Disney+ tested out another live streaming option and brought the latest fireworks show at EPCOT to the service in “Harmonious Live!” This show, hosted by Idina Menzel, featured live performances of all the songs that make up “Harmonious” in many different languages as a way to show that despite all our differences, there’s a lot to bring us together. It featured songs rom several Disney classics including: “Moana,” “Hercules,” “Aladdin,” “The Jungle Book,” “Mulan,” “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Coco,” “Saludos Amigos,” “Encanto” and “The Princess and the Frog.

This is something I’ve been calling for since Disney+ launched. I believe Disney+ should add live streams of the fireworks shows and parks so Disney fans who might not be able to make it to a park for whatever reason can experience some of the magic. I know it’s not the same as being there live, but I’ve grown to love telecasts of the holiday performances at the park and really appreciated the shows added from Paris and Beijing that made me more interested in the French and Chinese cultures. The point of this show is to take us through the music of the world while at World Showcase, and I think it succeeds at that. These shows can help us put aside our differences and celebrate our similarities. Plus, as the father of an autistic child who is very sensitive to sound, it’s going to be very difficult for me to share these shows with my son in person, but I can share shows like this with him while controlling the volume so he isn’t excluded.

This isn’t my favorite show that I’ve ever seen at Disney, that remains “Fantasmic.” But I really enjoyed seeing a live performance of the songs. My favorite was easily the mashup of “Arabian Nights” and “I Want To Be Like You.” “Aladdin” is my favorite Disney animated movie of all time, and “The Jungle Book” is another that’s high up on my list. The most surprising to me was when they broke into a little bit of “Saludos Amigos.” That’s a mostly forgotten film from the 1940s and Disney’s Wartime Era of Animation. It doesn’t get much attention; and having watched it, I understand why; but it’s nice that it’s place in history isn’t forgotten in this show. These performers were all amazing and even if you have forgotten the lyrics to some of these songs, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in them with these professionals belting them out so wonderfully. There wasn’t a bad song in the bunch, although I thought there could be a little better visual display from the fireworks and light show.

I hope more shows like this from all the parks get added. There are six parks on four continents, meaning there are plenty of options for live shows. I’d love to see something from Tokyo or Hong Kong as I haven’t had the opportunity to check out a show from those parks yet. I also love that on top of the live option in the United States and Canada, it will be added to all Disney+ services in other countries, so they will have the option to check it out.

Ranking: 5 stars

I can’t tell you how much I love these being added to Disney+ and the opportunity to share them with my kids. But, what did you think of “Harmonious Live?”

Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

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