Symphonic splendor
New EPCOT nighttime show, Luminous the Symphony of Us, is a return to form
4.5 (out of 5)
Ever since Disneyland began exploding fireworks above Sleeping Beauty Castle, nighttime spectaculars have become a de rigueur kiss goodnight at the parks. IllumiNations, which had a 31-year run at EPCOT (yes, The Mouse has reverted back to the all-caps name), filled the vast World Showcase Lagoon nightly with pyrotechnical pomp and defined an era. That era came to an end when the aging show finally closed in 2019 and was replaced by Epcot Forever, which was intended as a placeholder. The real IllumiNations successor, Harmonious, debuted in 2021 as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. That disjointed show, which featured overbearing, permanently anchored barges with odd mechanical arms, was just plain weird.
I’m happy to report that Luminous The Symphony of Us, which kicked off in December, brings storytelling savvy and stellar style back to EPCOT.
In its various incarnations, IllumiNations, was an upbeat, often frenetic presentation that wowed audiences with its fireworks frenzy, zippy soundtrack, and ode to our planet as well as its people. Luminous, however, is a more restrained affair with less lofty (but no less important) goals. Sure, there are plenty of soaring highs and a rousing finale. But, like a well crafted symphony, its designers are not afraid to take it down a few notches here and there. At some points, Luminous is almost contemplative. Its lower-key, introspective moments help the wide-eyed guests ringing the lagoon connect with the show and get swept up on an emotional journey.
The story thread is that people are unique instruments. We are told that we are part of a “symphony of us” and are in harmony with our fellow passengers on spaceship Earth. Luminous depicts life events such as birth, childhood, love, and loss to show our commonalities. But in doing so, it speaks to our own personal narratives and stirs deeply held memories and feelings.
Luminous is the rare, modern-day nighttime spectacular that doesn't include any projections or media. The images it conjures are in our minds, which helps us engage with and insert ourselves into the spectacle and reinforces that the show is speaking directly to us.
The stunning presentation is less about fireworks (although they are majestic) and more about the, um, harmonious interplay of fountains, lights, lasers, and sounds with the pyrotechnics. The synchronization is, at times, startling. It’s hard to believe that all of the show’s elements, which are presented on such a grand scale, can match up so perfectly and elegantly.
Unlike World of Color at Disney California Adventure, which has purpose-built fountains embedded in the bottom of its lagoon, the fountains for Luminous are mounted on barges that are piloted into place each afternoon at EPCOT. Nonetheless, they are spectacular and are lit with the same kind of brilliant hues that make the California show so compelling. The multi-purpose barges also house the firework shells, piercing lights that sweep the night sky and pivot down to illuminate the water, and long LED light bars that morph into a kaleidoscope of colors. In a welcome return from IllumiNations, the small twinkling lights that outline the World Showcase pavilion show buildings get in on the action as well.
The soundtrack is note perfect. There are a couple of chestnuts, such as “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” tossed into the mix. But there are also many lesser-known songs from the Disney canon, like “So Close” from “Enchanted” and “I See the Light” from “Tangled” in there as well. If you don’t get a lump in your throat while hearing the lovely pas de deux of "When She Loved Me" from “Toy Story 2” and "Remember Me" from “Coco” that is matched with gorgeous, understated visuals, I’ll have to question whether you’ve got a beating heart.
Speaking of which, the banger, “Beating of our Hearts,” one of two original songs composed for Luminous, is choreographed to a crescendo of fireworks, fountains, and lights that is punctuated by red, pulsing, pyrotechnic hearts for the finale. What a sendoff. And what a show.
From my vantage point at the far end of the lagoon and to the right of the America Gardens Theatre, I was able to see the incredible LED bulbs embedded in Spaceship Earth (AKA the giant golf ball) interact with the Luminous pageantry. A word of warning: Should you end up in the same spot as me, there are flash bombs hidden there (and likely in other locations along the perimeter of the lagoon) that will scare the living daylights out of you.
In addition to Luminous, it was great to see EPCOT with nearly all of the construction walls that have plagued the park for so long finally removed. The new Dreamers Point area in World Celebration is lovely. And I got a big kick out of the Walt Disney statue, which, as you might expect, is attracting lots of selfie-seeking folks. At night, the area really comes alive with large pylons that change color in concert with the the illuminated golf ball just behind them. I’ve previously written about another recent, great park addition, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.
Have you experienced Luminous? How about Harmonious? Do you miss IllumiNations? What do you think makes for a great nighttime spectacular at a theme park?
Another excellent review, written as only Arthur can! We're going to Disneyworld in April and until reading this article, I wasn't even aware of this new show. Thanks Arthur, for bringing this to my attention!
As a non-recovering history buff, I may never get over the loss of my all time favorite Disney night show - IllumiNations! I have not seen the new show yet and your review of vast improvement over the last two "replacements" is encouraging. Thanks for the info.