VIDEO - First full-scale test of Walt Disney World's new 'Luminous' nighttime spectacular at EPCOT

Nov 05, 2023 in "Luminous the Symphony of Us"

Luminous the Symphony of Us - Show test
Posted: Sunday November 5, 2023 9:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

With just a month to go until the debut of EPCOT's new nighttime spectacular 'Luminous The Symphony of Us,' Walt Disney Imagineers carried out a near full run-though for the first time late last night.

Taking place after the park closed just after midnight, the run-through gave us a look at the pyrotechnic design and some of the lighting effects visible above the tree line.

The 'Luminous' audio was masked by loud background music being played at International Gateway, but some of the new soundtrack could be heard in the distance.

There are two new original songs and new arrangements of Disney movie songs including:

  • "I See the Light" - Tangled
  • "You've Got a Friend in Me" - Toy Story
  • "You'll Be in My Heart" - Tarzan
  • "Proud Corazon" - Coco
  • "Friend Like Me" - Aladdin
  • "So Close" - Enchanted
  • "When She Loved Me"- Toy Story 2
  • "Remember Me" - Coco
  • "Into the Unknown" - Frozen 2

For a better listen of the show's music, see last week's post with a behind-the-scenes look at recording the 'Luminous The Symphony of Us' soundtrack.

The runtime of 'Luminous' is around 16 minutes based on last night's test, which puts it slightly shorter than the 20-minute runtime of 'Harmonious 'but longer than the 12-minute-long 'EPCOT Forever,' which 'Luminous' replaces.

Unlike 'Harmonious,' 'Luminous' will not use any video displays and returns to the successful formula of IllumiNations, with fireworks, lighting, and fountains. Although it is difficult to gauge the quantity of fireworks in use, from this test, 'Luminous' appears to have more pyro than either 'EPCOT Forever' or 'Harmonious.' The test also confirmed the continued use of the lagoon seawall perimeter launches, which were fired numerous times at the show's beginning and finale.

Although this test was close to being the entire show, there is more to come, including a center barge, which we have seen in recent concept art. This seventh major show platform is not yet in the lagoon, and is likely to play a significant role in the show's finale.

Watch the video below to see 'Luminous The Symphony of Us.' (4K YouTube)

'Luminous, The Symphony of Us' will debut at Walt Disney World's EPCOT on December 5, 2023.

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TheEPCOTHistorian1 hour ago

It’s hit or miss but sometimes. Boardwalk does not iirc bc of their live performers.

Starship8241 hour ago

Do they play the music over there?

TheEPCOTHistorian1 hour ago

Get Dinner at Beaches and Cream and watch the show from the Yacht and Beach lighthouse dock. Awesome spot with the fireworks reflecting on the lake.

Tom Morrow5 hours ago

Well I'm 3 for 3 for seeing this show and it making me teary-eyed. I guess I'm a fan. I feel bad for badmouthing it when it debuted and I hadn't seen it yet, but Harmonious really left a bad taste in my mouth.

ToTBellHop19 hours ago

We can all agree that the best finale music in Epcot history was “A Whole New World,” obviously.

Starship82419 hours ago

Well, to be specific the original ones made for the show although One Little Spark is great.

Touchdown19 hours ago

One Little Spark is better.

Starship82419 hours ago

Can we all agree that "One Heartbeat" is the better post show song?

gerarar23 hours ago

You don't get to see the fountains much, but fireworks and lights are visible. Music is piped in too.

Starship8241 day ago

I don't think they pipe in the music around the Epcot resorts (although they should) but you can also look up the soundtrack on YouTube and try to sync it up. this video I edited together is perfectly in sync with the actual show you just have to start it about a minute before the show actually starts because it has the last preshow song that transitions into the show.

TheCoasterNerd1 day ago

Does that have a decent view?

Brian1 day ago

I think it does. Good thinking! I was limiting my thinking to the Crescent Lake area.

SoFloMagic1 day ago

Doesn't the restaurant on top of riviera pipe it in?