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Disney World Has Begun Removing Its Biggest Eyesore

Sunset Epcot World Showcase
Credit: Disney Tips

A new nighttime spectacular is in the works at Walt Disney World, and as a result, one of the most loathed sights at the Resort is finally going away…

Disney has been changing up its fireworks shows recently following the conclusion of the Resort’s 50th-anniversary celebration. The festivities kicked off on October 1, 2021, and after 18 months, came to an end earlier this year on March 31, 2023. During the event, Disney debuted two new nighttime spectaculars with Disney Enchantment running at the Magic Kingdom, and Harmonious taking over for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth in EPCOT.

Disney Enchantment has already reached the end of its run as the fan-favorite fireworks show Happily Ever After has once again taken to the skies above Cinderella Castle (and now to the buildings down Main Street, U.S.A.) In EPCOT, Harmonious has also come to an end, with EPCOT Forever taking over as the Park’s interim show until a new fireworks spectacular debuts.

Harmonious

Credit: Paula K

RELATED: What We Know So Far About the New Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT

One main feature of Harmonious was the infamous barges. The barges looked great during the show when all of the water effects and projection mapping were operating; however, during the day, Guests visiting World Showcase were less than pleased.

When Disney announced that a new fireworks show would be coming to EPCOT, Guests were excited not only to see something new in the Park, but also for the potential that the barges would be removed assuming they were specific to Harmonious. Now, after more than 18 months of disgruntled fans and complaints over the Park’s sightlines, Disney has finally begun to remove what just might be the Resort’s biggest eyesore.

@bioreconstruct recently shared photos of the equipment in place to begin demolition on the barges:

RELATED: How To Understand The Disney Fireworks Shows

What’s next for EPCOT’s fireworks?

Limited details have been revealed so far regarding the next fireworks show to arrive in the skies above World Showcase Lagoon.

In last month’s press release that focused on new experiences for Disney100, the company noted:

Guests will be treated to the debut of an all-new EPCOT nighttime spectacular later this year. A dazzling display of music, pyrotechnics, lasers and lighting, the show will feature an original composition and evocative selections from the Disney songbook – all woven together to remind us that we are more alike than different.

EPCOT Fireworks

Credit: Disney

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As such, we know that the new show will feature music that already exists in Disney’s catalog (though this does not necessarily mean that an original song will not be part of the show, too), and that it will debut before the end of this year.

While we continue to share updates as they are available on the Park’s next fireworks show, be sure to catch EPCOT Forever during its limited-time return to this Disney theme park.

About Brittany DiCologero

Brittany is a New England-based writer focused on the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is the author of "Red, White, and Disney: The Myths and Reality of American History at the Walt Disney World Resort," and "Brittany Earns Her Ears."