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You are here: Home / Blog / Rivers of Light Initial Thoughts and Pictures

Rivers of Light Initial Thoughts and Pictures

February 11, 2017 ~ 3 minutes read50 Comments

Disney previewed Rivers of Light, Animal Kingdom’s new nighttime spectacular, to the public for the first time on the evening of February 10, 2017.

The show’s official debut is February 17th with shows just about every other day from then through the end of March before shows are most nights in April and then on 99% of nights in May and June.

Showtimes aren’t available for dates past then, but the show will assuredly be scheduled at least once nightly in June and August before perhaps going back to an intermittent schedule in September, though Avatar should continue to boost crowds enough that Rivers could feasibly be scheduled every day.

For the time being, my advice is to do what you can to see the show. FastPass+ is available though they are very limited in number and should be booked as part of your initial three selections. The number of day-of Rivers of Light FastPass+ cancellations remains to be seen, but the capacity is far less than Fantasmic and the demand for Animal Kingdom’s other attractions is far lower than at Epcot or Hollywood Studios, which means people are less likely to cancel Rivers of Light for another attraction elsewhere in the Park. In other words, if you have IllumiNations FastPass+ booked but Soarin’, Test Track, or Frozen becomes available, then you may cancel IllumiNations in favor of the ride, thus opening up IllumiNations for someone else to take. At Animal Kingdom, it’s currently unlikely anyone with Rivers of Light is going to cancel their FP+ in favor of Everest or Safaris, let alone Primeval Whirl or DINOSAUR.

Rivers of Light Dining Packages are also available for meals at Tusker House and Tiffins, with details available here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/rivers-of-light-dining-package/. The Dining Package guarantees a seat in the reserved section on the DinoLand side for the show. At Tusker House, the Dining Package is $7 more per adult and $5 more per child than simply booking a meal without the reserved seat. In a lot of situations, seven bucks seems like it would be worth the peace of mind in knowing that you’ll have seats. That would also open your FastPass+ selections up so you could book three early and then make subsequent selections throughout the afternoon and early evening. Since Rivers of Light is typically scheduled around close, it would be difficult or impossible to make another FastPass+ selection after the show should it be the third of your initial selections.

I have more thoughts on the Tiffins Dining Package as part of this Avatar announcement post, but basically, you can get your money’s worth fairly easily or even come out ahead if you’re planning on ordering the more expensive items as you can choose any appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink for the $67/adult price. The Wagyu Striploin alone costs $53, so it’s easy to spend another $14 across the other three items included with the fixed price meal.

While Rivers has not yet debuted, it’s hard to imagine that seeing the show in standby will be a viable alternative with what should be 80% of the theater’s capacity given to FastPass+ and Dining Packages. If you’re interested in the show, pay the money to save hours in line at Tiffins or Tusker House or book the FastPass+.

As far as the show itself is concerned…it’s not without its issues…and how much those perceived problems affect your enjoyment of the overall production is a matter of personal tolerance.

But the first eight minutes of the 15-minute show in particular are mesmerizing – after that…you might argue that it peters out a bit…

But I think these images speak for themselves. The show is so beautiful. So vibrant. So full of life…

That it’s only marginally important that the show lacks a coherent storyline or lacks the crescendo towards a suitable climax and finale. At least until the temperatures heat up and the evenings remain comfortable, I would only skip Rivers of Light if you have something considerably better to do. You never know what you might like.

A few more pictures:

































I’ll have more concrete advice next weekend after the show officially debuts.

Last modified: June 5, 2018 Filed Under: Blog

Comments

  1. Melisendepf says

    February 11, 2017 at 4:22 am

    The quality of your night photos is fantastic. Crystal clear and great colors. I can’t get that at all with the cappy Samsung tablet I have.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      February 11, 2017 at 10:44 am

      Well duh you’re using a tablet. Lol. A lot different than a couple of thousand dollar camera with editing.

      Reply
      • josh says

        February 11, 2017 at 12:06 pm

        The pictures turn out better if you hold it up in the air and in front of the face of the person sitting behind you though. Besides tilt, that’s the most important thing.

        Reply
        • Jackie says

          February 11, 2017 at 3:17 pm

          Bonus pounts if you have your child on your shoulders, with the child holding the tablet.

          Reply
        • B says

          February 11, 2017 at 7:15 pm

          ROFL!!!!!

