Rivers of Light/AK question

[kelmac284]

We are going in June and from what I have seen this is hopefully opening in Spring. I think I remember reading somewhere that they would then be extending park hours. Does anyone know anything or can point me to any info? As of now it is still saying park closing at 5 that day but also there is no info on offerings and just kind of wondering for planning purposes. I didn't want to make any dinning ressies since I don't know. Anyone??

 

[yulilin3]

it is waaaay to early for Disney to extend park hours for June, they will probably do it around April. Rivers of Light is rumored to open on Earth Day.

 

[Mikie]

it is waaaay to early for Disney to extend park hours for June, they will probably do it around April. Rivers of Light is rumored to open on Earth Day.

It's kinda not "extended" park hours though, but a new operating schedule that will be the norm for AK once rivers of light begins, right? Has there been any discussion or speculation about that when the blogs have been discussions the construction and additions?

 

[Robo]

It's kinda not "extended" park hours though, but a new operating schedule that will be the norm for AK once rivers of light begins, right?

Yup.
And, I expect a return to PM EMH at DAK after the regular evening schedule begins.

Nothing beats riding EE in the dark!

 

[AngiTN]

Sadly, you'll just have to guess for now. There is NO concrete info released and they won't change park hours until they are certain of when it will open. It's too early for them to be certain of the opening.

 

[Mikie]

Yup.
And, I expect a return to PM EMH at DAK after the regular evening schedule begins.

Nothing beats riding EE in the dark!

I really suspect this will be a game-changer for crowd levels. AK is considered half -day by so many, but now it will be a draw simply because that's where the new stuff is, plus people with base tickets may be more willing to go there compared to now when they're choosing between a park that closes at 5 and one that closes at 9 or later. I can't wait to try EE in the dark - it's already my favorite ride!

 

[kelmac284]

I agree it is so up in the air. I just remember seeing something somewhere that they thought the normal park hours would be extended till 7 when that happens. Plus I hope that if they DO open it that it will be daily since it will be summer and not just a weekend thing. I am bummed we are going to miss the Avatarland but just the way it worked out. But really hoping to catch this. I think I am just not going to make any dinning since it is so unknown and sound like we WON'T know anything till much later. Thanks I just thought someone may have read something somewhere.

 

[AngiTN]

I agree it is so up in the air. I just remember seeing something somewhere that they thought the normal park hours would be extended till 7 when that happens. Plus I hope that if they DO open it that it will be daily since it will be summer and not just a weekend thing. I am bummed we are going to miss the Avatarland but just the way it worked out. But really hoping to catch this. I think I am just not going to make any dinning since it is so unknown and sound like we WON'T know anything till much later. Thanks I just thought someone may have read something somewhere.

I think it's going to be extended to more than just 7:00. Rivers of Light will need to be done in the dark, or near dark.

 

[kelmac284]

That's true and since it is summer what time does it get dark back there? I am on the west coast and it gets dark around 9. And by dark I mean totally dark not dusk. I have only been back there in the fall so wasn't sure if it is the same in summer. It will def be interesting whatever they do.

 

[lugnut33]

Sunset at the end of June in Orlando is 8:27 pm. End of July is 8:16, and end of Aug. is 7:50.

 

[kelmac284]

Ok that is what I thought. So def later here on the west coast. In fact in June it can even be past 9. Well it shall be interesting to see what they do.

 

[larryz]

Nothing beats riding EE in the dark!

This can easily be simulated by closing one's eyes...

Another example of "making your own magic."

 

[Robo]

Sunset at the end of June in Orlando is 8:27 pm. End of July is 8:16, and end of Aug. is 7:50.

"Sunset" is not dark.
The sky remains light until 20-30 minutes later.

9PM would be the likely start time of the evening spectaculars in the longer-daylight months.
(Daylight Saving Time plays a big part in this.)

 

[hakepb]

This can easily be simulated by closing one's eyes...

Another example of "making your own magic."

But, seriously..the EE queue (and ride) at night, with the full fog effects going is an incredible experience!
(I think it's hard to fully feel like you are in Nepal when the Florida sun is beating down on you)

Unfortunately, it seems they only keep DAK open after dark on Christmas week.

 

[lugnut33]

"Sunset" is not dark.
The sky remains light until 20-30 minutes later.

9PM would be the likely start time of the evening spectaculars in the longer-daylight months.
(Daylight Saving Time plays a big part in this.)

