EPCOT Forever confirmed to return to Walt Disney World for a third time in April 2023

Jan 10, 2023 in "Epcot Forever"

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Posted: Tuesday January 10, 2023 9:06am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has announced that "EPCOT Forever" will return to Walt Disney World as an interim show on April 3 2023.

Harmonious is confirmed to close in 2023

Harmonious will have its final performance on April 2 2023.

EPCOT Forever will return for the third time to EPCOT

Originally developed as an interim show to be performed between Reflections of Earth and Harmonious, EPCOT Forever requires little specific hardware in the lagoon, relying primarily on mobile launch platforms that can be brought out into the lagoon each day.

EPCOT Forever

The first version of EPCOT Forever that debuted on October 1 2019 featured fireworks and stunt kites. and played until Walt Disney World's closure in 2020. The show resumed on July 1 2021 as firework shows returned to Walt Disney World after the pandemic shutdown. The second version dropped the stunt kites, but added more fireworks in their place. Its last performance was September 28 2021, making way for Harmonious on September 29.

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aladdin20079 hours ago

What I dont understand is Chefs de France not opening till noon, with hordes of people waiting outside, when other locations open sooner. And Tuttio Italia not opening till near 1. Its their own loss they could be making more money. Its the decision of third party managements I guess but just seems with the masses of people in this area of the park now they should be opening sooner than they do. Meanwhile they need to kick merch out of the bakery area back there in France and put it more tables, the situation is horrible with the crowds and absolutely nowhere to sit. Okay back to the fireworks I know. sorry.

Rich Brownn10 hours ago

Well it was about time for us to get our own version of Light Magic (Disneyland's infamous parade that never ever gets mentioned in any book or video) :D

ToTBellHop14 hours ago

If it takes a few years, you’re probably right. World of Color treatment (but hopefully not worse with each new iteration like WoC…)

TTA9414 hours ago

I feel like they might just change the entire show to the next version of Luminous rather than swap out segments. Of course keeping the infrastructure but perhaps add fire and very likely drones. When this happens though who knows.

ToTBellHop16 hours ago

Plus, the "premium" type of guest he wants is turned off by the actual experience of planning a Disney trip now. There are plenty who can afford the experience, including a deluxe resort, but don't think the pay-off is there. They are slowly improving this, but it was asinine that they EVER let a guess arrive at a deluxe resort (or any Disney resort...) only to be told they couldn't get a park reservation. That's largely ended but you still have the same guest arriving in the park only to find all the good LLs are gone. No good. Disney created this mess and is slow-walking any improvements.

Andrew2516 hours ago

Yup - answer was always to increase (or update older less popular experiences) simultaneously with attendance. I do think dynamic/variable pricing is needed to spread demand out, but on any given the day there's an obvious lack of capacity at the parks to accommodate people comfortably.

ToTBellHop17 hours ago

Bob has somehow finally realized that they need more bodies. At his level of compensation, he should have known that all along.

Andrew2517 hours ago

There's only so much disposable income available by the average person. Which is why I'm surprise Disney went on this journey to slim down attendance and squeeze whales.

ToTBellHop17 hours ago

Sure. Also, with WS becoming more family-friendly, I'm not sure many families want to book some of the restaurants that feel "stuffy". It was a bone-headed move to put in that bizarre creperie by Rat instead of Chez Remy's. I'm sure they WANTED people to snack around the world on festival food and then sit down to dinner. Many are unlikely to have that kind of disposable income and personally, I could afford it, but after waiting around for snacks from several kiosks, I'd feel bad asking my kids to then sit down to a dinner (even if I could eat that much). They'd rather go on rides at 5 pm and I don't blame them.

GhostHost100017 hours ago

I don’t know but I think they could easily plus it with some fire effects and a much stronger ending.

Andrew2517 hours ago

I'd imagine part of it is World Showcase becoming more popular earlier in the day for lunch with all of the attractions there now, so I'd imagine lunch reservations have substituted a good amount of dinner reservations? Can't imagine people are booking two full service meals a day.

ToTBellHop17 hours ago

I would hazard a guess that dining tendencies of the typical guest have shifted post-pandemic. Not sure how Epcot navigates that. Push "free" DDP for $750/night rooms?

Andrew2517 hours ago

Speaking from personal experience, I hear far louder applauses at the end. Whether or not it's a financial success who knows? There are a lot of factors into play at the moment.

TDLFan18 hours ago

So now that we're several months into this show, I'm curious to hear where this stands in the eyes of management as far as its success and longevity and if they're getting the numbers they wanted that Harmonious didn't produce. I stay at the resort on average one week a month and honestly I don't think I've even heard the word Luminous uttered by guests at all. HEA and Fant, sure, almost daily, but it's odd how I hear less about this than Harmonious, good or bad.