Rivers of Light has been delayed since April 22nd, 2016.
The cast member previews (only for cast of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park) will take place on the evenings of November 27th and 28th at 8pm. No photography or video recording will be allowed at the event.
With cast member previews happening soon, a formal debut for the long-delayed nighttime show is imminent.
Rivers of Light had its first Cast Member preview this evening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom…. seven months after its original premiere date of 4/22/2016. While we have been waiting a little over seven months, the team has been working hard on tweaking the show and making sure it lives up to the expert design level of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and the upcoming AVATAR expansion.
This review will go into detail about the entire Rivers of Light show. If you wish to remain unspoiled and potentially excited, turn back now.
Tonight we were treated to a unique water pageant that’s a major upgrade to its 1971 predecessor that still travels on Seven Seas Lagoon. Rivers of Light begins quietly: Projections lighting the trees among Flame Tree Barbecue’s shore, laser projections of fireflies across the lagoon, shadows of animals going by every now and then. The lights dim and a stick of lanterns is guided down both sides of the stadium by themed dancers. Four small lotus floats gather in the water, alive with light and fireflies. The dancers are then greeted by the Shaman Storytellers midway, who ignite the celebration and make their way to their boats on either side of the viewing areas.
The boats make their way forward in the water, the Shaman and their sidekick cast animal shadows and start to tell their story on the sail of the boat, a very cool and unique projection effect. This is when the main four animal floats join the party: A turtle, an owl, a tiger, and an elephant. These animals dance with the lotus floats already in place, the lotus open up and start using their water jets in a very familiar dancing pattern. Fans of World of Color will recognize this technology, but that doesn’t change how cool this looks. The colors are changing and moving with the music. The gigantic water screens emerge, as previously seen in Jungle Book Alive with Magic, and we begin the journey on the Rivers of Light.
This entire first portion is gorgeous, beautiful, and masterfully done. Unfortunately it lasts over 10 minutes and drags on a bit. This is particularly bad because of the pacing of the next section.
At this point the main large lotus float joins the fun, sets itself right in the middle and opens up. The gigantic water screen starts showing Disney Nature animal footage and the small lotus floats join in with their own small water screens and projectors. Together, the entire river comes alive but it also becomes apparent that there’s one trick in this show and it can’t possibly last another 10 minutes.
The show abruptly continues to a tiger section, which is continued with images of primates kissing and a few CGI frogs, bears, and some rain. The Shaman boats float around the action currently happening, making low viewing not an option.
The floats join together to cast the animals to the stars, a form of constellation, and the main large lotus opens and propels the large metal ladder upward…which, according to concept art, should have fire. There was no fire the entire show. The ladder raises, the water pulses, the music climaxes and lights go out. Lights return for applause and the boats scurry off to their home.
And that’s it. There’s a lot of problems with the show, but let’s talk about the positives.
Positives
It’s technically an amazing show. We’ve never seen something quite like this, and it wows for the first part of the show. The LEDs across the floats are expertly timed and wonderful to gaze at. There’s certain points where too much is going on to fully accept what is happening. Multiple laser effects are great to view, as are the spotlights across the lagoon. Disney brought out their best with the production of the performance, and it really shows.
Negatives
There’s no wow moment. The technology is wonderful, but it really doesn’t ever create that “goosebumps” moment that Disneyland Forever or Fantasmic or Wishes has, it doesn’t have the heart needed for a Disney park. There’s also nothing relatable to the audience, so much that the theater Cast know they need to do something to hold attention and start clapping with the music to get guests engaged, multiple times. There is no closing moment to the show, very similar to how Jungle Book: Alive with Magic ended…. people just didn’t know how or when to react.
Overall
Overall, this is NOT a nightcap to your day at Animal Kingdom. We’re still not 100% sure on calling it a nighttime spectacular, but it’s definitely something… just not sure if that something warranted a seven month delay. We went in with low expectations and were blown away by the technology used, but were left wanting more by the finale.
With that being said, the show started with a hiccup requiring a show restart right about when the gigantic water screens started (We’ve since been told that was due to a near float collision). Once it started again, the show went through perfectly without any issues. We were also told this is a Show/Experience/Creative rehearsal and we would be asked for feedback at the end of the show while walking out, which did not happen. What we witnessed may not be the final Rivers of Light show, and we are anxiously hoping this was not the final show. This belongs at Sea World as of right now, not at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In our latest photo report, we take a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park to see what’s news and exciting as 2016 draws to a close.
