Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[Paigevon]

Now that you mention this, I remember hearing that about Illuminations. I will say that when we were at Disney during Monsoon Week May 2009, despite there being rain all but one night (and many times it was a torrential downpour), the fireworks at each park went off every night. We were staying at Pop Century and could easily see Fantasmic and Illuminations every night. And if we walked to the corner of our building, we could see Wishes off in the distance. Ironically, my big plan for that trip was to see all of the fireworks shows. We had only ever seen Fantasmic prior to that. On our first night there, we were planning to watch Illuminations. The rains started pouring down around 6:30 and because we were not well prepared, we were drenched in no time. We decided to just go back to the room that night and catch Illuminations on our next Epcot day. Little did we know that we would experience never-ending rain that week. We actually did finally get to see Illuminations on the 2nd last night of our stay but because we had no desire to stand in the rain to watch fireworks, that was the only fireworks show we "officially" watched that week as that was the only evening it wasn't raining during our entire visit.

You can see Illuminations from POP? :O I had no idea!


I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to drive (2 hr 45 minutes) to Epcot tomorrow afternoon. We'd arrive around 3 pm.

I was bringing my grandma to see Flower & Garden but my grandpa decided he wants to go, too, so we'd have to wait for DD to get out of VPK to head down with her.

We were planning to stay until Illuminations then drive home, but the forecast shows scattered thunderstorms and rain all day... I wouldn't mind rain, and may wear a poncho for the first time ever, but an actual thunderstorm wouldn't be enjoyable and I'd hate to go for such a short trip if it's pouring and Illuminations is canceled.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[maryj11]

So interesting fact about Wishes! They load the fireworks in every day and they HAVE to go off. So if it's raining/lightening during Wishes time and they can't go off then, they will set them off eventually at some point during the night, even if it's like 3 AM. It is apparently a law of some kind that if the fireworks are loaded, they have to be set off. I thought that was so cool!

Can you imagine if your staying at a resort near MK and in the middle of the night you hear BANG, BOOM and go out on the balcony to watch the fireworks

 

[ErinF]

Did anyone ever see the work out with Gilad TV program? I loved it, he'd work out on the beach in Hawaii and occasionally tourists would join in the workout. So funny. Would be a nice addition to the 6am ADR-check routine.

I subscribe to Gilad TV!!! I access it on my Roku and do a workout 6 days a week, love him!!!

I'm in the same boat, trip is June 4-13. Right now, my HS evening is for Monday the 6th which is not a fireworks night as of now...

 

[HopperFan]

I think the above is why the fireworks are rarely cancelled. I have watched them several times in POURING RAIN. It takes a lot to cancel them.

Yes many areas of POP have firework views. One year we watched Illuminations, Wishes and a private party fireworks at DHS all from our room (Bldg 3). We've had repeat showings over the years. Last year at Sports we watched the practice run of the summer fireworks from our room about 1 am.

And to add to the middle of the night - there is often plenty of activity going on in the park. CMs will work long past closing and it's a great time to practice stuff .... like the horse/rider for the headless horseman practices at night after closing. He needs to feel the whole ride and he/horse be one since he can't really see while he's riding. Lots of trust and practice. And of course construction happens then.

 

[HopperFan]

AK related .............. since RoL is on hold ................

Went to see Jungle Book in the theaters, 3D. Great movie! I am always leary of a remake, and live action with animals .... it was beautifully done, stayed true to story with less humor and more serious. Picked up on some easter eggs too which I always love. Can't wait for the DVD, am sure there was much I missed.

But I still don't want to see a JB water show .... am even more confused on what they can do if the floats don't work.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Can you imagine if your staying at a resort near MK and in the middle of the night you hear BANG, BOOM and go out on the balcony to watch the fireworks

We're owners at BLT and haven't had this happen yet!! I'd be up for it!

We've seen other activity late at night... like them lighting up the castle with the winter ice decorations... was nice to see them even though they weren't "officially" lit during that trip!! Sometimes they seem to be testing certain rides at night too.

 

[princessemsmom]

Hi all! Trip has been interesting so far. We have had some not nice cast members at the parks this trip! Even my mom and DH noticed it.

With that said - the cast members at our hotel are AMAZING! MouseKeeping is also AMAZING! Love POR!!! It really has made the last few days so much better.

We got caught in major rain tonight at Epcot. We left AK for a dinner reservation and the sky opened! Then after dinner...wow! we have the best Photopass pic! What a night to remember. Was great seeing all the seating at AK for ROL - but my heart was broken for what could have been!

Tomrorrow is a much needed pool morning with Hoop Dee Doo tomorrow night!

Hope everyone is have a great week!

 

[Paigevon]

Hi all! Trip has been interesting so far. We have had some not nice cast members at the parks this trip! Even my mom and DH noticed it.

With that said - the cast members at our hotel are AMAZING! MouseKeeping is also AMAZING! Love POR!!! It really has made the last few days so much better.

We got caught in major rain tonight at Epcot. We left AK for a dinner reservation and the sky opened! Then after dinner...wow! we have the best Photopass pic! What a night to remember. Was great seeing all the seating at AK for ROL - but my heart was broken for what could have been!

