EPCOT Reflections of Earth confirmed to be replaced by Harmonious

[MiddKid]

Fun thing I picked up on over being in Epcot for 2 days. CM's trying to tell people where a country is at is going to be a challenge. Someone over by Germany was trying to find the UK so they went to a CM. The CM pointed in the direction of the UK.
The UK from roughly that spot:

"I don't see it"
"Okay, so the UK is right over there...you see that black thing? It's right behind it.
"Like is it the pointed building?"
"No, it's next to it on the left from here"
"Is it those tiny houses?"
"Just walk past France and keep going until you see the red phonebooths"


You can't make this crap up. I never ever thought it would actually make a CMs job harder yet here we are. I heard a similar interaction about 2 more times relating to other countries.


If they can sink, they'll go down probably 3-5 feet. There's AC units and open vents on the sides.

While I'm no fan of the barges this got me thinking about one of my favorite interactions while working the tip board (at this point decades ago) at the Magic Kingdom. Around noon on a hot July day...family walks up to me:

"We just got here, where are the rides?"

I get the question...arguably from the hub you can't really see any "rides" like your local Six Flags, but it still struck me as funny (and a reality check on the knowledge level of a good chunk of visitors that these boards often forget). All that to say, I think the impact of the barges on giving directions is a blip on the radar compared to a lot of directions conversations that have happening over the decades throughout all the parks.

 

[TTA94]

The site that shall not be named said they noticed a sound board inside one of the tents.

 

[trainplane3]

While I'm no fan of the barges this got me thinking about one of my favorite interactions while working the tip board (at this point decades ago) at the Magic Kingdom. Around noon on a hot July day...family walks up to me:

"We just got here, where are the rides?"

I get the question...arguably from the hub you can't really see any "rides" like your local Six Flags, but it still struck me as funny (and a reality check on the knowledge level of a good chunk of visitors that these boards often forget). All that to say, I think the impact of the barges on giving directions is a blip on the radar compared to a lot of directions conversations that have happening over the decades throughout all the parks.

I totally get that. I just thought it was a fun thing to bring up since it wasn't something I thought about happening. It is an extremely minor thing to bring up but it will still be something some CMs will have to work around/keep in mind.

 

[jrhwdw]

The site that shall not be named said they noticed a sound board inside one of the tents.

I didn't see the report but makes sense. Esp if heavy testing/rehearsing is starting. However, I wonder where the soundboard will permently go? Let's not glue the tents to WS Plaza! THAT I'll call a Mistake!!!


Were there tents when ROE was going to EF? I don't remember?

 

[uncle jimmy]

No, most of the clutter is from the past decade or so. It’s annoying. And indicative of how standards continue to fall.

@marni1971 (I may have this wrong and will need to re-watch your IllumiNations videos again) did they have barges stationed before, but the guests (public) complained about the view and when the show changed, the barges went away each night?

Do you think there is currently a person working on alternative solutions for the barges moving into and out of place, so not in the public sight all day (water fountain doesn't count)?

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Do you think there is currently a person working on alternative solutions for the barges moving into and out of place, so not in the public sight all day (water fountain doesn't count)?

I'm not Martin, but based on what he's already said about this show so many times over I would wager no.

 

[marni1971]

@marni1971 (I may have this wrong and will need to re-watch your IllumiNations videos again) did they have barges stationed before, but the guests (public) complained about the view and when the show changed, the barges went away each night?

Do you think there is currently a person working on alternative solutions for the barges moving into and out of place, so not in the public sight all day (water fountain doesn't count)?

This is the first time obtrusive hardware hasn’t been movable. Save for the expanded inferno barge slip.

 

[uncle jimmy]

I'm not Martin, but based on what he's already said about this show so many times over I would wager no.

I just wondered if things have changed since they've been testing the water and all barges are in place...

This is the first time obtrusive hardware hasn’t been movable. Save for the expanded inferno barge slip.

The inferno barge is what I was thinking.

