News EPCOT's Harmonious to be replaced with new nighttime spectacular Luminous

[TheEPCOTHistorian]

Tried to find it on RTV1 and I couldn't.

Do we know if this guy is tied to L:SOU or is he just the current Epcot Announcer?

Most definitely for Luminous. Most in park updates are provided by Kartika Rodriguez now.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

If the show narration is done by the guy who does the 7:30 announcement, it's going to be a very, VERY big win. Incredibly commanding and powerful.

Yep. Very smooth velvety voice.

Good to hear. Never did like the kids from EF, and Harm was fine but nothing great.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Some media tidbits:

• Team behind Luminous say it will fit into EPCOT and it’s history of nighttime spectaculars
• Steve Davison says show will hit key points of relatability like friendship, love, and the challenges we face in life. Songs we know are done in a different way, and two new songs begin and end the show.
• Pinar Toprak, who composed the new EPCOT theme, has her music woven through the new soundtrack.
• Been in production for 1.5 years (apparently)

 

[Hakunamatata]

Popular narrator and new nighttime show =

 

[SplashJacket]

Several people deep wait already an hour and 40 ahead

 

[TheEPCOTHistorian]

It's hilarious to me that the vibe is very obviously "this better work". You can just feel it in the air.

 

[WorldExplorer]

I'm trying to be optimistic, but I think that Harmonious sign is just a reminder that Disney was playing that up as a totally suitable, meaningful show, too.

Please don't suck. We're not getting another do-over.

 

[Vinnie Mac]

It's hilarious to me that the vibe is very obviously "this better work". You can just feel it in the air.

I can feel the vibe from here and I'm a 6 hour drive away in Georgia lol

 

[SaucyBoy]

I'm trying to be optimistic, but I think that Harmonious sign is just a reminder that Disney was playing that up as a totally suitable, meaningful show, too.

Please don't suck. We're not getting another do-over.

I get the whole "once bitten, twice shy" mood you've got but get a grip. The entire way Disney has approached Luminous is a complete 180 compared to Harmonious. I knew from the start that show was going to be a disaster. Nothing I've seen from the little they've showed us about Luminous gives me that vibe.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I have not seen festival food lines overflow in a while but the are tonight. The last time I experienced this level of crowd was NYE 21.

Just think if they were selling Figment popcorn buckets on top of this.

 

[TheEPCOTHistorian]

Yeah I don't know about this one...

 

[TheEPCOTHistorian]

I have not seen festival food lines overflow in a while but the are tonight. The last time I experienced this level of crowd was NYE 21.

Just think if they were selling Figment popcorn buckets on top of this.

I also want to add that Stamos did not draw this large of a crowd last night, under the same conditions: weeknight, chilly outside, MK party, everything. The crowds lined up around the lagoon tonight speak volumes.

 

[jrhwdw]

Some media tidbits:

• Team behind Luminous say it will fit into EPCOT and it’s history of nighttime spectaculars
• Steve Davison says show will hit key points of relatability like friendship, love, and the challenges we face in life. Songs we know are done in a different way, and two new songs begin and end the show.
• Pinar Toprak, who composed the new EPCOT theme, has her music woven through the new soundtrack.
• Been in production for 1.5 years (apparently)

So Harm was cut before D D23 Interesting...

 

[Vinnie Mac]

I'm trying to be optimistic, but I think that Harmonious sign is just a reminder that Disney was playing that up as a totally suitable, meaningful show, too.

The difference to me though is that the build up to Luminous has been more positive than the build up to Harmonious. For Harmonious, every update felt like a setback. You see those barges? Yeah, they're staying out ALL DAY and you can only see the central barge from two viewpoints! The fountains? Bad during the day, pretty beautiful at night (when the lighting looks good). Soundtrack? ENTIRELY IP. Oh yeah not to mention the cut pyro.

With Luminous each update gave more excitement and hope. From the news of the barges being moveable to the sneak peek of the soundtrack to the testing footage. It has all been a fun journey at the least. You also get the sense that Disney knows they messed up with Harmonious:

1. They casually announced a replacement to their most expensive show EVER in under 2 years
2. Barges being removed was first priority to them
3. Steve Davidson acknowledged how Harmonious was mostly about Disney music and that Luminous is more about the human connection post-COVID.
4. In the BTS video they have a whole segment dedicated to how the barges are moveable and how the viewpoint is the same from anywhere around the lagoon (a major issue with the previous show). They try very hard to emphasize that point in the video
5. Disney chose to open and close the show with original songs. Something Harmonious lacked

 

[Squishy]

If this doesn't work out they can always slap a inflatable globe and play illuminations.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I also want to add that Stamos did not draw this large of a crowd last night, under the same conditions: weeknight, chilly outside, MK party, everything. The crowds lined up around the lagoon tonight speak volumes.

Agree. Was here last night and easily watched from the standing area outside the theater.

There also wasnt a 15 minute wait for the Joffreys.

Many of the kiosks have been having issues with credit card transactions. Also having a difficult tine reconnecting to Disney wifi when unlocking the phone from dormant where previously it would reconnect automatically. Probably some huge data loads going on. Just wait until 75% start livestreaming the show.

 

[jmvd20]

I get the whole "once bitten, twice shy" mood you've got but get a grip. The entire way Disney has approached Luminous is a complete 180 compared to Harmonious. I knew from the start that show was going to be a disaster. Nothing I've seen from the little they've showed us about Luminous gives me that vibe.

I am in complete agreement with you. Harmonious was garbage and every update I read or heard made me less and less enthusiastic about that show. I am optimistic that they got it this time, seeing the new areas opened up today along with the new area music loops and quotes from Luminous staff... I think they got it this time! Just a few hours till we know for sure.

 

[Vinnie Mac]

I get the whole "once bitten, twice shy" mood you've got but get a grip. The entire way Disney has approached Luminous is a complete 180 compared to Harmonious. I knew from the start that show was going to be a disaster. Nothing I've seen from the little they've showed us about Luminous gives me that vibe.

I was quite possibly the biggest defender of Harmonious on this board in 2021 but even the night of the debut I was nervous because with all of the setbacks in the development I knew it was going to be rough. During the livestream I tried forcing myself to be happy with the show the first time around. I think I hyped myself up with the my own vision of the show instead of what it actually is.

 

[TheEPCOTHistorian]

Luminous The Symphony of Us debuts in one hour

 

[wtyy21]

So Harm was cut before D D23 Interesting...

I suspected that they referred to the guest stratification survey about the show, which by guests themselves said Harmonious poorly received than the nighttime show before it.