More encouraging news re: Rivers of Light

[Alice777]

I guess we are all in the same boat. I also have FP+ and ADRs that I need to switch around if ROL happens and park closes later for the 2nd week of November. As a planner, this is driving me crazy.

 

[rteetz]

I'm wondering if ROL dinner packages might be available for the first week it opens. Or would it be fastpass or long standby line? Any thoughts on that?

I don't know. They might hold on dining packages at first and then add them later. I'm sure FP will be available from the start though.

 

[MimiOfTwo]

I know I'm getting ahead of the game here, but would dinner packages have better seating than fastpasses? I had a Fastpass for Jungle Book and the line was so long I think everybody in AK had one! Just wondering if the dinner packages would be less hassle & as good or better viewing.

 

[pepperandchips]

I know I'm getting ahead of the game here, but would dinner packages have better seating than fastpasses? I had a Fastpass for Jungle Book and the line was so long I think everybody in AK had one! Just wondering if the dinner packages would be less hassle & as good or better viewing.

When JB debuted we did both the dinner package and FP+. We arrived "late" (only 10 minutes or so before the show) and had terrible seats with the dining package seating and then learned our lesson and knew what to look for when we used the FP+. However, that was all based on my ability to clearly see the dancers on the closer barges for the Jungle Book show. I doubt we will know until we see the show of ROL where the best seats might be.

 

[Mouseketeers4]

Thank you so much for the update, rteetz! Our last AK day is 10/21, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[rteetz]

When JB debuted we did both the dinner package and FP+. We arrived "late" (only 10 minutes or so before the show) and had terrible seats with the dining package seating and then learned our lesson and knew what to look for when we used the FP+. However, that was all based on my ability to clearly see the dancers on the closer barges for the Jungle Book show. I doubt we will know until we see the show of ROL where the best seats might be.

Seating and viewing was an issue with jungle book. The seating area was not built for the jungle book show so that's why there were issues. Rivers of light should have better viewing from all seats.

 

[obxshark]

So, probably a silly question here, but does Disney Management give any consideration into people trying to make vacation plans when they finally make an announcement regarding a major attraction opening, such as RoL? Do they ever give a "heads up" to their major travel partners (if such exists)? Probably not but that idea just popped into my head.

 

[merrick]

So, probably a silly question here, but does Disney Management give any consideration into people trying to make vacation plans when they finally make an announcement regarding a major attraction opening, such as RoL? Do they ever give a "heads up" to their major travel partners (if such exists)? Probably not but that idea just popped into my head.

i would say "no". there are so many other factors at play, i cannot imagine that even being a consideration. things are always going to happen and always need to be adjusted. i can see why they would be skittish when the original scheduled opening didn't go smoothly at all.

 

[rteetz]

So, probably a silly question here, but does Disney Management give any consideration into people trying to make vacation plans when they finally make an announcement regarding a major attraction opening, such as RoL? Do they ever give a "heads up" to their major travel partners (if such exists)? Probably not but that idea just popped into my head.

Yes they do but in this case an opening date was announced and then it had to be delayed until further notice because of big technical problems. Disney is being very careful with this show. They don't want it open until they can guarantee it's working at 100%.

 

[yulilin3]

yeah, I don't expect Disney to give any warning about the show longer than 2 weeks prior. They're not going to make that mistake twice

 

[Candycane83]

I hope they would be better at releasing scheduling compared to SWaGS. But I can see that happening here too...

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I expect a soft open without FP+, and the ability to pull it down without notice. Between the issues with original launch, and some of the issues we've seen this year with other launches (cough cough Frozen Ever After COUGH), an official date with FP+ creates issues they'd rather not have until they are actually sure it will be running each night.

Obviously: Show different than a ride in terms of "breakdowns." But given why RoL didn't launch in the first place, they won't have been able to test it in every circumstance.

 

[rteetz]

I expect a soft open without FP+, and the ability to pull it down without notice. Between the issues with original launch, and some of the issues we've seen this year with other launches (cough cough Frozen Ever After COUGH), an official date with FP+ creates issues they'd rather not have until they are actually sure it will be running each night.

Obviously: Show different than a ride in terms of "breakdowns." But given why RoL didn't launch in the first place, they won't have been able to test it in every circumstance.

A show is different than a ride like you said. They can run with FP from the start. It's not different than standby except you're guaranteed a seat. They essentially had their test with FP for the seating area with jungle book.

 

[msk]

In Nov. i have an ADR at Tusker House for 4:30, which won't interfere with the ROL show. I would love to be able to change that to a ROL dining package similar to the Fantasmic packages. I wonder when they would add those packages?

 

[PatMcDuck]

I was thinking today, about how my plans set in stone, both ADRs and FP+, and my AK day is set up with the Star wars Galactic Dessert Party that night. I cannot reschedule that, it is all booked up on other nights. So if they release FP+ for RoL, I probably cannot get one, that is my only AK day, and meals are here and there too.

I was thinking, I almost hope it does not open during my trip, lol. I return in late March, will catch it then. (but IF it opens during my trip in late October, I will want to see it!!!)

 

[DizBelle]

What's the seating capacity for the theatre?

I think I read it was 5000 seats.

 

[dburg30]

I've learned to never get too excited about stuff.. But we are going to be there the week starting Oct 14th..... Come on opening!!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Will this mean AK will close later in November? We plan to be at AK on 11/10 and 11/11.

Most likely.

We're going Nov 3-7 and noticed AK hours recently changing from a 6pm close to...

• an 8:30pm close before the time change on Nov 6 (when sunset is 6:40),
• and a 7pm close after the time change on Nov 6 (when sunset is about 5:40pm)

Is the thinking that it would stay around 7pm for a while afterwards??

 

[rteetz]

We're going Nov 3-7 and noticed AK hours recently changing from a 6pm close to...

• an 8:30pm close before the time change on Nov 6 (when sunset is 6:40),
• and a 7pm close after the time change on Nov 6 (when sunset is about 5:40pm)

Is the thinking that it would stay around 7pm for a while afterwards??

When rivers of light is finally announced I think the hours will be extended a bit later than they are already.

 

[Masonsears3]

I already have breakfast at tusker house reserved for 11/12...if they do offer a ROL package by then would it be added on to my already existing reservation or do I have to make a new one?