Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[AngiTN]

No, I have no idea why they pushed it back but it's not because of frozen or soarin. Frozen yes is taking longer than originally though. Soarin is still on schedule nothing being pushed back there.

Have you heard that RoL debut is pushed back or are you going off the 1 CS CM who said it was?

 

[gwynne]

We're up early here so I'll check around 4:30 or 5 ish. If I notice any changes or things of interest I'll post. I am keeping an eye on links to see if they go active each day.
I called Dining a bit ago, they have no new news about the preview packages.

 

[disneyfam31]

I just spoke with Dining re: ROL dining packages for our trip in May (did not ask about preview bookings). CM "confirmed" booking starts tomorrow (3/15) for the dining package and that 4/22 was the start of the shows besides any preview nights. CM said her understanding is that Tusker House is the only restaurant available for the package. She was able to view quite a bit of information in her system and found that booking times for dinner will be 4-7pm and the reserved seating will be for the first show only (but she didn't know what time the first show started). She stated pricing for the dinner package is $44/adult and $26/child.

FWIW - She also told me that having an ADR to Tusker House doesn't help at all when calling back to try and switch to a dining package.

So...I will call back tomorrow and hope to book a reservation!

 

[marchingstar]

Have you heard that RoL debut is pushed back or are you going off the 1 CS CM who said it was?

I might be wrong, but I thought the "it" in question here was BTMRR. Like, Disney knew there were delays with Frozen (FEA and A&E) and Soarin and that's why they pushed BTMRR's refurb back

 

[AngiTN]

I might be wrong, but I thought the "it" in question here was BTMRR. Like, Disney knew there were delays with Frozen (FEA and A&E) and Soarin and that's why they pushed BTMRR's refurb back

Ah, you could be right. Would still be curious to see if there are any other rumors out there regarding RoL.

But I do think these dates that folks are citing have never come from Disney. I am fairly certain they have never said anywhere officially and in writing that Frozen was opening May 1 (or June 1) or any specific date at all. All they gave is Summer. Which is a 3 month span, technically not beginning until June.
And the same for Soarin'. I believe their official date has been Summer. Not a specific date, at least not that I've seen in writing from Disney. A website like Touring Plans doesn't count in my book as officially given by Disney. Even if they get it from an insider it is still not official, not in my definition anyway.

 

[sdomino11]

I've got absolutely nothing to report. Just stopping in to say I've been lurking along since the very beginning post. Is it melodramatic to say I've laughed when you laughed and cried when you cried?

Really, I'm just coming out of lurkdome to show my solidarity with my fellow April trippers-- there's a giant, gaping, hole in my TP!

We're pretty atypical, as far as touring goes. We arrive at the parks around 1 or 2 and stay until they kick us out. The only day we're getting up early for our next trip is for our AK day so we can fit it all in by six. At this point, I'd just be thrilled to see new park hours posted. I wonder if ALL the nighttime attractions will be postponed if ROLs opening has to be postponed?

 

[butterfly71076]

I just spoke with Dining re: ROL dining packages for our trip in May (did not ask about preview bookings). CM "confirmed" booking starts tomorrow (3/15) for the dining package and that 4/22 was the start of the shows besides any preview nights. CM said her understanding is that Tusker House is the only restaurant available for the package. She was able to view quite a bit of information in her system and found that booking times for dinner will be 4-7pm and the reserved seating will be for the first show only (but she didn't know what time the first show started). She stated pricing for the dinner package is $44/adult and $26/child.

FWIW - She also told me that having an ADR to Tusker House doesn't help at all when calling back to try and switch to a dining package.

So...I will call back tomorrow and hope to book a reservation!

I was just looking at the other thread in the restaurant forum. Someone posted a couple hours ago, that while making her ADR's this morning, the CM on the phone told her, ROL dining packages would be available to book on Thurs. 3/17. That is the first time I have heard 3/17, but have seen/heard 3/15 quite a few times.

 

[AngiTN]

I've got absolutely nothing to report. Just stopping in to say I've been lurking along since the very beginning post. Is it melodramatic to say I've laughed when you laughed and cried when you cried?

Really, I'm just coming out of lurkdome to show my solidarity with my fellow April trippers-- there's a giant, gaping, hole in my TP!

We're pretty atypical, as far as touring goes. We arrive at the parks around 1 or 2 and stay until they kick us out. The only day we're getting up early for our next trip is for our AK day so we can fit it all in by six. At this point, I'd just be thrilled to see new park hours posted. I wonder if ALL the nighttime attractions will be postponed if ROLs opening has to be postponed?

