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

[matt9112]

Another great benefit to having some nighttime hours at AK is that it should be much cooler. When I visit WDW it is usually around mid-May. It is so hot and humid in AK, (I think that's partly due to all the plants and trees, which are lovely to look at), but the humidity really gets to me.

and the lack of effort for cooling you down....no mist no fans hardly any AC.

 

[matt9112]

so if your staying in AK past dinner time...where do you eat? =) they sure as hell lack the number of seats the other parks have for food service.

 

[SJN1279]

so if your staying in AK past dinner time...where do you eat? =) they sure as hell lack the number of seats the other parks have for food service.

Rainforest Cafe?

 

[SirLink]

Rainforest Cafe?

Which may end up going away with Avatar.

 

[gibsonc]

I hope that the lighting for the Tree of Life is more than a projection, from the point of view that installing a physical lighting package on the tree would be an excellent time to do a full refurbishment so that the nets can be removed and pathways reopened. I can dream.

 

[Alektronic]

I actually have the "Making of Animal Kingdom" book they used to sell in the park and it clearly states in it that Killimanjaro Safari (and DAK) was always designed to be open at night just like the other parks. I remember it even said something like "Disney has made sure that the Safari will be entertaining guests even on the coldest winter nights".

The only downside to all this good news is that it probably means the end of the Whole current entry way and Discovery Village. It will probably be all bulldozed and changed to accommodate larger traffic flows and the nighttime entertainment and parade.

Animal Kingdom was designed to do a lot of things, but once it's turned over to Operations, Animal Programs, and Entertainment they can try to do different that it wasn't designed for, like trying to stick a little crappy parade in there where one didn't belong.

 

[MKCP 1985]

I think part of the issue is that, yes...it could have been done at night, but the park didn't have enough things to justify keeping it open late. Some of the park involves performers, so they may not have wanted to have nighttime showings of lion king or nemo. After the sun goes down, people would be all clumped into the few things that are still open. Adding more things will help disperse these crowds, and It seems like they are starting to do that. Its a start at least.

Yes, a much needed start! This park' s lack of attractions has never been reflected in the price of admission. There have been times the park was open at night but the Safaris ride closed at dusk. I am very happy to read WDW is going to forward with necessary changes to put Animal Kingdom operations on par with the 3 other gates.

 

[draybook]

Yeah, I remember doing evening EMH at AK in December of 2009. They closed at 8 and man was it so awesome there.

 

[cslafferty]

Actually, I've heard that they artificially pump up the heat in AK so that the animals would be more comfortable, what with their natural habitats being very hot and humid, even by Florida standards.

Anyway, while nighttime entertainment could be very interesting (and AK being open later would take some pressure of the other parks in PM hours, particularly MK and Epcot), I would hope that whatever they do doesn't cause undue stress to the animals, and I say this out of concern for both their welfare and that of the guests. (I know I can be cranky and irritable when something bright and/or noisy keeps me awake; I shudder to think what a lion, hippo or bull elephant might be like with the same irritability!)

I am sure that PETA and other animal rights groups keep a close eye on DAK and will continue to do so. I would also assume that any nighttime entertainment would not include pyrotechnics because of the animals.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

The view of Avatarland after dark from the train lift on Everest should be very sweet!

 

[matt9112]

Rainforest Cafe?

my point was theres no capacity in the park....we all like dinner. generally but theres a small handful of food options and only three with AC? if you count rain-forest cafe correct?

 

[mm52200]

my point was theres no capacity in the park....we all like dinner. generally but theres a small handful of food options and only three with AC? if you count rain-forest cafe correct?

Table service restaurants include Yak and Yeti, Tusker House, and Rainforest Cafe. Counter service include Restaurantasaurous, Flame Tree BBQ, Pizzafari, and Yak and Yeti. Considering MK only has five dinner TS, and usually only four CS for dinner and it's a much busier park, I imagine AK will be fine.

 

[WesternRiverExplorer]

The way I'm reading the announcement makes it seem like they aren't just doing a nighttime show, but a whole entertainment package perhaps. Something like the Glow Fest party they had out in DCA when World of Color opened, but with more of an AK vibe, and less like a dance club. Live bands, stilt walkers, street performers, a carnival atmosphere. The art shows that they may repurpose some of the Flame Tree BBQ dining terraces for this at night. I wonder if the "masks" guests are wearing in the art are maybe glowing/fluorescent face paint they might sell. Maybe a test for something I could see them doing for Avatar, Navi face painting. I have a feeling this may open well before Avatar to boost attendance and extend hours in a similar way WoC and Glow Fest did for DCA long before Carsland opened.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

^^ Really interesting options.

