Harmonious: how would you rate it?

[samsteele]

What does the abbreviation "IP" stand for, please?

IP = intellectual property. In this case, movie characters from popular Disney films.

 

[Lisa P.]

Thanks!

 

[PurplePigment]

I'd say three. If five is average this is below that but I guess not absolutely God awful.

Some of the remixes were catchy, but I agree with every criticism. It's just a YouTube playlist of remixes that makes me feel nothing. The different language angle is fun (I love listening to other languages) but since they don't use it to work towards anything like a theme it just comes across like a novelty.

I really wish they wouldn't reuse so many danged songs we just had in recent (or concurrently running!) shows and parades. Setting aside any personal enjoyment of the songs, I feel things lose their emotional impact through repetition. Eventually you just become numb. If the show itself isn't going to try and build any emotions, then that's an issue.

And I agree with everyone saying it's not worth the barges. For a long time I was expecting some big surprise with them, a trick up their sleeve that would wow people and make them worth it. It didn't occur to me until like a week before premiere that they're exactly what they look like, and what they look like is pretty basic.

A few more lines about how music unites us & less jarring breaks in the songs/vignettes would’ve went a long way imo.

I think it's worth noting that they've been advertising this as a "celebration of Disney music" for months in Epcot Experience (and that show has plenty of feel good, Epcot-y sounding narration followed by stuff that doesn't logically follow at all, so it's not like they couldn't/wouldn't just make something up). That's the stated idea they use in the announcements prior, too (packaged with something else at first, then they ditch that). I think there aren't more lines about the theme because the theme is post hoc and the whole point is promotion.

Through that lens, they did a great job. I appreciate other Disney show/parade more now. Every other one I've listened to sounds more unified than the one supposedly about unification through music.

 

[BK2014]

What does the abbreviation "IP" stand for, please?

"Intellectual Property" - and in case someone needs a definition:

"a work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, trademark, etc. " - From Google

 

[BK2014]

Having now seen both Harmonious and Enchantment in person, I will agree that both are more impressive in person than on the videos. And it seemed that most of both audiences were impressed and enjoyed both shows. I am guessing that a large percentage of the audiences are not comparing the shows to those from the past or looking for a story line.

The barges are ugly, but the effects that they create are visually beautiful to look at. They should turn off the lights along the fence to the lagoon during the show. We were in front of one and it was distracting - I vaguely remember that those lights were out during Illuminations.

If there is a cohesive story/message that this show is trying to tell then I think they have made it hard to decipher. Since the music incorporates multiple languages, one would not know what message those song choices are sending unless they are familiar with each of the songs and the particular passage that is used during the show.

The projections didn't really help with any storytelling given that a lot of them were abstract.

I personally wish Disney would stop just re-using songs from their movies as the soundtrack for their evening shows when they have the people who could compose some great original songs.

Glad I saw it in person. Lights and fireworks were beautiful, but not worth having the permanent structures in the lake. Music leaves something to be desired as it is nothing new.

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

I must say it is MUCH better in person. I was in awe and amazement of the mechanical arms. It just looks incredible. And there is an energy in World Showcase that doesn't translate in video.

I watched from the Canada pavilion and got covered in fireworks ashes, though. I thought it was raining... until I got back to my room and realized my face and arms were covered in tiny black specks. Not sure if this is normal or if I was just standing closer than usual this time.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I must say it is MUCH better in person. I was in awe and amazement of the mechanical arms. It just looks incredible. And there is an energy in World Showcase that doesn't translate in video.

I watched from the Canada pavilion and got covered in fireworks ashes, though. I thought it was raining... until I got back to my room and realized my face and arms were covered in tiny black specks. Not sure if this is normal or if I was just standing closer than usual this time.

It depends on where the wind is blowing. I've had ashes fall on me with Illuminations before. The fireworks launch a bit closer to guests at Epcot compared to other parks. Add in the wind and it makes sense.

But so agree! The show is incredible.

 

[goofy4prez]

Watching it online, I find watching a Chia Pet grow more interesting than Harmonious. It just didn't flow all that well for me. But I'll reserve my final opinion of it until February when I can actually watch it in person.

 

[Dznefreek]

Disney keep saying that hearing lyrics in their native languages would be a real "inclusive" moment for guests. I say no. . . . . People's reactions do not necessarily align with Imagineering concepts.

