A brand new fireworks show has officially debuted in EPCOT as part of the park’s historic transformation.
The new show
We got to check out Luminous: The Symphony of Us for ourselves the night it premiered, and while we loved the impressive pyrotechnics and the symphonic soundtrack, not everyone seems to have the same opinion. We’ve heard folks saying they hate the new EPCOT fireworks show — and here’s why.
‘Twas a glorious day when Disney got rid of those eyesores known as the Harmonious barges, with fans (okay, us) rejoicing that World Showcase Lagoon was once again free of anything remarkably hideous in our line of sight. So, it was only logical that Luminous, EPCOT’s new fireworks show, would already have a leg up in that regard. But, it doesn’t seem as though folks are as thrilled with Luminous as we had originally thought.
Lasers
While the fireworks were impressive, folks can’t help but feel as though we were bamboozled by the replacement barges. Though smaller and screenless, the Luminous barges still played a major role in the show — spouting water when it’s called for.
Water barges
They’re absolutely gorgeous and help with the overall impact of the show, but some people are disappointed to find that they’re a pretty big aspect of the nighttime spectacular once again — just like the Harmonious barges were. Luckily, the Luminous ones can be removed from the lagoon, but it’s something people weren’t expecting.
Luminous
We were also originally told that no matter where you were standing along the World Showcase Lagoon, there wouldn’t really be a “bad” place from which to view the show. But, when we saw Luminous, we felt that to get the full experience, you really want a vantage point of everything — including the barges.
Luminous: The Symphony of US
But, perhaps the most ironic critique we heard was that people actually missed the visuals on the Harmonious barges. They displayed digital recreations of iconic Disney movie scenes and more that went along with the storyline — but this new show was missing that, and people certainly noticed.
Toy Story section of Luminous: The Symphony of US
Of course, there are also some positive opinions out there too! We overheard folks talking about just how incredible the musical score was for the show. There are two new songs — one at the beginning and the other at the end — with familiar Disney songs in between, all while telling the story of the human journey.
If you haven’t seen Luminous: The Symphony of Us just yet, we encourage you to go check it out for yourself — you just might end up finding a new favorite EPCOT fireworks show!
Beautiful display of fireworks
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A NEW Fireworks Show Has Debuted in EPCOT! Come With Us To Watch Luminous The Symphony of Us!
Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation?
NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT
Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana
Has the Mary Poppins Project at Disney World Been Canceled?
What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation?
SNEAK PEEK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT
Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation!
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Will you be checking out the new EPCOT fireworks show? Tell us in the comments!
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We loved the new Luminous show!! We had a great spot near Port of Entry store and could clearly see all of the barges / fountains as well as the fireworks. Loved the music, also!
The people that aren’t happy with this show would not be happy with any show. The show address every single short fall in Harmonious and is the same running time as Illumination. It is designed be be equal viewing all around World Showcase and the barges are removed during the day for the aesthetics of the world showcase view.
It’s a GREAT show
Moral of the story, be careful what you wish for. All everyone did was complain about the Harmonious barges. Now everyone is complaining about the lack of visuals. You can’t have it both ways folks. You can’t magically have visuals without having larger permanent structures which also means that there are viewing angles in which people cannot see the screens. I’m a rational Disney guest and this situation makes it so apparent that Disney guests are impossible to satisfy and are frequently irrational.
Can’t please everyone, ever. 😀
We are arriving in Hilton Head today, and Animal Kingdom Lodge tomorrow. Can’t WAIT to see the new Luminous. I love the fact that the barges can be moved.
Harmonius didn’t do a lot for us… not because of the barges but more likely because we LOVED Illuminations so so so much. It was hard to let go of. Harmonius didn’t seem as… cohesive? Touching? I don’t know.
Anyway… will be seeing Luminous any day now!
I was one of the spectators you speak of who wasn’t impressed lol. I don’t care for the fact that there is SO MUCH narration. Even the majority of the music has lyrics. What’s more, the tone of the music feels harsh; it commands my emotion rather than eliciting an organic emotional response from me. Overall, it reminds me of MK’s Happily Ever After, which I’m also not the biggest fan of. Not everything is for everyone, so I’m fine with Luminous not being a favorite nighttime show of mine. I just hope the string of IP-inspired music (in place of inspirational instrumentals and world beats) isn’t a new formula for all EPCOT fireworks shows going forward, or else I will be quite disappointed.
The reason the show stinks is not about the barges. It’s that the show is boring and nothing inspiring or uplifting like reflections of earth was. This is Disney. Yes, they can top reflections but it takes serious thought. They should have never gotten rid of it but modified it a bit maybe. This show too will not last. If a show doesn’t move you the first time you see it. Then it’s bad. Everyone of the vloggers were not sure what to think. “I will see it again” some said before deciding. That means it stinks. It didn’t wow you. Live Disney but come on. This show is just barely better than Harmonious.
Luminous is not good AT ALL. Harmonious was superb in every way- the music, the visuals, the fireworks. So disappointing
It was sooooooo boring! My ADD brain kicked in and said “let’s go back to the Poole!” I’m not even 12! Lol
But seriously, the barges and fireworks are very cool, the music and narration not so much.
I am not an illuminations fan, but that would be far better than this. Also this is suppose to stick around until 2050!
I loved Illuminations and Harmonious. Luminous is a huge disappointment for me. I wasn’t emotionally involved at all, and found it to be a downer. Who wants to be reminded of loss during a fireworks show? I didn’t find the lighting on the water to be very exciting, it was a let down after the effects of Harmonious. Most of all, the music was meh. The opening song sounded like the usual pop love song, and constant trite narration ruined any flow. Trying to pick Disney songs to fit the human life cycle was a miss for me. Saw it with my adult son who loves Disney, we both agreed we won’t bother to see it again, which is sad when we live locally and visit often.
Well, I did not love Harmonius and I do not love Luminous. I did love Illuminations, it inspired you and moved you and was a touching heartfelt show right from the onset. Everyone who saw Illuminations genuinely knew they either loved it or liked it right from the onset. It was one of those shows worth seeing again and again because it moved you – Disney you made a mistake by ending it completely, it was a knockout success and you truly should bring it back just UPGRADE it a bit thats all 🙂
Am I missing something here, this shows a mess, why do you think Disney bought back happily ever after, in Mk. Cos the people providing these new shows haven’t a clue in how to tell a story and add to a show, firstly you have dreamers point with a statue of Walt sitting down, this show should of started with “ we call it Epcot “ it’s our ( you know the rest) this new show is a mess, and I spoke to old cast members, who said it’ll be changed again as the backlash has been mostly negative, stop adding screaming music in these shows like a broadway show, there messy at best, you want a perfect show , head over to HS, phantasmic , get the people that created that and put on a show that Epcot deserves. Illuminations just needed updating , not taken away !!! And we have been suffering ever since ☹️
I know this is an old article but my family ADORED Illuminations and LOVED Harmonious. We HATE Luminous.
I don’t want to be forced to think about all of the unbelievably painful losses I’ve endured in such a short time at a Disney fireworks show of all places. The first time my family saw it we all felt sucker punched and left the park feeling miserable and devastated. My adult niece legitimately cried because of the recent loss of her mother and the emotional recovery from escaping a long term abusive relationship. The funk stayed with us until we went to bed.
Who at Disney thought it’s a good idea to force people to think about everything they’ve lost at the end of what’s supposed to be a magical day? You go to Disney to FORGET that stuff for a few days, not wallow in it!
I would give anything to have Harmonious back. That soundtrack was so good that you couldn’t help but dance to it.