          Reply
        • Dee says

          February 14, 2017 at 4:45 pm

          Aside from Josh, I wish people would just put the phones away and enjoy the moment. It really is inconsiderate to the people seated behind them. You keep bringing us these great photos Josh! They are gorgeous!

          Reply
          • Heather says

            February 17, 2017 at 8:09 am

            Enjoy the moment is right! Not every minute needs documentation. It’s nice to get great shots & clips but we sometimes get a bit excessive; it’s a distraction from the live experience.

          • Sarah says

            February 17, 2017 at 3:45 pm

            Totally agree. For most of the Disney shows, there are already videos online that probably do a much better job of filming this stuff than I ever could. Watch one of them if you want to experience it again.

    • Jeff says

      February 11, 2017 at 1:38 pm

      Boosting saturation really makes these pop. Good clarity and angle.

      Reply
      • Geoff says

        February 14, 2017 at 11:00 am

        There’s “boosting” and then there’s “slamming the slider all the way to the right!”

        Reply
  2. Sue says

    February 11, 2017 at 8:12 am

    I can’t imagine it’s as beautiful as these pictures but very excited to see it in April!

    Reply
  3. GrumpyDad4 says

    February 11, 2017 at 8:31 am

    Amazed at the colors

    Reply
  4. dusty cheatham says

    February 11, 2017 at 9:00 am

    advice from a 20 years passholder. if you can wait for at least a month for them to get the kinks out of the show.i remember fantasmic when it 1st launched. lots of problems . canceled shows. maybe it wont happen with this show just a word of caution.

    Reply
  5. Ashley says

    February 11, 2017 at 9:46 am

    If you book a dining/show package at Tusker house is the dining still a character experience? Or is it different because it’s now tied to the show?

    Reply
    • Dawn says

      February 11, 2017 at 11:11 am

      Yes, Ashley it would be the ‘normal’ experience…the characters are at Tusker House for every meal. The only difference to your experience would be that you will receive your ROL voucher at the end of your meal.

      Reply
  6. Kim says

    February 11, 2017 at 9:47 am

    Gorgeous!

    Reply
  7. Regina says

    February 11, 2017 at 10:01 am

    I refuse to pay even a $7 up charge on principle. So tired of this garbage.

    Reply
    • Elaine says

      February 11, 2017 at 10:14 am

      Then it’s great that Disney is offering a free FP+ option 🙂

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        February 11, 2017 at 11:48 am

        Exactly. And a package at Tiffins that has the potential to save some money on what I hear is an excellent dining experience, if a small upcharge at TH is unappealing. Though I must say I’m glad our trip will be with RoL but before Pandora opens, so we can use a FP+ without missing much else. Once Pandora opens, I might lean toward a dining package so I could be sure to have enough FP+ to experience everything.

        Reply
  8. Danielle says

    February 11, 2017 at 10:37 am

    What’s the music like for the show?

    Reply
    • Disney Fanboy says

      February 11, 2017 at 10:50 am

      They lead off with The Immigrant Song to get the party rocking!

      Reply
      • Dewd says

        February 11, 2017 at 3:34 pm

        The climax is Whole Lotta Love. It’s mesmerizing.

        Reply
        • Dorliss Chambers says

          February 11, 2017 at 3:51 pm

          I can’t believe they left out The Lemon Song.

          Reply
  9. Dawn says

    February 11, 2017 at 11:09 am

    My God! Josh! your photo’s are astounding!! SUPERB!! they literally took my breath! You are not only blogger extraordinaire but a professional photographer as well…simply amazing. Oh, and thanks for the advise on the ROL show., it really looks fun!

    Reply
  10. Sarah says

    February 11, 2017 at 11:36 am

    Everything looks absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the preview!

    Reply
  11. mlm says

    February 11, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    Any idea if the current AP 20% discount at Tiffins is still honored for the dinner + show reservation? Didn’t see that on the WDW www site.

    Reply
    • josh says

      February 11, 2017 at 12:08 pm

      Typically there are no discounts on Dining Packages – Annual Passholder or Tables in Wonderland. Which is one thing that can make the packages seem less attractive.

      Reply
  12. Tom says

    February 11, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    Hey Josh,

    Is the lack of story line due to changing the show around to accommodate the tech issues they were having? Meaning, was the originally imaged show more coherent? Or is this one of the unknowables?

