Rivers of Light....

[buzznina]

Technically there is a story.

Before the show stars, four large lotus flowers float into the center of the lagoon. Two trade-type vessels start the show with a narrator telling about how Earth is the only place where light and water unite to create the wonder of life. Here, spirits of animals can dance free in the “Rivers of Light.”
After the introduction, four illuminated floats enter, which are the spirit animals: elephant, tiger, turtle, and owl.

• The animal floats in the show have significance. The elephant and calf represent Earth, the turtle and baby represent water, the Horned Owl and owlets represent sky, and the Asian Tiger represents fire.
• In some cultures, the Aurora Borealis is known as the “Rivers of Light”. Animal Kingdom’s “Rivers of Light” ends with their version of an Aurora Borealis.

 

[rteetz]

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.

There were supposed to be roughly 100 floating lanterns on the water. They could never get them to work so they were put aside.

 

[ArielSRL]

I thought the show was visually stunning...however, I couldn't get past the seating to really enjoy the show. It was June and it was muggy and we were WEDGED in those seats. Like I literally had to make sure my knees did not run into the back of the person in front of me. I have no idea why the seats are so close together like that.

 

[rteetz]

I thought the show was visually stunning...however, I couldn't get past the seating to really enjoy the show. It was June and it was muggy and we were WEDGED in those seats. Like I literally had to make sure my knees did not run into the back of the person in front of me. I have no idea why the seats are so close together like that.

Weird. Probably was just due to crowds. Last week there was plenty of room in the venue when I saw the show.

 

[rstamm]

It's boring but do it once then you never have to see it again.

I was expecting World of Color and was so disappointed in this.

 

[HydroGuy]

For me ROL is something I will see again when I can. Sort of like Illuminations for me. Not required. I did like it but I liked the new Happily Ever After fireworks show at MK better.

If you have not seen it, yes it is worth it.

In many ways I see parallels between ROL and Illuminations. Both are sort of slow. Neither has a strong story. Neither involve Disney characters. Both are celebrations of earth.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I haven't seen it but the description kind of reminds me of the movie Brother Bear

 

[rteetz]

Neither involve Disney characters.

Which is why I think I love Illuminations and this show. We don't always need Disney characters thrown in our faces.

 

[ArielSRL]

Weird. Probably was just due to crowds. Last week there was plenty of room in the venue when I saw the show.

I have heard this before so you definitely could be right. It did seem very crowded.

 

[epcotty]

The flowers floating around is definitely the pre-show, I know. We've seen it once (would've been twice but was cancelled the second time we've been more recently). Once you get past that you get a nice entertaining show. Could be better but quite good

 

[AngiTN]

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.

Which could be but what purpose do they serve if not part of the show?

There were supposed to be roughly 100 floating lanterns on the water. They could never get them to work so they were put aside.

Now that makes sense but to say "not part of the show" as in "not at all" doesn't make any sense. Not part of the original design and a replacement/fix I can see. But they are "part of of the show"

 

[Klayfish]

Technically there is a story.

Hmmm...maybe I just slept through it and missed it.

I do agree it has artistic beauty, but I'm not an artsy person.

 

[epcotty]

I thought the show was visually stunning...however, I couldn't get past the seating to really enjoy the show. It was June and it was muggy and we were WEDGED in those seats. Like I literally had to make sure my knees did not run into the back of the person in front of me. I have no idea why the seats are so close together like that.

I know what you mean. Every single time anyone wanted to go in or out of the aisle, had to stand on the seat, there was no other way (I'm average sized). There was just no other way as the seating's too close

 

[epcotty]

Which could be but what purpose do they serve if not part of the show?

Well, they're part of the pre-show to entertain the audience while waiting for the show proper, not the actual show itself

 

[HopperFan]

I thought the show was visually stunning...however, I couldn't get past the seating to really enjoy the show. It was June and it was muggy and we were WEDGED in those seats. Like I literally had to make sure my knees did not run into the back of the person in front of me. I have no idea why the seats are so close together like that.

YES. Seating is a huge issue and it's been a major complaint since the theater opened. I sat on the stone and wood bleachers, and you pick your poison. The stone seats have a bit more room for your legs but talk about uncomfortable. By time the show started it was an all out painful backside. The wood seats are a softer seat but besides being shoulder to shoulder .... your knees (and I'm not tall) are hitting the person in front of you in the back. We were in too tight to sit kinda sideways. Add antsy kids trying to climb around ....

It's a beautiful theater, it was not well designed for comfort, it was all about cramming as many people as possible in a smaller space.

 

[DWillowBay]

I thought it was beautifully done and a peaceful end to the day. However, if someone prefers bigger, more bombastic shows, then this might not be for them. I love that there are a wide range of options depending on preferences.

 

[Moliphino]

For me ROL is something I will see again when I can. Sort of like Illuminations for me. Not required. I did like it but I liked the new Happily Ever After fireworks show at MK better.

If you have not seen it, yes it is worth it.

In may ways I see parallels between ROL and Illuminations. Both are sort of slow. Neither has a strong story. Neither involve Disney characters. Both are celebrations of earth.

Illuminations is my all time favorite. We saw it 5 times in an 8 night trip last month.
ROL was beautiful, but not super memorable after only one viewing.
And honestly, I think HEA needs some work. It's like it was put together by someone who was given the songs, but had never seen the movies - odd song choices and transitions galore. I also found myself watching the projections and completely missing the fireworks. It's not as good as Wishes, IMO (though Wishes did not start off as good as it was at the end, either).

 

[jmysticsea]

Save your time and skip Rivers of Light. Take advantage of the later closing time of AK and ride Kali or Everest during the show.

 

[epcotty]

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.

We like the Epcot fountain too. One of those things that's nice if you can catch it, like the projections on the Tree of Life

 

[Sweettears]

Which could be but what purpose do they serve if not part of the show?


Now that makes sense but to say "not part of the show" as in "not at all" doesn't make any sense. Not part of the original design and a replacement/fix I can see. But they are "part of of the show"

It wasn’t and isn’t my opinion. I thought I remember someone making that case early after the attraction opened. Personally I kind of enjoy the sequence.