Rivers Of Light Opening Team - How far ahead do they hire?

[Cfudge]

I see on twitter two different posts from two days ago about people having interviews for the ROL opening team. Anyone know how far in advance of actual opening WDW usually hires the team?

Just search "Rivers Of Light" on twitter and you should see the posts.

 

[rteetz]

They have been hiring for a while now. There were performer job postings last fall. They are already in rehearsals as the show is supposed to debut in March/April.

 

[Keels]

It's one of the coolest experiences ever to open a parade/show. I still have my jacket from an opening team back in the 90s.

 

[Cfudge]

It's one of the coolest experiences ever to open a parade/show. I still have my jacket from an opening team back in the 90s.

So if they are interviewing opening staff now, does that fall in line with some rumours that it might be ready to open in March?

 

[rteetz]

So if they are interviewing opening staff now, does that fall in line with some rumours that it might be ready to open in March?

Yep

 

[Cfudge]

Fingers crossed - we are there April 7-14...hoping to catch an early show!

 

[TT77]

Fingers crossed - we are there April 7-14...hoping to catch an early show!

The roumor is it will have grand opening on Earth Day April 20, but it will probably be in soft opening before that, I imagine as soon as they finish building the amphitheater they'll start doing shows

 

[rteetz]

The roumor is it will have grand opening on Earth Day April 20, but it will probably be in soft opening before that, I imagine as soon as they finish building the amphitheater they'll start doing shows

I'm hearing soft opening as early as March so I would imagine a official opening before earth day.

 

[TT77]

I'm hearing soft opening as early as March so I would imagine a official opening before earth day.

Yeah "official open" means the start advertising it and posting it on their website, but soft opening aren't publicized, if this @Cfudge is going to be there between April 7th-14th then they should keep an eye on these kind of message boards becasue it will probably be running by then but it may not appear on Disney's web site

 

[Cfudge]

Keeping an eye out all over! Seeing some fairly steady talk about late march over on the magic board.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Job bids have been posted for about 3-weeks already.
2) Rivers of Light CM requirements:
. . . minimum height for females = 5'8"
. . . minimum height for males = 6'0"

 

[Cfudge]

1) Job bids have been posted for about 3-weeks already.
2) Rivers of Light CM requirements:
. . . minimum height for females = 5'8"
. . . minimum height for males = 6'0"

That seems...strangely specific?

 

[rteetz]

That seems...strangely specific?

For many shows they are very specific.

 

[Eoghann]

That seems...strangely specific?

Costumes perhaps.

 

[skier_pete]

SO - how do you soft open a show like this - it's a show that will take place after dark, in a park that typically closes before dark - isn't that right? They would have to extend park hours to run the show allowing the public in.

 

[Eoghann]

SO - how do you soft open a show like this - it's a show that will take place after dark, in a park that typically closes before dark - isn't that right? They would have to extend park hours to run the show allowing the public in.

I don't think you can do a traditional soft open for the reasons you've just listed. You could perhaps do some sort of dress rehearsal allowing a smaller group to stay late and watch (Some sort of Extra Magic Hours perhaps).

 

[rteetz]

SO - how do you soft open a show like this - it's a show that will take place after dark, in a park that typically closes before dark - isn't that right? They would have to extend park hours to run the show allowing the public in.

That is true

 

[sachilles]

We've been at AK when they unexpectedly extended the park hours, about an hour before scheduled close. Didn't know why they did it, but were happy to stay the extra time. I think you could easily do that. Even with announcing a soft opening the day prior, the place would be very crowded. Best to give an unexpected bit of magic for some random park goers on a random day.

 

[skier_pete]

We've been at AK when they unexpectedly extended the park hours, about an hour before scheduled close. Didn't know why they did it, but were happy to stay the extra time. I think you could easily do that. Even with announcing a soft opening the day prior, the place would be very crowded. Best to give an unexpected bit of magic for some random park goers on a random day.

That is true, they could run test showings of the show by keeping the park open later...that seems like it would take a lot of planning though. Can't just tell everyone working that afternoon "OK - tonight you need to stay an extra 2 hours."

 

[sachilles]

That is true, they could run test showings of the show by keeping the park open later...that seems like it would take a lot of planning though. Can't just tell everyone working that afternoon "OK - tonight you need to stay an extra 2 hours."

One would think that, but they did just that very thing on the day of our visit.