Harmonious (Epcot)
Harmonious | |
---|---|
Epcot | |
Area | World Showcase (World Showcase Lagoon) |
Status | Removed |
Soft opening date | September 29, 2021 |
Opening date | October 1, 2021 |
Closing date | April 2, 2023 |
Replaced | Epcot Forever (Original version) |
Replaced by | Epcot Forever (Updated version) |
Ride statistics | |
Attraction type | Fireworks, laser, water, and light show |
Designer | Disney Live Entertainment |
Theme | Disney music and films in an international context |
Music | Various Artists (Music) Mark Hammond and Yaron Spiwak[1] (Arrangements) |
Duration | 20 minutes |
Harmonious was a multimedia, fireworks-based nighttime spectacular at
Conceptualized by then-chairman of
The show was announced at the biennial D23 Destination D event in 2018.[9][10][11][12] Originally set to premiere in 2020 after the limited run of its direct predecessor Epcot Forever, the show was delayed to September 29, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]
On June 21, 2022, a livestream of the show was broadcast on Disney+, hosted by Idina Menzel with narration by Auliʻi Cravalho and the music performed by a live orchestra, choir, mariachi band, gospel choir, and singers. The livestream was removed from the service on May 26, 2023.[14]
On September 11, 2022, at D23 Expo 2022, it was announced that Harmonious would be replaced with another nighttime spectacular, Luminous: The Symphony of Us, which premiered on December 5, 2023, as part of Disney's centennial celebration.[15] Harmonious played its final performance on April 2, 2023, two days after the culmination of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration, with Epcot Forever returning in its place the following night.
Show summary
Act I: Gather
The lit torches around the World Showcase Lagoon are extinguished and the park's lighting was dimmed. The show began with a female vocalizing to the tune of the EPCOT Anthem. A female narrator began speaking, as a clamor of voices vocalizing Disney arias and chants were heard:
"All around us, the world is alive with music. Voices calling out in search of one another, we find each other in song."
The clamor of voices then melded into a single crescendo and stopped, leading into a multi-lingual medley of "How Far I'll Go" from Moana and "Go the Distance" from Hercules sung in English, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, German, Arabic, Latin American Spanish, and Tahitian. High-launch fireworks shells were used, while the fountains took on multiple colors. Abstract, colorful images covered the screens, before eventually transforming into an image of the morning sun and its rays at the end of the act.
Act II: Celebrate
Guests were taken on a musical, globetrotting journey across many countries and regions through the prism of the Disney stories that take place in each one. The songs that represented each country or region were performed by local artists and partially in their respective mother tongues, with their accompanying visuals interpreted in a unique style reminiscent of, and directly inspired by, each region.[16]
Middle East
This section celebrated the Middle Eastern folk tales that inspired Disney's Aladdin.
A laser image of the Sultan's palace from Aladdin was projected on the mist screens. Images of swirling sands covered the screens, which revealed the
India
This section celebrated the ancient Indian fable texts that partly inspired The Jungle Book, which was adapted into the 1967 Disney animated film of the same name.
Several orange searchlights and lasers flashed as chanting and electronic beats played overhead. The lights, lasers, and fountains took on a light green color as large, spiraling leaves covered the central screen. The spiraling leaf cover on the screens then parted to reveal a Tholu bommalata shadow play retelling of The Jungle Book. Dancing puppets of Baloo, King Louie, Mowgli, and the other animal and human characters, as well as swirling Indian patterns, were displayed on the screens. The fountains, searchlights, and lasers displayed alternating light green, orange, and blue light effects. A set of colorful fireworks were launched to close the section, as the images on the screens disappeared in clouds of colorful smoke (similar to the ones used during the Holi festivities).
China
This section celebrated the Chinese legends and literature that inspired Disney's Mulan.
A traditional
Africa
This section celebrated the
An
Europe
The Europe section was divided into two subsections. The first subsection celebrated the French literature that inspired two Disney films: Beauty and the Beast (adapted into the 1991 animated film of the same name) and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (adapted into the 1996 animated film of the same name). The second subsection celebrated the Scottish mythology that has inspired Pixar's Brave.
Misty and dream-like images of
The Ring of Stones was laser-projected above the central screen. As the fountains' blue lights were flickering, several will-o'-the-wisps appeared on the screens, followed by wisps of red wavy hair. Animated woven tapestries depicting Merida, her family, the 3 clan leaders, and her family's crest were then displayed on the screens. The fountains were lit in brown and highlighted by green searchlights (depicting trees), before changing to a flickering blue and yellow. Several green and white fireworks were launched. The section closed with Merida riding Angus (her horse) across the perimeter screens and shooting an arrow to a target on the central screen, which triggered a set of green fireworks to go off.
