Harmonious: how would you rate it?

[cafetao]

What would you say the message is?

Sorry haven't been on the boards in a few days. To much negativity.

The message for me is that music is powerful and a way to experience and learn from other cultures. It is also a uniting force, that brings people together. An appropriate message for world showcase.

 

[Punkrockbebop]

We hated it. It had no cohesiveness, no story, no emotional pull, and it wasn’t about discovery or learning or anything that Epcot is about, except for a vague connection to the world showcase countries through poorly woven together IP songs. The giant black barges look horrible and they obstruct the beautiful views of world showcase across the water, yet they don’t have large enough surface areas for the projections to have an impact, and they can’t be seen from just anywhere around the lake, which will be a problem for crowd control. The armitures are awkward. strange spidery things and I just don’t understand the purpose of them. There were no fireworks until FIVE minutes in, and they were too sparse. It had an awkward ending that confused everyone as to whether it was the end of the show or not, so everyone just stood around, confused. It seemed like it was designed by a corporate board, too much of the budget was blown on the tech, things didn’t work right or go as expected, then COVID happened, and decisions and compromises were made when the budget was cut before the whole thing could be fully worked out and the story and music completed. It’s a complete disaster on so many fronts, and it felt so corporate that it left a really bad taste in my mouth. It marks the direction of how the park is being dumbed down for the masses and stripped of all it’s meaning.

On the upside, we did appreciate the different languages. That was nice. And we did love the cool Spaceship Earth effects and lighting under the monorail. That was pretty cool.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Id give anything to have this low of a standard.

I legit LOLed…

 

[jeff_h]

Ok… second round.. I watched today from the esplanade -front and center to the main screen- and the experience is so much better! (Say 8/10)

(Yesterday I was at Italy)

We must have been neighbors, as DW and I also watched from those same locations -- liked it the first time but couldn't see as well, liked it better the second time with a better vantage point.

 

[Marionnette]

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.

You know what? I question why I still show any interest in Disney given the direction the company has taken on so many fronts. It's a deep emotional connection to it that pulls me in with the hope that things can change. I will continue to criticize what I regard as poor judgment on the part of decision-makers and I will applaud what I perceive to be an enhancement to the guest experience. Don't like it? Put me on ignore and you'll never see my posts.

 

[luv2cheer92]

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.

I was honestly starting to wonder if I saw a different show than some people on here, because I think both shows are great. But I heard nothing but excitement and positive comments throughout the parks after each of the shows, so people are definitely happy. But I've also started to ignore the negative comments from people who have only seen it on video, I'm really not sure how people can have such strong feelings without seeing them live. Confusing.

 

[HopperFan]

This proves how different people appreciate different things in WDW.
I can't speak for "everyone" but the view was HUGE for me!! Pre- StarGate & TacoBarges, I used to have to talk myself out of taking MORE pix across the lagoon. I have sooo many over the years! The view was a serene and lovely thing to enjoy even when the park was hot and crowded. But then I'm a big fan of any "water view"- lakes, rivers, oceans. To me these Epcot structures are the equivalent of putting oil rigs directly off of a beautiful white, sandy beach, enjoyed by tourists.

The lagoon is the connecting point for all the countries. The lagoon is what joins them/us all together. The lagoon is what makes the world smaller. YES, we often stop to look across, take pictures and enjoy the "small world" feel. I suppose there are those who just hustle around, not taking in the beauty or meaning of it. When you lose the connection it further reduces the pavilions to a food court / shopping mall. While Illuminations wasn't everyone's favorite, and many didn't understand the depth of the story and I agree it was probably time for an upgrade .... I was hopeful a new show would remain relevant to where it was and why it was.

NOTE: I have no issue with IP rides in pavilions, I think it makes it more fun for kids and creates interest at a younger age for the countries, but the big finale show, that could have been more artistic than commercial. We lost more than we gained, that is sad.

We must have been neighbors, as DW and I also watched from those same locations -- liked it the first time but couldn't see as well, liked it better the second time with a better vantage point.

Seems to be a common comment. WHY would you build a show that requires limited locations for a good view (like being in HUB for castle projections)? For 30 years they provided great views from all around the lagoon. Now once people figure out the views vary so much, you'll have people crushing in to certain areas. I am at a lost for so many of the decisions made lately.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

It should be at Sea World because the giant thing in the middle looks like a sea monster. How can one company which used to be the gold standard for a business model have so many failures?

