ROL - Worth it??

[tiffjoy]

I had carefully avoided reading about ROL because I wanted to be surprised. We are there next week for three days, and I booked us the dinner at Tusker House so we could see the show. I didn't realize the entire show is only 15 minutes, and now I'm hearing that a lot of people don't care for it.

So... given that we have only one day at AK and haven't been there since Pandora opened (and I was not able to get FOP FP+, which I think my 8 yo would like), should we bother with ROL?

 

[jennifer in canada]

I did not look at anything online about it to be surprised last trip either. LOVED it!! The music, the colours everything. I would
not miss it again.

 

[Elizabeth Smith]

I think it's amazing. A lot of people on here say it's boring, but I think it's beautiful, sublime even. It's really moving and artistic and has an integrity that other nighttime shows don't have. Please don't miss it. I look forward to going back to WDW specifically because I would want to watch it in person again. Videos and pictures do the show NO justice.

 

[JETSDAD]

If you haven't seen it then go for it so that you can judge for yourself. One and done for us as we did not enjoy it. We don't need fireworks and stuff to enjoy a show and we really enjoyed watching Awakenings on the tree but ROL just didn't do anything for us

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I'm glad I got to see ROL once, but I wouldn't put it on my must do list the next time I were to go. I certainly wouldn't pay extra to get reserved seating either. I would just play it by ear the day of, and if you feel like you've already done everything else you want to do in the park then I would try for standby.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We loved it And we liked Tusker House...and we got a lotus blossom popcorn bucket free with the dinner package, don’t know if that was a short term thing or what, but it was a nice perk. Beautiful show, different from anything else there I think. I also agree with PP about the Tree Awakening, it was great.

 

[CAS239]

My wife and I laugh at the thought of watching it again. We both didn't care for it at all.

However everyone should check everything out at least once. However I wouldn't cut out Pandora time to see it or forego other rides for it.

 

[HopperFan]

A big no vote for me in terms of the show itself (for many reasons) ................

............ but I think everyone should try it once ......

..... IF IF IF you have plenty of time and don't do it at the expense of other things.

Sounds like you don't have the extra time to burn.

Pandora is stunning at night, I could wander it and not even ride. FOP is a great attraction and I would rather put my energy and time into riding that than ROL. Pandora is just a unique work of art that is completely different at night than it is during the day. Your kids will love all the lighting, colors and magical feel to it.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Not my cup of tea, but I think everyone should see it at least once and decide for themselves.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

For me, it's a can't miss. My family feels the same way.

I love the music, the lights, and the water. It's my favorite show on property.

It is very low key but for me, that is part of the joy.

 

[deedubb]

There are so many varied opinions on this that you really need to just go see it and decide for yourself. I also would not watch it on Youtube and base your decision on that, as it is so much better live compared to a tiny computer screen.

We really enjoyed it. That said, it's not something I would feel the need to see again.

 

[starry_solo]

I liked it! Booked a Tiffin's late lunch package to get tickets for it when I was there. It started off slow, but it was nice.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

If I had to choose between RoL and Pandora at Night, I'd still pick RoL. I thought Pandora was beautiful but very difficult to navigate in the dark and at the time, summer, it was so crowded that it was hard to enjoy.

 

[WaterLinds]

We saw it last night and really enjoyed it, although we did feel it could have been a bit longer. Part of what I enjoyed was my kids' enjoyment, though--especially the 2 year old, who was just fascinated by it all.

For our circumstances I was grateful to have the dining package--we got stuck in FOP and barely made it to the show, so having reserved seating was good. We ended up with a slightly obstructed view because we were nearly the last folks seated, but it was still pretty good. Standing room only wouldn't have worked well with our kiddos, and it was nice to not have to get there crazy early and sit with them, either.

We did Tusker breakfast, late in the window so it was turning over to lunch (meaning we got to eat both), and the food was great, so that also helped make it feel worthwhile.

 

[BK2014]

For us it was a one and done. Yes, the light up floats are beautiful. The water projections blurry, but maybe intentionally? Not much of a story, or at least one that is clear. The music was good, but forgettable. Not worth waiting 45 minutes (even with FP) for such a short show.

 

[Haley R]

We are going in two weeks and I’m excited to see ROL for the first time. We have a brunch at th with the ROL package. You could always go try fop after the ROL show.

 

[tiffjoy]

Thank you everyone! I think I'll keep the reservations and we will see it. I'll keep my expectations in check and hope for the best.

 

[Tomh]

I was one who didn't greatly care for it, but I would most certainly say keep your reservation, and see it for yourself. Like anything else in life, there are those who like it, and those who don't. The only way you will know which group you fit in is to try it yourself.

Now, to be fair, I didn't outright dislike it, it just fell short of what I was hoping for. Not a bad show, just not a great show for me.

 

[Moms]

We saw it last Spring and enjoyed it but it is another "one and done" for us. It wasn't the fact that it was low key ... Fantasmic was a "one and done" for us too ... it just isn't worth spending the time on again ... for us. You may or may not really enjoy it but I don't think you will regret spending the time.

 

[MimiDee905]

I agree with many, many people here. Saw it once, definitely do not need to see it again. Was miserable sitting on those rock benches packed in with what feels like thousands of people. Show was short and not worth the hassle/being uncomfortable.
But if you have never seen it, I would at least do it once. And use your own judgement! Many people enjoy it!