Latin America
This section celebrated the Latin American (specifically Mexican) cultural traditions that inspired Pixar's Coco, except for Disney's Saludos Amigos.
A close-up image of a self-strumming
U.S.A.
This section celebrated aspects of African-American culture that inspired Disney's The Princess and the Frog.
Silhouetted images of a young and adult Tiana wishing on the Evening Star could be seen on the screens, as well as images of the bayou of New Orleans filled with fireflies. The fountains displayed bright purple and blue effects. As the music changed to be more upbeat, Louis the Alligator could be seen on the central screen playing his trumpet as laser images of colorful music notes are projected on the mist screens above. Fantastical imagery of the bayou and its dancing inhabitants (including Tiana and Naveen in their frog forms) — inspired by the work of Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas — then covered the screens, as flashing purple fountains, yellow and orange searchlights, and launched white fireworks moved to the music. The setting on the screens then changed to show downtown New Orleans, including a paddle steamer and several streetcars. The fountains were lit in blue, while purple, blue, orange, and yellow searchlights colored the skies. A flyer advertising "Tiana's Place" flew into view as the setting changed into a recreation of the "Almost There" sequence from the film. Multiple large, colorful firework shells, as well as several comets, were launched during this segment. Flashing pink and yellow and blue and green searchlights accentuated the scene. Silhouetted figures of The Firefly Five Plus Lou band, as well as a dancing Naveen in his human form, could also be seen on the perimeter screens. More colorful fireworks were launched as Tiana danced on the central screen while falling shimmering gold dust covered the perimeter screens to close the section.
Act III: Unite
A vocalizing reprise of the EPCOT Anthem led into a soaring version of “Someday” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Select artists performed each verse, and another comet flew to the center of the lagoon from the roof of the American Gardens Theater. The narrator intoned:
“You raise your voice and it’s enough to lift the human spirit. Set the song inside you soaring, and the whole wide world will hear it.”
A laser heart was projected over the central barge, which slowly morphed into a flying dove of peace; a globe appeared on the water curtain and all the screens around it. All the artists joined as fireworks were launched in and around the lagoon. As the song crescendoed, it abruptly cut to three seconds of darkness and silence before climaxing in a bright array of fireworks, voices, and light.
Post-show
The show ended with a farewell message from the narrator:
“Wherever the world leads you next, we hope you carry a song with you. And know, that the promise of someday, begins inside of you today. Good night.”
An instrumental version of "Someday" then played as guests exited the park. It was then followed by an upbeat medley of song samples from the show, including "Circle of Life", the EPCOT Anthem, "Arabian Nights", "Saludos Amigos", and "The World Es Mi Familia". While the perimeter screens were covered with spinning stars, the central screen showed corresponding key visuals for each song sample. For Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebration, the medley was followed by a version of "The Magic Is Calling", the celebration's anthem.
Show elements
Harmonious shared similar show equipment with the former IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth show as well as its predecessors, including the usage of pyrotechnics, choreographed water fountains, lasers, searchlights, floating set pieces, and LED screens.[17]
Compass
The show's primary show equipment was housed on a collective of floating barges known as the "compass", named as such due to its positioning on the World Showcase Lagoon.
As the collective of barges was too large to store in the backstage marina (located behind the Refreshment Outpost quick service restaurant and between the China and Germany pavilions), they remained semi-permanently moored at the center of the lagoon.[5] At daytime, the perimeter screens were turned on to show the undersea imagery from Act I with the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary logo periodically appearing and disappearing.[20] Initially, the plan was to simply turn on the fountains to add to the ambiance of World Showcase, but this did not materialize due to spray from the fountains on nearby paths.
Special editions
New Year's Eve Countdown Edition
This segment, which was a tag after IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, was used as a standalone show in New Year's Eve 2021 and 2022 titled Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration, using the show's materials and barges, which is part of Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebration.
Fourth of July
On July 4, 2022, the Independence Day tag as titled The Heartbeat of Freedom that was used from 2006 to 2019 for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth was used again after the show's regular performance, enhanced with the new technology brought about by the show's infrastructure, which was part of Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebration.
Music
Harmonious: Globally Inspired Music from the EPCOT Nighttime Spectacular | |
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Soundtrack album by Various Artists | |
Released | October 29, 2021 |
Studio | Abbey Road Studios |
Length | 23:10 |
Label | Walt Disney |
Producer |
|
Soundtrack
Unique to the musical score of Harmonious was the involvement of over 240 musicians, composers, arrangers, vocalists and more from nine countries in its creation and development.
