Similar to EPCOT’s long-running Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, the new “Harmonious” brings people from around the world together as one. But this time, it’s through well known Disney music and stories. Past Epcot lagoon shows have mostly resisted the temptation of using Disney’s iconic film library and music.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We’ve updated this article below with a 4K video. Don’t miss it!
Harmonious was intended to be the heart of EPCOT’s transformation and Disney claims it is one of the largest nighttime spectaculars in any Disney park.
Harmonious utilizes a combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, and lasers. Colorful images and effects dance all around, as Harmonious weaves familiar Disney music and stories together in all-new ways.
The show hosts a medley of classic Disney music and visuals reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of over 240 artists from all around the world. The animated segments projected on water and shown on the giant screens are unique and reflect the art from the native countries represented by the songs.
While the show seems to be receiving a mixed initial reaction on social media (many by those viewing videos online), we suggest you see the show in person before making a final decision for yourself.
We believe the Imagineers, artists, and performers did a fine job of crafting this show, but it’s hard to follow up on a beloved classic like Illuminations. While we may not be accustomed to seeing Disney characters in an EPCOT Lagoon show, we think Harmonious does reflect the diversity of World Showcase and highlights the artistry and language of many nations. It does feel like a newer version of Illuminations, but with Disney songs and characters.
That isn’t to say Harmonious is perfect. It starts slow with several minutes before the first firework. There seems to be more reliance on fountains and projects and less on pyrotechnics than previous shows.
Additionally, the ending is awkward. The show just suddenly ends without the big crescendo that indicates the end of most fireworks productions. And, because they continue to show projections and spray the fountains after the end of the show, it’s a bit unclear that the show had ended at all. We heard lots of folks questioning if the show was over and afraid to leave their spot.
Give Harmonious a look for yourself and let us know what you think. We have THREE videos for you (Disney’s, Dusty’s Live Stream, and PhotoMatt’s 4K video!!!)
Here’s Disney’s live stream, although it’s not quite a fair way to evaluate the show since an actual visitor would be stuck in one spot on the ground and in this video the camera angles are constantly changing):
https://youtu.be/6ZioAQlceVI
And Dusty Sage’s live stream front and center in a fixed location:
UPDATED: We now have a great 4K video from PhotoMatt as well. Don’t miss it:
https://youtu.be/zHjwbkytNtE
Do you love it? Something off? Dislike it? Let us know why.
Unfortunately, there is one big ugly problem with the show that has nothing to do with entertainment value…
Giant hulking barges used for the nighttime show sit menacingly in the lagoon all day long, turning the once gorgeous view into an industrial mess. They look not unlike oil rigs. We find it odd that the Imagineers didn’t craft barges which could be floated out of the lagoon during the day and brought in at night as needed. That was the original promise for the show, one which seems to have been budget-cut out of the plans to the detriment of the park as a whole.
The magic of Fantasmic at Disneyland is that the show infrastructure is nearly invisible during the day. The same is true of all Disney’s castle shows, and the World of Color at Disney California Adventure. However, all the major show equipment for Harmonious (and it’s huge equipment) is just sitting there looking ugly all day at EPCOT.
EPCOT Beacons of Light
As you leave the park after Harmonious, there’s a treat for you. EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth is illuminated with WDW 50th Anniversary Beacons of Light. It’s pretty spectacular. No need to stop, just enjoy the pretty lights as you walk by.
There are several different light shows and patterns.
The best view is at the very front of the park, near the turnstiles. From here you can see the fountain and acrylic obelisks with the beacons in the background.
If you look closely you can see that some of the Monorails have also been enhanced with hover lights which match the color of the vehicle. For example, Monorail Blue has a blue light emanating from underneath:
Disney Theme Park Ticket & Travel Deals
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Lots More…
This is just the start of our crazy, sparkling week of 50th-anniversary coverage. Stay tuned for more soon!
