New aerial photos from @bioreconstruct offer a first look at the new firework platform barges for the upcoming unnamed nighttime spectacular at EPCOT.
As work progresses in World Showcase Lagoon on preparing docking points for the new barges backstage, work is well underway on prepping the new platforms.
Based on the concept art and work in the lagoon, we expect to see a central barge in World Showcase Lagoon surrounded by six large central "fork" barges pictured above in the aerial photo. Each of the fork barges will have three smaller individual barges docked inside the fork to deploy out in the lagoon - radiating outwards like spokes in a wheel when viewed overhead. Each barge will carry lighting and pyrotechnics.
Storing the three smaller barges inside the fork of each of the larger barges will make it much easier to logistically move the platforms from backstage to the lagoon each day. Unlike Harmonious, the new show will have minimal daytime intrusion of the lagoon view, with hardware being brought in and out of the lagoon before each performance.
In the few details that have been released, Disney says that the show will feature lights, lasers, and fireworks. We do not expect to see drones or video projections. Fire effects and fountains remain a possibility but are not confirmed.
Disney has previously said that the show will feature an original composition and evocative selections from the Disney songbook – all woven together to remind us that we are more alike than different. Some fans may be concerned that this show is heading in a similar direction to Harmonious, but as more details are released in the coming months, we expect a positive outlook on the soundtrack.
The new show will be the permanent replacement for Harmonious, which came to a close at the end of March 2023. EPCOT Forever continues to play as an interim show while the new show is developed for its debut later in 2023.
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