Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[jlundeen]

So, I'm trying to make my ADRs for our trip beginning Nov 27, and the whole system is down - I got one for our first day, and now can't do anything else on the desktop. The mobile app doesn't even show that I can reserve for the 28th onward...and the phone line says a 45 minute wait.

Whoever though that having FP+ reservations start in the AM along with ADRs, rather than at midnight, was a good idea should be made to answer each and ever call!!!!!! NOT GOOD!!!!

 

[elmoandzoey]

I am wondering if the JB show is really as bad as people make it sound or if the authors of these reviews went in with the wrong expectations (no offence to anyone on this thread who has viewed it and thought it was bad - it may very well be very bad ) I haven't seen the show so I can't comment about it being good or bad (also haven't watched any videos or the likes). A lot of these reviews just feel like "you promised me this awesome show and now I get that aweful stuff?" but if they had gotten the "aweful stuff" without the promise of the awesome show first, it would have been the bestest show in the world. You know what I mean? Again, I can be completely wrong - it's just what it comes across as sometimes.

 

[CMNJ]

So maybe the idea of there being more "Alive with Magic" shows in the pipeline are not so far fetched .... and who knows when RoL will ever start up. Have had experience with Dining with Imagineer, they bring high level CMs who are well in the know.

Since you quoted me I will tell you how the whole conversation went. The CM is in the know for sure as I mentioned he is ultimately in charge of the entire project including ROL (his name is escaping me this am but his last project was the new fantasyland expansion). We had dinner with him at Citrico's in early May. At dinner he was talking about the new night time attractions about to launch at AK and he included ROL in that statement. I was confused and asked since I had heard it was postponed indefinitely. He apologized and clarified that there was not an official name for the theater there so they had been calling it ROL theater. I then asked if once AK opened for evening hours if it would continue (since all the advertising was for summer and no fall evening hours had been released yet) and he said yes. So I asked if Jungle Book would be running until ROL was ready since we were going back this fall. He said a show would be running in that theater once they launched memorial weekend but not necessarily Jungle Book. They had many stories they could put on there until ROL was ready. He acknowledged that they have run into production difficulties and until they can correct them to ensure the production will perform correctly on a regular basis they will not launch the show. The comment about "many shows" stuck with me since it really made it sound like the problems may be a lot more serious than Disney has acknowledged.

 

[figmentfan423]

ok seeing the reviews for Tiffins seem to be be mostly excellent now I'm thinking about keeping both my TH and Tiffins package. If JB is as bas as I hear t least I will save a few bucks with the package at Tiffins seeing we're paying op. I'm hearing most are saving about $20 per person so even with TH upcharge I'm still ahead and I'm still hoping for ROL or maybe Maggie, her senior group and some alligators

 

[HopperFan]

Since you quoted me I will tell you how the whole conversation went. The CM is in the know for sure as I mentioned he is ultimately in charge of the entire project including ROL (his name is escaping me this am but his last project was the new fantasyland expansion). We had dinner with him at Citrico's in early May. At dinner he was talking about the new night time attractions about to launch at AK and he included ROL in that statement. I was confused and asked since I had heard it was postponed indefinitely. He apologized and clarified that there was not an official name for the theater there so they had been calling it ROL theater. I then asked if once AK opened for evening hours if it would continue (since all the advertising was for summer and no fall evening hours had been released yet) and he said yes. So I asked if Jungle Book would be running until ROL was ready since we were going back this fall. He said a show would be running in that theater once they launched memorial weekend but not necessarily Jungle Book. They had many stories they could put on there until ROL was ready. He acknowledged that they have run into production difficulties and until they can correct them to ensure the production will perform correctly on a regular basis they will not launch the show. The comment about "many shows" stuck with me since it really made it sound like the problems may be a lot more serious than Disney has acknowledged.

Was it Mark Kohl? He was in charge of New Fantasyland and pretty much at the top. While he might not be the one in charge of all things, he would know what is happening. DS had a DWI meal with him and it was awesome.

I think there is no doubt any/all blank canvas venues should be designed to handled all kinds of programming, what is not a good sign is that there may be multiple programs in the works to replace RoL for now. I think it's more important to put something of quality out there as quality beats quantity.

 

[KateP85]

I am wondering if the JB show is really as bad as people make it sound or if the authors of these reviews went in with the wrong expectations (no offence to anyone on this thread who has viewed it and thought it was bad - it may very well be very bad ) I haven't seen the show so I can't comment about it being good or bad (also haven't watched any videos or the likes). A lot of these reviews just feel like "you promised me this awesome show and now I get that aweful stuff?" but if they had gotten the "aweful stuff" without the promise of the awesome show first, it would have been the bestest show in the world. You know what I mean? Again, I can be completely wrong - it's just what it comes across as sometimes.

