Harmonious: how would you rate it?

[BelleGi]

Tonight's performance of Disney Enchantment was absolutely fabulous! Epic success, IMO. There must have been completely different teams working on those two shows because the DE team scored a touchdown while the Harmonious team fumbled big time! Epic fail, IMO. So sad!

So crazy, because I basically feel the exact opposite

 

[Lisa P.]

LOL! To each their own!

 

[T-Daddy]

This IS the new Disney. There will be no further magic. The place is run by non-creative types now. Savor what magic you can from what is left, as it is steadily diminished.

 

[SteveMouse]

What do you mean?

I ask, in part, because …Moana isn't set in Hawaii. And yes, this sort of thing sort of grabs my attention ...

Moana’s island is fictional, although could be perceived as being near Tahiti. The character Maui has obvious connections The performer/actress who voiced Moana is Hawaiian. She’s redubbed it in Native Hawaiian at

.

 

[bsmcneil]

Moana’s island is fictional, although could be perceived as being near Tahiti. The character Maui has obvious connections The performer/actress who voiced Moana is Hawaiian. She’s redubbed it in Native Hawaiian at

.

So I think the answer to your original question is no - I did not find any of Moana's songs to be sung in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻiian. I'm double-checking the Disney Parks version.

ETA: I asked for the clarification because my understanding is that act 1 was meant to gather people from the world showcase (of Epcot), of which Hawaii is not a separate part. They used 13 languages in the show (overall) but I can't find an exact breakout of them all. I don't quite understand some of the reasoning behind their recordings. I think about a quote in a news article I read:

“You think you would recognize the songs you grew up with, but it’s with a new twist of hearing it in that native language that we’ve recorded it in,” said Gary Gutierrez, managing producer with Disney Live Entertainment. “You’ll hear Swahili or Hindu, and it’s really a different and special experience.”

And I remain struck - Hindu isn't a language (I don't know if Gutierrez got that wrong or the reporter). Hindi is and I suspect that's what was meant but hoooooooly moly, if someone is putting together a show like Harmonious and doesn't know or get that - I'm scared. So, I'm hoping the reporter made the mistake. Regardless, there's a lot to wrestle with when we're looking at this show and languages - hence your question of popping in Hawaiian (which would be super uncommon) surprised me.

 

[SteveMouse]

So I think the answer to your original question is no - I did not find any of Moana's songs to be sung in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻiian. I'm double-checking the Disney Parks version.

ETA: I asked for the clarification because my understanding is that act 1 was meant to gather people from the world showcase (of Epcot), of which Hawaii is not a separate part. They used 13 languages in the show (overall) but I can't find an exact breakout of them all. I don't quite understand some of the reasoning behind their recordings. I think about a quote in a news article I read:

“You think you would recognize the songs you grew up with, but it’s with a new twist of hearing it in that native language that we’ve recorded it in,” said Gary Gutierrez, managing producer with Disney Live Entertainment. “You’ll hear Swahili or Hindu, and it’s really a different and special experience.”

And in that very same vein, AFAIK, all the songs were originally written in English, with the exception of whatever incorporation of non-English words in the original version, such as music from The Lion King.

That makes the non-inclusion of a language from a South Pacific island for Moana even worse. And they didnt have to look too hard to find it in Hawaiian. Disney either did it directly or was involved in the full translation of the entire movie into Hawaiian at least three years ago. Even better- the same actress performed Moana, including songs, in both the English and Hawaiian versions.

 

[bsmcneil]

And in that very same vein, AFAIK, all the songs were originally written in English, with the exception of whatever incorporation of non-English words in the original version, such as music from The Lion King.

That makes the non-inclusion of a language from a South Pacific island for Moana even worse. And they didnt have to look too hard to find it in Hawaiian. Disney either did it directly or was involved in the full translation of the entire movie into Hawaiian at least three years ago. Even better- the same actress performed Moana, including songs, in both the English and Hawaiian versions.

So, again, this doesn't quite make sense. There was Samoan in Harmonious, but that's not what you asked about. I don't believe all of the songs in Moana were originally written in English (but I wasn't a part of the writing process). For what it's worth, Hawaii is not a South Pacific island (nor is Moana set in Hawaii - even remotely). And again, Hawaii is only a part of World Showcase inasmuch as any state of the United States is included in The American Adventure. Given that there isn't a country in World Showcase that is from the South Pacific, I'm not entirely sure why they would've necessarily used one of their languages for Harmonious (but that's based on me expecting that Harmonious was tied to World Showcase in Epcot). I made another post in a Harmonious thread where I realize that some of the intention behind the show is more expansive than Epcot (which is why, for instance, The Jungle Book and Hindi were used).

So, am I understanding that you think they should have integrated more South Pacific island languages into Harmonious? I still don't really understand what you're trying to say.

ETA - I will say that I have only just recently (last week) seen the updated Soarin' and they do include a scene from Fiji. I guess that provides a little bit more reason to include South Pacific nations in Harmonious (but still not necessarily Hawaiian).

 

[tinkerhon]

Center ring had no projections tonight ..

 

[tinkerhon]

Center ring had no projections tonight ..

Yea--- was just shooting water

 

[Kms943]

Center ring had no projections tonight ..

Well that’s concerning since it’s only it’s 2nd full performance.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

And in that very same vein, AFAIK, all the songs were originally written in English, with the exception of whatever incorporation of non-English words in the original version, such as music from The Lion King.

That makes the non-inclusion of a language from a South Pacific island for Moana even worse. And they didnt have to look too hard to find it in Hawaiian. Disney either did it directly or was involved in the full translation of the entire movie into Hawaiian at least three years ago. Even better- the same actress performed Moana, including songs, in both the English and Hawaiian versions.

