Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[TheDisneyNurse]

So my sister and I just booked a super last minute trip this Mon-Wed. We're looking to do the Tuesday ROL, no FP or DP. Is it worth even trying standby? Will it just take up my whole evening? I live 3 hours away and visit nearly once a month. Should I just let it all settle down and go when I can secure a FP? My other option is to just have a nice dinner somewhere in a park or resort and roam around DS at night. Or see fantasmic.

 

[HopperFan]

So my sister and I just booked a super last minute trip this Mon-Wed. We're looking to do the Tuesday ROL, no FP or DP. Is it worth even trying standby? Will it just take up my whole evening? I live 3 hours away and visit nearly once a month. Should I just let it all settle down and go when I can secure a FP? My other option is to just have a nice dinner somewhere in a park or resort and roam around DS at night. Or see fantasmic.

If it were me, I would only do FP+ or DP. From how it's being described on other posts the bulk of the theater is those two leaving not much for Standby. With a short trip I wouldn't want to be standing around in line waiting, even the FP+ lines have been reported long.

 

[HopperFan]

Interesting review on Orlando Sentinel.
I'm not really sure if they liked it or didn't.
I found much of their description interesting and different from other reviews.
Lots of words to describe caught my eye, as curious.



First look: 'Rivers of Light' at Disney's Animal Kingdom

The show at Disney's Animal Kingdom explores nature and the connection between animals and humans with live performers, floating lanterns, fountains, special effects and animal imagery, giant water screens and more.

Dewayne Bevil
Contact Reporter Orlando Sentinel

Walt Disney World has been gearing up for the grand opening of “Rivers of Light,” the first nighttime spectacular at Animal Kingdom. But this past weekend, theme park guests were able to see the full production for the first time as part of “soft opening” presentations.

What they saw on the “Light” side: floating lotus blossoms that morph into colorful, prancing fountains, oversized animal sculptures that could well be from a species of Tiffany lamps and gigantic water curtains featuring splashy wildlife projections.

What audiences didn’t experience: a complicated story, animated characters or bombastic pyrotechnics common with Disney World finales.

Sunday night’s show, for invited guests and visitors who secured FastPass+ reservations, appeared to be smooth sailing. It began with the floating flowers that change colors with the music and eventually blossom to reveal fountains that shoot water streams in various forms and all directions. In the final moments of “Rivers,” the largest lotus sprouts a blazing tower, probably the most memorable segment of the show.

The floating fountains aren’t as sexy an effect as, say, 300 drones in the sky, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t complicated. The units are in near-constant motion while traveling on the theme park’s Discovery River, simultaneously spinning and spewing.

In the beginning, dramatic lighting on distant trees frames shadowy figures of animals. (Audience members also can hear them, allowing minds to wander to the real residents of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.) Later, barges carrying boxy, internally lit animal figures drift into the picture. The one with two elephants brings to mind Stella, the calf recently birthed at the theme park.

Wildlife also take the spotlight on large, arched water screens, sometimes running across multiple sprays. Down on the water’s surface, there are animals — baby bears, assorted birds — virtually splashing, thanks to technology tucked into the floating lotuses.

The show also has live humans on its watery stage, although they can get lost among the oversized imagery. A boat floats by with a drummer, but a silhouette on its sail commands attention.

All of this is set to an enjoyable, if evenly paced, soundtrack. The vibe is similar to the middle section of “IllumiNations,” the long-running nighttime show at Epcot.

It’s been a long journey for “Rivers of Light,” which was announced in October 2013 as part of a push to add after-dark entertainment at Animal Kingdom. In March 2016, a debut date of April 22 was announced. On April 19, media members were shown a portion of “Rivers of Light,” but also were told that a limited-run show named “Jungle Book: Alive With Magic” would be the first production to appear in the new 5,000-seat amphitheater.

But “Rivers,” set to have its official debut Friday, should help to entertain the masses expected to check out Pandora, the “Avatar”-inspired land scheduled to open at Animal Kingdom on May 27.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...y-rivers-light-first-look-20170213-story.html

 

[HopperFan]

Touring Plans is reporting the bridge is a good option if your only option.
Glad to see they are letting folks stand there.

TouringPlans ‏@TouringPlans
The bridge in between the two sections of the amphitheater is a great option if you're ok with standing #RiversofLight

 

[Cluelyss]

I believe I've read dining package seating is available on both sides, correct? Any recommendation on which would be better?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Touring Plans is reporting the bridge is a good option if your only option.
Glad to see they are letting folks stand there.

