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

[Jambo Dad]

wow what a huge waste of money ...

Yep - horrible idea from the start and huge waste of time and money. It is very difficult to imagine the lack of understanding of Epcot to create that abomination. Good riddance.

 

[trainplane3]

The new show is not going to be video based

So what you're saying is WDW will use the LED panels from Harmonious to build another advertisement board on a parking garage.
(referencing the "ribbon" thing they built)

 

[surfsupdon]

In retrospect, Reflections of Earth should've gotten the same treatment as Fantasmic! at DHS (and, in a round about way, HEA at MK). Extensive infrastructure upgrades, modest story changes, and new pyro would've easily carried RoE for another 10+ years, all at a fraction of Harm's cost and with renewed enthusiasm from fans and park guests. Could've even had WDW 50 and Disney 100 tags for the celebrations.

At least DHS and MK have top notch nighttime entertainment again. Maybe one day EPCOT will have it, too.

This is so true!!!

I was just telling my buddy who performs in Fantasmic how truly great this new show is. I saw it last week! It’s refreshed, but carries with it that iconic score from the era of both Spectro and Illuminations, a Time period that WDW really was an awesome place.

A refreshed Illuminations would have been a great fit for Epcot.

 

[Indy_UK]

You know they are working on an hugely updated Reflections of Earth.

 

[wdwmagic]

You know they are working on an hugely updated Reflections of Earth.

That isn't the plan

 

[aladdin2007]

You know they are working on an hugely updated Reflections of Earth.

I don't think they would know how to do that type of show anymore if you presented them with the task. The question now is is this a different team than harmonious or same team, because if so............

 

[wdwmagic]

I don't think they would know how to do that type of show anymore if you presented them with the task. The question now is is this a different team than harmonious or same team, because if so............

People from RoE are still around, and some had input into Harmonious, and also the next show.

 

[SaucyBoy]

I don't think they would know how to do that type of show anymore if you presented them with the task. The question now is is this a different team than harmonious or same team, because if so............

I disagree. It’s easy to dog pile on the creatives who bring these shows to life. Sure there may be a small minority who thrive in shoving the latest trendy films into the final product. But I truly believe there are still a lot of great people in the entertainment realm who have visions of great and fitting nighttime shows for WDW parks.

Rivers of Light, for all its flaws, was proof that they could create an original, (mostly) interesting, and moving non-IP nighttime show again. Even with Epcot Forever, there was an attempt to make something genuine; even if it appeals to a small number of guests. We know that time and time again, the people above their pay grade force changes onto the final products. Harmonious had a lot of components that could have worked well without outside meddling. We will never know.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

The only thing Disney has lost more money on over the past few years is Star Wars. If Kathleen Kennedy didn't destroy the franchise they likely would have made billions more, but alas no one cares about Disney Star Wars.

Rumor has it the crew will move on to the Galactic Starcruiser next to dismantle that too…

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I disagree. It’s easy to dog pile on the creatives who bring these shows to life. Sure there may be a small minority who thrive in shoving the latest trendy films into the final product. But I truly believe there are still a lot of great people in the entertainment real who have visions of great and fitting nighttime shows for WDW parks.

Rivers of Light, for all its flaws, was proof that they could creat an original, (mostly) interesting, and moving non-IP nighttime show again. Even with Epcot Forever, a show I find to be so boring, is also a decent example. We know that time and time again, the people above their pay grade force changes onto the final products. Harmonious had a lot of components that could have worked well without outside meddling. We will never know.

I happen to agree with you, the creative CM’s are still there, the problem is their bosses, the noodnicks they have to answer to…

 

[doctornick]

An outpost that is nothing more than a food and beverage kiosk is not "representing" Africa. What's currently there is insulting, at best, if you think it's actually representing anything but a Coca-Cola stand. So is this about representing movies or representing pavilions? What other countries "deserve" to be recognized? More importantly, do they have food/beverage kiosks that can be exploited?

Personally I think having a Epcot show that ties into various nations and cultures is a great idea. Even if it uses Disney IP to do so (though it can be done more effectively). That being said, I wouldn’t expect or what it to to restricted only to the pavilions already featured at WS as there is a huge and diverse world beyond them. No reason not to incorporate WS pavilions into the show when appropriate but that shouldn’t be a restricting factor.

 

[Vinnie Mac]

That isn't the plan

If this new show flops it absolutely should be. Might as well after they already took Harmonious to the guillotine and offed its head

 

[James Alucobond]

If this new show flops it absolutely should be. Might as well after they already took Harmonious to the guillotine and offed its head

Adjustments should theoretically be easier without massive digital tacos to scuttle next time.

 

[TDLFan]

I have a feeling this new show will at least be good. There's way too much riding on this.

 

[GhostHost1000]

I have a feeling this new show will at least be good. There's way too much riding on this.

They thought Enchantment and Harmonious was good too though

 

[James Alucobond]

They thought Enchantment and Harmonious was good too though

Enchantment is fine; it just had nothing to do with the 50th and was coming off the heels of a very popular, very similar show. Harmonious is also a good show in isolation even if it could use some revision. It’s just technically problematic, exists in the wrong park, utilizes a lot of the same music as Happily Ever After, and blights the lagoon during the day. More than enough strikes to make an out to be sure, but the quality of the show itself was far from terrible.

 

[Incomudro]

I'm so happy they are dismantling those eyesores.
It kind of bothers me that I had to see them there on my last trip, as I don't know when my next one will be.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

It was all that leftover erector set metal from Soarin’ just collecting dust backstage…

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

Sounds like a violation of the Safety key to me; not like it’s always held to the high standard they claim, but still.

I wouldn’t say nothing, as a pyro myself I’d forget the rules, enjoy every second and be prepared to run

 

[Fox&Hound]

Not saying they would or should, but could these barges be moved to AK? They were horrible in Epcot and ruined the views of the lake cause it was central and could be seen at all times. And the show was viewed in the round which did not fit the technology. But with the stadium in AK it is not in the round and would work better. And it is off to the side and would not be seen all day. They could cut the pyro if it would scare the animals. As much as DIS was idiotic to build this, I’d hate to see all that money and tech go to waste. It could have been cool, but it was in the wrong location.