Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[AngiTN]

I have some useful (or frustrating) information to share.
I have a close friend who is a server and has worked for Disney for well over 10 years. She has gotten each position she has applied for at 3 different restaurants. She just told me this morning that interviews for Tiffins started late February and her interview was March 7th. She was told not to expect to hear back from them on the position until May 1st, and that they are not allowed to ask for any time off in June. So this tells her they will hire the positions early May, assume some time to give "notice" at current location, then start training for Tiffins in a week or two then opening in June. This schedule is just a guess on her part based on her past experience with changing restaurants at Disney.
So, if this continues as she was told then there is obviously zero chance Tiffins opens in time for the April 22nd ROL since they will not have hired one single server by then.
So maybe they are having second thoughts about opening up dining packages right away for the show since it might really burden Tusker House and Flame Tree for that first month? Who knows?
If she gets a call any sooner than May (saying she got the job or not) she will let me know, but they very clearly told her not to expect to hear anything before then at her interview.

Interesting. Though I can't see them delaying the debut of RoL because Tiffin's isn't ready to open. Not after they have made the public announcement of the date.
Now, they may well miss the date for one reason or another but I simply can't imagine it is because Tiffin's isn't ready.
I can see them holding off on dining packages until it opens. Though honestly I still think they could offer the ones they have and just use FP or Standby for the rest of the audience. It's not like folks would know how many seats are allocated to dining packages anyway so having half the final number won't be known to anyone but planners at Disney.

 

[tinkerhon]

This entire situation is making me have nightmares !! Lol

And day-mares !!

First person that posts that they were able to book a dining package ....

 

[kgeary]

While this is very frustrating (I've been up early checking and making calls like the rest of you)...we arrive on 4-22 and rescheduled our February trip specifically for this show...it would have seemed if they were pushing back from 4-22 they would have announced much earlier than now. It would be very embarrassing to have this 4-22 announcement with all the video and social media push and then push it back.

Whatever the reason for lack of FP+ or Dining package info we have I can't imagine it's because the show is being pushed back from it's opening date.

 

[hawaiiangal]

We very much appreciate any and all tips. It could be those dates are accurate for all hires, it could be those dates are accurate for when they want to hire your friend.
Hopefully your friend will get the job.

True, but they did tell her that the restaurant opening was "behind schedule" which is why they said May hire - I should have mentioned that sorry! But you could still be right, I have no idea how they hire servers for restaurants - maybe they do hire one group earlier than another group a little later - that sounds really weird but I've never been in a restaurant business.
And who knows what "behind schedule" means when we don't really know what their intended opening date was? Still so many questions!

And thanks - I think she has an excellent chance of getting the position!

 

[Rivergirl2005]

I am also curious to see if any shows will go later in the night as well, like Lion King, Nemo or Wings of Flight.....

 

[jlundeen]

I am also curious to see if any shows will go later in the night as well, like Lion King, Nemo or Wings of Flight.....

"Oh, you want to know HOURS?????" asks Disney Planners. "Well, why didn't you just say so....we'll get right on it....Check the BLOG for updates SOON."

 

[Vernie822]

I am also curious to see if any shows will go later in the night as well, like Lion King, Nemo or Wings of Flight.....

Birds in the dark? Oh heck no.

 

[horse11]

At this point I would just like to be reassured that AOL and the night activities will be available during our May trip. I would be just as happy to snag a FP instead of a dinning package or at least know if there WILL be 3 shows our AK night at least giving us a chance to see it. I need a cocktail and I do not even drink lol!!!

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

This entire situation is making me have nightmares !! Lol

And day-mares !!

First person that posts that they were able to book a dining package ....

This post made my day.

 

[ironz]

Here is my thinking based on what's happening. April 15th and 16th previews were cancelled because they think they won't be ready. April 17th is still on for now. April 22nd is still the official opening. There is also supposed to be an AK media event on the 19th.

Just wish they would say something. We are there the weekend of the 'preview' if they even have it, and I would have been happy to pay for for the preview party. Now it looks like the options might be (continued speculation): no preview; preview pushed back; preview going to be all sold out to CMs and insiders; or just maybe we'll hear something by April? We were going to plan a Universal day (have never been) but I'd rather us have a chance to see the new show if at all possible. sigh...

