Credit: DisneyWalt Disney World Resort fans recently discussed the emotional impact of Luminous The Symphony of Us fireworks, which debuted at EPCOT in December 2023. The stunning pyrotechnics, emotional music, and awe-inspiring special effects have emotionally devastated countless Disney Parks fans, with one visitor describing the experience as like getting “hit by a train.”
Like the old fireworks show at EPCOT, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Luminous The Symphony of Us combines new and familiar music and gorgeous visuals to remind guests that humans, no matter where they’re from, are more alike than we think. As Disney Park guests watch from countries around the World Showcase, they remember that we’re all citizens of Earth.
After nearly two years of performances, Disney Parks fans online recently came together to share their thoughts on Luminous The Symphony of Us. The conversation began with a Reddit post from u/jpjoestar, who described the EPCOT fireworks show as hitting “like a train.”
“It’s my second time watching the Symphony of Us show, and I cried again,” the Disney Park guest wrote. “The other shows are cool but the EPCOT one hits me hard in the feelings and idk why. Anyone else feels the same?”
In the comments, several Disney Parks fans shared their emotional experiences with Luminous The Symphony of Us.
“My wife and I saw it for the first time after her uncle and grandpa died within 10 days of each other,” said u/Spaghettiboobin. “Like we found out her grandpa died while at the first funeral. 3 days after the second funeral we were at EPCOT. Most cathartic cry of our lives.”
“I unknowingly was standing just above one of the firework cannons on the bridge near Mexico and at the point when the cannons around the lake go off and the landmarks around world showcase all start to light up I was really struggling to not cry,” u/Proud_Fee_1542 recalled. “It’s such a lovely show.”
u/SeriousStrokes69 shared a touching tribute to their late wife, with whom they shared a musical connection from the early days of their relationship:
When I first saw this show, I relished the storyline of the connection we had to one another via music and whatnot. My late wife and I both were musicians from our middle school days, and the metaphors used in the narration really struck a chord (no pun intended). The narrator mentions becoming a duet when you meet someone and that just captured our life so well.
But then comes the part about loss.
“Inevitably, in life, the accompaniment drops out. And we experience great loss. We find that the melodies we cherish… are gone. And for a moment, we are playing alone.”
My wife passed away a few years ago unexpectedly. And when that line was read I cried uncontrollably right in front of everyone; I totally wasn’t expecting that. That line captured exactly what I felt when she passed away.
So, to this day, yes, it still hits line a train for me as well. I will cry every time we get to that part about the loss of a partner.
Still, other Disney Parks fans couldn’t help but compare Luminous The Symphony of Us to previous EPCOT fireworks shows.
“You must have never seen Illuminations before because the current one is horrible compared to that,” u/Fabulous-Lecture5139 argued. “I walked away and stopped watching it was so bad.”
Some guests said the emotional themes in Luminous The Symphony of Us made them dislike the show. From u/Adventurous_Ad1922:
I hate it because of that. Why so sad and heavy? It’s Disney world. I don’t want to be reminded of my dead family members.
“It’s so sad,” u/Disastrous_Isopod992 agreed. “It’s hard for me to watch.”
Luminous The Symphony of Us performs nightly at EPCOT. Check the Walt Disney World Resort entertainment schedule or the My Disney Experience app for updated showtimes.
Do any Walt Disney World Resort attractions or entertainment offerings make you emotional? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments!