EPCOT Luminous the Symphony of Us Viewing Location Comparison
Luminous the Symphony of Us is a night time spectacular that premiered at EPCOT on December 5, 2023 in Walt Disney World. It takes place nightly in World Showcase Lagoon replacing the short run of Harmonious. There are 7 large barges and a couple dozen smaller platforms with fountains and lights that all launch fireworks. Plus the show utilizes lasers and fireworks launched from around the lagoon perimeter. Luminous features two original songs and a number of remixed familiar Disney and Pixar songs.
- Heartbeat Symphony (New Original Song)
- You’ll Be In My Heart (Tarzan)
- Proud Corazon (Coco)
- You’ve Got a Friend in Me (Toy Story)
- Friend Like Me (Aladdin)
- So Close (Enchanted)
- When She Loved Me (Toy Story 2)
- Remember Me (Coco)
- Into the Unknown (Frozen II)
- I See the Light (Tangled)
- Beating of our Hearts (New Original Song)
Luminous the Symphony of Us has good viewing locations from around most of World Showcase Lagoon. Any location where you have an unobstructed view of the sky and the barges is a great view. This is a huge improvement over Harmonious which had very few optimal viewing locations and may even be easier to see than Illuminations from most locations. My number one tip for EPCOT fireworks still holds true, always check the wind. If it is in your face move. There is a lot of smoke and it will travel with the wind and make for a less than ideal viewing experience if it heads your way.
The premiere of the show happened to be the first night of my December 2023 visit so I was able to take in the show the first seven nights from six different locations around World Showcase Lagoon. Being the first week of the show I do not think it is fair to comment on the crowds and make a recommendation based on that. In general I waited between 10-30 minutes and was anywhere from against the railing to 4th or 5th row back. With good views from most locations finding a spot to see this show should be relatively easy most nights.
I watched the show from the locations listed below. I have included a map as well as some thoughts, pictures and video of Heartbeat Symphony and Beating of our Hearts from each location (except for the Gateway Bridge where I missed one video):
- Japan (Location A)
- International Gateway Bridge (Location B)
- Canada (Location C)
- Mexico (Location D)
- Norway (Location E)
- Italy (Location F)
- Across the walkway from Refreshment Port (G)
- Disney’s Riviera Resort 9th Floor Balcony (H)
- Terrace des Fleurs (I)
Location A: Japan (12/05/23)
I choose to watch opening night from Japan just to the right of the torri gate as you face Spaceship Earth. The advantage of this location was having Spaceship Earth in the background. The big disadvantage of this spot is the distance from the park entrance if you have to leave out the front. I enjoy walking around World Showcase during the exit sequences so this location affords a good walk if you are not in a hurry to leave the park.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from Japan:
Location B: International Gateway Bridge (12/06/23 & 12/07/23)
The International Gateway Bridge offers a great view of Luminous, compared to the one you had of Harmonious where you missed all the projections and several effects. You are a bit further away than other locations but this can see both Spaceship Earth as well as several countries. The other advantage is if you are staying at a Skyliner or EPCOT Resort is it is a short walk to exit the park after. This is the same angle those paying for the cruises get as the boats line up under the bridge.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from the International Gateway Bridge:
Location C: Canada (12/11/23)
From Canada you can see many of the countries around World Showcase Lagoon and you have Italy and Germany in the background of your pictures. The walk walk to the International Gateway has you traveling upstream a bit but not that far.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from Canada:
Location D: Mexico Near Boat dock (12/08/23)
This location puts Japan in your line of sight when taking pictures of the fountains. The dock to the right limits views in that direction making the United Kingdom and Canada a challenge to see. If you plan to leave right after the show and walk to the International Gateway to exit you are traveling against the tide from the center out to the exit.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from near the Mexico boat dock:
Location E: Norway (12/09/23)
Norway offered a wide open view of the lagoon but is a bit of a hike to exit, especially to the International Gateway which sits on the opposite side of the lagoon. France lined up behind the fountains for my pictures.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from Norway:
Location F: Italy (12/10/23)
Italy was blocked off for reserved events most of the nights I was there. On my second to last night it was open and I was able to get a spot on the waterfront. This offered a great wide view of the show with Spaceship Earth in view. You could also so most of the countries lights.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from Italy:
Location G: Across the walkway from Refreshment Port (5/01/24)
This location put me more or less opposite Italy. The crowd was only a couple people deep at show time and you were able to spread out the evening I watched if you were willing to step back a couple people. The walk to the International Gateway was of moderate length so take that into account if you are trying to get in the Skyliner queue. I choose this location because of the wind. I kept going north in hopes that the mostly westward wind would blow the smoke by me. Which is what it did for the show, but unfortunately I had to walk through it to reach the International Gateway to exit.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from Italy:
Location H: Disney’s Riviera Resort 9th Floor Balcony (05/03/24)
We had a two-bedroom villa on the 9th floor of Disney’s Riviera Resort with balconies overlooking the front entrance of the resort. This also meant we could see both EPCOT World Showcase and in the distance the Magic Kingdom. Cinderella Castle was visible in the distance (Approx 4.38 miles). One evening I stayed in the room and watch Luminous the Symphony of Us and Happily Ever After from our balcony. There was no audio, you could see the high shells for both shows and a glimpse of the lights and fountains for Luminous. The view of Happily Ever After in the distance at the same time was a nice bonus.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from Italy:
Location I: Terrace des Fleurs (05/06/24)
This island has a few terraces that are typically used for events in the evening. This evening I walked by and saw it was open so ventured out there for a rare opportunity to see the show from this vantage point. I opted to go to the terrace closest to the water then to the north side, up against the channel where the fireworks cruises tie up more or less. I was in front of the boats actually. The view was great from this angle. To get out the crowd bottled up a bit on the steps but once clear of them the walk to the International Gateway was not much further than the bridge.
Videos:
My full picture/video sets from Italy:
Daytime Preparations
The barges for Luminous the Symphony of Us are driven into position each afternoon in World Showcase Lagoon. Here are a few pictures and video clips of a couple arriving taken from near Canada.
Video:
For more pictures visit my picture set from December 11, 2023.
More videos:
Here is my full Luminous the Symphony of Us Playlist of all my clips from the shows:
The December 2023 Walt Disney World Trip Summary Page has links to all posts, picture sets, videos, thoughts & observations from this trip.
