminder, Disney Resort hotel guests also continue to receive complimentary standard parking at Walt Disney World theme parks, daily early theme park entry (with valid admission and a park reservation) and complimentary on-site transportation options such as buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner.
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders: Park reservation requirements will be relaxed for visits after 2 p.m.*
Beginning in the next few months, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Pass blockout dates will continue to apply like they do today. While the theme park reservation system remains important to manage attendance in our parks, especially on busier days, we realize our Passholders enjoy more spontaneous visits – and this change will make that possible. Passholders will also receive access to Disney PhotoPass lenses and one complimentary Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories experience (age restrictions apply). Visit Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories and Disney PhotoPass Lenses for details, restrictions and other information.*
We’ll share a start date with Passholders soon for when these offerings will become available, as well as information about a new offering that is planned where you can create and share short Disney-themed video slideshows with favorite photos from your theme park visits.
Attraction photo downloads will be included with Disney Genie+ service
Beginning in the next few months, guests purchasing Disney Genie+ service will also receive digital downloads of their Disney PhotoPass attraction photos, taken in the park on the day of their purchase, at no additional charge. Attraction photos are taken while in the parks at more than a dozen of our most popular attractions including Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, Expedition Everest and more. I always love looking back at family photos at our favorite attractions – it’s a perfect way to remember and celebrate your theme park visit together. An exact launch date will be announced at a later time. Disney PhotoPass terms and conditions and expiration policy apply.
All of these updates are specific to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida – be sure to check out our Disney Travel News post on Disneyland Resort for updates they announced today.
Please know we will keep listening to you and adapting as we focus on making the guest experience even better for more people who visit us here at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
That includes making planning easier for everyone. For example, we recently added the ability to modify Disney Genie+ attraction selections in the My Disney Experience app, began automatically making theme park reservations with the purchase of 1-day, 1-park specific tickets and made our dining reservation policy more flexible if you need to modify or cancel.
As we’ve shared before, we’re also committed to providing a wide range of options to visit, which is why we roll out special offers from time to time for Florida residents and other guests. Visit DisneyWorld.com/Offers for more details, including a few offers we launched to kick off the new year.
Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates and be sure to visit planDisney.com for helpful tips and advice on planning your next visit to Walt Disney World.
We hope these updates make your next visit more convenient and enjoyable, so you can focus on making memories with your family, friends and loved ones. We’re grateful for fans like you and look forward to seeing you real soon!
*All offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Walt Disney World Annual Pass Terms and Conditions apply.
Last year was incredible … so before we get any further into 2023, I want to thank each of you for what you did to help our guests plan their Disney visits. For many, the magic starts long before they get to our parks and cruise ships. It starts when they take their first step in turning their dream vacation into a reality by contacting their preferred travel professional. As I’ve said countless times before… for those guests, the magic starts with you.
I know there has been a lot of change over the past few years and I want to thank you for making sure your clients understand the changes and are prepared when they arrive as our guests. As you know, we are constantly adapting our business to create a better experience for guests, and to build a foundation so we can introduce new stories and experiences in the future.
As we enter 2023, we’ll have lots of new reasons to celebrate together. TRON Lightcycle / Run at Walt Disney World along with Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, World of Color – ONE and Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Resort are all opening this year… we’ll be celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary … and bringing back old favorites to the parks, such as Happily Ever After and Magic Happens.
As we move into the new year, it is important that we continuously evolve to help deliver the best guest experience possible. So, I want you to be among the first to hear about a few enhancements that we are making – specifically ones that our guests have asked for and you’ve shared with us. And while this doesn’t address everyone’s feedback, these changes will increase flexibility and add value to our guests’ experience.
At Disneyland Resort:
significantly increasing the number of days – nearly two months’ worth over the coming year – that we’ll offer our lowest-priced one-day, one-park ticket at $104
offering more flexibility with our Park Hopper ticket, giving Guests the ability to begin crossing over earlier (starting at 11 a.m.), beginning February 4
providing complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital downloads of attraction photos for all ticketed park guests, beginning February 4 throughout the Disney100 celebration
making Magic Key passes available for sale more times during the year as inventory becomes available
At Walt Disney World Resort:
beginning in the next few months, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Pass blockout dates will continue to apply like they do today
making changes that will help our guests get the most out of their visit, such as including complimentary self-parking for guests staying at Disney Resort hotels beginning this evening, January 10
beginning in the next few months, guests purchasing Disney Genie+ service will also receive digital downloads of their Disney PhotoPass attraction photos taken in the park on the day of their purchase, at no additional charge
Additionally, we’ve announced several new offers over the past few weeks, including at Walt Disney World, 2-, 3- and 4-day Florida Resident Disney Weekday Magic tickets and a special package offer that includes a Disney Dining Promo Card for guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels. We are also offering a 3-day SoCal Resident weekday ticket for $73 per day through late May at Disneyland Resort.
I’m excited about all of these changes and offers and want you to know that we are committed to listening, adapting, and staying relentlessly focused on making the guest experience at our Disney parks even better.
We have a bright future together… and I want you to know how much I appreciate all that you do for our guests. I know that many of you are Disney fans yourselves… and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it when you stop me in the park to tell how you feel about your visit.
I hope to see you soon!
Josh D’Amaro Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise officially opens April 4 at Magic Kingdom Park!
The story of TRON Lightcycle / Run picks up after “TRON: Legacy” where Kevin’s son, Sam Flynn, has opened a second gateway into a digital world called the Grid. The first portal was built at Shanghai Disneyland with the original TRON Lightcycle Power Run.
When guests enter the queue at Magic Kingdom, they’ll feel as if they’ve been digitized and transported to the Grid for a special Lightcycle race. It’s your Team Blue against the Grid’s menacing Programs, Team Orange. Your goal is to be the first to race through eight Energy Gates and secure victory. The attraction will be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.
Before the attraction officially opens, cast members will be the first to enter the Grid during special previews. And we heard preview opportunities are coming for guests too, including Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members.
This Spring and Summer, you can stay in the magic with special offers at Walt Disney World Resort.
Stay in the magic with this special offer—and make sweet summer memories to savor!
Get up to a $750 Disney Dining Promo Card when you purchase a non-discounted 5-night, 4-day vacation package that includes a room at a select Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort and theme park ticket(s).
This offer is valid for arrivals most nights July 1 to July 10, 2023 and August 1 to September 14, 2023. A lower-value Disney Dining Promo Card may also be available when you purchase this package during other select summer arrival dates.
Stay in the magic with this special offer—and spring into fun or make sweet summer memories at Walt Disney World Resort.
You can save on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels:
Save up to 25% on stays most nights April 10 through July 10, 2023
Save up to 20% on stays most nights March 1 through March 31, 2023
There’s magic all around at Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy even more enchantment with special benefits for Guests of Disney Resort hotels—including early entry to the theme parks 30 minutes before regular park opening to experience select attractions (with valid park admission and a theme park reservation).
This offer is valid for select Disney Resort hotels.