Merry Christmas from Animal Kingdom!
Flame Tree Barbecue Expansion
The new dining gazebo at Flame Tree Barbecue finally opened a few weeks ago.
Have a Wild Holiday!
The kitschy decor in Dinoland U.S.A. continues to be a favorite of mine.
Animal Kingdom boasts some of the best decorations in all of Walt Disney World.
DINOSAUR Reopens
DINOSAUR reopened a few weeks ago from its lengthy, multi-month refurbishment boasting a number of upgrades and fixes.
The first section of the queue added a number of new display cases, as well as removing the large mural that once stood at the left end of the room.
The graphics package for all of the existing displays were updated as well.
Here is where the mural once stood.
Many of the items on display are on loan from Texas Christian University’s College of Science and Engineering.
As for the ride itself, a number of effects were fixed, most notably the laser field that appears over the Iguanadon in the finale scene, indicating that he indeed was captured and transported back to the institute. This effect is simple, but has been broken since the earliest days of the ride’s existence, dating back to Countdown to Extinction. A new effect replaced the long static “Compsognathus” dinosaurs who appeared to jump over the Time Rover, a large screen with video of these creatures doing this action. Overall, the ride looks amazing and the changes are all positive. This is one of the finest attraction refurbishments I have ever seen, and much needed for our beloved DINSOAUR.
The graphics along the exit of the attractions were updated as well and look great… other than the fact that the logos get cut off in the frame…
This and That
I had to pay a visit to my favorite Christmas decoration in all of Walt Disney World on my last visit…
IT’S SANTA-SAURUS!!!
2017 merchandise is now available at Walt Disney World.
Over the weekend, something new popped up in Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Attached to those lampposts we showed you a few weeks back are some rather interesting looking lighting fixtures.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
The lights lie just behind the construction walls keeping guests out of the active construction zone.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
The new lighting fixtures with the floating island looming in the background.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
More of the impressive details on the bridge continue to emerge as well.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
Towards the end of the bridge, some very different lighting fixtures begin to appear.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
We also have a short video of the new details to share with you today:
If you haven’t seen it yet, please check out last week’s video update below to see the overall progress on Pandora: The World of AVATAR:
Pandora: The World of AVATAR is scheduled to open in 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.
The Buffalo Chicken Waffle Slider at Trilobites, located in the Dinoland U.S.A. area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park has been a personal favorite of mine since it was introduced a while back. Needless to say, I was a little upset to see the dish removed from the menu at the establishment last week, but I was intrigued to see that a new Buffalo Chicken dish had replaced it.
Trilobites menu, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park
The menu consists otherwise simply of ice cream treats and some drinks, so it does seem a bit odd to find Buffalo Chicken Chips on the menu. Somehow a waffle sandwich makes more sense here, but let’s see how the new dish stacks up.
Buffalo Chicken Chips ($7.99)
First off, the serving is massive for the price. Sitting next to our more expensive items from Restaurantosaurus, I couldn’t help but notice that the Buffalo Chicken Chips dish just looked much bigger. Other than that, it is the same buffalo chicken that was served in the slider, now placed over house made chips with arugula, bleu cheese, tomato, and celery.
This was surprisingly amazing. If you like buffalo chicken and the chips served at quite a few locations around property, you are going to enjoy this. The chicken was tender with a good, spicy kick from the buffalo sauce and all of the other ingredients tasted fresh and as they should.
This certainly isn’t Victoria and Albert’s, but it is a big, filling meal that hits the spot if you’re going to do counter service dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I don’t need to go over why you shouldn’t eat at Flame Tree Barbecue or Pizzafari again, right?
This is for sure a dish I will be ordering again should I feel the need to dine quick at the park. While I do miss the buffalo chicken waffle sandwich, I guess I can always have the sweet and spicy chicken and waffle sandwich when I go to the Magic Kingdom.
Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Top 7, a continuing countdown of my favorite (and occasionally, least favorite) things at the Disney Parks around the globe. Why seven? Because seven ate nine. Wait…
With the Christmas season looming, along with the debut of some new holiday offerings at Walt Disney World this year, I though it might be fun to look back at some of the holiday stuff that you can’t see anymore. From extensive light displays to parades and shows from Holidays past, let’s take a spirited trip down memory lane. The best part? We actually have video of each of the offerings so you can relive them all one more time.
While it may seem a bit early to start celebrating, here are my Top 7 Christmas Shows that you can’t see at Walt Disney World anymore.
1. The Lights of Winter & Epcot Tree Lighting Ceremony
While it was never quite the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, people did really love the Lights of Winter as part of the Holidays Around the World at Epcot. I more so miss watching the tree lighting ceremony with characters that they used to do here, illuminating the tree and the Lights of Winter every evening around dusk. There was never any real reason given for the removal of the Lights of Winter, other than Disney claiming it was old technology. Still, it was a nice atmosphere piece.
2. Celebrate the Season
What began as a show at the Top of the World at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the early 1990’s became the longest running Cinderella Castle stage show in the history of Walt Disney World. Celebrate the Season packed more performers in than any other show to ever perform at the venue and was for the most part enjoyed by everyone who saw it. That being said, it probably was time for it to go. Celebrate the Season will be replaced by Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration on November 9th at the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
3. Cinderella’s Holiday Wish
Since replaced by a Frozen Holiday Wish, the original Cinderella Castle lighting show was Cinderella’s Holiday Wish. When the Cinderella Castle Holiday Dreamlights debuted in 2007, they were an immediate hit with guests. It’s hard to deny the magic of the holiday lights on the castle, but was the Cinderella lighting show better than Frozen? I’m not so sure. I’m not one to jump on the Frozen hype train, but Elsa creating a layer of shimmering ice on the castle makes a lot of sense. Regardless, the old show was still good, maybe just because it was the first time ever that we got to see the Castle decorated for the holidays in some significant fashion.
4. Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade
What seemed to some like a haphazard overlay of a parade to give Animal Kingdom some sort of holiday season offering was actually a pretty clever concept. Costuming and music changes, as well as the addition of a hot chocolate smell coming from Donald’s truck, made Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade a tremendous amount of fun. I still believe that every version of this parade was vastly underrated and I wish they would ring it back. Last I heard, all of thew floats were still in one piece. Glad to hear that they didn’t “SpectroMagic” this one…
5. The Country Bear Jamboree – Christmas Special
A true classic that it is hard to believe has been gone for 10 years now. There were three versions of the Country Bear Jamboree show at the Magic Kingdom, the original (1971-1986, 1991-present), Country Bear Vacation Hoe-Down (1986-1991), and every holiday season starting in 1984, the Country Bear Jamboree Christmas Special. Supposedly, the budget from this went into the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights, which without a doubt more guests see every year than ever saw this show. Regardless, I would still love to see this return someday (a version of it can still be seen at Tokyo Disneyland though).
6. Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas
Perhaps the greatest character stage show ever presented at the Magic Kingdom Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas combined live musicians, dancers, and Disney characters for a fun retelling of a holiday classic. The show ran for many years at the Galaxy Palace Theater before the theater was torn down. In its place, the often despised “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” was created.
7. (Yeah, Seven) The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
I know this one still looms heavy in the hearts of many, myself included. The Osborne Lights were a staple of the Studios before they ever danced, but once the display moved to Streets of America and was sychirmnoized to music, it became an indelible piece of Walt Disney World history. It was everything the holidays at the parks should be: larger than life, covered in lights, a display of cutting edge technology, all while still being incredibly heartwarming. Will they ever return to Walt Disney World? With the amount of money being left on the table by not offering this, I can’t imagine a Walt Disney World theme park won’t someday host the lights one more time.
Sadly, the display was a victim of where it was. The only thing that made the display possible was a large, mostly underutilized empty street towards the back of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Not to defend Disney, but there is nowhere that logistically could make this work today. Disney Springs would be overcrowded as the offering would be made free, no resort hotel has the parking area large enough, and no park currently has a space that could handle it. The only hope I see is a custom built area that is an expansion of a park, otherwise the Osborne lights will likely never return to Disney World.