 

[jlundeen]

One other thing I noticed this morning about the BLOG, is that right above our comments section, it noted that there was "1 reply"...but that reply didn't appear among the comments. Now, that "1 reply" is no longer there...seems Ms. Jennifer changed her mind, or maybe found our frustration a little overwhelming....

 

[KateP85]

True, but they did tell her that the restaurant opening was "behind schedule" which is why they said May hire - I should have mentioned that sorry! But you could still be right, I have no idea how they hire servers for restaurants - maybe they do hire one group earlier than another group a little later - that sounds really weird but I've never been in a restaurant business.
And who knows what "behind schedule" means when we don't really know what their intended opening date was? Still so many questions!

And thanks - I think she has an excellent chance of getting the position!

Very interesting, thank for sharing your info. I used to be a server at Disney, and although I never opened a new restaurant, I was there when new restaurants opened. They typically hire everyone new together so they can all be trained together, so I would assume the dates you told your friend were for all the new severs. A signature restaurant should have a good few weeks training, so if they're looking to hire in May, I would assume a June (probably late June) opening would be accurate. I'm not surprised it's behind schedule, I thought it was odd we hadn't really heard anything yet.

 

[hawaiiangal]

Interesting. Though I can't see them delaying the debut of RoL because Tiffin's isn't ready to open. Not after they have made the public announcement of the date.
Now, they may well miss the date for one reason or another but I simply can't imagine it is because Tiffin's isn't ready.
I can see them holding off on dining packages until it opens. Though honestly I still think they could offer the ones they have and just use FP or Standby for the rest of the audience. It's not like folks would know how many seats are allocated to dining packages anyway so having half the final number won't be known to anyone but planners at Disney.

I agree, I don't think this has an effect on ROL opening on April 22nd at all. As I mentioned, it just might be why they haven't released the dining packages. But that is still odd because they clearly know that Tiffins is not going to be available at ROL opening - so deal with what you have - which is Tusker House, Flame Tree, FP, and Standby - figure it out and release what we need!

 

[KateP85]

DH still has tickets to the 4/15 preview, whether it goes on or not! He did comment that if it were cancelled, he'd probably get as much notice as the rest of us! On another note, they're sending him to Disneyland Paris in May for a week. He gets to stay at the Disneyland Paris Hotel. I will be here in Florida with a 3-year old and a new baby. Lucky me!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I am also curious to see if any shows will go later in the night as well, like Lion King, Nemo or Wings of Flight.....

I would say no chance on flights, high chance on nemo but I'm not sure about lion King. They might rather have guests in harambe for all the street entertainment and may not want festival of the lion King taking away from that.

 

[jlundeen]

DH still has tickets to the 4/15 preview, whether it goes on or not! He did comment that if it were cancelled, he'd probably get as much notice as the rest of us! On another note, they're sending him to Disneyland Paris in May for a week. He gets to stay at the Disneyland Paris Hotel. I will be here in Florida with a 3-year old and a new baby. Lucky me!

Hope all goes well with your new baby's arrival!! Can't wait to hear the news and see photos of baby "River"...LOL

Maybe the 4/15 one is specifically for CMs/Corporate....no need for dining for FP for that.

 

[Marlyn]

After reading this mornings comments, I am thinking that the theory that ADRs are on hold due to Tiffins sounds plausible. I think ROL will open the 22nd as planned but dining packages might be on hold until Tiffins is open. Now....that doesn't explain why no FP+ available to book yet....or why park hours aren't posted.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Birds in the dark? Oh heck no.

People are always saying that some of the rides are a different experience at night.

They could rework the night time FOW with a Hitchcockian theme.

 

[AngiTN]

I am also curious to see if any shows will go later in the night as well, like Lion King, Nemo or Wings of Flight.....

Good question.
Flights of Wonder is closed for extensive remodel right now. I know they are adding a roof to the seating area. It's possible they are also adding lights. I have no idea.

 

[Jcon]

I am also curious to see if any shows will go later in the night as well, like Lion King, Nemo or Wings of Flight.....

That would change their entire cast schedule, I would imagine. Could they increase the amount of shows with the current crews they have?