 

[luv2cheer92]

It should be at Sea World because the giant thing in the middle looks like a sea monster. How can one company which used to be the gold standard for a business model have so many failures?

Like the look of them or not. The use of them during the show is fantastic.

 

[jeff_h]

Like the look of them or not. The use of them during the show is fantastic.

I agree with this, as the various Nessie parts at different angles look odd during the day but do make the show better from anywhere in WS, just some places seemed better than others (OK from my vast perspective of two different spots ).

Personally I think they're better than that rotating globe from Illuminations, that always reminded me of a 6pm Newscast...

 

[luvnwdwgal]

I watched it on YouTube. Did absolutely nothing for me. Won’t be wasting my time to actually go see it. To me it just seemed like a jumbled mess of whatever they felt like throwing in. The best part was the ending.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Like the look of them or not. The use of them during the show is fantastic.

You think so? Because to me, they were the most basic option in the world. Up, down, lights, spray. Compared to other shows Disney has done, they look incredibly amateurish - and not just because they're hideous during the day. Look at the dancing fountains in Fantasmic (DL) or WOC, all of which have more variety of movement, colour options, and are invisible when not in use thereby increasing the surprise factor.

 

[jade1]

Went tonight. Actually liked it a lot. Watched near Japan so a great view of the center, although it didn't seem all that necessary. 20 minutes of amazing color, decent video and being there the sound was great. Really do understand the concerns of bouncing around a lot but we didn't mind and enjoyed almost every song. Fireworks were a bit short but we didn't think that illuminations was a crazy amount. A few times they really blasted off some good ones. We will go A lot.

 

[Marionnette]

You think so? Because to me, they were the most basic option in the world. Up, down, lights, spray. Compared to other shows Disney has done, they look incredibly amateurish - and not just because they're hideous during the day. Look at the dancing fountains in Fantasmic (DL) or WOC, all of which have more variety of movement, colour options, and are invisible when not in use thereby increasing the surprise factor.

Take a look at Longwood Gardens. Their main fountains are spectacular. The fountains sway and dance. There are cannon fountains that shoot high into the sky. They literally have fire dancing on the top of some of their fountain sprays. Disney could have taken a page from their book and offered something a little more impressive. Those swinging arms in DISHarmoniUS look like an out of control fire hose to me.

 

[lovethattink]

We saw it last night. We each had a different take. Dh loved it. He liked it better than Illuminations and as he put it “that last one”. DS 17 was really into the music. Several times he bumped into me from moving with the beat. Visually, I loved the bright colors. I was able to see about 75% where I was, there was a tree and people. But I was able to see most of the screens and all of the fireworks. I think seeing the screens is a must.

My negatives: The white lights of the countries lit up didn’t fit with the bright colors in the water. Seemed like they should be matching. If there was a storyline, we missed it.

 

[gharter]

I watched it on YouTube. Did absolutely nothing for me. Won’t be wasting my time to actually go see it. To me it just seemed like a jumbled mess of whatever they felt like throwing in. The best part was the ending.

I agree. With the 2 videos I've seen of it, did nothing for me. We will still be going to see it live, at least once to see if its better in person. Hoping it is. I thought the ending was a mess as well.

 

[ColinBlair]

Watched from the bridge to France. From that angle, the center screen looks like a weird tentacle tower which still looked interesting. The screens on the barge. Sides are well oriented though. Story wise, seemed easy to follow. Moana first with many different languages used, which makes sense for a movie that was well recorded in so many different languages in good quality. Then, songs to cover the different countries in the showcase. I really liked that new animations had been created in country specific styles and not just cut and pasted from the original films. Not sure if that was true for the main screen which I didn’t see.

 

[T-Daddy]

To me Illuminations was the apex of Disney culture, creativity, art, storytelling, music, community, etc., etc. I didn't expect the replacement to live up to it; Disney just doesn't have the creative firepower to do that now. But this is an abortion. Not only does it ruin the WS night, it ruins the day as well.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I was not a fan at all of Illuminations. Rarely stayed late at Epcot because of that. I'm glad I now have a reason to stay longer.

 

[tinkerhon]

The end two screens look like Tacos