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

[Epcot82Guy]

I guess it depends on personal taste and your view of the Parks/EPCOT. The overarching theme of EPCOT is what has always resonated with me. The whole is far more important than the sum of its parts. It's not about random individual countries. It's about a collective representation of human achievement and culture. It's inspiring us to keep building as a humanity, showcasing key features. Not to say there weren't flaws in that story or design. But, that always felt like the intent. No other park did that. Luminous' story about each human's life, and how it comes together with all other human lives - past, present and future - to create one thing (a symphony here) is what makes it so EPCOT. And, it hits many of the emotional highs and lows of a life in a very profound way.

If Luminous played at Disneyland, DCA, etc., I think I would agree it would be weird and kinda boring. I think what it represents in the context of EPCOT (both in concept and physically watching it "around the world with people from around the world") is what makes it feel so compelling to me.

And, I should say I never loved the original Illuminations incarnations that much. HARM feels like a Disney version of that. Random showcases for the countries we picked. I:ROE felt like the big step toward a collective "world/humanity" story. And, Luminous feels like the spiritual successor to that for me.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Maybe just b/c Luminous didn't connect with me - not emotionally, etc ... Just found it boring. If I connected with it more maybe wound "mean" more to me

I always view Epcot about encouraging discovery of new things (technology, cultures, etc) but I definitely can see your angle as well and if it resonates with you then I get it

 

[bmr1591]

I saw Harmonious many times and have seen Luminous many times. I won't comment on the quality of either show, but I will say there is a noticeable difference in the amount of guests who stay for Luminous compared to Harmonious.

 

[TTA94]

I saw Harmonious many times and have seen Luminous many times. I won't comment on the quality of either show, but I will say there is a noticeable difference in the amount of guests who stay for Luminous compared to Harmonious.

Besides the Harmonious barges my other guess as to why some people didn’t stay for it has to do with the different languages. If Harmonious had a theme song, more of a story and was mostly in English I think that would have made a big difference. The problem is I think they toned the vibe down to much with Luminous. That or they rushed to much or had to small of a budget for Luminous which is understandable after they had to trash a very expensive show. I highly doubt they have any desire to put yet another new show in WSL for a few years at least but with the right budget they definitely could do better.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

One of the negatives with Luminous. More barges and fountains would help a lot. Plus fire effects. Hopefully one day they will get it right.

To me after seeing it in person I don't have the complaints that I had with Harmonious where everything just seemed centered in one location vs Epcot Forever had barges spread out.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

By Bringing back a creative fireworks show and call it Illuminations: Eternal Flame it evokes a sense of enduring, spiritual illumination, often used to represent the divine spark or inner wisdom that guides and inspires us all...

WOW what a TITLE!!!! I would cry with that title alone, the flame towers can be respected even more as an official icon. This title also breathes a sequel to Illuminations ROE to me. It be such a difficult show to invent, why don't we bring back the same composer and give him two weeks to come up with something, the man was a Genius!

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Interesting take. I find Momentous to be much closer to HEA than Luminous, though I certainly see where you are coming from. The big difference is HEA, Momentous and most castle shows are focused on the viewer as an individual. It's YOUR life, YOUR hero journey, etc. Luminous feels much more about the collective human journey. How we are one of many instruments. Not to say there aren't big overlaps in those themes - rather the intended focus of the show. That's why Luminous works so well at EPCOT (and likely only EPCOT).

Now, Luminous having a bit more of Harmonious' budget for effects, rewrites, etc. - that's a different story. "Fully Funded" Luminous would have been incredible (likely with enough left over to install a fountain and a couple pretty decent refurbs!).

Actually had Harmonious, or Illuminations stayed at Epcot, Luminous would've worked as it's own at Animal Kingdom because the heartbeat of nature's animals and creatures share the same values and living life cycle as well. However it would have visuals or just fountains with color and not fireworks.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Music changes, fire barge, more fountains closer to guests. I know some are in love with the theme songs for Luminous but imo the only good song is “One Heartbeat” in the post show. I have tried very hard to like the other two and I just can’t.

Would your opinion change if they brought back Kellie Coffey who did "We Go On and Promise" to sing Heartbeat Symphony. I love the songs lyrics and meaning, it's just I feel if it was her then it be like a tribute of her turning the page to another lesson of life.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

It was the other way around. It was inviting (or forcing) people from other cultures to engage with western, Disney-ified culture.

What made Harmonious for me was the different singers from different parts of the world that came together, loved the duet or even trio, back and forth, especially the Italian Tenor, French tenor, so powerful, so very Epcot vocally. Luminous is all females except the male that sings So Close and When She Loved Me which is okay but very HEA. That's why I wouldn't mind if they kept the first song in Harmonious and interesting now that Moana is officially in the park, it is removed from the nighttime show. Same feeling with having children voices in Epcot Forever! Having a male sing the 2nd song with the two ladies would change the vibe, throw the tenors in there, you know just like they did Someday. Perhaps this didn't come to fruition because Luminious didn't have a chance to have the budget as Harmonious did.

