EPCOT Reflections of Earth confirmed to be replaced by Harmonious

[EvilChameleon]

I know nobody wants to hear it, but ROE had *very poor* guest feedback scores. People complained that it "wasn't Disney enough." Chapek didn't make that up. WE loved ROE, but the plebes hated it. They thought it was boring.

So what happens if the plebs hate Harmonious just as much as the "we"?

 

[JJHale]

The lack of a common thread really bugs me - it's just a clip show from one segment to the next. This is something all the great spectaculars have gotten right.

What's the signature melody meant to stick with us long after the show concludes? There isn't one? Wow.

THAT is what’s missing. You nailed it.

 

[Tavernacle12]

I watched a small bit and it seemed like they tried to combo Go The Distance and How Far I’ll Go and it was painful to listen to, and I love those songs in isolation. I turned it off. If I’m ever in Epcot at night again I’ll just stay in Future World, which would be an almost unfathomable thought to me a few years ago.

 

[WDWTrojan]

No soul, no story. The lighting was cool but it all somehow felt like like a giant very expensive music festival with some pyro added.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

THAT is what’s missing. You nailed it.

Agreed. And it's sad because this one probably had the most potential. "Music is our universal language.". "we all want to do our best and it's even better when we do it together". There are a lot of themes that could have been used for this location and even show name.

 

[KingdomofDreams]

Wasn't impressed other than with the tech. Got no "feels" at all. Just music around the World. Where's the originality, the creativity? I doubt we'll even take the time and be willing to fight the crowds to view this one in person. Not trying to be a jerk. Just being very honest. And honestly, it makes me quite sad to say.

 

[jeffnheather]

My overall reaction...just personal...just my own...just my feelings...is that it is WAY too overstimulating in a way that is NOT pleasant and did NOT leave me with a good feeling.

The tech on its own is pretty cool.

The music just...well...frustrated me. I get what they were going for. But it just sounded like a loud mess at parts. And the 'Goodnight' at the end? Sounded like Alexa responding to a voice command.

Color me disappointed.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

Gotta say out of everything, The beacons stole the show.

 

[vikescaper]

Well, it’s getting late so I better get some rest. To quote Harmonious, “Good night!”

 

[scottb411]

I was a fan of ROE. Just rewatched the video of ROE’s final performance again and Harmonious is definitely a major upgrade all around from my standpoint and is Disney’s answer to Universal’s Cinematic Celebration that they have to compete with. My kids will really enjoy Harmonious as well. I get the points on the soundtrack and maybe Disney will bring back some of the ROE soundtrack in a future iteration of the new show someday to spark up some nostalgia but I think the show is great in all that it is right now. Great job Disney!

 

[wtyy21]

I was a fan of ROE. Just rewatched the video of ROE’s final performance again and Harmonious is definitely a major upgrade all around from my standpoint and is Disney’s answer to Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular that they have to compete with. My kids will really enjoy Harmonious as well. I get the points on the soundtrack and maybe Disney will bring back some of the ROE soundtrack in a future iteration of the new show someday to spark up some nostalgia but I think the show is great in all that it is right now. Great job Disney!

I agree. Despite both shows were not as great as WOC at DCA as their have less fountains.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

One of my biggest HEA complaints was it felt like a clip show with no clear story. Harmonious takes that thought and doubles down on it, which is really disappointing. No overarching theme, no narrative, no theme song. Just...songs from movies in a random order.

 

[wtyy21]

One of my biggest HEA complaints was it felt like a clip show with no clear story. Harmonious takes that thought and doubles down on it, which is really disappointing. No overarching theme, no narrative, no theme song. Just...songs from movies in a random order.

This is a trend nowadays in almost all Disney nighttime spectaculars since World of Color (2010) except maybe Disneyland Forever, which still contains Walt's quote and Orange Grove history which becoming Disneyland, and park-focused firework shows such as EF, Remember, and Celebrate! TDL.

 

[Joesixtoe]

Lots of potential.. However the music is disjointed, the character designs are at times a bit off putting, the characters seem forced into a park that doesn't really highlight them. I found myself bored and confused until a firework went off. Then the finale happened and it sprung back into life. This ending showcased I believe call backs to Illumination and had me wanting more of this. That said I also loved Epcot Forever lol, so to each their own.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

One of my biggest HEA complaints was it felt like a clip show with no clear story. Harmonious takes that thought and doubles down on it, which is really disappointing. No overarching theme, no narrative, no theme song. Just...songs from movies in a random order.

It’s so confusing, as the best parts of HEA (to me) were always the beginning and the end.

The individual segments were solid too, but that’s where most of the punch was. Even the projections were just icing - HEA was good despite them.

Seems like Disney has learned all the wrong lessons from it.

 

[Disone]

I was a fan of ROE. Just rewatched the video of ROE’s final performance again and Harmonious is definitely a major upgrade all around from my standpoint and is Disney’s answer to Universal’s Cinematic Celebration that they have to compete with. My kids will really enjoy Harmonious as well. I get the points on the soundtrack and maybe Disney will bring back some of the ROE soundtrack in a future iteration of the new show someday to spark up some nostalgia but I think the show is great in all that it is right now. Great job Disney!

Universal cinematic celebration?

Hummmmm..... I mean it's an okay show. I don't think it's something that Disney had to respond to.

 

[KIGhostGuy]

I just don’t understand why this show has no original song(s). I kept expecting some sort of original HarmonioUS theme song to bring everything together, but nope.

 

[markham]

When did it become fashionable for transitions in a show to mean “fade to black…now a different thing entirely?”

this is technically impressive but soulless. Felt like I was watching a new technology demonstration at a trade show. The tech is cool, but there’s no artistry. To misquote another property’s franchise, they got so caught up asking themselves if they could do it that they never asked themselves if they should. Does it make sense here, how do we use these new toys to tell a more compelling story instead of just showing off our latest big $$$ spend.

haven’t seen it person obviously, but from the videos, I’m not really clamoring to. I’ll get to it eventually I’m sure but for me, this is not it.

 

[brb1006]

I just don’t understand why this show has no original song(s). I kept expecting some sort of original HarmonioUS theme song to bring everything together, but nope.

I swear the Epcot Preview Center hinted at an original song for the show.

 

[wdwmagic]

Here is our first video of Harmonious.