Really want to watch again, but reiterating what I said early, the pyro, wow.
For the songs, the walk-out and finale songs felt too much pop and not sufficiently grandiose.
I
need to watch it again, but notably I
want to watch it again, unlike some recent Epcot shows.
Not a fan of the Toy Story segment, really not a fan of the Red, Blue, Yellow color combo they use for Toy Story, it’s very overbearing and very ugly. Didn’t mind Friend Like Me.
The illuminations globe also worked so well because of its dimensionality. The physical movement and buildup of the globe bolstered the performance. The center barge was very cool, but outside of a vomiting firework gimmick (which again was very cool) didn’t provide the dimensionality that World Showcase lagoon demands (and no, I don’t think drones are the answer).
I do think fire could contribute a lot. On either side of death, a conflict scene that includes fire could bolster it. Either fire leads to death leads to new growth or death leads to the fire of new life and opportunity.
I do need to rewatch the show, because I felt the heart beat needed more audible punchiness, but I feel it likely was just a byproduct of the viewing location.
To make the show truly spectacular a couple modifications
- Add 3 Dimensional movement (likely least realistic)
- Replace pop song's
- Include center barge in grand finale
- Add fire
I cannot reiterate enough regarding the caliber and composition of pyro. Truly spectacular. Fountains very good as well, so despite my critiques for the show, the infrastructure is there for spectacles in World Showcase. Illuminations wasn’t perfect the first few circles around the sun, this doesn’t need to be either, it’s certainly no mistake on the lake.
Some of the scenes, like the Tangled music scene were just unbelievably gorgeous.
The only scene in Harmonious that left me in awe visually was Mulan, but Luminious has several.
Unlike Wonderous Journey in Disneyland, I didn’t establish an immediate emotional connection, so I’m curious if that was a byproduct of expectations or how my brain was primed going in. Regardless, I really want to see this show again.