 

[TTA94]

Would your opinion change if they brought back Kellie Coffey who did "We Go On and Promise" to sing Heartbeat Symphony. I love the songs lyrics and meaning, it's just I feel if it was her then it be like a tribute of her turning the page to another lesson of life.

Perhaps. But it’s not just the singer it’s the song all together that not catchy. I am partially team upbeat party type music, but I do also enjoy orchestral and slow music as long as it’s catchy and an ear warm. “Heartbeat Symphony” and “Beating Of Our Hearts” is not that.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Perhaps. But it’s not just the singer it’s the song all together that not catchy. I am partially team upbeat party type music, but I do also enjoy orchestral and slow music as long as it’s catchy and an ear warm. “Heartbeat Symphony” and “Beating Of Our Hearts” is not that.

I agree with you, how I know this is because those songs took me almost three weeks to like them. And you want to know something crazy, I refused to dish on the after songs until I went in person and the first day there I absolutely loved them performed !

 

[aladdin2007]

I like the 2nd original song (the finale one) but don't care for the first one

Do think the Exit music (the One Heart Beat, one little spark, etc) is the best part of the show overall

Agree, the first one is way over produced and I feel like Im being shouted at. One Heart Beat is really nice and would have preferred just that one used instead of the other.

 

[aladdin2007]

Would your opinion change if they brought back Kellie Coffey who did "We Go On and Promise" to sing Heartbeat Symphony. I love the songs lyrics and meaning, it's just I feel if it was her then it be like a tribute of her turning the page to another lesson of life.

I know I would really enjoy that.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

WOW what a TITLE!!!! I would cry with that title alone, the flame towers can be respected even more as an official icon. This title also breathes a sequel to Illuminations ROE to me. It be such a difficult show to invent, why don't we bring back the same composer and give him two weeks to come up with something, the man was a Genius!

I would also include using the lighting on SSE and the....*sigh & grumble* Dreamers point area...

The way I see the opening is as the torches blew out..You just slowly start hearing a heartbeat as it gets louder and louder and then around the lagoon the sparks launch to create life...Aaannd that's all I got for the moment..Feel free to add what could go next...

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

I would also include using the lighting on SSE and the....*sigh & grumble* Dreamers point area...

The way I see the opening is as the torches blew out..You just slowly start hearing a heartbeat as it gets louder and louder and then around the lagoon the sparks launch to create life...Aaannd that's all I got for the moment..Feel free to add what could go next...

Wow that concept is identical to how Illuminations ROE started except now your using an actual heartbeat sound? Instead of one flying spark, your concept is going with sparks all around the lagoon launching together.

Your calling the show
Illuminations: Eternal Flame
Is this a bringing back Illuminations in a bigger way I would think is what your trying to convey here?

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Wow that concept is identical to how Illuminations ROE started except now your using an actual heartbeat sound? Instead of one flying spark, your concept is going with sparks all around the lagoon launching together.

Your calling the show
Illuminations: Eternal Flame
Is this a bringing back Illuminations in a bigger way I would think is what your trying to convey here?

Ehh..Kinda? Like a tribute to the beginning. But, also more lighting and using Pavillion buildings from left to right and then all at once for the last few beats to then go into the flying sparks to convey life has started...

After that The segments of Happiness, Darkness, Inspiration and Celebration..With different fireworks and such..No clue what I would have in the lagoon for projection use if it was needed nor how the score would even sound like but, the finale would have perimeter fireworks launching off the WS pavillions at the finale..Not many but, just enough..

 

[peter11435]

They did for decades and the amount of time the additional hardware would take for luminous cannot be consequentially longer than illuminations.

We're just going to have to agree to disagree on this one.

Except there were times even with Illuminations that the barges or some of the barges would be left in the lagoon. Although that was far less frequent.

The amount of time the bridge needs to be raised for Luminous IS consequentially longer.

 

[Disone]

Except there were times even with Illuminations that the barges or some of the barges would be left in the lagoon. Although that was far less frequent.

The amount of time the bridge needs to be raised for Luminous IS consequentially longer.

Having waited through the process once... I did not notice it being longer. They brought through two large ones and lowered it back. There's was still more to bring out later.

But as I said.... The harmonious barges really were not the deal breaker for me they were for so many others so.... Shruggs. I still think they are putting a cost savings and hassles avoidance over safety and show but I am also "it is what it is regardless of what I think" on this one.

 

[peter11435]

I still think they are putting a cost savings and hassles avoidance over safety and show but I am also "it is what it is regardless of what I think" on this one.

What costs would it save? What hassle would it avoid other than inconveniencing guests?

If cost and hassle were their reasoning why wouldn’t they do it everyday?

 

[Disone]

What costs would it save? What hassle would it avoid other than inconveniencing guests?

If cost and hassle were their reasoning why wouldn’t they do it everyday?

Great questions .... And I don't want to be rude and ignore your questions, as in general I enjoy your posts a lot, but at the same time I said my peace on this.

Thank you.