 

[marni1971]

I just wondered if things have changed since they've been testing the water and all barges are in place...

The inferno barge is what I was thinking.

Even that came out each day.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I didn't see the report but makes sense. Esp if heavy testing/rehearsing is starting. However, I wonder where the soundboard will permently go? Let's not glue the tents to WS Plaza! THAT I'll call a Mistake!!!


Were there tents when ROE was going to EF? I don't remember?

Well they would likely operate the show from the same tech booth / room as the other shows. They don’t need as much equipment once the show is programmed, but programming requires a lot of extra equipment, which is why they set up under tents.

 

[uncle jimmy]

Even that came out each day.

I just re-watched the beginning on your video and caught what I was confused on with Le Carnaval De Lumiere... thanks for explaining.
I thought they were stationed there and the screens came out. my bad

 

[zakattack99]

This is the first time obtrusive hardware hasn’t been movable. Save for the expanded inferno barge slip.

Just for clarification, is the hardware moveable in its current form? I understand the logistics of the canal being to small, bridge being up to long, lack of will to find a solution, but is it even possible to move them every night at this point even if they wanted to or was that design requirement dropped when they decided not to move them. Sorry if this has been asked before.

 

[marni1971]

Just for clarification, is the hardware moveable in its current form? I understand the logistics of the canal being to small, bridge being up to long, lack of will to find a solution, but is it even possible to move them every night at this point even if they wanted to or was that design requirement dropped when they decided not to move them. Sorry if this has been asked before.

The main barges have no internal propulsion. So not impossible, but not exactly designed to.

 

[zakattack99]

The main barges have no internal propulsion. So not impossible, but not exactly designed to.

Ok, I just was not sure if beyond that if there was anything in their current design that would make them impossible to move each night. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[jrhwdw]

Well they would likely operate the show from the same tech booth / room as the other shows. They don’t need as much equipment once the show is programmed, but programming requires a lot of extra equipment, which is why they set up under tents.

Thanks! The Tents are new to me unless we all saw them Aug-Sep 2019 when EF's show was being Programed and I completely spaced it! The last time Epcot "Built" a show was 1999: 2000 ROE. I don't think we had Discussion Fourms yet to say WS had tents or not! LOL!


Found this on Twitter, is it close or way off?????:

 

[wdwmagic]

Thanks! The Tents are new to me unless we all saw them Aug-Sep 2019 when EF's show was being Programed and I completely spaced it! The last time Epcot "Built" a show was 1999: 2000 ROE. I don't think we had Discussion Fourms yet to say WS had tents or not! LOL!


Found this on Twitter, is it close or way off?????:

June opening for Harm? That would be a big no

 

[jrhwdw]

June opening for Harm? That would be a big no

Thanks, I thought as much. Maybe they were Bus CM's?

 

[Disney Analyst]

Thanks! The Tents are new to me unless we all saw them Aug-Sep 2019 when EF's show was being Programed and I completely spaced it! The last time Epcot "Built" a show was 1999: 2000 ROE. I don't think we had Discussion Fourms yet to say WS had tents or not! LOL!


Found this on Twitter, is it close or way off?????:

Yes, also important to remember they also try to program from where an audience views, and then they likely would rotate around the lagoon to ensure sight lines are working.

 

[CastAStone]

Thanks! The Tents are new to me unless we all saw them Aug-Sep 2019 when EF's show was being Programed and I completely spaced it! The last time Epcot "Built" a show was 1999: 2000 ROE. I don't think we had Discussion Fourms yet to say WS had tents or not! LOL!


Found this on Twitter, is it close or way off?????:

June opening for Harm? That would be a big no

The rumor as I heard it was EF back as soon as late June, not Harmonious. Harmonious would “perhaps” ready for the 50th.

 

[HauntedPirate]

The rumor as I heard it was EF back as soon as late June, not Harmonious. Harmonious would “perhaps” ready for the 50th.

I believe that is their hope for HARModious, as well, since they were selling dining packages (for dates starting around October 1) for it a while back.