EPCOT Unleashes two spectacular, previously unseen pyro effects in 'Luminous the Symphony of Us'

Dec 08, 2023 in "Luminous the Symphony of Us"

Luminous the Symphony of Us show
Posted: Friday December 8, 2023 9:51am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

'Luminous the Symphony of Us' made its EPCOT debut this week, leaving the mixed-media video screens and projections of Harmonious behind and returning to the classic fireworks show formula.

Disney turned to the legendary pyrotechnic designer Eric Tucker of Wishes and Reflections of Earth fame to deliver the spectacular display of synchronized fireworks during Luminous and two brand new, never-before-seen EPCOT pyrotechnic launch effects.

This article includes spoilers, so if you have not seen Luminous and want to be surprised by the finale, stop reading now and come back for a close-up look after you see the show.

The brand new effects are in the show's finale, to the song, "Beating of Our Heart."

Using a new custom-designed and built barge in the center of the lagoon, in the show's closing moments, a tower rises unnoticed from the lagoon. As it reaches its maximum height and perfectly synchronized to the music, the tower erupts with 360-degree fireworks radiating from its core. It goes on to fire five more bursts before descending back into the barge out of sight for the show's final seconds.

Immediately following the 360-degree tower launches comes the second new effect.

Each of the six main barges has been equipped with custom-designed launchers to direct massive red hearts toward the guests visiting from the World Showcase promenade. Each barge contains 16 launch tubes arranged to produce a heart shape.


In the finale, each barge fires the effect sequentially, launching giant heart shapes made of 16 shells toward the crowd like a huge confetti cannon.

Watch the video below for a close-up look at both new effects in action during the finale of EPCOT's 'Luminous the Symphony of Us' at Walt Disney World.

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gerarar1 hour ago

cornnibblitz6 hours ago

That decision was designed to make everyone unhappy -- the die hard fans who want to hear the show exactly as it sounds, and the music fans (cough, like myself), who don't want any narration at all.

Mikey7318114 hours ago

I really don’t get having the narration at the beginning and end but leaving out the middle. Also due to doing this is makes tracks “Luminous Family” and “Luminous Romance” unnecessary as they are only 30 seconds or so long, and would normally have narration. I think the only reason they are their own separate tracks is so when “Family” and “Romance” start it goes straight to the song without an instrumental first.

TTA9415 hours ago

Much appreciated lol. I’d do it myself but lack means to do it currently. Would be great to have the original audio file of the recording or whatever it is, for best quality. I know I already said this but for me I can deal with the lack of narration, it’s the intro that’s bugging the heck out of me lol. The drum segment is not commercially available like the rest of pre show songs are correct? Even if it was the chant wouldn’t be a part of the song I don’t think? 🤔

maxairmike16 hours ago

Likely just the tracks that are currently unavailable for streaming. This isn't at all uncommon with albums with multiple artists, actually. Getting the streaming rights lined up with multiple artists/writers/etc. can be a real pain. Since all tracks are available for purchase, it's almost certainly an issue with cleaning up the streaming rights. Go look at the original Aladdin soundtrack and you'll notice that (on Apple Music in the US at least), the Robin Williams tracks are unavailable, and on the extreme end the American Graffiti soundtrack has 8 of the 20 tracks unavailable for streaming from that album, even though you can stream the unavailable songs individually from the artist profiles. EDIT: And in the shifting world of streaming, Apple Music either resynced with my library or they updated the availability recently (as in the last few days since I played the album on Saturday), because for the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack version the Robin Williams tracks now show as available, BUT on the Special Edition soundtrack version the Robin Williams tracks are still unavailable. Go figure that one out.

doctornick17 hours ago

@wdwmagic I was looking at this thread and found this post... were you talking about the DS drone show or something else for 2024?

SoFloMagic18 hours ago

Leaked was recorded audio, so it didn't differentiate. Preshow is anything before 9pm 😂

TTA9418 hours ago

What was the leaked version though? Or was that a recording? The drums I could understand thats more part of the pre show, but the chants I thought was part of the show?

TTA9419 hours ago

Yes the actual show version lol 😂. I know not gonna happen.

Starship82419 hours ago

I'm guessing the missing tracks, I don't think there's anything else to add.

TTA9419 hours ago

More new tracks? Or just the missing tracks?

Starship82420 hours ago

Good to hear!

DCBaker20 hours ago

Post from a production stage manager at EPCOT: "Luminous has preliminarily dropped on Spotify and Apple Music. From what I hear more tracks are coming!".

Starship82420 hours ago

He did originally greenlight this show...