Tomrorrow is a much needed pool morning with Hoop Dee Doo tomorrow night!

Hope everyone is have a great week!

Yay trips sounds wonderful! Hope you get some clear skys for the pool day. Also glad to hear about POR, I've booked there for my birthday! (Though I've been eyeing the DVC renting points for Poly.... some day!)

 

[dachsie]

So interesting fact about Wishes! They load the fireworks in every day and they HAVE to go off. So if it's raining/lightening during Wishes time and they can't go off then, they will set them off eventually at some point during the night, even if it's like 3 AM. It is apparently a law of some kind that if the fireworks are loaded, they have to be set off. I thought that was so cool!

Well, we couldn't stay last night to see them. It was pouring and we got soaked. So much so that I don't think I can wear my tennis shoes again today. The lightening and thunder were really bad too. I am hoping for tonite.

 

[Tiggerette]

Good morning Loungers! Up waiting to see if SW dessert parties open up today. Was reading about fast passes moving to 7am EST opening time. If true, oh boy! I wonder if some families will set up a computer room with booking tactical teams. Mom and I used to be pretty strategic when we went to "black friday" sales…. I could see a version of that- just on computers.
Crazy Theatre of my mind….
A Family gathering around the dining table, each with a laptop and beverage, intently almost feverishly types away...
Joey: Attempting fastpass for soarin.
Molly: Attempting BoG for lunch.
Mom: I've just got Soarin!
Joey: Moving to Toy Story.
Molly: Lunch isn't available, but Breakfast PPO is.
Mom: Book it!
Molly: Check!
The family continues, spending a magical morning together… in the Booking Zone!

 

[elmoandzoey]

You can see Illuminations from POP? :O I had no idea!

You know, we got pixie dusted with a Disney View room at the Best Western at Disney Springs and could see all three firework shows from our balcony on our arrival day! It was so cool! When we go to the room, my DS7 immediately ran to the balcony and yelled that he can see the huge golf ball We also saw the SW fireworks from the Hilton Bonnet Creek lobby right behind the bar on the patio. I guess if we had had a Disney view room, we probably would have also been able to see Illuminations and Wishes but we were facing the other way.

There is lots of places you can see the fireworks from. Like you can see Wishes from Echo Lake at DHS or from the Epcot or DHS parking lots. Or you can see SW fireworks from World Showcase. Illuminations you can watch from the Boardwalk. It always amazes me how far out you can still see them!

 

[bluezy]

AK related .............. since RoL is on hold ................

Went to see Jungle Book in the theaters, 3D. Great movie! I am always leary of a remake, and live action with animals .... it was beautifully done, stayed true to story with less humor and more serious. Picked up on some easter eggs too which I always love. Can't wait for the DVD, am sure there was much I missed.

But I still don't want to see a JB water show .... am even more confused on what they can do if the floats don't work.

We went to see it this weekend as well (not 3D, though) and I kept thinking that same thing all throughout the movie. It was very obvious how the show could easily be a Jungle Book theme with the floats, but without the animals???? Not sure how that's going to shake out. I'm still hoping to see it when we're there in June mostly out of curiosity. I'm wondering if they'll just show animated animals on walls of water.

 

[KMWoolley]

I think the Disney Parks Blog staff must have found a way to control the ROL Lounge. The doors look to be locked with no 'Loungers' in the last week and I think I saw a sign on the door saying "Re-opening VERY SOON with a Jungle Book motif and renamed King Louie's....

 

[10CJ]

Can I get more details on the FP booking changing to 7 am? Link?

 

[jlundeen]

Can I get more details on the FP booking changing to 7 am? Link?

It was posted by Kenny the Pirate yesterday

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2016/05/17/change-coming-to-fastpass-booking/

 

[10CJ]

It was posted by Kenny the Pirate yesterday

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2016/05/17/change-coming-to-fastpass-booking/

Thanks. I am not a fan of his change. 7 am is a busy time in our house. Also not a fan of it changing and Disney not really mentioning it.

 

[figmentfan423]

We're an every 2 or 3 year family and I thought I finally had my dh talked into APs for us and hitting F&W and a trip early next summer but with no ROL news, Dinosaur and BTMRR going down for our trip, assorted cuts and hours not being posted in time to plan he's rethinking it Just when I thought things were finally going my way. sorry for the rant. I'm really hoping we have some good news tomorrow or my dh is going to be even more upset.

 

[jlundeen]

Thanks. I am not a fan of his change. 7 am is a busy time in our house. Also not a fan of it changing and Disney not really mentioning it.

Well, I tried to find the news on the WDW News Today site that Kenny mentions, and couldn't find anything....I posted a request for a link on Kenny's site.

 

[10CJ]

Well, I tried to find the news on the WDW News Today site that Kenny mentions, and couldn't find anything....I posted a request for a link on Kenny's site.

I was searching Disney's FP pages and did not see any times mentioned. It just keep saying 60 days and 30 days. Seems like a key piece of information.

 

[helenb]

Come to think of it, I heard about the midnight timeframe here on DisBoards, and only because I asked. I'm not sure it's something they ever 'advertised'.