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Preparations Underway for Disney Park’s New Nighttime Spectacular

EPCOT Luminous (2)
Credit: Disney and Canva

Nighttime shows are a massive part of Disney magic. The combination of fireworks, projections, characters, and beautiful soundtracks create spectacular evening shows throughout Disney’s destinations. One Disney Park is preparing for a new nighttime spectacular coming to guests for the first time next week.

Fireworks and projections on Cinderella castle during Happily Ever After show Disney robbery

Credit: Disney

Nighttime Shows in Walt Disney World

At Walt Disney World, guests can enjoy evening shows at three Disney Parks.

Happily Ever After lights up the night sky each evening at Magic Kingdom. This beloved show is full of heart, humor, and heroes from Disney movies over the ages. A true display of magic as it reminds viewers that we all can dream and have our own happily ever after.

Mickey Mouse sparklers walt disney world fantasmic!

Disney

Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic takes the stage each evening. The show features outstanding stunts, special effects including pyrotechnics, and more characters than any other evening show at Walt Disney World. As Mickey takes on epic Disney villains, guests learn the importance of imagination.

Finally, EPCOT Forever is the limited-time evening show on the World Showcase Lagoon. During the show, which celebrates EPCOT, fireworks and laser effects create a nighttime display to wrap up a magical evening at EPCOT for guests.

EPCOT Forever

Credit: Disney

EPCOT Looks For More

Over the past few years, the nighttime show at EPCOT has struggled. Since the removal of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth in 2019, the nighttime show at EPCOT has struggled.

Replacing IllumiNations was EPCOT Forever. This was advertised as a short-term replacement in preparation for the big reveal of Harmonious. As part of the big celebration in 2021, Harmonious debuted “among controversy.

Harmonious Barge at EPCOT

Credit: Disney

Many guests were already frustrated with the huge displays that found their home in World Showcase Lagoon for the show. These displays blinded many, blocking the once magical view across the World Showcase Lagoon.

This major nighttime spectacular had a concise run, ending in April 2023. Guests celebrated the removal of the large barges but were disappointed the EPCOT Forever would be returning once again.

EPCOT Luminous

Credit: Disney

There Is Hope

The good news is that a new show will be debuting in EPCOT for guests to enjoy this coming week.  Luminous The Symphony of Us will open on December 5, 2023.

Related: Long-Awaited Evening Show Finally Coming Soon

This new show will have fireworks, fountains, music, and lights all set to a  new, original musical score. The show, according to Disney’s website, will “come together to remind us that we are more alike than we are different.”

We don’t know much about the new show or what it will bring to EPCOT. After what could be considered a disaster of Harminnous, we hope this new show will live up to the beloved IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

Nighttime shows are a huge part of the Disney magic. The combination of fireworks, projections, and magical storytelling creates the perfect way to end the day at Disney Park. We hope this new show at EPCOT will bring guests just that- a spectacular nighttime show worth sticking around for at the end of the evening.

We will soon know as Luminous: The Symphony of Us will debut next week for all to see.

 

 

 

 

About Jennifer Retzlaff

My name is Jennifer Retzlaff and I became a lifelong Disney fan during my first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of my life. I live in Iowa with my husband and two kids who are growing up too quickly for my liking. I started introducing my love for Disney early to my family with a Disney honeymoon and then trips when our youngest of 18 months. Since then, our family has been to Walt Disney World over five times and we continue to plan and dream for the next trip. I love the magic that Disney brings to people through the theme parks, cruises, adventures and movies they create. As a teacher, I try to bring that magic into my classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” I recently reached a dream of mine as I joined Magic Vacation Planner as a personal travel advisor. With this team, I can now help others plan magical vacations. As a passionate writer, I also have my own blog at magicalvacationsbyjen which is also where you can follow me on instagram for trip reviews along with tips and tricks for your next magical vacation.