I'm one of the people who gave a negative review. I'm not sure, I probably did go in having high expectations - I knew this show wouldn't be RoL and I knew it had been put together very quickly, so I wasn't expecting a spectacular show. I assumed it might be like Festival of the Lion King, with singing and dancing, plus some cool light effects. But FOTLK has this great energy, the costumes and sets are great, and I love the music. The JB show didn't have the same energy, it didn't hold my attention, you could really tell it had been put together quickly.

But you might be right. If the show had just been put out there with no hype, or at least without the hype Disney created, I might have enjoyed it more. I'm curious as to what will happen now, if the reviews continue to be negative and especially if people aren't booking the dinner packages.

 

[tinkerhon]

I am wondering if the JB show is really as bad as people make it sound or if the authors of these reviews went in with the wrong expectations (no offence to anyone on this thread who has viewed it and thought it was bad - it may very well be very bad ) I haven't seen the show so I can't comment about it being good or bad (also haven't watched any videos or the likes). A lot of these reviews just feel like "you promised me this awesome show and now I get that aweful stuff?" but if they had gotten the "aweful stuff" without the promise of the awesome show first, it would have been the bestest show in the world. You know what I mean? Again, I can be completely wrong - it's just what it comes across as sometimes.

We've been wondering the same, and are still planning on seeing it for ourselves on 7/1 --- however, we have friends that were in Disney this week--- casual Disney fans, and they went in with no expectations at all. Just to be entertained. They were not aware of the whole "ROL" issue. DW spoke with them the next day, and they said the show was terrible, and they felt bad for the performers. They said they found the show to be very boring, and their kids (9 and 13 ) couldn't wait for it to end.

 

[jlundeen]

We've been wondering the same, and are still planning on seeing it for ourselves on 7/1 --- however, we have friends that were in Disney this week--- casual Disney fans, and they went in with no expectations at all. Just to be entertained. They were not aware of the whole "ROL" issue. DW spoke with them the next day, and they said the show was terrible, and they felt bad for the performers. They said they found the show to be very boring, and their kids (9 and 13 ) couldn't wait for it to end.

That's really so sad. I am sure that the performers are giving it their all, and if it's just not well conceived, or staged well, that's certainly not their fault. Too bad the people who are calling the shots on this stuff are not front and center on stage explaining themselves to the guests who have endured this circus.

I'm also in the camp that I would rather see something good if I have to wait even 1/2 hour in line for it, than to have nothing there at all...some poor decisions being made right now, in my opinion.

 

[KMWoolley]

Let's see if I can pull this off...
Part of me is glad I didn't get to see this 'placeholder' show, based on reviews.
That same part of me is fighting off a smug grin because the reason RoL didn't go is because the Disney folks didn't want a sub-standard show put forth.
Part of me feels bad for all the people that invested plans into this hoping the show would rival the expected RoL show, only to fall flat.
Part of me is still is frustrated that they aren't ready to set better dates for people to plan to.
Part of me is relieved that my trip has already passed and I am just a spectator at this point.

So basically emotions are battling for control of my facial muscles and I'm scaring my co-workers.

 

[dachsie]

I am wondering if the JB show is really as bad as people make it sound or if the authors of these reviews went in with the wrong expectations (no offence to anyone on this thread who has viewed it and thought it was bad - it may very well be very bad ) I haven't seen the show so I can't comment about it being good or bad (also haven't watched any videos or the likes). A lot of these reviews just feel like "you promised me this awesome show and now I get that aweful stuff?" but if they had gotten the "aweful stuff" without the promise of the awesome show first, it would have been the bestest show in the world. You know what I mean? Again, I can be completely wrong - it's just what it comes across as sometimes.

I have watched the show several times on the videos posted and I think I would have enjoyed it if I had been there. Most disappointment comes from a person's expectations in these situations

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I had no intentions of watching videos ahead of time -- wanted to experience it in person that first time. Though reviews are mixed, they are mostly bad overall, from what I can tell. Now I'm tempted to watch online just to decide if it's worth doing for us.

We are not generally big on the more "minor" shows in WDW... the castle shows and the like. We are into wishes, HalloWishes, Star Wars fireworks, Paint the Night (DL), World of Color (DL) and the MNSSHP parade. We do F! once every few years, even though we're in WDW at least twice a year. I've seen Illuminations a couple of times -- mostly "meh" to us. We've seen each stage show once, but aren't repeat watchers of things like the Lion King, Nemo, Beauty and the Beast shows.

Sounds like based on our "profile", JB may not be for us... ... and I was SO looking forward to RoL...

I have always seen JB as a placeholder -- I never had really high expectations. But it sounds from most reviews like it STILL doesn't get a passing grade FROM MOST as a placeholder.

All that said, we are going to TH and Tiffins REGARDLESS... so may as well keep the packages and play it by ear, maybe?!? I'm thinking I might wait a bit to watch an online video of JB... maybe they'll tweak some things...