TouringPlans ‏@TouringPlans
The bridge in between the two sections of the amphitheater is a great option if you're ok with standing #RiversofLight

OMG thanks for posting that! Do you happen to know if elements of the show (like the water projection for example) are obstructed due to the location of the bridge? I may not be picturing the location correctly just wanted to know if unable to get a FP if the bridge would mean you miss out on certain parts of the show.

 

[HopperFan]

OMG thanks for posting that! Do you happen to know if elements of the show (like the water projection for example) are obstructed due to the location of the bridge? I may not be picturing the location correctly just wanted to know if unable to get a FP if the bridge would mean you miss out on certain parts of the show.

Honestly ever since this started I have chuckled that other than being extra distance away since bridge sits back some, it is probably the most direct view of everything.

I would avoid far right due to the show building there. You might lose some side views but watching the videos I don't think it's a huge loss, and certainly better than if you have no other choice.

ROBO's maps help

https://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-maps-by-robo.3545729/

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Honestly ever since this started I have chuckled that other than being extra distance away since bridge sits back some, it is probably the most direct view of everything.

I would avoid far right due to the show building there. You might lose some side views but watching the videos I don't think it's a huge loss, and certainly better than if you have no other choice.

ROBO's maps help

https://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-maps-by-robo.3545729/

Thank you so very much this helps a lot along with your input

 

[ArielSRL]

I believe I've read dining package seating is available on both sides, correct? Any recommendation on which would be better?

Dining package on the left only in @Robo's map, which @HopperFan posted above.

 

[Cluelyss]

Dining package on the left only in @Robo's map, which @HopperFan posted above.

Interesting, as TP's review states dining seating is on both sides. Glad I asked, as that wasn't what I remembered hearing before.

 

[HopperFan]

I believe I've read dining package seating is available on both sides, correct? Any recommendation on which would be better?

Dining package on the left only in @Robo's map, which @HopperFan posted above.

It sounds like from all reports that the Asia side is pure FP+, the Nemo side is Dining Packages and Standby.

It also sounds like from reports of those who have booked that the Dining Package it is only available for the first show if there are two, so conclusion would be if there are two shows the second show will have Nemo side ALL standby. So if I were going to attempt SB, and there are two shows, I would attempt second show.

Of course, any given moment this could all change as they work out the bugs. I'm just hoping they figure out this cluster of humanity that they have been dealing with (10,000 trying to enter/exit between shows on a narrow path in a dead end area of the park).

Interesting, as TP's review states dining seating is on both sides. Glad I asked, as that wasn't what I remembered hearing before.

Not to be negative but they have been reporting off stuff. They actually posted a photo of the renderings for CBR resort and stated it was CSR. It may be that Dining was on FP+ side during Jungle Book and they just assumed it would be the same rather than find out for sure.

Look above at Robo's map and it will show what is happening at this point.

 

[Mike_Mac]

Anecdotal evidence from last Friday, but it seems there are some crowd crushes as they try to shoo out 5,000 guests and shepherd another 5,000 in for the second showing of the night. Apparently, it did lead to some pedestrian gridlock...
https://twitter.com/laughing_place/status/832754035174338560
https://twitter.com/laughing_place/status/832754035174338560
https://twitter.com/laughing_place/status/832754035174338560
Still scratching my head about the venue only seating 5,000 people. I can see having site/space limitations as well as not wanting to create massive grandstands that take away from the AK aesthetic, but it would be nice if more people had access to it, even from a standing room only vantage. Based on the aerial photo, perhaps there just aren't any practical solutions that don't cause new headaches in some other fashion...

 

[HopperFan]

Anecdotal evidence from last Friday, but it seems there are some crowd crushes as they try to shoo out 5,000 guests and shepherd another 5,000 in for the second showing of the night. Apparently, it did lead to some pedestrian gridlock...
https://twitter.com/laughing_place/status/832754035174338560
Still scratching my head about the venue only seating 5,000 people. I can see having site/space limitations as well as not wanting to create massive grandstands that take away from the AK aesthetic, but it would be nice if more people had access to it, even from a standing room only vantage. Based on the aerial photo, perhaps there just aren't any practical solutions that don't cause new headaches in some other fashion...

Yes, I posted on another thread that and more pictures. Many, who are very familiar with the parks and setup were complaining. It was posted the first show was 20 minutes late starting (more technical?) but that doesn't changed 5000 will be leaving as 5000 that have been lined up, some more than an hour) will be entering. Most nights were reports of FP+ being back up to the monkeys and folks in line over an hour in advance.

