Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[jlundeen]

Another video

I liked that video much better than the other one...looks like a beautiful and amazingly techincal show! I sped through some of it, as I'd rather see it in person, but what I saw was gorgeous. And I liked the ending...

 

[Jayhawk75]

Sorry for not finding the answer to this in this thread, but what's the latest rumor on when they will kick off this nightly show? We are at AK on 3/23, and park closes at 7pm. I have ADR at Yak & Yeti, and now I'm nervous if they are holding the show then we will miss it due to our late ADR...

 

[rteetz]

Sorry for not finding the answer to this in this thread, but what's the latest rumor on when they will kick off this nightly show? We are at AK on 3/23, and park closes at 7pm. I have ADR at Yak & Yeti, and now I'm nervous if they are holding the show then we will miss it due to our late ADR...

Show is supposed to debut to the public within the next two weeks.

 

[Mike_Mac]

As several people have noted, wow-factors don't have to be fireworks (perhaps percussion booms that close to the animals might not be desirable). It also seems reasonable that if the audience isn't quite sure when a show is over, or if there are pacing issues, then some tweaks are required. Personally, I find figuring out when the show actually begins is a little unclear in the video - there are several minutes of "lotus floating around time" where everything is silent but for some ambient rain forest-styled sounds in the background. Perhaps they're using that time to transport people into the "world of the show" as well as get the floating elements into their starting positions?

But as I think back to the Main Street Electrical parade, one could make a valid argument that it just steadily plods along its parade route, that it doesn't have the most modern and wow-factor elements compared to other Disney parades, and that it's finale is just a few CMs with night lights bringing up the rear as the crowds fold in behind. That being said, my family and I want to see it every time we go to the Magic Kingdom (where oh where is the replacement??). It taps into something that many of us like and return to see again and again, just as so many other Disney shows and attractions do. Maybe it had something to do with it living within the bubble of the Magic Kingdom and how it transitioned with Celebrate the Magic and Wishes along Main Street.

So, pacing and ending issues aside, I wonder if it will have a wow-factor when seen in person with 5,000 people versus through a video with what appeared to be empty stands? How much will the nighttime ambiance of AK contribute? And if my children are amazed by it, how much of their experience is going to transfer to me?

I think the positive thing to take away from the show so far is that it has the potential to be endlessly tweaked. Even if they didn't hit the high-bar goals they set out with years ago, at least the technology is there with the elements they have, and they can work on the story-execution. And as more time goes by, surely can add more technology based elements to it.

 

[KateP85]

I haven't watched the video yet, I'm trying to resist the temptation and see it myself.

My favorite show at any of the Disney parks is World of Color which, correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't have any form of pyrotechnics. It's all based on music and lighting and water, and yet it manages to be absolutely spectacular. I'm actually in the Disney minority and have zero interest in fireworks so I'm pretty excited to see another show that relies more on creativity and imagination than big booms.

If anyone hears of a soft opening date, let me know; I'd quite like to take my 4-year old to go see it.

Oh, and in other news, baby RoLf turns one next month...just to put the RoL time frame in perspective!

 

[jlundeen]

I haven't watched the video yet, I'm trying to resist the temptation and see it myself.

My favorite show at any of the Disney parks is World of Color which, correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't have any form of pyrotechnics. It's all based on music and lighting and water, and yet it manages to be absolutely spectacular. I'm actually in the Disney minority and have zero interest in fireworks so I'm pretty excited to see another show that relies more on creativity and imagination than big booms.

If anyone hears of a soft opening date, let me know; I'd quite like to take my 4-year old to go see it.

Oh, and in other news, baby RoLf turns one next month...just to put the RoL time frame in perspective!

OK, I think we need to do a Lounge Party for baby RoLf!!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

My favorite show at any of the Disney parks is World of Color which, correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't have any form of pyrotechnics. It's all based on music and lighting and water, and yet it manages to be absolutely spectacular. I'm actually in the Disney minority and have zero interest in fireworks so I'm pretty excited to see another show that relies more on creativity and imagination than big booms.

There are definitely fire effects in WOC (at least some of the versions I have seen), but not what I would call fireworks. But that could also be because of the wind issues they have an Anaheim.

