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

[Kman101]

LOL, to each their own but it's hardly "terrible". The music IS fantastic, I agree.

The show I saw got thunderous applause from the audience

What's hard to follow about any of it? And I don't think you're meant to see the actors on the boat, they do hand motions that are projected onto the boats sails. What was hard to see about it? Could it have been where you were seated?

The projections could use some work, I agree

I think the placing of the floats could also use some work

But it's a pretty simple show. I didn't feel like it came to an abrupt end. You kind of should realize it's the end.

I also agree about the firefly projections and animal projections before the show, well done and they set the mood and tone up well

 

[Biff215]

Finally saw ROL this past wknd (been trying to get a FP for this as I figured that would be the best seating). I read plenty of reviews and saw multiple videos of the show beforehand, and honestly I didn't set my expectations that high. And unfortunately this show for me fell flat and uninspired. The setting is awesome and once you see the firefly's light up during the pre-show the anticipation level goes up for sure. But the show overall for me did nothing, which was a shame cause I had hoped it would be better live and it wasn't. For me the soundtrack was the best part, I thought it was pretty good, but everything from the actors on the boat who we couldn't make out, the hard to follow story, blurry projections and how the show just comes to an abrupt stop without a big finale is just odd to me. People were walking out 10 mins into the show which should tell you something.

I just find it odd that this "stadium" was designed for this show and yet they can't seem to get the projections right is mind blowing. Especially after seeing World of Color at CA and how amazing their projections are, so I know it can be done. Also the "fountain" show is just so bland to me, I mean the fountain show at the Bellagio in Vegas is 1000X better and thats what 15-20 years old now?

This show really needs to be scrapped and go back to the drawing board for something different. Its a shame cause I really wanted to enjoy this show but sadly it was borderline terrible IMO.

Disappointing to hear about the projections as that was a big issue with Jungle Book last summer that I had hoped they fixed. Not sure it can really be compared to WoC or even F! since the distance seems to be greater and the water screen is created differently. I haven't seen RoL in person yet though. Still looking forward to catching it this summer.

 

[Kman101]

Yeah, it's not at all the same as WOC. But the projections are hit or miss. For my show, the big water screen was iffy as soon as the wind started blowing. I could feel the sprinkles from the mist hitting me. Some of it was hard to make out throughout the show. The lotus projections were great though.

The show could use more work but I don't think scrapping it altogether is the right answer. Or putting Disney IPs all over it. The music is wonderful and it has so much potential.

 

[Biff215]

Yeah, it's not at all the same as WOC. But the projections are hit or miss. For my show, the big water screen was iffy as soon as the wind started blowing. I could feel the sprinkles from the mist hitting me. Some of it was hard to make out throughout the show. The lotus projections were great though.

The show could use more work but I don't think scrapping it altogether is the right answer. Or putting Disney IPs all over it. The music is wonderful and it has so much potential.

It seems that huge projection water screen should have been thought out better. Maybe it's clearer on a still night, but that area seems to get some wind through there more often than not. It's a shame, as it's a huge focal point of the show. Not sure what else they could do, but happy to hear about the music and other show elements that sound impressive.

 

[networkpro]

My wife and I saw it Friday night and it was just nice in a one and done kind of way. I won't go as far as some equating it to super soakers guarding a giant lighter, but it's necessarily quiet for the animals sake. We had a bit of a breeze so on the Asia side where we sat the water screens were mostly blurred at best. It didn't seem to have a cohesive story just the vague water and fire theme color changes.

 

[Dizney Crew]

LOL, to each their own but it's hardly "terrible". The music IS fantastic, I agree.

The show I saw got thunderous applause from the audience

What's hard to follow about any of it? And I don't think you're meant to see the actors on the boat, they do hand motions that are projected onto the boats sails. What was hard to see about it? Could it have been where you were seated?

The projections could use some work, I agree

I think the placing of the floats could also use some work

But it's a pretty simple show. I didn't feel like it came to an abrupt end. You kind of should realize it's the end.

