There are quite a few new experiences and attractions coming as part of the EPCOT Transformation, and one of those is the NEW Harmonious nighttime spectacular.

Harmonious Barge at EPCOT
We’ve already seen two barges placed out on the water in preparation for this show, and we’ve seen the arms on these barges being tested. Today, we spotted another update on one of the barges that might point to some of the awesome technology that’ll be used in this show.
The Harmonious show is set to use five huge floating set pieces to house special effects for the production, including custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights and lasers, and pyrotechnics.Â

Harmonious
During the show, guests will be treated to Disney images featuring beloved characters, and Disney music with classic songs reinterpreted and presented by diverse cultural musicians from around the world.

Harmonious concept art
Today, as we walked past the two Harmonious barges that are already out in World Showcase Lagoon, we noticed that one of the barges had a grid-like pattern on it. The other barge, however, was not showing this grid-like pattern.

Harmonious Barges
The grid appears to go from A1 to X1.

Harmonious Barge
This appears to be similar to what is used for projection mapping. Projection Mapping technology allows Imagineers to precisely map out where a projection will land. We’re excited to see how this grid is utilized to provide guests with an amazing nighttime show experience.

Harmonious Barge
Harmonious was originally scheduled to debut in the spring of 2020. But, due to the closure of the theme parks from mid-March through mid-July 2020, it has been slightly delayed. A new opening date has yet to be announced, but we’re on the lookout for more updates.

Harmonious Barges
We’ll let you know once we spot any more information about this upcoming show!
Click here to learn more about Harmonious!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide!
Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂
Are you excited for the Harmonious show? Let us know in the comments!
FYI, the grid isn’t for projection mapping. It’s a standard test pattern for a large LED display like that – I work for a company that manufactures and installs them. The overall display is managed by a number of sub-controllers, and so that grid helps you identify sub-controllers that aren’t working, is all. You’ll also possibly see a variety of RGB grids, where each grid item alternates between all-red, all-green, and all-blue, to test those individual LED emitters. In projection mapping, the grid is projected from a series of projectors, and helps identify areas of problematic overlap, misaligned lenses, and so on. Similar idea, but way different outcomes.
Also, the failure rate on those LEDs is about 5% normally, so expect to see a bunch of them fail as they run through this “burn in” period. They’ll be replaced, obviously. On installs like this, we usually quote to include 10% overage to accommodate those failures and provide some spares.
It’s one reason you’ll see the bright-dim-bright grid, too. That runs different power levels. Surprisingly, more of these units fail at half-power than full-power, due to the way they’re designed.