I would say yes

 

[pjweaver]

As of my latest check AK closes at 5:00 in July. How can they even have RoL at 5:00? If Disney can't get the park hours right 4 months in advance how can they possibly organize a dining package?

Yes I am ranting, but they make us plan out ADRs and FPP months in advance and then wait with their thumbs in Bob Igers nether regions. I have made our ADR for Tusker months ago. Now IF this ever happens I will need to cancel that ADR and hope I get in for the package. To add to that, we made a 8:00 breakfast ADR when the park opens a 9:00 to beat rope drop, how much do you want to bet they open AK early that day?

The biggest joke is that I must come on these boards for information (thanks to Pete btw) because by the time Disney releases anything it's too late. I am angry and tired of Disney doing things like this, yet I will keep working all year for the chance to keep going. Someone should make medication for this love/hate relationship.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I just spoke with Dining re: ROL dining packages for our trip in May (did not ask about preview bookings). CM "confirmed" booking starts tomorrow (3/15) for the dining package and that 4/22 was the start of the shows besides any preview nights. CM said her understanding is that Tusker House is the only restaurant available for the package. She was able to view quite a bit of information in her system and found that booking times for dinner will be 4-7pm and the reserved seating will be for the first show only (but she didn't know what time the first show started). She stated pricing for the dinner package is $44/adult and $26/child.

FWIW - She also told me that having an ADR to Tusker House doesn't help at all when calling back to try and switch to a dining package.

So...I will call back tomorrow and hope to book a reservation!

This is unfortunate if true because we really wanted breakfast. Oh well. Plans change. It will be too hard to get in with no reserved seating in early May.

 

[marchingstar]

Ah, you could be right. Would still be curious to see if there are any other rumors out there regarding RoL.

But I do think these dates that folks are citing have never come from Disney. I am fairly certain they have never said anywhere officially and in writing that Frozen was opening May 1 (or June 1) or any specific date at all. All they gave is Summer. Which is a 3 month span, technically not beginning until June.
And the same for Soarin'. I believe their official date has been Summer. Not a specific date, at least not that I've seen in writing from Disney. A website like Touring Plans doesn't count in my book as officially given by Disney. Even if they get it from an insider it is still not official, not in my definition anyway.

yeah, I completely agree with you. we all "knew" that ROL-related services (previews, dining packages, FP+) would open up after the live chat, and then again on the 10th, and maybe the 15th...

look how accurate that info has been!

I've got absolutely nothing to report. Just stopping in to say I've been lurking along since the very beginning post. Is it melodramatic to say I've laughed when you laughed and cried when you cried?

Really, I'm just coming out of lurkdome to show my solidarity with my fellow April trippers-- there's a giant, gaping, hole in my TP!

We're pretty atypical, as far as touring goes. We arrive at the parks around 1 or 2 and stay until they kick us out. The only day we're getting up early for our next trip is for our AK day so we can fit it all in by six. At this point, I'd just be thrilled to see new park hours posted. I wonder if ALL the nighttime attractions will be postponed if ROLs opening has to be postponed?

I agree with @AngiTN again--if ROL is postponed, everything else will still happen for April 22nd. Disney has made a big deal reminding us that it's the park's anniversary, so they'll still do something to celebrate. *but* I also think that chances are low ROL will be delayed. Previews could be changed still, maybe, but I'm kinda confident the show will start on the 22nd (maybe I just refuse to accept that we've all put this much time and energy in to something that won't pay off...)

 

[RachaelA]

I think its odd the app would have breakfast and lunch options, but then they would only end up doing dinner packages especially when Tiffins isn't open yet

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

She was able to view quite a bit of information in her system and found that booking times for dinner will be 4-7pm and the reserved seating will be for the first show only (but she didn't know what time the first show started).

I don't like the sound of the bold part... hopefully that is expanded upon at some point, spreading out the options for ADRs and show times.

 

[marchingstar]

As of my latest check AK closes at 5:00 in July. How can they even have RoL at 5:00? If Disney can't get the park hours right 4 months in advance how can they possibly organize a dining package?

I completely appreciate what you're saying, but park hours change all the time. it's not uncommon for those glorious pre-RD breakfasts to turn into meals that eat up some of the best park time because Disney moved RD from 9 to 8. it's happened to me before, around 2 weeks-10 days before a trip, and it's a fairly common post over on the dining threads. doesn't make it okay, but it really isn't unusual for park hours (and so dining openings) to change with little advanced notice

 

[beesly]

Was this Disney? I recall looking for, but not finding, info on the BTMRR refurb on Disney's official site. All of the shifting dates were on third-party sites. Granted, they may be getting inside information, but if Disney's not making official announcements, then changing them, I wouldn't fault them. This happens a lot in business. You just don't usually get the inside scoop on what's happening behind the scenes like we do with Disney.