    Reply
  13. Mick says

    February 11, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    Really want to do Tiffins with the show but 2 Dining credits, ugh!

    Reply
    • Jon says

      February 13, 2017 at 4:54 am

      Tiffins is two credits without the package too though, its a signature restaurant no matter what.

      At least with the RoL package you get three courses, your standard dining credits only get entree and dessert.

      Reply
  14. Mike says

    February 11, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    Looks beautiful and crowded. It’ll be interesting to see how people value this experience. Even with FP or a dinner rez, it seems like it would be a pain to get in and out of the area for such a short show.

    Reply
  15. Jen says

    February 11, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    Better / much more different than Jungle book Alive with Magic ??

    Reply
  16. Christine says

    February 11, 2017 at 11:50 pm

    Bravo on the photos!

    Reply
  17. Damara says

    February 12, 2017 at 8:39 am

    Is the Tusker dining package still just one table service credit? The 7$ upcharge is included in the credit?

    Reply
    • chris says

      February 15, 2017 at 8:33 am

      Yes to bith

      Reply
  18. Melissa says

    February 12, 2017 at 10:34 am

    Have they scaled this back? I recall this being billed as BETTER than World of Color at DCA in CAlifornia. I am not getting that vibe at all….Lovely pictures!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      February 13, 2017 at 12:15 pm

      Whoever said that RoL is better than WoC is either seriously mistaken or seriously sick in the head.

      Reply
      • melissa says

        February 17, 2017 at 10:21 am

        Well the comment was made WAY BACK before the show even opened with the other crazy show that was in it’s place before it became Rivers of Light. I can’t remember the name but my point is – a while back it was commented that Rivers of Light would be better than WOC, which I love….so I was excited for ROL…but hmm 15 minutes? Maybe not so much….

        Reply
  19. Happy Daddy says

    February 12, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    What is the likelihood that AK fast pass goes tiered after Pandora opens?

    Reply
    • Disney Fanboy says

      February 12, 2017 at 1:35 pm

      I’d say strong to very strong.

      Reply
  20. Tina says

    February 12, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    I’ve seen videos on YouTube of the show and while it looked amazing and I’m definitely set on seeing it, the projections on the water screens seemed pretty tough to see clearly. Was wondering for anyone who saw it in person if that was your take or was it clear to you?

    Reply
    • Daisy says

      March 2, 2017 at 11:47 am

      I just saw it on Tuesday and I’d say you’re correct in that the water screens are hard to see clearly. If you can mentally frame it as more ‘dreamlike’ or something then maybe the water screens work for you. Personally, they’re not my cup of tea.

      Reply
  21. Redhed_2001 says

    February 12, 2017 at 9:37 pm

    Wow! Your photos are beautiful and the show seems to be too! #feelingenvious

    Reply
  22. PeasandCarrots says

    February 13, 2017 at 9:17 am

    Your photos are amazing! Josh any advice on when to line up with a FP? I was able to get one on our next trip and I’m hoping to not have to get there to terribly early. I’ll of course be on the look out for your upcoming post with more advice.

    Reply
  23. VaCamm says

    February 15, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    I for one am REALLY looking forward to this show!

    Reply
  24. Jessica says

    February 15, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    I have a TH ROL package in June. Is the show better or worse on the DinoLand side?

    Reply
  25. Heather says

    February 17, 2017 at 9:30 am

    We visited AK with my MIL who hadn’t been to WDW in 40 yrs. Watching Fantasmic with her let me feel that magic of first time experience again. She absolutely was mesmerized. All disappointment with dates (etc) aside, does anyone think ROL is on par with F! ?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Disney Parks Recap: 2017 So Far – Life with Disneyland says:
    February 19, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    […] When I first heard the announcement of this new nighttime experience earlier this month, I was pleasantly surprised. But when I found out that it would officially open the week after, I was shocked! Rivers of Light is a beautiful experience that is better described in pictures than words, so take a look: […]

    Reply
  2. Friday Finds – The Shore Diaries says:
    February 24, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    […] the “Disney” World: Rivers of Light is finally playing at Animal […]

    Reply
  3. Review: Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom - yourfirstvisit.net says:
    March 9, 2017 at 9:01 am

    […] My co-author Josh has more info on the dining packages for Rivers of Light—plus much better pictures of the show—on his site easyWDW.com here. […]

    Reply

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