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

[ToTBellHop]

Really? All I need to do is watch my dog or cat when fireworks go off. I assure you -- not an urban myth. For the very reason there are animals in AK, you won't see or hear fireworks.

I agree that these additions will hopefully spread out the crowds.

Animal Kingdom has had fireworks in the past. And the animals can certainly hear the fireworks at Epcot with no issues. I can hear Wishes from the Yacht Club and many animals have much better senses of hearing than humans.

That said, I am happy the focus here will not be fireworks. Variety in nighttime entertainment is appreciated.

 

[JohnD]

Animal Kingdom has had fireworks in the past. And the animals can certainly hear the fireworks at Epcot with no issues. I can hear Wishes from the Yacht Club and many animals have much better senses of hearing than humans.

That said, I am happy the focus here will not be fireworks. Variety in nighttime entertainment is appreciated.

Okay, thanks. However, with Safaris soon to be operating at night, I don't see fireworks happening. My guess is, in the past, the animals were already back in their enclosures by the toke fireworks started.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Okay, thanks. However, with Safaris soon to be operating at night, I don't see fireworks happening. My guess is, in the past, the animals were already back in their enclosures by the toke fireworks started.

Oh, of course--the point is moot. RoL has no fireworks. Just saying fireworks give giraffes panic attacks about as often as the daily thunderstorms in Central Florida 6/1-9/30.

 

[danlb_2000]

A new permit from Buena Vista Construction for rock work at the ROL control building.

NTS Facility Roackwork (Asia Viewing Area Control Building) - Provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction

 

[Sage of Time]

Based on the information that Disney released on the show: this is going to be the show that ties all of DAK together and infuses the park with some of the "magic" and whimsy that the park has needed for a very long time. I'm incredibly excited. Disney's doing something original! Wow!

 

[flyerjab]

Based on the information that Disney released on the show: this is going to be the show that ties all of DAK together and infuses the park with some of the "magic" and whimsy that the park has needed for a very long time. I'm incredibly excited. Disney's doing something original! Wow!

I think that is another reason why I like this park. You can compare/contrast it to parks like DHS and Epcot's Future World and see how those parks have lost their way over the years. The original intent has either been abandoned or the work to keep the original mission statement established has lessened dramatically. With DAK you just don't see that at all IMHO. This park is as true to itself as when it first opened, and now they keep improving upon it. At least with DHS it seems like they have found a new path to tread, a new statement to fulfill. With FW, ugh...it is so disappointing that they had to fall upon Frozen to help give their guests something new.

With DAK, this night time water show is truly something original! A uniquely designed Imagineering experience that doesn't rest upon the laurels of a well-received IP and I cannot wait until Spring next year to see it. This park is to me what EPCOT Center was to its diehard fans in the 1980s. I cannot wait until next year, and then for 2017 after Pandora debuts. This will be a magical place to be.

 

[Sage of Time]

I think that is another reason why I like this park. You can compare/contrast it to parks like DHS and Epcot's Future World and see how those parks have lost their way over the years. The original intent has either been abandoned or the work to keep the original mission statement established has lessened dramatically. With DAK you just don't see that at all IMHO. This park is as true to itself as when it first opened, and now they keep improving upon it. At least with DHS it seems like they have found a new path to tread, a new statement to fulfill. With FW, ugh...it is so disappointing that they had to fall upon Frozen to help give their guests something new.

With DAK, this night time water show is truly something original! A uniquely designed Imagineering experience that doesn't rest upon the laurels of a well-received IP and I cannot wait until Spring next year to see it. This park is to me what EPCOT Center was to its diehard fans in the 1980s. I cannot wait until next year, and then for 2017 after Pandora debuts. This will be a magical place to be.

I think that Avatar will be the only thing that has been added to DAK that is detractor from the overall vision to the place, sadly.

I mean, the scope and details look great... but ugh, the content.

 

[JohnD]

I think that is another reason why I like this park. You can compare/contrast it to parks like DHS and Epcot's Future World and see how those parks have lost their way over the years. The original intent has either been abandoned or the work to keep the original mission statement established has lessened dramatically. With DAK you just don't see that at all IMHO. This park is as true to itself as when it first opened, and now they keep improving upon it. At least with DHS it seems like they have found a new path to tread, a new statement to fulfill. With FW, ugh...it is so disappointing that they had to fall upon Frozen to help give their guests something new.

With DAK, this night time water show is truly something original! A uniquely designed Imagineering experience that doesn't rest upon the laurels of a well-received IP and I cannot wait until Spring next year to see it. This park is to me what EPCOT Center was to its diehard fans in the 1980s. I cannot wait until next year, and then for 2017 after Pandora debuts. This will be a magical place to be.

Agree. The sad orphan is Epcot. MK had New Fantasyland and expanded hub with new TS restaurant in Adventureland. H.S. has SW and TS lands in its future. AK has Avatarland, RoL, and Tiffins, etc. And Epcot? Frozen ride and M&G in "Norway" (quotes on purpose) pavilion. (Okay, "Soarin' Around the World" refurb coming.) FW is a shell of its former self. It is overdue for an overhaul.

 

[danlb_2000]

I think that Avatar will be the only thing that has been added to DAK that is detractor from the overall vision to the place, sadly.