 

[doctornick]

so if your staying in AK past dinner time...where do you eat? =) they sure as hell lack the number of seats the other parks have for food service.

A great option is going over to the AKL which has excellent food opportunities. I've even suggested in the past that it would be great if they could set up some sort of direct transportation between DAK and AKL like a monorail/train that could function as both a ride and to increase the dining options to park visitors (think the DL monorail for comparison). Yes, I realize people can take buses already, but I think having a advertised park to resort link would get more guests to utilize it and be a crowd pleaser. Would also be a selling point for AKL (both for regular hotel guests and selling any DVC units they have left).

Table service restaurants include Yak and Yeti, Tusker House, and Rainforest Cafe. Counter service include Restaurantasaurous, Flame Tree BBQ, Pizzafari, and Yak and Yeti. Considering MK only has five dinner TS, and usually only four CS for dinner and it's a much busier park, I imagine AK will be fine.

But the MK has three resorts with plenty of great dining options available on the monorail and a lot of people do consider those as part of the MK dining. The restaurants at the monorail resorts really help to absorb the dining needs for the large MK crowds. It's part of my inspiration for the above suggestion.

Which may end up going away with Avatar.

Why would the Rainforest Cafe go away? There's plenty of unused land for Avatar to be build upon and, in fact, they could easily connect a show building backstage next to the Rainforest Cafe given the location. I don't see TDO extending the park hours for DAK and then cutting the food offerings -- selling more meals would be a big justification in having night time activities and extending the hours.

 

[GoofGoof]

my point was theres no capacity in the park....we all like dinner. generally but theres a small handful of food options and only three with AC? if you count rain-forest cafe correct?

The doctor beat me to it, but I was going to say that they should promote the restaurants at AKL more.

I am also assuming that they will build at least a CS restaurant and more likely a TS in Avland or at least a hybrid like BOG which is CS for lunch and TS for dinner. They could also add an expanded character meal dinner experience to either an existing spot or possibly expand a restaurant. If they are doing a night show on the river I wouldn't be shocked if they figured out a way to capitalize on that similar to lakefront meals at EPCOT before illuminations. Maybe a new restaurant with views of the show. I do think they will need to expand the dinner options or there are going to be some long lines at CS places when the TS ones are booked at 180 days. It's not like the other parks where you could walk to a resort area with multiple restaurants, grab dinner and be back for the show.

 

[doctornick]

I am also assuming that they will build at least a CS restaurant and more likely a TS in Avland or at least a hybrid like BOG which is CS for lunch and TS for dinner.

The rumor was exactly that: Pandora will have a BOG style place that is a quick serve during the day and table service for dinner.

And I agree that DAK could use addition food services beyond that, at least another quick service if not another sit down. Or, as I said, putting in transport that makes AKL a more appealing/integrated option as part of a DAK visit.

 

[awoogala]

The rumor was exactly that: Pandora will have a BOG style place that is a quick serve during the day and table service for dinner.

And I agree that DAK could use addition food services beyond that, at least another quick service if not another sit down. Or, as I said, putting in transport that makes AKL a more appealing/integrated option as part of a DAK visit.

eww. people eating with half naked blue navi? really? Tell me it is not a character meal?

 

[SirLink]

Why would the Rainforest Cafe go away? There's plenty of unused land for Avatar to be build upon and, in fact, they could easily connect a show building backstage next to the Rainforest Cafe given the location. I don't see TDO extending the park hours for DAK and then cutting the food offerings -- selling more meals would be a big justification in having night time activities and extending the hours.

Would I want Rainforest Cafe taking sales away from places inside the park - yes. Plus if James Cameon wants that space - he'll get it. This wouldn't be a TDO decision this would be a Burbank decision...

 

[doctornick]

Would I want Rainforest Cafe taking sales away from places inside the park - yes. Plus if James Cameon wants that space - he'll get it. This wouldn't be a TDO decision this would be a Burbank decision...

Well, Rainforest Cafe is "in the park" -- there are entrances from both inside the gates and outside. And I don't see what Cameron or land has to do with anything considering there are plenty of undeveloped acres there ready to be used for Pandora.

DAK needs food places, especially if it will be open longer meaning people would want to get dinner while there. I don't see why they remove an existing table service -- which I am fairly certain is the largest at the park by a good bit -- unless they absolutely needed that space for something, which they don't. Rainforest Cafe is run by Landry's, but so is Yak and Yeti (and WDW seems to be moving to more third party vendors, not fewer) so I don't think that would be an issue.