Honest Review: Luminous Symphony of Us EPCOT New Nighttime Spectacular. Delight in a dramatic show designed to bring us all together. Marvel at a dazzling pageant of fireworks, fountains, music, and lights set to an original composition. New music, along with evocative selections from the Disney songbook, come together to remind us that we are more alike than we are different.
On December 6, 2023, a new hero burst onto the scene at EPCOT – not a singular figure, but a collective force: YOU. Luminous: A Symphony of Us, the park’s newest nighttime spectacular, shines a spotlight on the extraordinary stories woven by each and every one of us.
Forget a single protagonist; this stage belongs to you, me, and all of us. It’s a space where our individual stories find their voice, resonating within the grand narrative of Epcot and World Showcase.
As the night sky becomes our canvas, Luminous paints an emotional odyssey. We are each unique instruments in the Symphony of Us, playing our own melodies that blend into a powerful harmony. It’s a journey we’ve all walked, a tale of resilience, discovery, and connection.
Our guiding light is Mother Earth, a storyteller who illuminates the universal human experiences we all share. From the first breath we take to finding our voices, forming families, navigating loss, and discovering the world around us, Luminous reminds us to keep singing our songs, to let our lights shine, and to remember that we are the ones who illuminate the world. Right here, I want to thank Sam from Sam’s Disney Diary who explained this because I had missed it the first time.
So, come, join the Symphony of Us. Take your place on the stage of EPCOT and let your story shine, for in the tapestry of humanity, each thread is invaluable, each voice irreplaceable. Together, we create a symphony of light, hope, and connection, proving that the greatest heroes are not just characters on a screen, but the ordinary people who make up the extraordinary tapestry of life.
Luminous Symphony of Us is showing nightly at 9:30 PM in the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot. Times will change once Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays is over.
Disney took the bold move, which they explained during a media preview where we were guests, of not using any visuals or characters from Disney Movies or animation. They want you to project your day, thoughts, and memories on your own mental canvas. While I find this brilliant, others may not grasp the concept quickly and leave the show gripping about not seeing their favorite character.
I have to admit, that it took a few showings to grasp the whole story. That is the advantage of living next door to Walt Disney World. We can see the show anytime we want, see it multiple times, and see new things on each show. The average guest will only get to see the show one time during their vacation. The good thing about that is Luminous will be here for a long time, and guests will return yearly to see it again and again.
Disney Live Entertainment has created a masterpiece of a night-time spectacular. While a good amount of people will cry for the previous show, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, they will be remiss in not giving Luminous Symphony of Us the credit it deserves.
Speaking of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, without giving away too much, Disney has done an amazing job of advancing what that show was about and also adding nods to the old show into the new show. Earth Globe does not return, but Spaceship Earth is the perfect canvas to replace it.
The music and the fireworks, along with the fountains shine beautifully in Luminous. With the classic Ecpot firework shooting from the outside circle of World Showcase, into the center, to a few new displays like a blast of fireworks that look like a heart.
For music, we get 10 songs in total. Two original songs – Heartbeat Symphony and Beating of Our Hearts. Both new songs will get stuck in your head while you take the long walk out at the end of the night.
The Disney songs include – You’ll Be in My Heart: Tarzan, Proud Corazón: Coco, Can You Feel the Love Tonight: Lion King, You Got a Friend in Me: Toy Story, Never Had a Friend Like Me: Aladdin, When She Loved Me: Toy Story 2, Into the Unknown: Frozen 2, I See the Light: Tangled.
In conclusion, and the big question, is it worth your time and money to visit Epcot to see Luminous Symphony of Us? Yes. This show is not only beautiful but brilliant. It takes you on an emotional journey, and depending on where your head space is, this journey can become reflective and sad or happy or leave you hopeful.
As I get older, these are the emotions I like having, I like feeling alive and feeling all the feels, I know I have had a good life, no matter what negatives have happened, and reflecting on those things. Luminous brings up these memories and feelings. This is what Disney Magic is all about.
