EPCOT is finally approaching the end of its multi-year transformation.
EPCOT
We recently got to see the reveal of Dreamer’s Point and the new nighttime show, Luminous. However, not everyone is happy about these new transformation additions to the park — in fact, they have some pretty big problems with them.
The Transformation Isn’t As Grand As Originally Planned
One of the largest grievances guests have with the EPCOT Transformation is that when it was planned many years ago, there were TONS of new offerings that were going to be added. A Mary Poppins dark ride in the UK Pavilion, an update to Spaceship Earth, the PLAY! Pavilion, and so much more.
©Disney
The problem? All three of those things listed, as well as other projects, never happened. While we are getting Communicore Hall and Plaza, we’re not getting the Festival Center that was originally talked about. The PLAY! Pavilion project hasn’t had an update in many months, and other projects were postponed indefinitely.
Festival Pavilion Concept Art ©Disney
Therefore, many Disney fans feel like this isn’t the true transformation the park needed and/or that guests were looking forward to. While we’re excited we got some aspects of the original plan, there are other parts that we’d REALLY love see come to life in the near future, or at the very least, we’d love an official update on them so we know what’s going on.
Luminous
While many Disney fans were thrilled with the premiere of Luminous last on December 5th, there is one main complaint we were hearing as we were walking out of the park after the show, and that’s that they really missed the visual storytelling element.
Luminous
For Harmonious, Disney fans HATED the Harmonious barges with a passion. They blocked the beautiful view across World Showcase Lagoon, and if you weren’t in a spot where you could see the images on them during the show, you basically missed half of it.
Harmonious Barges
So Disney solved this problem by taking away the barges and deciding to tell the story of Luminous in a new way, primarily through song. While we loved the music in the show, we did also find ourselves missing a bit of that visual storytelling element, especially when we thought about those who are hearing impaired and may not be able to hear the music well.
Luminous: The Symphony of US
While we’re glad the barges don’t block the view during the day anymore, we have to admit that we didn’t really mind them being part of Harmonious’ show — we just didn’t like seeing them during the day, and many Disney fans feel the same. But, you can’t always get what you want, especially when it would require moving the barges in and out of the Lagoon each day, and it’s impossible to please everyone. So Disney, we get it!
EPCOT
We’re always here to bring you the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB!
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Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation!
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How do you feel about these new EPCOT additions? Tell us in the comments!
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My biggest problem with Epcot is the fact that they still haven’t brought back the Frozen 1 outfits & braided hairstyles for Anna & Elsa at the Royal Sommerhus. They still have the F2 looks. They need to bring back the Frozen 1 looks. The Frozen 1 looks are the best and most iconic looks for them. They’re the signature looks for Anna & Elsa. I really hope they bring the Frozen 1 looks back to the Royal Sommerhus.
They went too far with it at EPCOT. My kids and I loved Harmonious because of the many songs we could sing and dance to during the show. EPCOT is unique in that it offers ample space for us to dance during the shows, unlike the Magic Kingdom. The songs we recognized instantly brought smiles to our faces. EPCOT embodies Disney. I just wish they would embrace that aspect more for nighttime shows. The show itself was amazing; I just wish we could have sung along with our favorite characters more.
Things won’t change Untill fans revolt and stop going
My biggest issue with Epcot right now is that if you’re park hopping there, there is no way to ride Guardians of the Galaxy (unless you’re staying at a deluxe resort). The second window for virtual queue opens at 1, you need to be in the park, and you can’t be in the park till 2. AND they don’t sell lightning lanes for it. I tried 3 times with Epcot as my first park to get in the queue at 7am, and never got a spot.
I still miss the night time show when EPCOT originally opened. Each country was highlighted, one by one, with lights and lasers that transformed the look of the buildings, in that particular country, while music native to each country played. It was so much fun to watch and hear!
Harmonious has been my favorite nighttime spectacular at Epcot so far–really disappointed they didn’t keep it, especially given I only saw it via livestream. The energy in Harmonious was on point the entire time both visually and musically, while the two recent shows not so much.