Rivers of Light....

[mshanson3121]

I watched a couple of videos (from official sources) online, one from March and one from October, and quite honestly, I thought it was boring as all get out, at least for the first half. It seems the first 10 minutes or so are just watching the lotus flowers float around? One video showed a couple costumed performers up in the seating area, but even they weren't really doing anything spectacular, just moving slowly, smiling and waving at guests. That was it that I saw.

I know it picks up at the end with the water projections etc..., but my word, is it really that slow in person for the first half? Or is there something I'm missing? And if it is really that slow... what the heck were they thinking? Surely they could have done better than that!

Anyways, interested for feedback, and based on what I watched, I'm really disappointed. We were really looking forward to this, and based on what I saw, I doubt we'll bother. The kids gave up after a few minutes of watching slow moving flowers do nothing.

 

[AngiTN]

I watched a couple of videos (from official sources) online, one from March and one from October, and quite honestly, I thought it was boring as all get out, at least for the first half. It seems the first 10 minutes or so are just watching the lotus flowers float around? One video showed a couple costumed performers up in the seating area, but even they weren't really doing anything spectacular, just moving slowly, smiling and waving at guests. That was it that I saw.

I know it picks up at the end with the water projections etc..., but my word, is it really that slow in person for the first half? Or is there something I'm missing? And if it is really that slow... what the heck were they thinking? Surely they could have done better than that!

Anyways, interested for feedback, and based on what I watched, I'm really disappointed. We were really looking forward to this, and based on what I saw, I doubt we'll bother. The kids gave up after a few minutes of watching slow moving flowers do nothing.

Honestly, yes, everything when you watch on video.
It's a show that only some appreciate but video does NOTHING for. It's honestly a waste of time to even film and watch it on video. It is something only to be seen in person.
The dancers are truly lost in the show (they are more than in the stands, not sure what you watched though). Even the ones on the float are lost in everything going on and shouldn't even be in it. But the water screens and dancing water with lasers, we loved. It's visually stunning. Just doesn't translate to video. Even slightly.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Honestly, yes, everything when you watch on video.
It's a show that only some appreciate but video does NOTHING for. It's honestly a waste of time to even film and watch it on video. It is something only to be seen in person.
The dancers are truly lost in the show (they are more than in the stands, not sure what you watched though). Even the ones on the float are lost in everything going on and shouldn't even be in it. But the water screens and dancing water with lasers, we loved. It's visually stunning. Just doesn't translate to video. Even slightly.

I agree! You have to see it in person. Visually its stunning. I enjoyed it. I too watched it on video before my trip and wasnt impressed. But i went to see it in person anyway. Sure glad i did! Its lovely!

 

[mshanson3121]

But the water screens and dancing water with lasers, we loved. It's visually stunning. Just doesn't translate to video. Even slightly.

I really enjoyed that part, I thought it was nicely done. But the first half, when all I could really see were the odd character in the stands and the lotus flowers, just seemed to drag on forever, and seemed very boring. I'm sure you're right, it's different seeing it in person, but, on the other hand, if that's really all there is to it, I'm not sure I'd want to take the chance with the kids, when we could be doing something they would enjoy more.

 

[wdw&sonny]

I agree with you. it is not the best WDW show. I have seen it just once. I will go again, bc I figure it will grow on me like Illuminations has. The problem for me is the lack of familiarity. There are no Disney songs or characters, so the whole thing just seem new and different and it is slow and boring.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yeah, what you described is pretty much it. It's pretty, but nothing happens and I couldn't really even tell when it ended. My DS10 and I have a whole SNL-like skit we came up with based on what we think was discussed at the development meetings for the show. Think, all storyline ideas are shot down while people do stylized dance and spray water everywhere. You would, since Walt Disney was the king of the storyboard, they could have come up with something much better. I still thought it was pretty and I didn't feel like I completely wasted 15 minutes of my life. On the other hand, we aren't rushing to go back.

 

[AngiTN]

The fact that there is NO story does get lost on some. Folks want a story. There isn't a story. It just tells of the impact of animals and nature and their importance on the world, no story. It just "is" so to speak. It makes it hard to connect to, I suppose. I just love the dancing waters. Heck, I stop and watch the fountain at Epcot. Seems no one else ever bothers to do that there either.

