While visiting EPCOT today, we decided to check in on the Harmonious project and saw a new milestone for the project – backstage testing of the massive centerpiece barge. As you can see in the photos below, Disney has powered on the barge and is testing the extensive lighting array that runs along the perimeter of the circular structure.
First, here’s a look at the concept art for Harmonious, with the massive centerpiece barge right in the middle of the action. The barge is outfitted with an array of lighting elements, four rotating arms (the same arms we’ve seen testing on the other barges), and a massive water screen.
Here’s a look at the centerpiece barge through some trees as it sits in a backstage marina. Before we zoom in too much, it’s worth noting that the barge in the foreground seems to have all of the LED panels installed now – a prerequisite for being moved onto World Showcase Lagoon.
Zooming in further, we can see the extensive lighting array powered on and testing.
Out on World Showcase Lagoon it was more of the same this morning – a test of the LED screen looked almost like a game of Battleship.
A crane that is used for backstage work dominates the skyline as guests walk from The American Adventure towards Italy and Germany.
“Harmonious” will bring to World Showcase Lagoon an innovative toolkit of massive floating set pieces that house a variety of show effects, including custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, colorful lights, lasers, pyrotechnics and more.
The collective of the barges is referred to as the “compass”, with the center having a “great gravity screen” that is surrounded by four other barges that have giant LED screens as seen in the concept art below.
The show promises to be a beautifully crafted nighttime dreamscape of Disney music and images, reimagined by diverse cultural musicians and artists from around the world. It’s a transformative experience, where we can discover how Disney music has the power to inspire and unite us all. You can catch an early glimpse of concepts for the show now by visiting Walt Disney Imagineering Presents the Epcot Experience, located in the Odyssey Events Pavilion.
Harmonious will debut October 1, 2021 at EPCOT.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!