You are correct. Civil twilight is at 8:54 PM at the end of June.
If they are going to present multiple showings of ROL, there could be a slight time-crunch unless they plan on keeping the park open until 10. If they start the show in the twilight then the people sitting on the east bank will be looking back at the sun.

 

[cgattis]

I really suspect this will be a game-changer for crowd levels. AK is considered half -day by so many, but now it will be a draw simply because that's where the new stuff is, plus people with base tickets may be more willing to go there compared to now when they're choosing between a park that closes at 5 and one that closes at 9 or later. I can't wait to try EE in the dark - it's already my favorite ride!

You won't be disappointed! It's my fave too, and we were finally lucky enough to see AK after dark last fall break. Kids just kept running off and back on--6 in a row I think! I had to stop at 2 but it was super cool.

 

[Dan Murphy]

it is waaaay to early for Disney to extend park hours for June, they will probably do it around April. Rivers of Light is rumored to open on Earth Day.

Progress report from today...

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...tos---rivers-of-light-construction-update.htm

 

[tlmadden73]

I really suspect this will be a game-changer for crowd levels. AK is considered half -day by so many, but now it will be a draw simply because that's where the new stuff is, plus people with base tickets may be more willing to go there compared to now when they're choosing between a park that closes at 5 and one that closes at 9 or later. I can't wait to try EE in the dark - it's already my favorite ride!

Good point.

With a new night show at AK.. and (depending on how long it lasts) a Star Wars fireworks show at DHS .. this definitely could pull crowds away from MK and Epcot at night (and even during the day as more people plan to spend an entire day at AK).

My question is ...
Until AvatarLand opens up ... what will people do at AK during the late afternoon and evening (when it normally has closed) until 8-9 (when this River of light show would run).

I mean ..the park still only has a several rides and a few shows, and my guess is the Safari will be closed for the animals at night? (and a lot of people won't want to go on Kali River Rapids as the sun begins to go down. I guess it still may be a half-day park for a while, but maybe just the latter half

 

[Robo]

Good point.

With a new night show at AK.. and (depending on how long it lasts) a Star Wars fireworks show at DHS .. this definitely could pull crowds away from MK and Epcot at night (and even during the day as more people plan to spend an entire day at AK).

My question is ...
Until AvatarLand opens up ... what will people do at AK during the late afternoon and evening (when it normally has closed) until 8-9 (when this River of light show would run).

I mean ..the park still only has a several rides and a few shows, and my guess is the Safari will be closed for the animals at night? (and a lot of people won't want to go on Kali River Rapids as the sun begins to go down. I guess it still may be a half-day park for a while, but maybe just the latter half

DAK had PM EMH for years.
There was a performance of FoLK (and sometimes Finding Nemo the Musical.)
The rides were operating.
Some of the restaurants were open.

Any "animal attraction" (like Safari and Rafiki's Planet Watch) closed at dusk.

But, DAK was a beautiful park at night and we always enjoyed the PM EMH there.
(And, back then, PM EMH ran for 3 hours.)

 

[rpb718]

I really suspect this will be a game-changer for crowd levels. AK is considered half -day by so many, but now it will be a draw simply because that's where the new stuff is, plus people with base tickets may be more willing to go there compared to now when they're choosing between a park that closes at 5 and one that closes at 9 or later. I can't wait to try EE in the dark - it's already my favorite ride!

As I mentioned in a similar thread, when Rivers of Light opens it will be as if Wishes and Illuminations had a baby - but without the fireworks.

The boost in attendance for AK because of an alternative night-time spectacular should definitely have an effect on the Wishes/Fantasmic/IllumiNations crowds and balance out evening attendance across all 4 parks. But because RoL will be new, I expect even higher than normal attendance at AK at evening time for a quite some time after it opens. Along with Pandora - The World of Avatar scheduled for (early?) 2017, I can only assume AK attendance will show a steady increase. It'll be interesting to see how the various folks who forecast the WDW crowd calendars deal with the changes to AK as well as the changes to EPCOT that should also be in play by summer 2016 (Frozen ride, A&E meet and greet, new Soarin').

It's been almost 2 months since our last trip to WDW. It was yet another trip where we didn't even step foot in AK. Within this decade, we've gone to AK once. All that will change. I've told DW that we just have to schedule longer stays at WDW now. Win win.