EPCOT Forever expected to return to Walt Disney World for a third time

Sep 14, 2022 in "Epcot Forever"

Gallery / 2 Photos
EPCOT Forever 2.0 preview show

Posted: Wednesday September 14, 2022 8:46am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Following Disney's announcement that EPCOT's Harmonious nighttime spectacular will be closing in 2023, attention turns to the likely line-up of the park's nighttime shows during the year.

Harmonious is confirmed to close in 2023

Although not announced, the final performance of Harmonious will likely occur alongside the conclusion of Walt Disney World's 50th celebration on March 31 2023.

We don't have an opening date for the currently unnamed new show, but Disney has given the vague timeline of late 2023. Should Harmonious end on March 31, and the new show make its debut in late 2023, expect to see EPCOT Forever return as an interim show.

EPCOT Forever will likely 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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TheMaxRebo21 hours ago

For what it is worth, below are the ratings for the last three nighttime shows at EPCOT per Touring Plans. Luminous seems to be about equal to Illuminations (though that showed higher ratings amongst older guests whereas Illuminations is more evenly split) and both higher that Harmonius (though that did better with grade school kids) I think the issue with Hamonious (more than just the ratings out of 5 stars) was the active complaints they got about the barges during the day and that the angles to properly see it weren't good for a lot of the upcharge viewing areas - dining areas (so restaurants complained), the private party areas, the firework cruises that parked over by the bridge to France, etc) - so there was a direct monetary impact Harmonious doesn't have those issues and ratings seem good enough that it doesn't need to be replaced - tweaked, sure, but not replaced

jrhwdw21 hours ago

IDK if I like the word: Bully.....Esp if DE "had to go"......... It really didn't work at Epcot....We got Luminous after EF 2023 and still no Tags outside of July 4th/NYE

Giss Neric1 day ago

If fans were able to bully Disney for HEA to return, then why can't they bully Disney for Illuminations 2.0? Does Luminous have a high customer satisfaction rate? From what I've been hearing from people who watched it personally, this show is quite polarizing.

Chef idea Mickey`=1 day ago

I use to thought POE was an Illumination's ROE special especially that it hasn't returned so it was a thing revolving with the Earth Globe, however given now that Spaceship Earth is now a revolving Globe in itself it doesn't need it.

jrhwdw1 day ago

I picked F&W because of Epcot's Birthday. Crazy that we haven't seen POE Tag since 2018! Epcot had to know it was popular.

stuart1 day ago

Hopefully the Heartbeat of Freedom tag finale returns to the middle of the lagoon this year. It lost a lot of it's 'wow factor' being behind the American Adventure. The hogmanay one just there i'm sure was over the middle of the lagoon.

Epcot82Guy1 day ago

I think there are arguments either way - and I think that supports the point. It's a matter of WHEN not IF for these. Plus, you could easily tie them into the SSE seasonal displays. Make it kind of a package thing, adding to the carry through of the EPCOT anthem into Luminous. It is one thing where they have cohesive theme from the redo in a very compelling way.

jrhwdw1 day ago

Epcot should be F&W. IDK what POE Tag is waiting for.....

Epcot82Guy1 day ago

If there were changes, I would push for festival/holiday tags. POE is a slam dunk waiting to happen. Heartbeat of Freedom goes right in line with the story (or any version of it). You could easily do a creative original one (or, ugh..., Disney medley) for F&W and F&G. A version of the EPCOT Tag for FOTA. They could also be reserved for weekends or certain days to save costs, if needed. You have a relatively easy way to plus the show and adjust those as needed.

wbostic121 day ago

Is this related to the whole entertainment, summer revamp, or is this part of a separate push?

jrhwdw1 day ago

IDK if Epcot is in dire need....Let's get This Summer fully Open before TDO looks to Luminous!

TTA941 day ago

I wonder what time frame we are looking at for any changes?

vikescaper1 day ago

If they make any changes, I would like to see Disney move the finale to the Heartbeat of Freedom tag back to World Showcase lagoon so it is more easily viewed from all over World Showcase.