 

[Delgado]

I am wondering if the JB show is really as bad as people make it sound or if the authors of these reviews went in with the wrong expectations (no offence to anyone on this thread who has viewed it and thought it was bad - it may very well be very bad ) I haven't seen the show so I can't comment about it being good or bad (also haven't watched any videos or the likes). A lot of these reviews just feel like "you promised me this awesome show and now I get that aweful stuff?" but if they had gotten the "aweful stuff" without the promise of the awesome show first, it would have been the bestest show in the world. You know what I mean? Again, I can be completely wrong - it's just what it comes across as sometimes.

So I thought the show seemed interesting. Really if you enjoy the costuming, lights, and that stuff there is nothing not to like. It is a cool set up. I thought the water projections looked great, I was off to the side of the middle. However, the show couldnt capture my ds7 attention. He LOVED the jungle book and I was kind of surprised. He loves.singing the songs, but like I said it just moved slow. I didnt stay and watch the whole thing. It just didnt feel like I was missing anything really. Once you see the set up watch a little bit, I felt content. Anyone who is going to wdw should atleast peek at it. Its not awful and horrible. Its just different. Everything about ak at night feels kinda odd. Idk why but it does. However I got to experience the safari at 8 (actual sun going down) in a thunderstorm and it was so COOL! The lightning lit everything up to help see. We saw elephants lions, crocs, the rhino was right beside us, and a few others. But they were hard to see. The fake sunset it extremely amazing from a certain spot. But the odd orange lights are out of place feeling in others

 

[CMNJ]

Was it Mark Kohl? He was in charge of New Fantasyland and pretty much at the top. While he might not be the one in charge of all things, he would know what is happening. DS had a DWI meal with him and it was awesome.

I think there is no doubt any/all blank canvas venues should be designed to handled all kinds of programming, what is not a good sign is that there may be multiple programs in the works to replace RoL for now. I think it's more important to put something of quality out there as quality beats quantity.

No I couldn't remember his last name but his first name was Tim-I googled "Walt Disney imagineer Tim" and found him-Tim Warzecha
Here is a interview with him about NFL

 

[Marlyn]

So, our airline cancelled one of our flights. Now in order to get there we need to fly out a day earlier and overnight in Toronto. Positive side of this is we are now getting to Orlando at 10:45 am instead of 11:35 pm....just booked Rose and Crown for dinner with FP for Soarin and spaceship earth. Cant complain about an extra day at Disney!

 

[HopperFan]

No I couldn't remember his last name but his first name was Tim-I googled "Walt Disney imagineer Tim" and found him-Tim Warzecha
Here is a interview with him about NFL

You got a good one. Mark Kohl is the Director, so over him. DS actually ran in to him again while waiting for 7DMT day after it opened and he remembered DS, that was kinda cool! So interesting to hear all the stuff he works on, he's been doing Disney Springs recently. DS has done the DWI several times and has had all great people/interaction. He tries to book every trip but it's so hard. He hasn't done the dinner yet.

 

[CMNJ]

You got a good one. Mark Kohl is the Director, so over him. DS actually ran in to him again while waiting for 7DMT day after it opened and he remembered DS, that was kinda cool! So interesting to hear all the stuff he works on, he's been doing Disney Springs recently. DS has done the DWI several times and has had all great people/interaction. He tries to book every trip but it's so hard. He hasn't done the dinner yet.

My husband has actually done it 3 times (2 lunches and the dinner) and enjoyed the interactions with all 3. I think he liked the food at lunch better (I've only done the dinner). The entree options at Citrico's were chicken or short ribs which was disappointing. The rest of the meal was really good but the short ribs were just ok. It was a LONG dinner though so tell your son to keep that in mind if he does it. I got the impression that most of the other guests weren't going back to the park that night and the dinner was like almost 3.5 hrs-we literally saw the last float of the MSEP leaving Main Street when we got to MK that night.

 

[HopperFan]

My husband has actually done it 3 times (2 lunches and the dinner) and enjoyed the interactions with all 3. I think he liked the food at lunch better (I've only done the dinner). The entree options at Citrico's were chicken or short ribs which was disappointing. The rest of the meal was really good but the short ribs were just ok. It was a LONG dinner though so tell your son to keep that in mind if he does it. I got the impression that most of the other guests weren't going back to the park that night and the dinner was like almost 3.5 hrs-we literally saw the last float of the MSEP leaving Main Street when we got to MK that night.

Okay will share.

Honestly if he could sit with one of them for 5 hours he would be fine with it. He has an AP so he doesn't worry about the DHS one taking up time, and he does LOVE the food at HBD.

 

[dachsie]

Hope everyone is having a good day!

 

[Iowamomof4]

Today was my ADR day and I got most of what I wanted, so I'm having a pretty good day!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Hope everyone is having a good day!

And to you as well. Yes, I've been trying to catch up... Sounds like Jungle Book is not getting good reviews, baby ROLF (excuse me - I'm forgetting his *actual* name!) is adorable! and nothing new on ROL. What am I missing?