ROL disappointing!

[Airb330]

For folks who have seen it and kind of like it but think it could be better...what do you think it is missing?

A more coherent message. "We're all animals of the light" or whatever just didn't work. Sea world is known for conservation and I'm sure AK cast members are too, but it doesn't work for a night time show. I'm all about not jamming Disney movies into things but there were some real missed opportunities with Jungle Book, Lion King and Pocahontas music/imagery.

Somehow world of color looks way, way better on the projection front. It just doesn't look good. That I do not understand! That was the biggest problem with it. It was months delayed and doesn't look good.

I thought awakenings at the Tree of Life was much better & didn't require any waiting either. People clapped at that show; barely any clapping at ROL besides for the (great IMO) cast on the boats.

 

[Bullseye]

We'll were going to see it in a week from now on a FP and I'm holding judgement until then. But, I wasn't actually expecting it to exceed any of the other nighttime shows anyway. Just kind of glad AK is now a nighttime park. From what I've been hearing from my Dis brethren though it will probably a one and done for me too. Just curious, is it visible outside of seating area?

 

[Accident]

We'll were going to see it in a week from now on a FP and I'm holding judgement until then. But, I wasn't actually expecting it to exceed any of the other nighttime shows anyway. Just kind of glad AK is now a nighttime park. From what I've been hearing from my Dis brethren though it will probably a one and done for me too. Just curious, is it visible outside of seating area?

It's fitting for AK.. it's a relaxing peaceful show of water, lights and fire about coexisting with nature. If you go in expecting an action packed grand finale, then it's a let down and that's where it differs from most other shows..

I just saw it again and knowing the above, had a wonderfull end to the day followed by watching the tree of life for awhile..

 

[OB1]

I totally agree that this is not very good. We were there on our arrival day, and the show had technical difficulties and could not run. SO - we came back the next night to see it, and afterwards, were very unimpressed. Not much of a story, and not easy to follow.
What is really odd is a good friend from CA saw it, and thought it blew away World of Color at Cal Adventures. Hard to believe that. I guess it is up to each person to watch it and see what they think. WE were even wondering if part of the show was missing.

 

[Tiggerette]

My experience of RoL was that it was similar to a creation-myth. It told a story of a beginning and how that world is envisioned and lived. In this way, RoL speaks to the Illuminations idealized world-view within its framework. How RoL carries out its narrative framework can be underwhelming if there's an expectation for high drama and energy. Its storytelling is subtle, woven within the interplay of music, lights (projections), props and the natural backdrop of the environment containing the show.

I remember when Jungle Book came out, and folks were writing poor reviews for that show. Sometimes I wonder if reviews are based on the show or on how their experience matched their expectation. (Sometimes I think people didn't realize they had particular expectations.) We watched RoL twice in one night; once from dining and second from fast pass. We saw it from different angles from up high and near water level.

As a performer, I appreciated the guardians/ archetypal characters on the RoL boats. While I enjoyed the nuanced story-telling of RoL, I found myself missing the live dancers and musicians from Jungle Book. I found that show extremely engaging to experience the dance-story for each character of Jungle Book. Part of me wishes we could have a show where RoL expands their narrative to bring back the live dancers and live musicians. (Live drumming, how delightful!) As it is, RoL offers a quiet, but deep, story filled with music to depict a creation-myth of an idealized world. And, in a way, isn't that what Disney tries to offer on a daily basis? The idealized "what could be" made real through personal magical experiences.

 

[TomServo27]

So much to do at AK at night now. Not sure I wanna put aside too much time for ROL if we can get in 15 minutes before it starts I'll do it probably.

 

[North of Mouse]

So much to do at AK at night now. Not sure I wanna put aside too much time for ROL if we can get in 15 minutes before it starts I'll do it probably.

Well, if you're not willing to wait any longer, you will never see it!!! It fills up fast, even FP, and they start letting people in early. We sat for over an hour!!

Now, 'that' part was 'not' good, but we 'were' going to see it (actually twice).. Waiting (just like for Fantasmic) would be the main deterrent keeping us from seeing it more often. We 'loved' it!

For those saying there is no distinct storyline, etc. etc. - doesn't matter to us. We enjoyed each moment as is, and were not waiting for some flamboyant defining moment, or ending.

Actually, sort of glad that there will be those that don't like it!! It's a small seating area and quickly fills up with lines turned away. It's 'to each their own', as with any show/ride there.

 

[TomServo27]

Well, if you're not willing to wait any longer, you will never see it!!! It fills up fast, even FP, and they start letting people in early. We sat for over an hour!!

Now, 'that' part was 'not' good, but we 'were' going to see it (actually twice).. Waiting (just like for Fantasmic) would be the main deterrent keeping us from seeing it more often. We 'loved' it!

For those saying there is no distinct storyline, etc. etc. - doesn't matter to us. We enjoyed each moment as is, and were not waiting for some flamboyant defining moment, or ending.

Actually, sort of glad that there will be those that don't like it!! It's a small seating area and quickly fills up with lines turned away. It's 'to each their own', as with any show/ride there.

I'm ok with missing it other night time priorities in AK. Also these trips never unfold the way I plan. May get towards the end of the trip and have done everything else we want to do then we will make ROL more of a priority.

 

[ArwenMarie]

A more coherent message. "We're all animals of the light" or whatever just didn't work. Sea world is known for conservation and I'm sure AK cast members are too, but it doesn't work for a night time show. I'm all about not jamming Disney movies into things but there were some real missed opportunities with Jungle Book, Lion King and Pocahontas music/imagery.

Somehow world of color looks way, way better on the projection front. It just doesn't look good. That I do not understand! That was the biggest problem with it. It was months delayed and doesn't look good.

I thought awakenings at the Tree of Life was much better & didn't require any waiting either. People clapped at that show; barely any clapping at ROL besides for the (great IMO) cast on the boats.

Interesting. I've only seen it on YouTube, but I do think there could be a way to weave in the characters you mentioned in a tasteful way and not lose the general "feel" of show

 

[MrsDuck]

I tried to love it but felt it was very lackluster. I too didn't get the boats nor could I really see the video. Definitely not something I'd do again.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I don't think it necessarily has to be Disney themed either - I'm just throwing ideas out that would make it more entertaining. I think it would be a nice thing to fuse the two so you can learn about our beautiful animals with a bit of Disney fun.

Again the music and storytelling are not sending the correct messaging. I'm guaranteeing you this will be redone in a year or two. It has all the recipes for a great show it's just missing something.

 

[bettybooplove]

Thank you for the reviews. We'll be there in July and have FastPasses for Kilimanjaro, Flight of Passage and ROL. For some reason I wanted to leave before our ROL FastPass so I could see Illuminations.

I think we'll skip this.

 

[SGMCO]

I loved the Tree of Life Awakening last trip and kept watching it several times, I'm easy to impress I guess.
Hoping that I will really enjoy ROL as much as the Awakening.