 

[Salf777]

Ok so I didn’t see the show or live stream so I have no opinion. What I have heard from many is Harmonious isn’t “Epcot” and there was no story (please again this is not my opinion as I said I haven’t seen it so jumping on me here)
I did just listen to the Disney History Institute podcast today and he gave a great breakdown of the show and story and how it is supposed to fit in Epcot. I found his break down very Informative as to what was trying to be accomplished (again if it does or not I don’t know)
again i Share this just because I found the podcast very informative. Having not seen the show or video I don’t know if his explanation hits the mark.
this is not a statement to say the show was good, bad or indifferent just To share with the community

 

[luv2cheer92]

Disney keep saying that hearing lyrics in their native languages would be a real "inclusive" moment for guests. I say no. . . . . People's reactions do not necessarily align with Imagineering concepts.

My experience seeing it in person with people from various nationalities around me would say otherwise.

 

[bsmcneil]

Disney keep saying that hearing lyrics in their native languages would be a real "inclusive" moment for guests. I say no. . . . . People's reactions do not necessarily align with Imagineering concepts.

How would you know, though (unless it directly affects you)? I think back to when "Let it Go" was dubbed with different languages and that was super cool as a native English speaker (and I can imagine that if I weren't, it would be great to feel seen/heard. Representation matters.).

 

[Grasshopper2016]

https://blogmickey.com/2021/10/disney-ceo-bob-chapek-came-up-with-concept-for-harmonious-at-epcot/
Figures

 

[PaladinButters]

https://blogmickey.com/2021/10/disney-ceo-bob-chapek-came-up-with-concept-for-harmonious-at-epcot/
Figures

Chapek - "everyone likes Disney music"

Us- Yes, us Disney fans sure do love all those wonderful songs - good call!

Harmonious - *exists*

Us - NO, not like that!

 

[Chumpieboy]

https://blogmickey.com/2021/10/disney-ceo-bob-chapek-came-up-with-concept-for-harmonious-at-epcot/
Figures

I hate hate hate hate those useless pull quotes like in that article.

I hate hate hate hate those useless pull quotes like in that article.
-Chumpieboy

 

[Shellyred8]

We saw the show via livestream first and then saw it a couple of nights later in person. We were standing by the lake in the entrance to World Showcase between the two shops. So, we were pretty much straight on from the "big circle". We were very under-whelmed by the livestream and didn't hold out much hope for seeing it in person. However, our minds were changed when we saw it in person. The show itself was pretty spectacular. However, it didn't hold up to what my expectations were for it. As others have mentioned: no easily discernable story line; I didn't care for some of the renditions of some of the songs; if we wouldn't have had a straight-on view of the "big circle" it would've been a lesser experience; it's not spectacular enough to overcome ruining the day-time view around world showcase.

The part I've really become disappointed with Disney's recent shows is their lack of story-telling. This is what Disney has always been known for. What happened to all of their great story-tellers? Did Bob silence them all??? It really is sad.

To those that haven't seen it in person yet, I would recommend seeing it a least once in person. It is totally different from watching it on-line. And if you do go see it in person, make sure you can see the middle of the "big circle" and 2 of the side barges.

I give it a 7/10 for my review. It was good, but lots of room for improvement.

 

[aubreighk]

These songs would’ve been much better in Harmonious. Disney keeps recycling all the same songs for their shows.

 

[gharter]

Having now seen both Harmonious and Enchantment in person, I will agree that both are more impressive in person than on the videos.

Thats what I'm hoping we find next week. Neither looked that impressive on video, hoping they are better in person.. Whereas Illuminations, Wishes, and HEA all looked amazing on video.

 

[GPC0321]

I just watched it for the first time on Youtube (The Dis's, of course), and I thought it was spectacular. I was a die-hard IllumiNations lover, and I mourned its loss when it was retired, but this will do nicely. I like the inclusion of other languages and the inclusion of the classic Disney songs. It felt a little like HEA revamped for Epcot. Which is fine with me because I got five minutes into the Enchantment video and was so bored I had to stop.

I won't be back to the World until April of 2023, just in time to catch the end of the 50th. After two trips with NO fireworks whatsoever, I'm just excited to see whatever Disney is offering. I anticipate watching Harmonious multiple times during that trip (staying at Swolphin).

 

[jthornton94]

I saw Harmonius Friday. I really wanted to love it, but I just couldn’t. One big complaint is unless you are in direct line of site of the ring it’s not neatly as good. I was slightly left and feel like I missed a lot. The music was ok, but the visual aspects on the water, for me, were really lacking.

I will saw I loved Illuminations so I may just be biased.