Oh, EPCOT’s World Showcase Lagoon. It’s been through some changes lately.
World Showcase Lagoon
At the end of 2020, the first barges started to arrive for Harmonious, a 50th Anniversary nighttime spectacular that lasted in the park until April 2nd, 2023. It was a bit controversial — while the show itself had plenty of fans, many considered the barges to be unsightly and hated the way they blocked the view of the World Showcase. When Disney announced that the barges would be going away, guests were generally excited to have their regular view back. It took a while to get them all down, but the barges themselves have disappeared. However, there is still work being done in the lagoon. So, what exactly is going on?
Earlier this month, all of the barges finally came down, and Disney had them demolished. In place of Harmonious, the park brought back the EPCOT Forever fireworks show as a temporary hold until EPCOT gets its NEW nighttime spectacular (more on that in a second). But, recently, we’ve noticed some cranes and other equipment in the lagoon.
World Showcase Lagoon
You might be walking through EPCOT and wondering “Just what is going on here?” For starters, Disney hasn’t officially made any announcement specific to these cranes.
But, we spoke with a few Cast Members about them. One said that they were just there for further Harmonious equipment removal. That makes sense — there may have been quite a bit under the water meant to support, secure, or aid in the work of those barges that we couldn’t see from the surface.
The Old Barges
Another Cast Member couldn’t really give us any details about the crane, but they shared that many things go on under the waters of World Showcase Lagoon — mysterious, but intriguing. (Did we just get secret confirmation that there is a city of mermaids in EPCOT? 🤣 We kid, we kid.)
World Showcase Lagoon
Some might be worried that the cranes could be helping to install new barges, but considering the controversy Disney experienced with the previous barges, this might be unlikely. Plus, we did see the previous barges getting demolished.
One thing we do know for sure is that for now your view across World Showcase Lagoon is mostly unobstructed, something many fans are likely thrilled about. Plus, you can catch EPCOT Forever at nighttime, but it won’t be sticking around for too long!
EPCOT Forever
The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th Anniversary, and EPCOT is set to become the host of the celebration on the East Coast. Later this year, EPCOT will debut a new nighttime spectacular for the occasion!
New EPCOT show ©Disney
In March, Disney shared a first look at some of the concept art for the show, and it looks like it will make use of pyrotechnics, laser lights, and water features. Although we’ve seen effects like these previously in shows like EPCOT Forever and Harmonious, Disney may need to make some adjustments to the technology housed in World Showcase Lagoon to accommodate the show. So, we could continue to see work being done on the lagoon periodically until the show arrives.
World Showcase
According to Disney, the show is meant to “reflect the commonality in all of us.” Disney says that the show invites “everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.”
The show is set to debut in late 2023, but an exact date has not been shared yet.
EPCOT Forever
We will keep you updated as we know more! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest.
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What is your favorite nighttime show at Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!
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Nothing can replace the awe and spectacle of the World Showcase ball with the pictures of the animals and people on it, and the fire that you could feel the heat from. Thus was ground breaking and out of the box in its day and still it. Bring back the opening ball feature in the lake. It will still amaze guests.