New nighttime show 'Rivers of Light' confirmed to be coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update as of Friday, April 1. Some of the construction walls have been removed from around the lake at Rivers of Light, from the "entrance" pathway of Anandapur to Thirsty River beverages. The view of Expedition Everest from here has returned. The construction walls still remain around most of the Rivers of Light seating areas.

The pathway around this part of the lake affords new views of the Rivers of Light seating area to the north.

New view of the south Rivers of Light seating area from the pathway without the construction walls.

Without the construction walls, the openness of the pathway has returned on the approach to Expedition Everest.

Here is a widened area in the original pathway, with a new wall, separating the pathway from the north seating area below.

Final painting and flags appear on the new buildings at the rear of the seating areas.

 

[Rteetz]

Is this seating area going to be open during the day so people could just go and sit in there? Or is there going to be some sort of gate or something preventing that?

 

[Andrew C]

Photo update as of Friday, April 1. Some of the construction walls have been removed from around the lake at Rivers of Light, from the "entrance" pathway of Anandapur to Thirsty River beverages. The view of Expedition Everest from here has returned. The construction walls still remain around most of the Rivers of Light seating areas.

View attachment 136334

The pathway around this part of the lake affords new views of the Rivers of Light seating area to the north.

View attachment 136335

View attachment 136338

New view of the south Rivers of Light seating area from the pathway without the construction walls.

View attachment 136336
Without the construction walls, the openness of the pathway has returned on the approach to Expedition Everest.

View attachment 136337

Here is a widened area in the original pathway, with a new wall, separating the pathway from the north seating area below.

View attachment 136339

Final painting and flags appear on the new buildings at the rear of the seating areas.
View attachment 136340

Very impressive.

 

[G00fyDad]

Is this seating area going to be open during the day so people could just go and sit in there? Or is there going to be some sort of gate or something preventing that?

They'll probably have some form of a barrier. At least I would hope so.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

As far as I've been told ALL events involving RoL, including press and corporate/cast previews, have been canceled except for one event planned for the 19th that seems corporate related. The regular park hours for that reflect a 5 PM closing with the event after hours, but with the details being very up in the air.

Personally, I'm not seeing enough confidence from the right people that it will be show ready as projected. I've heard April 25th or 29th and May 1st or 6th floated as dates for RoL opening.

EDIT:
I've also been told that there will be some filming via helicopter between 4/2-4/7 around the parks and Springs. AKs will be done after dark, presumably for filming elements of RoL and the Tree.

 

[SpectroMan93]

The pathway around this part of the lake affords new views of the Rivers of Light seating area to the north.

View attachment 136335

New view of the south Rivers of Light seating area from the pathway without the construction walls.

View attachment 136336

I mean, I understand that each side is supposed to be themed according to the land it's in, but this really shows how poorly themed DinoLand USA is compared to the rest of the park. The more they add to the Asia side, the more bland the DinoLand side becomes.

 

[TTA94]

I wonder when Disney is going to drop the news of the delay.

 

[RMichael21]

I wonder when Disney is going to drop the news of the delay.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't find out at all or don't find out until mere days before the 22nd.

 

[TTA94]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't find out at all or don't find out until mere days before the 22nd.

They are going to be dealing with a lot of complaints.

 

[RMichael21]

They are going to be dealing with a lot of complaints.

Well, I really doubt that they care about these complaints. But, it should be interesting, to see how they're able to get the show ready.

But, as a person involved in theater, shows often don't come together often until just days before opening night. Now, I know comparing high school musical productions to this high-tech jigsaw puzzle is like comparing apples to oranges, but it's worthy to note that most times productions aren't show worthy three weeks before the first performance.

 

[raymusiccity]

They are going to be dealing with a lot of complaints.

I don't understand why Disney is keeping everyone in the dark (no pun intended) regarding the operating hours for Rivers of Light and the night safari.

We have reservations to visit during the middle of October, yet every single night shows Animal Kingdom closing before dark!

It sure borders on deceptive advertising to market a nighttime experience, without giving you a clue if you'll ever be able to see it during your stay.

 

[Cody5242]

Just saw a group of four spotlights coming from animal kingdom. I'm assuming it's for Rivers of Light testing

 

[Cesar R M]

Agreed, everyone keeps saying "Avatar" tree but Avatar has nothing to do with the current nighttime experiences in the park.

But the question will be.. "Will Avatar be added to the nighttime experiences when its open?"
But so far, the tree looks fantastic and dreamy.

 

[Cesar R M]

I don't understand why Disney is keeping everyone in the dark (no pun intended) regarding the operating hours for Rivers of Light and the night safari.

We have reservations to visit during the middle of October, yet every single night shows Animal Kingdom closing before dark!

It sure borders on deceptive advertising to market a nighttime experience, without giving you a clue if you'll ever be able to see it during your stay.

I think thats the point. Like most projects.. They prefer to keep people in the dark, so people do not cancel their old plans and then massively go on the proposed opening days.

 

[djkidkaz]

I wonder when Disney is going to drop the news of the delay.

They still have three weeks to get it fixed and they are working on it day and night. I expect it to still open on time.

 

[raymusiccity]

I think thats the point. Like most projects.. They prefer to keep people in the dark, so people do not cancel their old plans and then massively go on the proposed opening days.

I get that, but you'd think by October it should be open to everyone.

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

I think thats the point. Like most projects.. They prefer to keep people in the dark, so people do not cancel their old plans and then massively go on the proposed opening days.

take your logic and leave sir! ;-)

 

[marni1971]

I wonder when Disney is going to drop the news of the delay.

On a Friday afternoon about 430pm?

 

[WhatJaneSays]

They still have three weeks to get it fixed and they are working on it day and night. I expect it to still open on time.

The working on it day and night is actually the part that can indicate there may be other issues at play here. In general Disney takes many steps hide the behind the scenes workings to the average guest. If at 3 weeks out they are at the point where they have to start taking down barriers but are not at the point where things can be completed out of guest view. It's a timeline conflict where you end up in a cascading "hurry up and wait" situation.

They will likely have something to show for all their hard work by the 22nd but it might not be 100% done. If that turns out to be the case the issue then becomes do they ever truly finish RoL or is it relegated to "patch and pray" from it's first showing.

 

[Cesar R M]

take your logic and leave sir! ;-)