I mean, the scope and details look great... but ugh, the content.

You may feel that way about Avatar, but if you really look at it, it's a very good fit for Animal Kingdom's themes.

 

[flyerjab]

I think that Avatar will be the only thing that has been added to DAK that is detractor from the overall vision to the place, sadly.

I mean, the scope and details look great... but ugh, the content.

For me, I don't have an issue with it at all. The spectacle and visuals of the film were so vivid and extraordinary that it will provide for an amazing land to enter and explore. I like that there is a land that is more fantasy than reality that will exist in this park. Also, the movie itself, aside from never being Oscar material as far as I am concerned, was seeped in the context of conservation, a major theme throughout DAK. I understand if people don't like the content as everyone has their own opinion of things. As for my own, I am counting down the days until Pandora debuts.

 

[Sage of Time]

You may feel that way about Avatar, but if you really look at it, it's a very good fit for Animal Kingdom's themes.

If it took place on earth and dealt with earth culture, sure.

The alien stuff and space stuff is too much of a stretch, for me. But we shall see. I wanna see it.

 

[Incomudro]

I think that is another reason why I like this park. You can compare/contrast it to parks like DHS and Epcot's Future World and see how those parks have lost their way over the years. The original intent has either been abandoned or the work to keep the original mission statement established has lessened dramatically. With DAK you just don't see that at all IMHO. This park is as true to itself as when it first opened, and now they keep improving upon it. At least with DHS it seems like they have found a new path to tread, a new statement to fulfill. With FW, ugh...it is so disappointing that they had to fall upon Frozen to help give their guests something new.

With DAK, this night time water show is truly something original! A uniquely designed Imagineering experience that doesn't rest upon the laurels of a well-received IP and I cannot wait until Spring next year to see it. This park is to me what EPCOT Center was to its diehard fans in the 1980s. I cannot wait until next year, and then for 2017 after Pandora debuts. This will be a magical place to be.

At the risk of jacking this thread of course, I believe that part of the inherent problem with Future World is and was that as we move along, and as the information age surrounds us - it's hard to portray those futuristic scenarios we envisioned.
So much of the amazing technology we dreamed of "in the future" lies in the palm of our hands in the most basic of cell phones.
We also realize that man is most likely never going to inhabit a Sea Base Alpha, or lunar or planetary colony.
These things work in a whimsical way, like exiting Space Mountain or in a retro style Tomorrowland in general.
But as a more serious World's Fair style vision of the future, it all gets dated quickly.
What's a Future World to do?
I wish I had the answer, honestly. More good rides in the style of Test Track and Mission Mars is the way to go I would say. Rides that do not become dated, and stay more timeless.
I'm confident that FW will have its day in the sun again.

 

[Keys_of_Hearts]

If it took place on earth and dealt with earth culture, sure.

The alien stuff and space stuff is too much of a stretch, for me. But we shall see. I wanna see it.

Well one of the themes for DAK was to explore three types of animals. Animals that exist today, animals that once existed, and animals that never existed. Since we never got Beastly Kingdom, I think Pandora will fit that 3rd category quite nicely.

 

[Cesar R M]

If it took place on earth and dealt with earth culture, sure.

The alien stuff and space stuff is too much of a stretch, for me. But we shall see. I wanna see it.

Just think of it as the hypothetical nature park from the unknown world of Pandora.
Its like visiting the "what if" type of land in some distant planet.

 

[Incomudro]

Just think of it as the hypothetical nature park from the unknown world of Pandora.
Its like visiting the "what if" type of land in some distant planet.

It's (the movie) all metaphorical about Earth anyway.

 

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update as of Tuesday, Dec. 1. Not exactly about Rivers of Light, but nearby. The underbrush on both sides of the DinoLand USA bridge has been cleared back, exposing the river banks, giving a better view of the river from the bridge.

The view towards DinoLand USA. Note some rather large tree limbs have been cut back.

The view towards Discovery Island.

 

[cjkeating]

Photo update as of Tuesday, Dec. 1. Not exactly about Rivers of Light, but nearby. The underbrush on both sides of the DinoLand USA bridge has been cleared back, exposing the river banks, giving a better view of the river from the bridge.

The view towards DinoLand USA. Note some rather large tree limbs have been cut back.

View attachment 121819

The view towards Discovery Island.

View attachment 121820

Is this the route the floats will take to/from the lake?

 

[marni1971]

Is this the route the floats will take to/from the lake?

No. Storage is beyond the bridge between Everest and Nemo.

Unless they are kept in this area during the show?

 

[P_Radden]

With RoL, Harambe, Pandora, night safaris, discovery island improvements, etc.. Animal Kingdom will soon be a rock solid park. Very exciting. I hope they don't rest on all this investment. I really hope all this is just the beginning of many years of future AK upgrades. Still would like to see an extensive refurbishment to KLR to make it longer.

 

[djkidkaz]

With RoL, Harambe, Pandora, night safaris, discovery island improvements, etc.. Animal Kingdom will soon be a rock solid park. Very exciting. I hope they don't rest on all this investment. I really hope all this is just the beginning of many years of future AK upgrades. Still would like to see an extensive refurbishment to KLR to make it longer.

And fix the yeti.