Disney’s Missed Opportunity | Opinion

Yesterday was a big day for Walt Disney World. After more than a year, fireworks lit up the sky once again at both Disney’s Magic Kingdom as well as EPCOT. Though it might have been rainy for a good part of the day at the happiest place on earth, that didn’t stop guests from staking out the perfect spot for returning the return of these 2 nighttime spectaculars.

Over at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, guests lined Main Street USA to watch Happily Ever After, an inspirational show featuring projections and fireworks set to our favorite Disney musical numbers. Guests at EPCOT got the return of EPCOT FOREVER, an interim show that took the place of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth while preparations were being made for Harmonious.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to see either show live and in person. However, we did get the opportunity to enjoy each thanks to the wonders of the internet, which had us arriving at this [likely somewhat controversial] opinion; Walt Disney World really missed an opportunity here. Yes. . . I’m talking about EPCOT FOREVER.

Now, before we move on to the meat and potatoes of this discussion [because I know some of you will be wondering] let’s touch on Happily Ever After. There was no notable change to the nighttime fireworks show at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, at least not in my opinion. There was however a change in the address at the beginning of the show. Rather than “ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls” the new announcement addresses “dreamers of all ages”. In my opinion, this is a change that is barely worth noting. . . . . but it will get an discussion all its own here in the next couple of days. So stay tuned for that!

Back to the topic at hand!

It probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise why I’d be talking about EPCOT FOREVER in today’s discussion. As most of my fellow mortals out there will know, EPCOT is my favorite of the Walt Disney World theme parks and World Showcase holds a special place in my heart. This is one of the reasons that I was less than enthusiastic to see large barges permanently installed in World Showcase Lagoon earlier this year in preparation for Harmonious. I’d done my best to remain optimistic though. . . . hoping that somewhere under those barges are pipes pumping in copious amounts of Disney Magic that will ultimately make the 5 massive barges less of an eyesore than they currently as. Of course, that has yet to be seen, leaving the barges to sit lifelessly in the center of the lagoon. . . . . . This has been the state of things for the past however-many-months as Disney fans far and wide sit, wait and collectively groan as daytime testing continues. I think most of us would be kidding ourselves if we didn’t admit that we’ve wondered just how on earth Disney is going to pull this one off.

. . . . . so what does any of this have to do with this “missed opportunity” I speak of?

Last night marked the return of nighttime spectaculars at Walt Disney World. As I said, we got the return of both Happily Ever After and EPCOT FOREVER. Thing is. . . . . EPCOT FOREVER took place in World Showcase Lagoon around the barges. Why not use them?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand the complexities that go into incorporating highly technical equipment [like the taco barges and stargate] into an established show isn’t something you can do overnight. It takes some time to coordinate things and pull everything together. It’s not impossible though. I also understand that Disney want to hold their cards close to the vest as well. However, there are plenty of ways that Disney could have incorporated the barges into EPCOT FOREVER without giving away the spectacular that will be Harmonious’ finished product.

The alternative to this is what we saw last night. Rather than incorporating the barges in any way, they were left there lifeless as ever in the middle of the lagoon as the show happened around them. Though the weather left the smoke from the fireworks to linger in the air covering the barges by the end of the show, there was really no mistaking the unmoving and unlit pieces of equipment.

At the end of the day, do I think that the Harmonious barges ruined the return of EPCOT FOREVER? No, I do not. I’d honestly provide you with some sort of explanation, but I don’t have much more to say than that. However, I do think that this would have been a great opportunity for Disney to give a taste of what these barges are. Even if it had been lights, fountains or screens but nothing more. The chance to show the guests, who have been watching and wondering for months, seems like . . . . well. . . . a missed opportunity.

Of course, whether or not Disney does end up incorporating elements of the barges in EPCOT FOREVER at some point between now and October 1st [when Harmonious is set to debut] is anybody’s guess. What I’m personally hoping for is that we’ll start to see some elements used, particularly the daytime fountains, sooner rather than later. If for no other reason, I’d just like to see something that shows us that these fountains are going to work somewhere in the neighborhood of as advertised.

As always, we’d love to know what your opinion is of EPCOT FOREVER, whether or not you think the fountains should have been incorporated or whatever else is on your mind. You can do that by joining the jamboree and having a conversation with other fellow mortals like yourself! We’re materializing over now. . . . see you there!