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

Gallery / 1 Photo
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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DisoneSep 29, 2025

lol. It's a secret that only my autocorrect knows.

MisterPenguinSep 29, 2025

What were you changing into at 10p?

DisoneSep 29, 2025

Every year, yup:). I miss when it used to be 10:00 p.m. clothes and fireworks during the summer and holidays.

DCBakerSep 29, 2025

As EPCOT park hours shift to 9:30pm during the International Festival of the Holidays, note that Luminous will also move to a 9:30pm showtime starting November 28:

SquishyAug 22, 2025

I noticed sometime this year they changed how they fire the comets from the center barge raised pole in the finale. Instead of them firing one after the other in a pattern with slow fuses they switched them to fire all at once in groups of 3. Before: Currently:

Disgruntled WaltJul 26, 2025

I rode three times just a few days before that and we missed final Kylo A-mode every time.

mattpetoJul 25, 2025

I do think Rise at DHS will get some love eventually.

TrainsOfDisneyJul 25, 2025

Yeah I saw them not working out there too. But my recent trip in summer they were all moving and all effects worked. It was glorious! Hard to pick an all time favorite for me…. Probably still Spider-Man at IOA or maybe Indy. Or even mummy with all effects. That was my favorite era of theme parks. Before video took over. I love physically effects like fire, fog, etc.

easyrowrdwJul 25, 2025

They didn't when I was there! :p But, seriously, I'm glad they've been fixed. I still think Rise (when it first opened) is the best attraction I've ever experienced. It'd be nice to see it return to its fully functional glory at WDW.

TrainsOfDisneyJul 25, 2025

They all work in California!

easyrowrdwJul 25, 2025

That's awesome. I haven't seen the blasters move in a long time. Hopefully the cannons get fixed too.

gerararJul 25, 2025

I rode twice last Wednesday (7/16) and every effect was working except the cannons. Probably the best I've seen it since 2021 when the cannons were in A-mode Lite. All the blaster spinners in AT-AT room, hand guns, Finn AA, probe droid, etc. My party and I went in standby line around 11am and the posted wait time was 85 mins, got to preshows in 70 mins. I also did single-rider later on in the day and the final Kylo AA switched to B-mode. But everything else was still working as earlier in the day.

easyrowrdwJul 25, 2025

Out of curiosity I looked at passes for ROTR and there's nothing available for today or the following five days. At $20+ a pop and currently a 2-hour standby wait, I don't see any way they retheme the ride. It'd be nice if they would fix the broken effects though.

Starship824Jul 25, 2025

I like that segment in theory but I just really hate that version of that song so it's hard for me to get invested, I actually think a simple piano version would be better, I really don't like the vocals but I'm probably in the minority in that. Edit: fixed the insane amount of grammatical errors I had! 😃😭