They placed the entrances at the end of a horseshoe fairly narrow path. I am guessing they figured they can empty Fantasmic into the streets and do fine but it takes a long time to empty that theater ... thinking they need a bigger gap here. This area couldn't handle anything any bigger ... original leaks showed 3 shows per night, which still is way short of expected attendance after Pandora opens ....

Not a whole lot about this whole thing have been well thought out, planned and executed so no surprise.

Yes it was reported from quite a few sources over several nights
......... some with photos on twitter that FP+ lines were long.
Some reported lining up over an hour ahead of time in Asia.
With two shows and the FP+ there has been gridlock.
Not sure how you fix it, even with more time between shows,
FP+ folks will still be lined up as previous show exits.

Right now I have FP+ and slightly nervous about this situation,
but I hate to have to buy a meal just to see the show .....
and be on what sounds like the safer side.


This was just a few from last night ...

Mike @ Blog Mickey‏ @Blog_Mickey
Asia side dump for #RiversOfLight was one of the most crowded and dangerous situations we've been in. Terrible job, @WDWToday


Mr. Brian in Orlando‏@MrBrianORL
Holy FP crowds. #RiversOfLight

LaughingPlace.com‏ @laughing_place
Crowds trying to exit first show and queue for second show of #RiversofLight cause full stand still in Asia area of DAK

Disco Yeti‏ @discoyeti
When you leave #RiversOfLight, prepare for our new thrilling attraction, Stampede in the Dark! (No, seriously, it's a problem.)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ok so question here what time are they letting people into the second show then?

 

[Ydnameht]

My fellow loungers! It has been 10 months and three trips to WDW for me since my April trip where I originally thought I would see RoL. And tonight I finally saw it! It was a real thing and not just a rumor!

I liked it a lot. It was beautiful. The animal floats are gorgeous, the lotuses were impressive and I really enjoyed the music. I wish the projections on the water were a little clearer. But overall it was lovely and I would absolutely see it again.

 

[cmarsh31]

I actually saw ROL tonight! First seating, dining package. Seats on the left. Thanks to everyone's information here, I knew to sit all the way at the end, near the opening between the two sides. Kids ages 4, 7, 8, 11, plus adults all enjoyed it. Kids around us enjoyed it. We're totally glad I made the effort to change around our days to make this happen.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Never ended up going to ROL this past weekend, so my FP/Dining Package debate was all for not. We had FPs for Sunday night but decided we'd rather just hang around the Poly for our last night rather than venture out. ROL will have to wait until next time.

We did have a fantastic morning/day at AK though.

This was around noon at Nomad's. The park was very crowded but there was barely anyone here. An amazing oasis on a busy day. I'm sure they love when you roll in with a 6 year old in tow.


Won't be the same once this opens I assume....

 

[dachsie]

Everything I have seen about ROL has been good so far. I have seen it described as beautiful. Wonder if Kate got to see it yet

 

[HopperFan]

Everything I have seen about ROL has been good so far. I have seen it described as beautiful. Wonder if Kate got to see it yet

On phone can't figure two quotes. This is Kate's ..... few pages back.


We saw the show last night (my 4-year old and I) - I have mixed feelings. The show is perfect for Animal Kingdom; it's visually beautiful, the lights are amazing, the whole show just looks fantastic. I liked the music, but didn't go away humming it or anything. I thought in general it was very well done. Harrison sat through it, but got fidgety after about five minutes. By the end, he'd lost interest. I saw a few younger kids in the audience who seemed restless after a while, and I don't think this is a show for that age group. Now there's nothing wrong with that - catering to older kids and adults - but I think a nighttime show that closes the day should appeal to multiple generations. We were supposed to see the show again tonight but Harrison asked to go to Fantasmic! instead. He can sit through that show, through Illuminations, Wishes, etc, but RoL was the first one I've seen him seem bored in.

I liked the show, I really did, but I don't think I'd say it was spectacular. We're going to keep our dinner package for next week, but then I don't think I need to see it again for a while.

 

[HopperFan]

Never ended up going to ROL this past weekend, so my FP/Dining Package debate was all for not. We had FPs for Sunday night but decided we'd rather just hang around the Poly for our last night rather than venture out. ROL will have to wait until next time.

We did have a fantastic morning/day at AK though.

This was around noon at Nomad's. The park was very crowded but there was barely anyone here. An amazing oasis on a busy day. I'm sure they love when you roll in with a 6 year old in tow.
View attachment 221609

Won't be the same once this opens I assume....
View attachment 221610

LOVE LOVE Nomad Lounge. So fearful that when Pandora opens the secret will be out. We must tell everyone it's awful!!