Perhaps equally as important, Harmonious appears to be maintenance-intensive. (It was also designed for future updates to keep it fresh.) If you’ve ever had the sense that Harmonious feels disjointed and some songs slotted in almost at random, you’re not that far off the ordering of scenes could be changed by dragging and dropping songs on a computer. This was reinforced by interviews with certain creatives, who suggested that the songs were shuffled around relatively last minute. (For all of his other faults, this actually is not the only rumor about Chapek demanding better of a notably underwhelming addition.) There was chatter about this prior to Harmonious debuting, with Chapek and others being disappointed with the nighttime spectacular when it was screened for them. Harmonious also, supposedly, was met with a mixed response by high level leadership at the Walt Disney Company. (Read our Harmonious Review for much more.) We have heard numerous credible reports that its guest satisfaction scores were low for a nighttime spectacular, right around the same level as EPCOT Forever–not good since that was an interim show. Unfortunately, Harmonious garnered mixed reviews among Walt Disney World fans, us included. In fairness, it did draw people to EPCOT for a while…but largely because Animal Kingdom has no nighttime spectacular and Fantasmic took longer than expected to refresh. It would’ve been Walt Disney World’s distinct nighttime draw, pulling people to EPCOT in the evenings to spend money on food & beverages, and recouping much of its investment. That investment was not for an 18-month nighttime spectacular, either Harmonious was supposed to be EPCOT’s answer to World of Color, lasting a decade or more. The company invested a ton of money on this–Harmonious was rumored to cost north of $100 million–putting it in the same budgetary league as the Little Mermaid dark ride. I was shocked when this was announced back at the D23 Expo, as Harmonious was never intended to be a temporary nighttime spectacular for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. In terms of commentary, let’s start with the conclusion of Harmonious. A limited-time spectacle of lasers, lighting, special effects, and fireworks, “EPCOT Forever” returns with a collection of songs that offer both a trip down memory lane and a look toward the future. Similar to how it appeared in 2021, “EPCOT Forever” is the perfect offering while the Disney Entertainment team preps the Lagoon, including a phased removal of fireworks platforms following the final “Harmonious” performance on April 2, 2023. Before the new show launches, we will bring back “EPCOT Forever” as an interim show over the skies of World Showcase Lagoon starting April 3, 2023. Whether it’s your first time, or the park is your home away from home, get ready to reach out and find your happily ever after with us at Cinderella Castle soon.Īnd as we shared at D23 Expo in September, an all-new nighttime spectacular is planned to debut at EPCOT later this year. “Disney Enchantment” will be offered through April 2, 2023. Happily Ever After will feature all-new projections down Main Street, U.S.A. Well, I hope you’re “ Ready to begin…” because fan-favorite nighttime spectacular “Happily Ever After” returns to Magic Kingdom on April 3, 2023. Happy 2023! A new year means fresh memories waiting to be made at Walt Disney World Resort, and one of the best moments for many of us is watching fireworks pop above the skies to wrap up a perfect Disney day. Walt Disney World has now shared the specific dates and details for the conclusion of the current nighttime spectaculars and returns of the beloved fan-favorites. Well, that is not quite correct, but it’s close! More recently, Walt Disney World has quietly updated its official website for the World’s Most Magical Celebration, suggesting that the Disney Enchantment Fireworks and Harmonious nighttime spectacular would conclude along with the end of the 50th Anniversary on March 31, 2023. However, no timing for the conclusions or returns of the nighttime spectaculars was given. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro offered a sneak peek at concept art for the future in addition and teased what was to come in a few years. This was first announced last fall during the “A Boundless Future: Disney Parks, Experiences and Products” presentation at the D23 Expo. This post covers dates and details about the triumphant returns (well, at least HEA) of these nighttime spectaculars plus our commentary. With the conclusion of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, the Enchantment Fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious will be replaced by their predecessors, Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever.
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