Thanks for joining us on our Jingle Jungle holiday adventure! – Mickey Mouse
While these offering can not be seen anymore at Walt Disney World, it still promises to be an exciting holiday season with a new castle stage show and new fireworks spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Before we get into the new, I was feeling particularly nostalgic, so I wanted to give everyone a refresher course on the older offerings so as we can compare them to the new once they debut. Here’s hoping for a merry and bright holiday season at Walt Disney World, even without the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.
What do you think? Which of these was your favorite? Are there any you missed that you wished you had seen in person? Let me know in the comments below.
While many guests joked about the old Indian Butter Chicken Wings serving being only 3 wings in size, the last menu overhaul brought the serving portion up to 5. I always enjoyed these, so I was pretty surprised when I found new wings on the menu during a recent visit. The Indian wings have been replaced with “Asian Barbecue Chicken Wings”. If you know me by now, you know well enough that I had to order them and try them out. Let’s see how they stack up to the old…
Asian Barbecue Chicken Wings ($9)
Asian Barbecue Chicken Wings ($9), Nomad Lounge
Upon arriving at the table, all I can think about was how much they looked like the infamous “sticky wings” available at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Once I picked one up to eat it, there were some noticeable flavor similarities between the two as well, but there was something more pleasant about these wings. There is definitely more of a barbecue sauce flavor to these than their rivals at the Polynesian, and I think it makes these a little better (in my opinion at least).
Asian Barbecue Chicken Wings ($9), Nomad Lounge
On their own, I don’t think that $9 for 5 wings is the end of the world, and these are quite good. You have to remember you are at Disney World, and on top of that, you are in a bar at a signature dining experience. The fact that Disney went and made the portions a little better is a nice effort and I find that I have enjoyed dining at Nomad Lounge much more since then.
Of course, Nomad Lounge still has my favorite drink menu at Walt Disney World, which is still reason enough to visit. So the next time you’re at Animal Kingdom and you want to take your friends or family (or maybe your favorite Disney blogger) somewhere for great drinks and good food, this would most certainly be the place to go.
As we grow ever closer to the opening of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2017, new details continue to emerge for this exciting new theme park land. While visiting the Nomad Lounge over the weekend, I discovered that a large portion of the bridge from Discovery Island into the alien world was mostly uncovered, showcasing some amazing new details, including what looks like some small plants and mushrooms that may illuminate in the evening. We also took a short walk out to the Animal Kingdom bus loop to see an interesting angle of the construction from behind. We take a look at all of this and more in our latest video update on the progress on the project:
In our latest photo report, we catch up on Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Rivers of Light, and all of the other goings-on around Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Get ready for a wild time!
Welcome to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Pandora: The World of AVATAR
I decided to take a walk down to the bus loop at Animal Kingdom to see the progress on Pandora: The World of AVATAR. This area offers an interesting view of the construction.
Small glimpses of the land are available from the Rainforest Cafe park entrance.
Steel is still going up on the ground level of the land, for what we don’t know.
As more and more trees are planted and the surrounding ones grow in, it is becoming harder to see the construction from some angles.
More of the alien lampposts have gone up along the bridge.
For some reason, there is a second set of construction walls behind the first.
Most of the bridge between Discovery Island and Pandora has been uncovered.
Some strange and colorful plant life and mushrooms are “growing” on the bridge, it looks like they may even light up.
New Starbucks Mug
A new Disney Parks exclusive Starbucks mug was recently released.
One of the boats that will be in the show was docked and charging by the viewing area.
Maharajah Jungle Trek
The new monkey species has still not debuted along the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Flights of Wonder
We keep waiting for them to finish the coverings added to the Caravan Theater, but it may just be finished and unfortunately this is what the roof looks like.
Tree of Life Trails
Work continues on the trail behind the Tree of Life. This has to be opening soon, right?
A Louisiana Man attempted to bring a loaded firearm into the Epcot theme park on Monday, according to reports.
The weapon was found at the security check point at the entrance to the park, prior to the metal detector area. The man disclosed he had a gun on him prior to being screened. The loaded Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 Automatic was found in a case underneath a jacket tied around Michael Langston of Abita Springs, LA.
The deputy wrote in the arrest report that Langston had no plans to declare his weapon to authorities and planned to bring the loaded weapon into the park. The man was arrested as he was in procession of a concealed firearm with no permit.
Our earlier report claiming the incident took place at Animal Kingdom was incorrect and was based on early inside information shared between cast members.
