EPCOT's poorly received new nighttime show Harmonious will close at the end of Walt Disney World's 50th celebration to be replaced by an all-new show. Announced by Disney Parks chairman Josh D'Amaro at D23 Expo, a new show is in development to debut in late 2023.
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EPCOT's World Showcase Lagoon is now free of all the Harmonious show platform barges. Last night, the final two taco-shaped barges from Harmonious were removed from the lagoon and moved backstage to begin demolition.
In a post from Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley, he writes that “with the transformation now well under way” they have decided to close the EPCOT Experience and “make way for exciting new activities of the Odyssey pavilion to create a great experience for our guests.”
Sponsorship And MoneyReputedly, corporations in South Africa were the only ones able to offer sufficient funding, but Disney declined their offer in order to avoid any association with South Africa's apartheid policies.
Ultimately, the answer to the question, “should you skip Epcot?” is ABSOLUTELY NOT as of 2023. Navigating the sea of construction walls isn't really as bad as it might seem–and while it'll be a lovely environment once finished, there aren't any rides you'll miss in that Giant Epcot Dirt Pit.
The final two “taco” barges have been removed from World Showcase Lagoon, signaling the end of Harmonious at EPCOT. Harmonious was originally designed to be a long-term replacement for Illuminations, but the unsightly hardware for the show proved to be its downfall.
EPCOT celebrated its big 40th Anniversary in 2022 with special snacks, unique entertainment, and merchandise (of course). One thing released on the 40th Anniversary was a new set of EPCOT-themed ears, but they had only been available online… until now.
This is occurring due to walkway reconfigurations, plus more bag check stations, metal detectors, and other measures to aid in the screening of guests to expedite the park entry process. Since they were not designed to be removed individually, the retired bricks will not be available for guests to take home.
Spain PavilionThere also would have been an additional attraction as well as shopping and dining experiences. The market place would have featured both the new and old of Spain. The pavilion was never built because Disney was not able to find a sponsor. Efforts to sign on Spain has been tougher.
EPCOT Forever will return to Walt Disney World as an interim show on April 3 2023, following the final performance of Harmonious on April 2. The first version of EPCOT Forever which debuted on October 1 2019 featured fireworks and stunt kites.
Let's get one thing out of the way: there has never been a country that was removed from Epcot. All the countries that were originally there opening day — or added later on — remain in the park. The closest we get to a “removal” is perhaps Israel and Africa.
The Italy Pavilion is an Italian-themed pavilion that is part of the World Showcase, within Epcot at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, United States. Its location is between the Germany pavilion and The American Adventure.