It’s hard to explain the anticipation that built during the pre-show experience. They included tigers, elephants, and turtles to help maintain the focus on love for nature. They’re joined by two large boats holding each shaman that helped present the show plus boats with animal shapes lit up on top of them. ![]() These watercraft weren’t just props and set the foundation for the wonders to come. The bright objects spread out across the lagoon and prepare for the next steps. The excitement began with the arrival of a group of floats shaped like pink lotus flowers. Despite sitting near many other guests, it’s quite a relaxing atmosphere. There were few bright lights in the area, which added to the natural feeling. Flickering lights and animal images appeared on the trees and looked striking from across the lagoon. The experience started before the official time and built the mood. My expectations were low, and that made all of it refreshing. I had purposely avoided watching videos or reading too much about Rivers of Light, which kept it surprising. I was nervous of a Shamu-like soaking experience, but it was impossible to pass up such a prime spot. The stadium was nearly full, but the third row in front was empty. This was a challenge for us after delays with our ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris. FastPass guests had to arrive 15 minutes before the show. ![]() Disney wisely added a second show to accommodate more guests. The capacity was reportedly only 5,000 seats, not enough for everyone. The seating for Rivers of Light was situated at the back of the park and split into areas for FastPass, dinner package, and standby guests. It was a blast to get a different look at a place I typically visit in the daytime, and the park was more vibrant at night. This change also gave me a chance to check out the park’s nighttime entertainment. I made FastPass Plus reservations for the show and shifted to a later morning start. Once Disney announced the change, it adjusted our plans considerably. The Animal Kingdom day would give us a much-needed nighttime break in the middle of the trip. When I booked our Walt Disney World trip for March 2017, I did not expect to see Rivers of Light during that vacation. Could Disney put together an effective show that worked in the Animal Kingdom? Reports of disastrous cast member previews and technical issues made me wonder if Rivers of Light would ever open. Originally scheduled for a 2016 opening, the nighttime show struggled to find its footing. The ongoing saga of Rivers of Light’s creation intrigued and frustrated Disney fans going back to the first official Disney Parks Blog announcement in May 2014. I went in cold and was surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience. In honor of a nighttime show that deserved a much better fate, here’s an updated version of my original review from March 2017. There is groupthink among Disney fans that can shift the understandable idea of “ it’s not for me” to “ it’s terrible“. However, I’d push back against the view that it’s a bad show. I know there are other fans of Rivers of Light out there, so I’m not completely on an island. ![]() ![]() Disney added parts of The Lion King, but that did not help. In the world of synergy and branding across the resorts, Rivers of Light didn’t fit. In a similar vein to Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, the experience connected well to the park’s approach. There wasn’t a clear story or extended clips from Disney movies. It didn’t include typical beats that you might expect in a nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World. The same elements that made Rivers of Light stand out also led to its demise. This wasn’t the predominant view, however. I loved Rivers of Light and looked forward to seeing it for many years. Instead, it conveyed the focus on conservation and celebrating our natural world. It was a different nighttime show that didn’t need fireworks. The original version with live performers aligned perfectly with the park’s theme. The show barely played for three years at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and went through multiple updates. I’m sad that it’s time to write a tribute to Rivers of Light.
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