EPCOT Forever expected to return to Walt Disney World for a third time

Sep 14, 2022 in "Epcot Forever"

Forum Forums Tweet Share Tweet Share

Gallery / 2 Photos
EPCOT Forever 2.0 preview show

Posted: Wednesday September 14, 2022 8:46am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Following Disney's announcement that EPCOT's Harmonious nighttime spectacular will be closing in 2023, attention turns to the likely line-up of the park's nighttime shows during the year.

Harmonious is confirmed to close in 2023

Although not announced, the final performance of Harmonious will likely occur alongside the conclusion of Walt Disney World's 50th celebration on March 31 2023.

We don't have an opening date for the currently unnamed new show, but Disney has given the vague timeline of late 2023. Should Harmonious end on March 31, and the new show make its debut in late 2023, expect to see EPCOT Forever return as an interim show.

EPCOT Forever will likely return for the third time to EPCOT

Originally developed as an interim show to be performed between Reflections of Earth and Harmonious, EPCOT Forever requires little specific hardware in the lagoon, relying primarily on mobile launch platforms that can be brought out into the lagoon each day.

EPCOT Forever

The first version of EPCOT Forever that debuted on October 1 2019 featured fireworks and stunt kites. and played until Walt Disney World's closure in 2020. The show resumed on July 1 2021 as firework shows returned to Walt Disney World after the pandemic shutdown. The second version dropped the stunt kites, but added more fireworks in their place. Its last performance was September 28 2021, making way for Harmonious on September 29.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

Starship8241 day ago

Maybe because they need to program it for the barges? Maybe they're using the Luminous barges instead of the WWIII barges?

jrhwdw1 day ago

Heartbeat Of Freedom Testing already????: https://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2024/05/after-hours-pyrotechnic-testing-to-take.html

Starship8242 days ago

So I updated my video to include the whole show in source audio with a few minor exceptions such as some of the transitions and some of the narration. I also will be uploading one without narration. Enjoy!

aladdin20073 days ago

What I dont understand is Chefs de France not opening till noon, with hordes of people waiting outside, when other locations open sooner. And Tuttio Italia not opening till near 1. Its their own loss they could be making more money. Its the decision of third party managements I guess but just seems with the masses of people in this area of the park now they should be opening sooner than they do. Meanwhile they need to kick merch out of the bakery area back there in France and put it more tables, the situation is horrible with the crowds and absolutely nowhere to sit. Okay back to the fireworks I know. sorry.

Rich Brownn3 days ago

Well it was about time for us to get our own version of Light Magic (Disneyland's infamous parade that never ever gets mentioned in any book or video) :D

ToTBellHop3 days ago

If it takes a few years, you’re probably right. World of Color treatment (but hopefully not worse with each new iteration like WoC…)

TTA943 days ago

I feel like they might just change the entire show to the next version of Luminous rather than swap out segments. Of course keeping the infrastructure but perhaps add fire and very likely drones. When this happens though who knows.

ToTBellHop3 days ago

Plus, the "premium" type of guest he wants is turned off by the actual experience of planning a Disney trip now. There are plenty who can afford the experience, including a deluxe resort, but don't think the pay-off is there. They are slowly improving this, but it was asinine that they EVER let a guess arrive at a deluxe resort (or any Disney resort...) only to be told they couldn't get a park reservation. That's largely ended but you still have the same guest arriving in the park only to find all the good LLs are gone. No good. Disney created this mess and is slow-walking any improvements.

Andrew253 days ago

Yup - answer was always to increase (or update older less popular experiences) simultaneously with attendance. I do think dynamic/variable pricing is needed to spread demand out, but on any given the day there's an obvious lack of capacity at the parks to accommodate people comfortably.

ToTBellHop3 days ago

Bob has somehow finally realized that they need more bodies. At his level of compensation, he should have known that all along.

Andrew253 days ago

There's only so much disposable income available by the average person. Which is why I'm surprise Disney went on this journey to slim down attendance and squeeze whales.

ToTBellHop3 days ago

Sure. Also, with WS becoming more family-friendly, I'm not sure many families want to book some of the restaurants that feel "stuffy". It was a bone-headed move to put in that bizarre creperie by Rat instead of Chez Remy's. I'm sure they WANTED people to snack around the world on festival food and then sit down to dinner. Many are unlikely to have that kind of disposable income and personally, I could afford it, but after waiting around for snacks from several kiosks, I'd feel bad asking my kids to then sit down to a dinner (even if I could eat that much). They'd rather go on rides at 5 pm and I don't blame them.

GhostHost10003 days ago

I don’t know but I think they could easily plus it with some fire effects and a much stronger ending.

Andrew253 days ago

I'd imagine part of it is World Showcase becoming more popular earlier in the day for lunch with all of the attractions there now, so I'd imagine lunch reservations have substituted a good amount of dinner reservations? Can't imagine people are booking two full service meals a day.