More World Showcase Lagoon perimeter sea wall firework launchers added ahead of fireworks return to EPCOT

May 17, 2021 in "Harmonious"

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World Showcase sea wall pyro launchers

Posted: Monday May 17, 2021 3:21pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

New hardware installed along the sea wall at World Showcase Lagoon means we can expect to see more perimeter firework effects in the upcoming nighttime shows at EPCOT.

The World Showcase Lagoon seawall pyro launchers expanded for Harmonious

The perimeter pyro launchers are located around World Showcase Lagoon along the water line, and produce an impressive effect of fireworks launching from near to the guests out towards the center of the lagoon. You can see the effect in this picture below from Reflections of Earth.

IllumiNations Reflections of Earth from Norway - September 2019

The sea wall launchers have been expanded with the addition of 6 new tubes per site, which tells us we can expect a lot more of these perimeter firework bursts in the future than we have seen in previous shows. This is good news for firework fans who thought that Harmonious may be light on fireworks due to its heavy use of video display screens.

A plastic shield protects the promenade from any possibility of pyro launching towards guests

Harmonious is currently in the early programming phase, and we still expect to see the show make its debut at EPCOT later this year. When fireworks do resume at Walt Disney World, we expect to see a modified version of EPCOT Forever which will perform without the stunt kites. In their place is likely to be additional fireworks and lighting effects.

The perimeter pyro effects are shown in this piece of concept art for Harmonious

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SoFloMagic20 hours ago

I think this is right. But bridge closed (not raised) when pyro was brought under. At least thats my memory

Tiggerish4 days ago

That was always my favorite part, too! ROE was the best nighttime show, IMO.

etc984 days ago

You just reminded me of such a good memory, of waiting at the drawbridge for the Earth Globe to pass one night after the show. I was probably 10 years old, and seeing it up close was so cool. The cast member there talked with my family about the show while we waited, and asked what our favorite part was. I said mine was when the announcer blew out the torches at the beginning, and she was surprised and said not many people even notice that detail, let along say it’s their favorite part. I think that’s part of the reason why I always look out for the little details in the parks, even now.

jrhwdw4 days ago

It only raised for the Earth Globe correct?

peter114354 days ago

No. Typically not. If the illuminations barges were left out it was normally for another reason. Due to size and number the illuminations barges were able to be brought out in one shorter bridge raise.

Disstevefan14 days ago

Good to know. Thanks. I have a bad memory. For illuminations did they leave the barges out during busy times too?

peter114354 days ago

There are a couple issues with doing it all at once. One being the length of time traffic would be stopped.

jrhwdw5 days ago

2 Times? Couldn't Epcot float everything out at one time?

peter114355 days ago

Correct. Luminous requires the bridge being raised twice per afternoon for several minutes each time.

Disstevefan15 days ago

You are the expert. Please educate me. Please educate me on the reasoning why they are moved (or not moved) based on attendance? Is it to not use the draw bridge during crowded times?

peter114355 days ago

That’s not true. There’s been a mix of both over that period.

peter114355 days ago

It has nothing to do with saving money. The techs that load the product are the same ones that move the barges. There is no labor savings either way and it is far easier for them to service the barges in the Mariana than it is in the middle of the lagoon. The decision regarding if they stay out or are moved in is based on projected park attendance for the following day.

Nottamus6 days ago

I was there from 11/10-11/17 and it wasn’t there all day that week. I’ve heard they play Tapestry Of Nations music as they brought out - I never got to see it happen We did mornings there until 1 pm and they weren’t there - by night they were !

Disstevefan16 days ago

It obviously costs less to just leave them there rather than have cast members do the work to move them. I think this is exactly why they leave them there. Is it a bad show? Absolutely yes. But Disney does not care anymore. They just do the minimum they can get away with.