Same goes for ROL. I haven't seen really anything as far as dates from Disney officially. The speculation has all been based on info that has come from elsewhere.

It was Disney. This is the message I got when practicing making FP selections prior to my 60-day window (early Feb):

Edit: Sorry, the picture won't save in my post. On the FP page, it listed BTMRR and said, "Pardon Our Pixie Dust, Pardners: In an effort to better your Old West experience, the sun will set on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as it closes for refurbishment on April 4, 2016, with a planned re-opening currently scheduled for July 2016. We apologize for any inconvenience..."

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

It was Disney. This is the message I got when practicing making FP selections prior to my 60-day window (early Feb):

Edit: Sorry, the picture won't save in my post. On the FP page, it listed BTMRR and said, "Pardon Our Pixie Dust, Pardners: In an effort to better your Old West experience, the sun will set on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as it closes for refurbishment on April 4, 2016, with a planned re-opening currently scheduled for July 2016. We apologize for any inconvenience..."

Yes, this. Third party sites played a role in it earlier on, I think, but it was on the BTMR attraction page that it went from pardon our pixie dust to a full schedule for May.

This is unfortunate if true because we really wanted breakfast. Oh well. Plans change. It will be too hard to get in with no reserved seating in early May.

I'm really hoping for lunch. If not lunch, I have some decisions to make. Need to talk to DH about the plan tonight.

 

[Benihana]

I just spoke with Dining re: ROL dining packages for our trip in May (did not ask about preview bookings). CM "confirmed" booking starts tomorrow (3/15) for the dining package and that 4/22 was the start of the shows besides any preview nights. CM said her understanding is that Tusker House is the only restaurant available for the package. She was able to view quite a bit of information in her system and found that booking times for dinner will be 4-7pm and the reserved seating will be for the first show only (but she didn't know what time the first show started). She stated pricing for the dinner package is $44/adult and $26/child.

FWIW - She also told me that having an ADR to Tusker House doesn't help at all when calling back to try and switch to a dining package.

So...I will call back tomorrow and hope to book a reservation!

I read in several sources that ROL dining packages will only be available to book at least 2.5 hours before the start of the show. The information you shared puts the show starting time at 9:30pm. This seems a little late for the first show to start being that sunset is around 8-830pm in Aril and May... God I hope it's not that late. My children will be losing it by that time of night.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

So, I called into Disney Dining because basically it's part of my routine right now...Not much new to report but report I will...

The CM confirmed that the booking for both preview parties and dining packages was supposed to happen on 3/12 and that it was postponed on that day. She did not have an update as to a new date for booking, but said it could happen at any point so "keep checking".

She could not confirm that the preview parties were still happening, but she did say that they were pretty planned out, so she would be surprised if they didn't happen in some form or another. She said to "keep checking the parks blog" and that DVC members and annual passholders may get an advance email about it, but that the preview parties would be open to everyone if they happen. I am not a DVC member or passholder, but wanted to pass it along for others.

She did say that the start date of ROL was in "concrete" for 4/22 (I know, take it with a grain of salt, just reporting my conversation!).

Now, here's the new information and it's critical piece...she said that Stitch was the one who postponed things and that he has been wreaking havoc and is responsible for all of this! So, at least that mystery is solved...I don't know why, but she really struck my funny bone today - I was laughing, then I had her laughing, then we were both cracking up...so no new information but I got a few giggles, so I consider it productive...

 

[Mambo Junkie]

It was Disney. This is the message I got when practicing making FP selections prior to my 60-day window (early Feb):

Edit: Sorry, the picture won't save in my post. On the FP page, it listed BTMRR and said, "Pardon Our Pixie Dust, Pardners: In an effort to better your Old West experience, the sun will set on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as it closes for refurbishment on April 4, 2016, with a planned re-opening currently scheduled for July 2016. We apologize for any inconvenience..."

Yes, that. However, when I made my fp selections on March 5th, BTMRR was an option I didn't expect. I took it, then looked up the refurb calendar and it was pushed to August. I figured since so many attractions were kaput for May, they decided to throw it back in the mix. (They cancelled SWW, FEA is running behind, Soarin closed, Tiffins not open, etc) April/May was getting dumped on pretty hard.

 

[Vernie822]

I read in several sources that ROL dining packages will only be available to book at least 2.5 hours before the start of the show. The information you shared puts the show starting time at 9:30pm. This seems a little late for the first show to start being that sunset is around 8-830pm in Aril and May... God I hope it's not that late. My children will be losing it by that time of night.

I may not last that late either hahahaha