Disney Confirms End Date for “Harmonious,” Return of “EPCOT Forever”

Last year, Disney Parks announced that a brand new nighttime spectacular would be coming to EPCOT later in 2023, retiring the current Disney fireworks resident of World Showcase Lagoon, Harmonious, and its massive fireworks platform barges. But speculation of when the retirement would take place was a mystery until now.

Disney announced on the morning of January 10 that its EPCOT fireworks show Harmonious would be retired and temporarily replaced by EPCOT Forever in early April.

Disney Parks states,

Before the new show launches, we will bring back “EPCOT Forever” as an interim show over the skies of World Showcase Lagoon starting April 3. Similar to how it appeared in 2021, “EPCOT Forever” is the perfect offering while our Entertainment team preps the Lagoon, including a phased removal of fireworks platforms following the final “Harmonious” performance on April 2. A limited-time spectacle of lasers, lighting, special effects, and fireworks, “EPCOT Forever” returns with a collection of songs that offer both a trip down memory lane and a look toward the future.

The timing makes sense for Harmonious’ departure as it is just after the end date of the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations. However, it seems to make it clear that “EPCOT Forever” is one of Disney World’s filler shows for Guests as the Walt Disney Imagineers replace one set with another.

It is still unclear how long it will take Imagineers to remove the massive barges from World Showcase and when fans can expect the new show to be announced (let alone debut). Remembering the lackluster reception “EPCOT Forever” received during the transition between “IllumiNations” and “Harmonious,” one can only hope it will be sooner rather than later.

 

Read More: CONFIRMED: Disney World Reveals ‘Happily Ever After’ Return Date

This news comes paired with the announcement of the Magic Kingdom fireworks show “Happily Ever After”s return to the skies above Cinderella Castle and Main Street, U.S.A.. Click the link above for more on that story.

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news and stories as more developments come to light.