During the D23 Expo 2019, we learned EPCOT would undergo the biggest transformation of any Disney Park in history. In 2020, following the limited-time run of “Epcot Forever,” the new “Harmonious” was to debut as the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park. Then came Covid-19, the Disney parks shut down, yada yada yada, and here we are. We spoke briefly about Harmonious in the past update on new attractions and entertainment and WDW construction and refurbishment update. Since the pandemic brought construction to a standstill and delayed the project, it seemed pointless to speculate until Disney gave us more information. So what do we know about the ‘Harmonious’ Nighttime Spectacular at EPCOT and when can we expect it to debut?
“Harmonious” celebrates how the music of Disney inspires people the world over. It carries you away harmoniously on a stream of familiar Disney tunes reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the globe. Music producers at Walt Disney Imagineering have been remotely directing recording sessions with an incredibly diverse array of musical artists, performing in studios around the world. “Harmonious” is a global effort, truly embracing the magic of possibility.
In recent weeks, Disney Live Entertainment technical designers across the country have been programming various elements of the show, from media and fountains to lighting and pyrotechnics, working in a completely virtual environment. It features massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more. Zach Riddley from Walt Disney Imagineering shared some recent progress with us:
Disney is busy setting the stage of this innovative toolkit, preparing each of the show’s five floating platforms to take its place on World Showcase Lagoon. Positioned like a compass, these platforms house the primary show equipment for “Harmonious”. On the recently-placed center platform stands an iconic six-story-tall central ring structure, supporting a high-density water curtain, moving lights, fountains and more.
The appearance of these large platforms in World Showcase Lagoon has been met with controversy among EPCOT fans. The main criticism is that the platforms block World Showcase sightlines. Many have compared them to something from the TV show Stargate or like some Waterworld inspired post-apocalyptic floating community. Fans need not worry. When completed, the Harmonious barges will function as fountains during the day. Concept art of these fountains looks amazing and EPCOT fans love a good fountain! The views across World Showcase are nice, but imagine the empty expanse being replaced with energetic, colossal fountains. From that perspective, the bigger the barges…the bigger the fountains.
While the show is still in the early stages of development with more finishing details to come, Riddley did say “Although we have not yet determined when our next spectacular will debut, our Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment teams are hard at work building on that legacy with “Harmonious.” Early in our plans for the transformation of EPCOT, we recognized the power and potential this new show has to tell a story of global connection and celebration. This grand, original spectacular is a tribute to the power of story and song that unite us, leveraging music and visuals from across Disney and artists around the world.”
Walt Disney World has stated that nighttime spectaculars are on hold due to physical distancing. While that is very true, it’s also very convenient. Fireworks cost a lot of money and physical distancing means attendance limits. This makes costly entertainment and nighttime spectaculars difficult to justify. EPCOT is the park where nighttime spectaculars could most plausibly return from both health safety and profitability perspectives. World Showcase is massive, with ample space for a large number of guests. EPCOT also has a higher attendance cap than other parks, and is seeing the lowest utilization on average. Collectively, this makes the return of fireworks more advantageous at EPCOT than any other park.
It looks as if we will have to wait for Disney to announce the debut date of this show. The recent updates and progress on the project give us hope it will be ready in time for Summer 2021. If not then, it seems highly probable that it will debut in time for the 50th Anniversary celebration on October 1, 2021. Are you excited for “Harmonious” to take its’ place among the great nighttime spectaculars? Do you think it imposes on the views of World Showcase? We would love to hear from you in the comments below or you can email us on the “Contact Us‘ page. We will continue to update on this project here and on our Facebook and Instagram.