Well, since it seems that we have a while, let's dissect some concept art, while talking about what happens when you remove the floating (on the water, not in the sky) lanterns.
First: The original plan, featuring our first piece of RoL Concept Art:
View attachment 178769
Now let's analyze. First: We see lanterns on the water in the foreground. These were meant to be the opening act of the show which proposes the question, "Why does everyone think the show lacks and ending, when it really lacks a beggining?". Now, for this answer, let's move further up to the central float. If you couldn't already tell, this was the original concept for the Temple Lotus. Now, remeber this, as we will see what has become of the temple later on, but note it's brilliant fire effects, and drummers, as well as extended petals. On the left and right we see the two shaman boats, that are near identical to what we are getting. Lastly for this piece is the animals in the Aurora Borealis. While the Aurora still play a role in the show (last I heard), it was significantly reduced, almost leading to the dillema, about the lack of a story. Before these shamans would usher in the lanterns for a lantern festival, and summon lightforms of animals of sorts, but due to the loss of lanterns, this story falls apart.
Now onto the second piece:
View attachment 178770
To be perfectly honest, sans lanterns, this is the concept art closest to what you will see when RoL Debuts. The main difference us that you shouldn't exoect for the smaller lotuses to surround the temple, just be in front of it. (But they may go behind once, I'll have to look into it. Also, the size difference isn't that big. Onto our final piece of art:
View attachment 178771
I have to admit, this is probably the concept art that simultaneously excites, and gives a decent vision. Drop the lanterns, fuzzy up the image of the constellations, ditch the birds (which I don't think were ever planned, talk about artistic liberties), and reposition some of the floats, and you have what was the intended "Wow Moment!" That everyone says RoL lacks. The sad thing is, we have a (slightly dialed down) version of this. Why isn't is a wow moment? It is because it lacks kinetics. Now I knwo what you are thinking "But,
@Magic Feather , there will be moving flames and water jets. While this is true, guests have come to expect more. In Illuminations for instance, if you just opened the globe to see the torch, you would admittedly have a mediocre reaction. Now if you opened the globe with no emotional build up, you would see in IllumiNations what is happening with Rivers of Light. So when the big finale is faded into and out of, it makes for a clear, but confusing climax.
PS: It's not that RoL's possible substance is lacking (altough it partly is), it is that its potential marketing is lacking. If they hold off to AVATAR, they can make a huge nightime push at AK like they attempted in May, instead of two seperate drops, they want to make a splash.