 

[bluezy]

.....
Oh, and in other news, baby RoLf turns one next month...just to put the RoL time frame in perspective!

That doesn't seem possible...I know it is...but it really does put in to perspective just how long we've been waiting for this show to start.

 

[Mike_Mac]

Okay, the engineer geek in me is more than a little impressed by the lotus flowers. Separate navigation systems, propulsion, water pumps, multi-faceted light projections, motors that open and close the petals... And, they didn't appear to run into each other (bonus), while in the right places when the smaller shoreline projectors light up their individual water streams. Not bad at all.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

My favorite show at any of the Disney parks is World of Color which, correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't have any form of pyrotechnics. It's all based on music and lighting and water, and yet it manages to be absolutely spectacular. I'm actually in the Disney minority and have zero interest in fireworks so I'm pretty excited to see another show that relies more on creativity and imagination than big booms.

I love love love WoC!!!! It definitely became tied with F! for me. They do some kind of flame shooting thing but that's about it. But that show is just genius, the storyline, the yanking at your nostalgic heartstrings, the beautiful music, the change in pacing throughout the show…it's truly a Disney masterpiece. I just got to see it Summer 2015… probably explains why I'm so disappointed in this show! AK is my favorite WDW park too, it deserves better.

 

[HopperFan]

Oh, and in other news, baby RoLf turns one next month...just to put the RoL time frame in perspective!

OK, I think we need to do a Lounge Party for baby RoLf!!!!!

That doesn't seem possible...I know it is...but it really does put in to perspective just how long we've been waiting for this show to start.

WOW .... before you know it you will be telling us the "baby" is in the DCP program!!

Okay, the engineer geek in me is more than a little impressed by the lotus flowers. Separate navigation systems, propulsion, water pumps, multi-faceted light projections, motors that open and close the petals... And, they didn't appear to run into each other (bonus), while in the right places when the smaller shoreline projectors light up their individual water streams. Not bad at all.

I think (and did last April) that the lotus flowers ARE the show. They are so cool with all they can do!

The stain glass animals are just stunning but didn't seem to participate as much.




FOR those calling it Illuminations 2.0 .......

From @IrishRed02

From Lance Around Orlando

 

[rteetz]

There are definitely fire effects in WOC (at least some of the versions I have seen), but not what I would call fireworks. But that could also be because of the wind issues they have an Anaheim.

Yes there is but there were not any fire affects in the original I believe. Fire was most notably part of the 60th anniversary version.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes there is but there were not any fire affects in the original I believe. Fire was most notably part of the 60th anniversary version.

If I recall properly, it also had a pretty big presence in the Season of Light version this past Christmas.

 

[rteetz]

If I recall properly, it also had a pretty big presence in the Season of Light version this past Christmas.

Yes, and I bet it will have a presence in more future versions of the show as well.

 

[Ydnameht]

I'm trying to decide if I want to watch the video(s) or not.
I'm headed back to WDW on the 19th. Maybe I'll get to see it for real then (although it's gonna be an adventure figuring out how to fit it in)! Or maybe it will be the 4th trip of mine after RoL was originally supposed to open where it is still MIA. We shall see.

 

[rteetz]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/rivers-of-light-dining-package/

Dining package page is live

 

[PolyRob]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/rivers-of-light-dining-package/

Dining package page is live

Interesting it is only every other night through the first week of April. Doesn't seem to be bookable yet (at least for me), either. I get "Please call 407-WDW-DINE to make a reservation."

 

[rteetz]

Interesting it is only every other night through the first week of April. Doesn't seem to be bookable yet (at least for me), either. I get "Please call 407-WDW-DINE to make a reservation."

Yep. Likely will go live soon.

 

[Metalliman98]

Yep. Likely will go live soon.

As in, tomorrow when reservations open? Hate to get up at 3 am for nothing.

 

[PolyRob]

Yep. Likely will go live soon.

Trying to fit it in my plans now. Had hoped for a Friday! Looks like the ADR time selection goes until 4:30pm for Tuesday, 3/7. Assuming it may be a 7pm show similar to Fantasmic!