I also agree about the firefly projections and animal projections before the show, well done and they set the mood and tone up well

The actors on the boat looked to have pretty elaborate costumes on and its a shame you can't really make them out, I get that the shadow puppets they put on the sail are the real draw to the boats, but even the guy who was beating on the drum was hard to see and I'm pretty sure that your supposed to see him. We had good seats right in the middle on of the FP section on the Everest side, about half way up, I don't think you could have asked for a better spot.

And the ending is terrible, seriously when the house lights came back on everyone kind of looked around the stadium with a " Thats it" look on their face. The little bit of fire at the end was not nearly enough. I think this show should/needs a fire portion similar to the Pirates scene in World of Color, that is AMAZING!! Add something on that level to ROL then we might have a show.

 

[Dizney Crew]

I'm sorry but i never understood the hate for the ending of ROL. All the fountain effects are going, all projections effects are running, giant lotus flower totum is erected with fire, a return of the spirit animal barges all lit up and changing colors, and return of the 2 shaman boats make a dramatic turn to the center point of the show. All this going on with a pretty good soundtrack on top of it, and then we get the tree of life spotlight effect which is pretty too. They gave it there all for what they had for the finale of this show.

Yeah they bring everything out at the end but I just didn't get that "WOW" factor that I was hoping for. I get that some will enjoy the show, and more power to you if you truly enjoy ROL. Will I give it another try? Maybe but not anytime soon. Now granted having seen WOC in person and seeing how great a nighttime water projection show Disney can put on its very disappointing that this show is so much lackluster, especially after all the delays. Honestly if you didn't know which show came out first you would think ROL was the older show and WOC was the new kid on the block, which is shocking to me.

 

[Biff215]

Yeah they bring everything out at the end but I just didn't get that "WOW" factor that I was hoping for. I get that some will enjoy the show, and more power to you if you truly enjoy ROL. Will I give it another try? Maybe but not anytime soon. Now granted having seen WOC in person and seeing how great a nighttime water projection show Disney can put on its very disappointing that this show is so much lackluster, especially after all the delays. Honestly if you didn't know which show came out first you would think ROL was the older show and WOC was the new kid on the block, which is shocking to me.

Probably not fair to compare it to WoC though, just like it's not fair to compare it to Illuminations or Fantasmic even though there are similarities. AK needed something different for obvious reasons. It's just a shame so many will draw comparisons to other shows that have very different designs.

 

[Dizney Crew]

Probably not fair to compare it to WoC though, just like it's not fair to compare it to Illuminations or Fantasmic even though there are similarities. AK needed something different for obvious reasons. It's just a shame so many will draw comparisons to other shows that have very different designs.

Trust me I tried hard not to compare ROL to WOC, but its just too hard not too, as they both are "Water shows". I get that ROL is supposed to have a more Organic feel to it and was never intended to be IP driven. But its just so "blah" to me and many others. The colors are nice I suppose and like I said the music is great, but the fountains are nothing special and the VERY limited fire at the end is just a let down for myself and many others. Once again this could be just expecting more from all the hype/delays.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Probably not fair to compare it to WoC though, just like it's not fair to compare it to Illuminations or Fantasmic even though there are similarities. AK needed something different for obvious reasons. It's just a shame so many will draw comparisons to other shows that have very different designs.

I merely compare it to its original concept and then its announced concept. In both comparisons, the final product falls far short.

To me, it isn't a nighttime spectacular. To me. And I wanted to love it.

 

[Biff215]

I think that's fair. This show was likely always going to feel like it falls short. Disney has set the standard high on nighttime spectaculars, and AK has its limitations. It's a shame with the huge delay that they weren't able to make other improvements, but perhaps they were so involved with the tech that everything else took a back seat. It would be nice to see this show adjusted or plussed over time.

 

[marni1971]

The soundtrack is wonderful. I frequently listen to both versions. But given it's a new build there is no reason why show quality should be inherently limited to a hit or miss depending on conditions. It had to be designed to be the best from the start. There was certainly enough time to ensure it works every time. Given the amount of varying accounts here and elsewhere it's not hitting the mark that it and the park deserve.

