Overnight testing of 'EPCOT Forever' underway at EPCOT

May 11, 2021 in "Epcot Forever"

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Posted: Tuesday May 11, 2021 8:37m ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

'Epcot Forever' has been in testing overnight at EPCOT this week as a return of Walt Disney World's firework shows edges closer.

The interim show debuted in October 2019 and only played for a few months before the parks were closed due to the pandemic. Speculation continues that 'EPCOT Forever' will make a return before we see Harmonious later in the year.

Guests staying at EPCOT resorts last night could hear the soundtrack of EPCOT Forever playing in World Showcase, although no fireworks were seen. Should 'EPCOT Forever' return, expect to see some modifications. The kites would be removed due to all of the additional hardware in the lagoon for Harmonious, and there would likely be smaller changes to the pyro and other effects.

Epcot Forever concept art

Disney has yet to announce a return of nighttime shows, but with COVID conditions continuing to improve, and Orange County relaxing restrictions in regard to social distancing, we may be on course to see fireworks at Disney World this summer.

Disney will present its quarterly earnings later this week, which in recent times has been an opportunity for Bob Chapek to deliver news on capacity and openings. Perhaps an announcement of summer fireworks may be part of that - stay tuned.

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Chi8415 days ago

Saw it last night and loved it! Visibility was much better than the previous show.

Jayspency16 days ago

Imagine this is the song they play right before the fires around the world showcase go out for illuminations when it comes back

Cmdr_Crimson16 days ago

Problem now with the Illumination Name it now reminds me too much of this..

Cmdr_Crimson16 days ago

Yes, see this is why I'm not a fan of The most recent shows since Epcot Forever..They don't interest me.

Captain Barbossa16 days ago

“Harluminously EPCOT: Reflections of Centerous!”

Nottamus16 days ago

I think the next show name should also sound like Luminous, harmonious, illuminations, festivus, fireworkious - so we At some point just give up and call it The Epcot show

MisterPenguin16 days ago

No animated projections. Just planar lasers and spotlights.

Starship82416 days ago

Luminous has no projections?

Gusey17 days ago

Luminous got the perfect balance for its projection infrastructure. The Illuminations globe was too small that you couldn't see what was going on, whilst Harmonious had the giant tacos that couldn't be moved and also needed to be viewed dead center to be fully experienced. Luminous is right in the middle in that you can see the projections but the floats can be moved backstage

MisterPenguin17 days ago

I am not of the opinion that IluumiNations was the epitome of fireworks shows. It had issues of pacing and visibility... And less fireworks. While I hate that Luminous includes You Got a Friend, it's a nice mix of new and well-known songs. It's visibility around the Lagoon or standing behind a crowd is great.

DreamfinderGuy17 days ago

Luminous feels like it’s trying to be Harmonious 2 (which in itself was essentially HEA) while trying to capture some drops of RoE’s essence. It’s better than Harm, but the lot of successors are all a far cry from IllumiNations

Jayspency17 days ago

You’re talking about luminous right?

Cmdr_Crimson17 days ago

IMO I just think HarmonioUS feels more like it has 5 years on it's lifespan before they end it..Unless by 2032 For IllumiNations 50 we at least would see something amazing.

heapster41118 days ago

I believe it's all about concept. IROE was a story of how we came to be and what we have become, and possibly what our future could be. Everything else IMHO is just a low brow movie soundtrack sing-along. To me, once you leave the true story telling that was the concept of IROE and Epcot, it will be very hard to go back.