Disney test fires improved version of 'EPCOT Forever' ahead of the return of fireworks to Disney World in July

Jun 17, 2021 in "Epcot Forever"

EPCOT Forever 2021 edition test - June 16 2021
Posted: Thursday June 17, 2021 1:24am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Hot on the heels of this week's announcement by Disney that it will resume Walt Disney World firework shows on July 1, Disney's fireworks team just carried out an overnight full show test of the new version of 'EPCOT Forever.'


Late into the night, the team brought out the fireworks platforms into position on World Showcase Lagoon ready for the test which took place just before 1am.

As with the recent full test of Harmonious, guests at the BoardWalk got to see and hear a preview of the new version of the show, which includes more pyrotechnics in place of the now retired kites. You can see some of the kite replacement firework sections in the video below.

Although the low level parts of the show can't be seen over the tree line, it was apparent that some elements of the Harmonious show platforms were in use, including the fountains during the pre-show announcements.

With 'EPCOT Forever' being mostly a firework show, the majority of the pyrotechnics are fired from the 8 smaller midi barges, seawall perimeter launchers, and 2 large 'World War III' firework platforms - all of which are also used for Harmonious in addition to its 5 main video display and water fountain barges.

Here is a video of the 'EPCOT Forever' test in full from early this morning.

'EPCOT Forever' was originally designed as a limited-time interim show debuting in October 2019, and only played for a few months before the parks were closed due to the pandemic.

EPCOT'S all-new nighttime spectacular, Harmonious, will debut later this year - likely in the fall as part of the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebrations.

Here is a look at the original 'EPCOT Forever' show from opening night on 2019.

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Chi8417 days ago

Saw it last night and loved it! Visibility was much better than the previous show.

Jayspency18 days ago

Imagine this is the song they play right before the fires around the world showcase go out for illuminations when it comes back

Cmdr_Crimson18 days ago

Problem now with the Illumination Name it now reminds me too much of this..

Cmdr_Crimson18 days ago

Yes, see this is why I'm not a fan of The most recent shows since Epcot Forever..They don't interest me.

Captain Barbossa18 days ago

“Harluminously EPCOT: Reflections of Centerous!”

Nottamus18 days ago

I think the next show name should also sound like Luminous, harmonious, illuminations, festivus, fireworkious - so we At some point just give up and call it The Epcot show

MisterPenguin18 days ago

No animated projections. Just planar lasers and spotlights.

Starship82418 days ago

Luminous has no projections?

Gusey18 days ago

Luminous got the perfect balance for its projection infrastructure. The Illuminations globe was too small that you couldn't see what was going on, whilst Harmonious had the giant tacos that couldn't be moved and also needed to be viewed dead center to be fully experienced. Luminous is right in the middle in that you can see the projections but the floats can be moved backstage

MisterPenguin18 days ago

I am not of the opinion that IluumiNations was the epitome of fireworks shows. It had issues of pacing and visibility... And less fireworks. While I hate that Luminous includes You Got a Friend, it's a nice mix of new and well-known songs. It's visibility around the Lagoon or standing behind a crowd is great.

DreamfinderGuy18 days ago

Luminous feels like it’s trying to be Harmonious 2 (which in itself was essentially HEA) while trying to capture some drops of RoE’s essence. It’s better than Harm, but the lot of successors are all a far cry from IllumiNations

Jayspency18 days ago

You’re talking about luminous right?

Cmdr_Crimson18 days ago

IMO I just think HarmonioUS feels more like it has 5 years on it's lifespan before they end it..Unless by 2032 For IllumiNations 50 we at least would see something amazing.

heapster41119 days ago

I believe it's all about concept. IROE was a story of how we came to be and what we have become, and possibly what our future could be. Everything else IMHO is just a low brow movie soundtrack sing-along. To me, once you leave the true story telling that was the concept of IROE and Epcot, it will be very hard to go back.