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

Gallery / 3 Photos
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.

Luminous the Symphony of Us - Show test

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.

Luminous the Symphony of Us - Show test

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.

Luminous the Symphony of Us logo

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Vinnie Mac3 hours ago

Are the other mortars left over from previous shows (Pre Epcot Forever)?

Vinnie Mac3 hours ago

Thank you for this! You captured the energy of this show perfectly. You and Cliffix always kill it with these things. I gotta say the pyro in this show is just amazing

Squishy3 hours ago

Interesting, I never noticed this but do you know what these 3 larger mortars on the perimeter sites are used for? Luminous/EF/Harmonious all used the smaller shell size ones.

jrhwdw4 hours ago

LOL!! Oh Martin!!! We Appreciate You!!!!! :) :) :) :)

marni19714 hours ago

Here’s that thing I mentioned 😁

marni19716 days ago

Hopefully I can fix that a little real soon 👋

Vinnie Mac6 days ago

Agreed. Show doesn't translate as well on camera and it's definitely a show you need to see in person to understand how good it actually is

Chef idea Mickey`=9 days ago

It's interesting to me because every single time I see it in person I don't mind anything and love the show but when seeing it only on video or YouTube then I see it differently what's missing or not fitting. This is definitely one of the shows you need to see in person to fully embrace it! The fireworks make the show!

bmr159110 days ago

I’m all for imagining what could be, but Luminous is getting good enough scores to where it won’t be touched for a while. There are simply higher priorities.

Chef idea Mickey`=10 days ago

They need to move 6 barges vs one Globe and mini barges.. equal or not once they pass the bridge they are parked at their places so fast! 😱

Disone15 days ago

Great questions .... And I don't want to be rude and ignore your questions, as in general I enjoy your posts a lot, but at the same time I said my peace on this. Thank you.

peter1143515 days ago

What costs would it save? What hassle would it avoid other than inconveniencing guests? If cost and hassle were their reasoning why wouldn’t they do it everyday?

Disone15 days ago

Having waited through the process once... I did not notice it being longer. They brought through two large ones and lowered it back. There's was still more to bring out later. But as I said.... The harmonious barges really were not the deal breaker for me they were for so many others so.... Shruggs. I still think they are putting a cost savings and hassles avoidance over safety and show but I am also "it is what it is regardless of what I think" on this one.

peter1143515 days ago

Except there were times even with Illuminations that the barges or some of the barges would be left in the lagoon. Although that was far less frequent. The amount of time the bridge needs to be raised for Luminous IS consequentially longer.