The entire soundtrack for the show, with selected extended musical sequences and without the show's narration, was released in a soundtrack album by Walt Disney Records on October 29, 2021.[21][22]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Opening Chants" (Composed of the "EPCOT Anthem", " Reflection" from Mulan) | Matthew Wilder and David Zippel | Wang Liu Qi and Hollie Hammel | 2:38 |
6. | "Africa" (Composed of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King", "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King) | Elton John, Tim Rice | Ndlovu Youth Choir | 2:16 |
7. | "Europe" (Composed of "Main Title: Prologue" from Beauty and the Beast, "Hellfire", "Out There" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame; "Touch the Sky" from Brave, and "Let It Go" from Frozen) | Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, Alex Mandel, Mark Andrews, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and Robert Lopez | Harmonious World Ensemble, Carlos Santiago, Damien Sargue, Lindsey Stirling, and Máiréad Nesbitt | 2:27 |
8. | "Latin America" (Composed of "Un Poco Loco (Intro)", "Remember Me" from Coco, "Saludos Amigos" from Saludos Amigos, "The World Es Mi Familia", and "Crossing the Marigold Bridge" from Coco) | Germaine Franco, Adrian Molina, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Ned Washington, Charles Wolcott, and Michael Giacchino | Luis Fonsi and Joy | 2:33 |
9. | "U.S.A." (Composed of "Dig A Little Deeper" from The Princess and the Frog) | Randy Newman | Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Bryson Camper, and Harmonious Gospel Choir | 2:42 |
10. | "Finale" (Composed of "Someday" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and "EPCOT Anthem") | Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, and Pinar Toprak | Harmonious World Ensemble | 3:06 |
Total length: | 23:10 |
See also
- Disneyland Forever
- Fantasmic
- Rivers of Light
- World of Color
References
- ^ Slater, Shawn (August 13, 2021). "'Harmonious' Brings to EPCOT a Global Ensemble of Musical Artists from Around the World". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ a b Slater, Shawn (July 27, 2021). "'Harmonious' Will Tell a Story of Global Connection When it Debuts October 1 at EPCOT as Part of 'The World's Most Magical Celebration'". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Riddley, Zach (February 27, 2021). "The World Is Coming Together As Work Continues on 'Harmonious' at EPCOT". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "Harmonious to Debut October 1st at EPCOT". BlogMickey.com - Disney World News, Photos, and Info. June 22, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Harmonious Barges Will Be Permanently Installed on World Showcase Lagoon, Daytime Fountains". BlogMickey.com - Disney World News, Photos, and Info. November 19, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ a b c "'Harmonious' Brings Global Voices Together at EPCOT to Celebrate the Magic of Disney Music". Walt Disney World News. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Disney CEO Bob Chapek Came Up With Concept for EPCOT's "Harmonious" Nighttime Show". BlogMickey.com - Disney World News, Photos, and Info. October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ Carter, Ashley (July 27, 2021). "Disney World shares more details about Epcot's 'Harmonious' show". www.mynews13.com. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Fickley-Baker, Jennifer (November 17, 2018). "New Nighttime Spectaculars & 'Beauty & The Beast' Sing-Along Announced for Epcot". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Schoolfield, Jeremy (August 25, 2019). "New Details Revealed for the Historic Transformation of Epcot Underway at Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Deitchman, Beth (August 26, 2019). "Every Incredible Announcement from Disney Parks, Experiences and Products at D23 Expo 2019". D23. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Bevil, Dewayne (August 25, 2019). "Disney unveils more changes at Epcot, including Mary Poppins attraction". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Slater, Shawn (February 10, 2020). "Sharing an Update on 'Harmonious' Coming to EPCOT Later This Year". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Weatherbed, Jess (May 19, 2023). "Disney will remove over 50 shows from Disney Plus and Hulu this month". The Verge. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "EPCOT's Harmonious to be replaced with new nighttime spectacular in 2023". WDWMagic.
- ^ Riddley, Zach (December 21, 2021). "Exploring the Authentic Culturally-Inspired Visuals Seen Throughout 'Harmonious' at EPCOT". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ "Major changes, new attractions coming to Epcot, Disney announces". fox12news.com. August 25, 2019. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ "Closer look at the Harmonious barges with names". chipandco.com. March 30, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "EPCOT Harmonious". Sciens Building Solutions. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Disney World 50th Anniversary logo on Epcot Harmonious barges | Chip and Company". chipandco.com. September 29, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "Harmonious: Globally Inspired Music from the EPCOT Nighttime Spectacular performed by Various - Disney Music Licensing". www.disneymusiclicensing.com. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Harmonious Soundtrack and "You Are the Magic" Single to be Released This Friday". LaughingPlace.com. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.