The latest about River of Lights?

[dburg30]

They add hours. Sometimes the week before. If ROL come out, the close will be later.

Sometimes the day of they extend hours. I am still holding out how ever little hope for a soft opening sometime between the 15th and 20th of October lol.. Well, anytime but the 17th I already have plans that night.

 

[joelkfla]

I am going dec 2017 and realized there is like 5 things I want to do at AK, then whatever night stuff they have. I just have no idea if the new avatar stuff will be opened by next dec or just rivers of light?

On another thread, multiple folks said they're hearing that Pandora is on schedule for at least a partial opening Spring or Summer 2017.

 

[JacknSally]

A poster in a Disney group I'm in on FB said there was a reported rumor that ROL previews should start 10/16 with the show debuting mid-November. @rteetz does that sound in line with anything you've heard? We'll be in AK on 10/25 and would love to see it.. Hopefully previews aren't limited to AP/DVC/CM. Fingers crossed!

 

[rteetz]

A poster in a Disney group I'm in on FB said there was a reported rumor that ROL previews should start 10/16 with the show debuting mid-November. @rteetz does that sound in line with anything you've heard? We'll be in AK on 10/25 and would love to see it.. Hopefully previews aren't limited to AP/DVC/CM. Fingers crossed!

I haven't heard a specific date but yes that's pretty much what I've heard. Initial previews will be limited to AP/DVC/CM but should open up later for everyone.

 

[JacknSally]

I haven't heard a specific date but yes that's pretty much what I've heard. Initial previews will be limited to AP/DVC/CM but should open up later for everyone.

sad to hear that. We aren't any of those unfortunately so it'll probably be a few years before we get to see it. Sucks to be so close and yet so far!

 

[RachaelA]

Do they have ap/dvc/cm sign up whenever they start the previews or do they usually just have people show up?

 

[dburg30]

We happen to be both AP and DVC so continuing to hope

 

[xipotec]

Just a note....when Fantasyland was in preview we were there.....was suppose to be AP , CM etc etc.....we asked the CM "guarding" the entrence.....he asked if we were in those groups.....we told the truth.....he let us in anyway.

Happened both days, different CM's . If its not filled up I think they might let you in....just ask!

 

[tonyhb12]

Even if ROL is ready, it's not enough just to start running the show for the public. They'll want to create a big marketing splash, which probably takes some time and money.

Didn't the already market it?

 

[gorkt]

It figures it would open mid November when I am going early November. Oh well....

 

[dburg30]

Didn't the already market it?

I know they have a nice page on the WDW website..

 

[ArielSRL]

FWIW we did 2 night safaris on our June trip to experiment with different times. The 1st one we did very late (like 9:30) and it sucked big time. The 2nd one we timed right at sunset and it was awesome. We saw lots of animals (and a real sunset) but the best part was the lions! They were out running & playing & chasing each other like real cats! They jumped from rock to rock & ran all over that central island area. It was so cool....

Agreed that right before sunset is the best time to go. But I also like the idea of doing a daytime and a sunset one, if one has time.

 

[bryanb]

Didn't the already market it?

Yes but they would need a new marketing campaign. Get the word back out into the press with press releases, a preview event for key media, schedule interviews, buy broadcast and online advertising with new date callouts, engage with synergy partners within the company to promote it on broadcast, print and radio. I could write pages of things that need to be done. It's several full time jobs and making the machine work in a large company involves a lot of work. Exciting work. But work.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I have done safaris in Botswana and South Africa. Night time can be great, if the guide has a proper light (red, if I recall correctly) and can stop the vehicle--here at KS, they don't stop the vehicle (unless necessary) and they don't have the lights, so seeing the animals is very difficult. Sunset/dusk is perfect, though.
I did the first DVC Safari Spectacular and had a FP for the safari at 830pm and then I did a walk on much later when it was completely dark. Big difference in the experience.

 

[Somnia]

How is that possible ? in December...? My early Nov. visit is only showing hours till 7:00 pm

Very good chance hours will be extended. My trip is Oct 29th-Nov 5th and they extended AK to 8:30PM every night just like a week and a half/2 weeks ago.

 

[lpizzuro123]

We will be in WDW Oct 23 to Nov 4 and have AP's so we can hop whenever we want. Hope they have some sort of preview then. We were down in May when ROL was originally supposed to open and went to the first night of the Jungle Book show. Hope we will hit it lucky next month.

 

[DizDaD7]

Hours can and will be extended.

But I thought they just were..Changed that is. Last week they were showing hours only till 5:00 pm. I just assumed at 7pm that would be it.?

 

[rteetz]

But I thought they just were..Changed that is. Last week they were showing hours only till 5:00 pm. I just assumed at 7pm that would be it.?

I'd imagine once it's officially announced they will be extended again.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

It figures it would open mid November when I am going early November. Oh well....

Same here. But I am AP and hope there will at least be AP previews by early November.

 

[DizDaD7]

Very good chance hours will be extended. My trip is Oct 29th-Nov 5th and they extended AK to 8:30PM every night just like a week and a half/2 weeks ago.

I truly hope so.... It's soo confusing..I currnetly have an ARD at Sanaa at 545 & w/ a 7 pm closing I might have to juggle things around a bit...