 

[Klayfish]

The fact that there is NO story does get lost on some. Folks want a story. There isn't a story. It just tells of the impact of animals and nature and their importance on the world, no story. It just "is" so to speak. It makes it hard to connect to, I suppose. I just love the dancing waters. Heck, I stop and watch the fountain at Epcot. Seems no one else ever bothers to do that there either.

Yes, I agree with this. Its' lack of storyline is what makes it a challenge for many...including myself...to really enjoy. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't oooh and ahhhh over it either. It was just not my style.

And I also agree that it wouldn't translate well on video, you have to see it. I recommend seeing it if you have the time, it's worth it, but IMO it's not something I'm going to see over and over.

 

[AngiTN]

I guess if there is a story the story is Animal Kingdom, or The Kingdom of Animals (and Nature)

 

[Elle23]

It was boring. Have no interest in seeing it again.

The only fun part was the audience doing to wave before it started.

 

[Action City]

I really enjoyed that part, I thought it was nicely done. But the first half, when all I could really see were the odd character in the stands and the lotus flowers, just seemed to drag on forever, and seemed very boring. I'm sure you're right, it's different seeing it in person, but, on the other hand, if that's really all there is to it, I'm not sure I'd want to take the chance with the kids, when we could be doing something they would enjoy more.

There won't be anything else to do at AK while Rivers of Light is going on since the show happens at park close.

 

[Action City]

The fact that there is NO story does get lost on some. Folks want a story. There isn't a story. It just tells of the impact of animals and nature and their importance on the world, no story. It just "is" so to speak. It makes it hard to connect to, I suppose. I just love the dancing waters. Heck, I stop and watch the fountain at Epcot. Seems no one else ever bothers to do that there either.

I watch the fountain at Epcot...when it's working. It wasn't working last week. The music played multiple times during the day, but the fountain didn't do anything.

 

[Elizabeth Smith]

It seems the first 10 minutes or so are just watching the lotus flowers float around?

I loved Rivers of Light. It was actually beautiful, like a moving work of art. There's actual innovation and ingenuity since fireworks were out of the question with the presence of animals in the park. As for the first 10 minutes where the flowers move around, I really considered that pre-show. Once the fountains, projections and holograms got going, I was in awe. I don't understand the ROL hate on this website. It's a moving, pretty, spectacle.

 

[JennyDrake]

I saw it once, and I think that will do me....it is visually appealing but nothing memorable to the music at all. I couldn't hum a line if I had to.....

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Videos don't do it justice. It's my favorite night time show and I enjoy how relaxing it is.

 

[buzznina]

I really enjoyed that part, I thought it was nicely done. But the first half, when all I could really see were the odd character in the stands and the lotus flowers, just seemed to drag on forever, and seemed very boring. I'm sure you're right, it's different seeing it in person, but, on the other hand, if that's really all there is to it, I'm not sure I'd want to take the chance with the kids, when we could be doing something they would enjoy more.

There's also shadow images in the tree line across the pond and if I remember right the tree of life changes color or has something going on as well. I would not say it's a great show but we are glad we took the time to see it, it's not a must do by any means for us but I am sure we will see it again. Also, it is a LOT better when there is no wind.

 

[rteetz]

Honestly, yes, everything when you watch on video.
It's a show that only some appreciate but video does NOTHING for. It's honestly a waste of time to even film and watch it on video. It is something only to be seen in person.
The dancers are truly lost in the show (they are more than in the stands, not sure what you watched though). Even the ones on the float are lost in everything going on and shouldn't even be in it. But the water screens and dancing water with lasers, we loved. It's visually stunning. Just doesn't translate to video. Even slightly.

Agreed 100%

Always judge in person rather than on video.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

There won't be anything else to do at AK while Rivers of Light is going on since the show happens at park close.

FWIW, not all ROL showings are close to park close. For example, this past week there were two show times, 6:30PM and 7:45PM. 8PM park closings.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

I saw it once, and I think that will do me....it is visually appealing but nothing memorable to the music at all. I couldn't hum a line if I had to.....

I bought the CD and love the music.

"Touch the earth, feel the sun...We are one."

 

[Sweettears]

I thought I remember reading somewhere a while back that said the floating flowers aren’t reallly part of the show proper. I could be wrong on that.