EPCOT's new nighttime spectacular will continue to feature music from the Disney songbook

Mar 15, 2023 in "Harmonious"

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New 2023 EPCOT firework show concept art

Posted: Wednesday March 15, 2023 8:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

As part of this week's media event, Disney has provided a brief update on EPCOT's new nighttime spectacular set to debut later in 2023.

New 2023 EPCOT firework show concept art

According to Disney, the new show will "feature an original composition and evocative selections from the Disney songbook – all woven together to remind us that we are more alike than different."

Expected to debut fall 2023, the show will continue to use music, pyrotechnics, lasers, and lighting.

Harmonious show

The new show will be the permanent replacement for Harmonious, which will close at the end of March 2023. EPCOT Forever will return as an interim show while the new show is developed for its fall debut.

Disney has also previously confirmed that there will be a phased removal of the fireworks platform in World Showcase lagoon.

Firework platforms for Harmonious have been a source of significant guest pushback

Harmonious, which debuted as part of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary and the brain-child of former CEO Bob Chapek, has faced heavy guest criticism for the daytime impact on the view across World Showcase Lagoon and disappointing as a show.

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TheCoasterNerd3 days ago

The fantasmic changes are temporary. Everything that was and more will return. They just wanted the show back at all. In addition, we have 4 viewing areas for our fireworks each with different show elements such as lighting, projections, and now even a second soundtrack. You have... one? two? viewing areas. Also yes you were just unlucky. That's not normal hours.

ToTBellHop3 days ago

Last time I went, both parks were 10-8. Guess I was unlucky! I wasn’t at all impressed with DL’s nighttime offerings but that’s a matter of preference. They keep making their Fantasmic! worse.

TheCoasterNerd3 days ago

Fireworks are on weekends most of the year, but that's just because of a legal issue with daily fireworks, not Disney themselves. They offer WoC (usually twice) every single night at DCA as well. They have two parades, Fantasmic, fireworks, and on nights without fireworks, still a stunning projection show. The projections (unless the projectors are under their occasional maintenance) are every night. Still, longer hours. Also when does it open at 10? I've never seen that. On a Thursday in November (November 17 2023) it was still 8-12 and 8-10. Even in January, it's still 8-10, which is an hour longer than WDW.

jrhwdw3 days ago

Very Fair

ToTBellHop3 days ago

To be fair, DL closes early with no fireworks and opens at 10 am on weekdays for most of the year. WDW deserves much criticism by they should be lauded for offering nighttime spectaculars in 3 parks 365 nights a year. It took DL a year to bring F! back with Maleficent in B-mode…

jrhwdw3 days ago

And F! hasn't changed their Schedule since the early 90s since DL went down to 2 a night. Also, every time MSEP returns, it falls back into the old Schedule....

jrhwdw3 days ago

Ah........ We'll see what MK comes up with......

TheCoasterNerd3 days ago

I've always thought MKs hours were dumb. 9am-10pm? Yet another reason I prefer Land, where hours are 8-midnight usually. So nice to be able to do hours of rides afterwards with minimal waits (after the families have gone home post-fireworks). I find it ironic that Disneyland's SECOND GATE is open an hour longer than all of Magic Kingdom