I'll be seeing it myself (for real this time) later this year with someone from these boards. I'm very much looking forward to it and comparing our opinions.

 

[Kman101]

I merely compare it to its original concept and then its announced concept. In both comparisons, the final product falls far short.

To me, it isn't a nighttime spectacular. To me. And I wanted to love it.
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Why compare it to what was planned? I could hate a lot of things if I compared it to what was planned.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Why compare it to what was planned? I could hate a lot of things if I compared it to what was planned.

Ok. Compare it to what was announced then. Still falls short. Still unreliable. The show has a wonderful concept with inherently-flawed execution. By now, I expect home runs on Disney nighttime spectaculars (certainly those 10 years in the making). I'm only holding them to their own standards. I don't expect IllumiNations from my local 4th of July display.

 

[Kman101]

Ok. Compare it to what was announced then. Still falls short. Still unreliable. The show has a wonderful concept with inherently-flawed execution. By now, I expect home runs on Disney nighttime spectaculars (certainly those 10 years in the making). I'm only holding them to their own standards. I don't expect IllumiNations from my local 4th of July display.

There are some flaws, which I've pointed out. Some things should have been perfected, no doubt, especially with how long it's been planned and how long they were delayed. But it's still not a bad show by any means. To each their own I guess. Not everyone's going to love it. I think it needs work but I don't dislike it based on what was once planned or even what was announced. What does that do? Why set yourself up to not like it? Just seems like you dislike a lot of things "on principle" which is fine but I don't really get it. And I don't think it's "holding them to the standards they set" in this case but that's just me.

 

[DisneyJeff]

The soundtrack is wonderful. I frequently listen to both versions. But given it's a new build there is no reason why show quality should be inherently limited to a hit or miss depending on conditions. It had to be designed to be the best from the start. There was certainly enough time to ensure it works every time. Given the amount of varying accounts here and elsewhere it's not hitting the mark that it and the park deserve.

I'll be seeing it myself (for real this time) later this year with someone from these boards. I'm very much looking forward to it and comparing our opinions.

"Someone from these boards." - Are you having a contest??? The winner gets to watch ROL with @marni1971!!! Where do I sign up?!?

 

[ToTBellHop]

There are some flaws, which I've pointed out. Some things should have been perfected, no doubt, especially with how long it's been planned and how long they were delayed. But it's still not a bad show by any means. To each their own I guess. Not everyone's going to love it. I think it needs work but I don't dislike it based on what was once planned or even what was announced. What does that do? Why set yourself up to not like it? Just seems like you dislike a lot of things "on principle" which is fine but I don't really get it. And I don't think it's "holding them to the standards they set" in this case but that's just me.

Fair enough. I actually think I'm more positive on the whole than negative. I don't have to love RoL however. HEA looks more up my alley

 

[Kman101]

Fair enough. I actually think I'm more positive on the whole than negative. I don't have to love RoL however. HEA looks more up my alley

Totally understand that. I feel like maybe you think I'm "on you" but I just like to ask questions and understand other's points of views that are different than mine I guess I just want everyone to love RoL, LOL, even though there are flaws (and there shouldn't be, I wholeheartedly agree with that). ROL isn't going to be for everyone. I'm just beyond happy to see a non-IP nighttime show (besides Illuminations ROE) be added. I want it to be successful.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Totally understand that. I feel like maybe you think I'm "on you" but I just like to ask questions and understand other's points of views that are different than mine I guess I just want everyone to love RoL, LOL, even though there are flaws (and there shouldn't be, I wholeheartedly agree with that). ROL isn't going to be for everyone. I'm just beyond happy to see a non-IP nighttime show (besides Illuminations ROE) be added. I want it to be successful.

I'd be unfair if I didn't point out two things--

1) I saw it opening night.
2) my kid puked during the show so it probably had 75% of my attention.

 

[rushtest4echo]

I'd be unfair if I didn't point out two things--

1) I saw it opening night.
2) my kid puked during the show so it probably had 75% of my attention.

Did he puke when he saw how awful the projections on a water screens were too? Give the kid a break, I did the same thing.