The parts in English were written in English, while the songs in Tokelauan were written in Tokelauan. Unlike Lion King where it was just one part of one song (albeit the most iconic part) in Zulu, in Moana roughly half of the songs with lyrics have some or all of the lyrics in Tokelauan. I'm not sure why they would put it in Hawaiian if they were to choose any non-English language, given that Hawaii is like 3,000 miles away from the nearest place that Moana could be taking place? Yes, there was a special Hawaiian edition of the movie voiced by the same actress, but a) they didn't use her for Harmonious (I wish they had!) and b) there were several other localized versions from around the South Pacific, including one in Maori. So...again, I'm not sure why it would be in Hawaiian if they were to have a non-English version at all (which I wish they would have).

 

[Tonyz]

Center ring had no projections tonight ..

what an absolute joke

 

[gatormom2tots]

Never cared for Illuminations- it was a one and done and we never watched it again. Saw Craig's video last night of Harmonious (I hear it is MUCH better than Disney's filming) and LOVED it. But it almost felt like musical score wise it was something you would see in MK, not Epcot.

I think so much depends on what hits you emotionally- which will be different for everyone.

But I hated Enchantment. Did nothing for me.

 

[cjlong88]

Id give anything to have this low of a standard.

We don't all have to experience or enjoy the same things the same way, nor do we have to value the exact same things. You don't have to be happy with Harmonious or the barges, but that doesn't mean I have to be unhappy either.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

Posted on the other thread too after seeing it again last night. I was to the left of the Rose and Crown to see what the view would be like from the package tables. I was right up against the rail so the view was good, but not the best for fireworks with the trees there. The tables will have a very good view even if the circle is not straight on.

I didn't realize there were no projections last night!

I did like the show better the 2nd time, but still no major feels and the Princess and the Frog scream fest made my head hurt LOL.

 

[csgrkw]

Recognizing that my family have been huge Illuminations fans, I fully admit that I was anxious with that retirement of Illuminations and the introduction of a replacement show. After seeing Harmonious, my feelings are mixed. Technically and visually, the elements were incredibly well designed and executed...and the visuals were well done for a water setting.

With that said, the music (while all beautiful renditions in different languages to represent the countries around World Showcase), reminded me more of the Castle show in MK where it takes you from Disney song/movie to the next without any specific flow. Walt's vision for EPCOT was all about innovation, discovery and the future and the Illuminations show felt futuristic in many ways. And with EPCOT being my favorite park because of these qualities, I was hoping for a show that would blow me away with a focus on the next decade or two of progress around the world...and instead, it just felt like the focus was on Disney and not looking outside the box.

Did I enjoy it? Yes! Was I also disappointed that Disney changed the FEEL of the show and the meaning behind it? Yes as well! I just hope that Disney doesn't drastically change the feel and meaning behind EPCOT itself as that is what draws my family to this park.

 

[Mcert01]

I thought it looked really good. I think some of the criticisms in the other thread are kind of silly. It seems to me that there is a vocal group on these boards that are not going to be happy with anything Disney does right now.

That's not to say Disney never deserves criticism, or that you have to like every change. I've been watching Disney find new and creative ways to squeeze more money out of me for decades. But I thought the show was well done and the message was good if a bit heavy handed.

So True. I'm not even sure why some of these folks even continue to show any interest in Disney. If I got so angry and was so dissatisfied with everything Disney does I would just find something else to do which makes me happy.

I loved both new fireworks shows. The Dis video for both are the best. They really did the show justice. I would have loved to see the projections on Main Street as well, but guess I'll just have to go myself to check them out. Oh, the sacrifices one must make in life. lol

Also, Tim Tracker has a video which includes a discussion with Harmonious' creator during the media event. It is excellent and really helps to provide context.

 

[LPnerd]

So True. I'm not even sure why some of these folks even continue to show any interest in Disney. If I got so angry and was so dissatisfied with everything Disney does I would just find something else to do which makes me happy.

I loved both new fireworks shows. The Dis video for both are the best. They really did the show justice. I would have loved to see the projections on Main Street as well, but guess I'll just have to go myself to check them out. Oh, the sacrifices one must make in life. lol

Also, Tim Tracker has a video which includes a discussion with Harmonious' creator during the media event. It is excellent and really helps to provide context.

if you read between the lines, I think they will be finding something else to do until disney dumps this CEO and comes back to their senses. As far as my family who have been so many times we have lost count. The magic Kingdom show is doomed, it was awful, too crowded. With all the projections on front of castle only, Main street is so packed it's dangerous after the show. Kids trampled dangerous.
We come to sing the songs of the movies we love, get the feels goosebumps and I was expecting a lot of stuff from 50 yrs ago and through the years. NOT EVEN A MICKEY MOUSE! nope not one in the entire show. LAME, it's a one and done, we will go on the rides during that time and let others have their turn in the stampede after the show.
Harmonious was visually beautiful, the music, was not great. in fact the first part was fine, from middle to end, man ,disney should have taken the time to bring us together with some kind of rousing inspirational songs , instead, it whined. The song was not the least bit memorable, so we will watch the middle, and start for the exit to avoid the crowds, LOL> OH and ending of the show is a complete dud. Not up to par with Disney fireworks at all. Heard lots of disappointed and even embarrassed people at Magic Kingdom show, harmonious just disappointed, YouTube, however... lets just say people were trying to decided about going to park, should they risk FL. covid rate, and the price increases... the answer is a resounding no.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I would probably give it a 9/10. I loved it! I did tear up once (to be completely honest, I can't remember when lol). But overall I thought it was beautiful.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

5/10