More MASSIVE Barges Arrive At EPCOT
Just a couple months ago we got our first look at one of the 5 new barges that would be calling World Showcase Lagoon home as part of EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular Harmonious. The barge, which to us resembled a large black taco, seemed massive and we thought it was a bit much considering it would be a permanent fixture in the lagoon. . . . and that’s before it really sunk in that it would be joined by 4 additional barges. Since that first glimpse of these barges in December, additional barges have been added to include another large taco and now the centerpiece, which is being called the “icon show platform”.
The icon show platform includes all the bells and whistles that the previous barges have including moving fountains, moving lights, show action equipment and projectors. Of course, the most notable characteristic of the icon show platform is its size. The giant ring shaped lighting [or stage] truss stands 6 stories tall, which dwarfs the size of the previous barges installed at the lagoon.
Credit: Disney
Now, there’s not much that I can say here that I haven’t already said in our last conversation about the Harmonious barges. You’re more than welcome to materialize over there for more specifics about my feelings, but in a nutshell, nothing about them sits well with me. I don’t like the way that they obstruct the view across the World Showcase Lagoon and I don’t like that they are a permanent fixture. Of course, all of these opinions are based on the current state of the barges which is admittedly not the final product. However, as any Walt Disney World fan will tell you, the intended final product isn’t always the final final product. . . . . if you know what I’m sayin’!
Though there is no doubt in my mind that these barges will create a beautiful daytime fountain and awe inspiring nighttime spectacular, the question I can’t help but ask is “for how long”? No one likes to think about it too often, but Disney isn’t a stranger to malfunctioning equipment and different “modes” for equipment when it’s not functioning at 100%. My hope is that Disney has some space age magic loaded into what is likely hundreds of feet of tubing that make up these barges. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.