Final Performance of Harmonious Nighttime Spectacular at EPCOT

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

The 50th Anniversary celebration has come to a close across Walt Disney World, and the nighttime spectaculars introduced as part of “The Most Magical Celebration on Earth” have now been performed for the final time. Last night, guests visiting EPCOT were able to watch the last performance of the “Harmonious” nighttime spectacular before it is replaced by the limited return of “EPCOT Forever” tonight.

Watch the video here;

https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/ccGDFMRI

The four half-circle barges had LED screens, while the center ring barge used a water screen to project clips and images. Fountains, lights, lasers, and pyrotechnics were used to enhance the show.

The show opens with chants, as a narrator shares that “All around us, the world is alive with music. Voices calling out in search of one another, we find each other in song.” A medley of “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana” and “Go the Distance” from “Hercules” follows, sung in English, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, German, Arabic, Latin American Spanish, and Tahitian.

Alongside a number of Disney favorites like “Aladdin”, “Mulan”, and “The Lion King”, the show featured scenes from newer Disney films, including “Moana”, “Coco”, “Brave”, and “The Princess and the Frog.”

“Harmonious” closes with the song “Someday” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” For the final time, the narrator then proclaimed: “You raise your voice and it’s enough to lift the human spirit. Set the song inside you soaring, and the whole wide world will hear it.” A fireworks finale brought an end to “Harmonious” at EPCOT.

Cranes are already in place around World Showcase to remove the barges following tonight’s final performance of “Harmonious” at EPCOT. These barges were widely considered unsightly and impeded the stunning vistas of the lagoon on either side. In addition, they were plagued by a variety of problems, ranging from malfunctioning equipment to outright fires. They have already been removed from the EPCOT map in the My Disney Experience app and online at the Walt Disney World website.

Eventually, a 100 Years of Wonder nighttime spectacular will debut at EPCOT, but “EPCOT Forever” will return in the meantime. In October of 2022, we reported that it was rumored that Disney will incorporate the use of drones in their new nighttime show coming to EPCOT later this year.

EPCOT Addition Is Finally Being Removed!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot, Magic Kingdom

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.

EPCOT Harmonious Barges

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.

EPCOT Harmonious Barges

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:

Another Fire Breaks Out During Nighttime EPCOT Show

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

On October 1, 2021, Walt Disney World kicked off its massive 5oth Anniversary celebration, which included new rides — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure –, a ton of delicious new foods, and two new nighttime spectaculars — Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park and Harmonious at EPCOT, which takes places on World Showcase Lagoon.

While Disney Enchantment is not as popular as Happily Ever After — which is coming back when the 50th ends –, Guests seem to enjoy heading to EPCOT to watch the show, complete with great music and stunning fireworks. During Harmonious, fireworks actually shoot off right near Guests, which can be both startling and thrilling.

However, in the year since the show started, there have been several problems. Well, one big problem, really. Fires. And how another fire has broken out during the show.

Theme park insider Scott Gustin shared that a fire broke out on one of the barges used in Harmonious. Disney said that the fire broke out on one of the barges, but was contained and put out after the show.

This is not the first time that a fire has broken out during Harmonious. A couple of months ago, a fire broke out near the America pavilion due to a stray ember from the fireworks. Another time, a firework appeared to malfunction, causing a fire on one of the barges.

Here is more on Harmonious, courtesy of the Walt Disney World Resort website:

The heart of the EPCOT transformation comes to life with Harmonious, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney Parks. The show is a beautifully crafted medley of classic Disney music and visuals reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of 240 artists from all around the world. Come and be dazzled by all of it as you discover how Disney music and stories have the power to inspire and unite us all, overcoming any language or border.

This magnificent show brings to World Showcase Lagoon an innovative combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers in a 360-degree view. Enter amazing worlds inspired by Moana, Aladdin, Coco, Brave, The Lion King, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog and other classic stories. Colorful images and effects dance and change as Harmonious weaves familiar Disney music and stories together. Through unique perspectives as diverse as the world itself, Disney songs hop from language to language as the show brings people from different parts of the world together to unlock the magic of possibility.

Harmonious

Disney Replacing Harmonious, New Nighttime Spectacular at EPCOT

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

It was just revealed at D23 that next year, during Disney’s 100th year anniversary, a very special nighttime show will be coming to EPCOT at Disney World.

At Disney World, Guests have so many choices when it comes to live entertainment. From actual plays like Beauty and the Beast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to firework shows at the Magic Kingdom. Guests looking for some magical Disney entertainment are certainly in luck.

This show is set to replace Harmonious, an “infamous” spectacular that was recently introduced at the Park. We don’t have much more information on the show, but for now, enjoy Harmonious while you can!

harmonious concept art

FIRE in EPCOT’s World Showcase

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Last night, the World Showcase was set ablaze in an accident just after Harmonious, EPCOT’s nighttime fireworks show. Little is known at the moment about the cause of the fire, but it seems likely that a stray ember from the fireworks is responsible. There were also reports of lightning in the area tonight.

In a video posted on Twitter, the back of the American Gardens theater can be seen with decently large flames coming from the back of the theater. Earlier reports showed smoke in the area so heavy it was hard to make out exactly which building was ablaze. 

The video also shows a speed boat racing toward the fire. While this is a very scary incident, especially for those present at the Park tonight, we are grateful for fast-acting Cast Members who can be seen springing into action to ensure guest safety and to put the fire out.  

Comments on Twitter and Facebook from bystanders present report that the flames were quickly extinguished though it is not certain at this time if there was any lasting damage done to the theater. The fire did not spread to any other locations in the World Showcase.

There have been no reports of injury. At that time in the evening, it’s unlikely that guests would have been present, but it’s unclear if any cast were present in the area. Frequently technical crew will be in the theater late into the evening working on future productions. We sincerely hope no one was there tonight. This is a very early report. We will update you as more details become available. 

According to Twitter user @SoFLalTaLGaL, this exact location was set on fire earlier this year. 

You can view @disneytiktoks video of the incident here: