Tag: Rivers of Light

Walt Disney World Permanently Closes Rivers of Light, Primeval Whirl and Stitch’s Great Escape y

Today Walt Disney World has announced that Primeval Whirl, Stitch’s Great Escape! and Rivers of Light are now permanently closed. This was announced in a memo to Cast Members

Stitch’s Great Escape! had been seasonal, essentially closed since late 2016.  At one time  it was strongly rumored to be replaced by a Wreck It Ralph attraction that did not ultimately get approval. The show’s lobby area had been host to a Stitch meet and greet prior to the COVID-19 shutdown. Since Magic Kingdom’s reopening, Stitch has been appearing at the Rockettower Plaza Stage.

Primeval Whirl, which is located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been closed for more than a year due to a series of technical and operational difficulties.

Rivers of Light opened with great excitement after a series of delays due it’s ground-breaking autonomous technology, but ultimately failed to meet guest expectations. Disney made budget cuts to the show last year, which saw the live performers removed, but this failed to save the show from cancellation.

Walt Disney World has not made announcements of any plans for replacements at this time. With great uncertainty and budget constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be a while before we hear anything.

I for one will only slightly miss Primeval Whirl. It was a fun attraction, but with it being down for more than a year I kind of accepted that it wasn’t coming back.

Stitch was sort of cute, but won’t miss it.

I found Rivers of Light to be a beautifully looking show, but poorly executed. It was a slow moving show with too much “downtime.” I found it boring. I saw it once and that was more than enough. I won’t miss it.

Rivers of Light Dessert Party Now Available for Reservations

If you are fan of dessert parties at Walt Disney World, today Disney Dining has opened reservations for a new Rivers of Light Dessert Party at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

According to Disney, guests will need to begin checking in 60 minutes prior to the main show (8:15pm for a 9:15pm show) at the Rivers of Light Asia Viewing Area Terrace which is  located across from Expedition Everest.

At the Dessert Party guests will be able to enjoy themed desserts and savory snacks. Drink selections include specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, iced tea, lemonade and water.

When the show is about to start, you will head down to the VIP Seating Area for a viewing of Rivers of Light.

Pricing
Admission is $79 per adult and $47 per child (ages 3 to 9) including tax; gratuity not included or required. Separate Disney’s Animal Kingdom park admission is also required.

Please note that the menu items are subject to change and the experience may be changed or canceled without prior notice.

Reservations
Book online or call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Watch #DisneyParksLIVE Stream of ‘Rivers Of Light’ August 22 at 8:40 P.M. EDT

Disney is continuing their celebration of summer fun here with a special #DisneyParksLIVE stream of “Rivers of Light” on Tuesday, August 22nd.

In case you haven’t seen this amazing nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “Rivers of Light” celebrates animals and nature by combining floating set pieces, lanterns, a soaring musical score, fountains and more. The show’s storytellers “narrate” this emotionally moving show through a combination of dance, music, song and shadow puppetry.

The live stream of “Rivers of Light” will begin Tuesday, August 22 at 8:40 p.m. EDT. A fresh Disney Parks Blog post with the live video will appear at the top of the Disney Parks Blog Tuesday night right before the show.

Disneyland Announces Return Dates for ‘Fantasmic!,’ Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad

This summer, iconic Disneyland park attractions make their return with the reopening of “Fantasmic!,” the Rivers of America attractions and the Disneyland Railroad. We know these classic attractions – many of which have delighted guests since the park’s opening day – are very special to Disneyland park fans, and we are excited to celebrate their return.

For 25 years, “Fantasmic!” has taken Disneyland park guests on a journey into Mickey Mouse’simagination, and its return on July 17 – in celebration of the park’s 62nd anniversary – will bring new magic to this beloved nighttime spectacular! The treasured Disneyland park experience guests have loved for years, complete with its original fanfare and theme song, will be taken to brilliant new heights. New mist screens will combine with innovative, state-of-the-art projection technology for brighter and more vibrant visuals than ever before, and the show will feature new scenes inspired by Disney animated classics such as “Aladdin” and “The Lion King.”

Also this summer, the classic Rivers of America attractions will reopen, starting with Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island this Friday, June 16, followed by Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbiaand Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes on July 29. For decades, guests have traveled the landscapes inspired by four of America’s majestic rivers: the Mississippi, the Columbia, the Missouri and the Rio Grande; each carefully recreated, complete with indigenous rock formations, natural forests and wildlife. The return of these watercraft will bring even more breathtaking views for guests to discover, including an enhanced adventure featuring the new Columbia Gorge section, highlighted by five picturesque waterfalls. Last year, we shared the artist’s rendering above, courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering, showing the gorgeous new north bank of the Rivers of America, which will feature a beautiful new waterfront.

This new waterfront will also include several elevated trestles over which the Disneyland Railroad will travel when it reopens along with the Rivers of America attractions on July 29. An icon for more than 60 years, the Disneyland Railroad holds a special place in the hearts of our guests, and we are excited to take them on the grand circle tour of Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom once again. This classic experience will also feature new and enhanced adventures! For the very first time, the Disneyland Railroad will make a left-hand turn to continue around Disneyland park, and I’m excited to tell you that Walt Disney’s legendary dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World have been carefully restored to their original splendor, with a bit of new magic added to both!

Don’t miss this iconic summer as some of your favorite attractions return to Disneyland.

BREAKING – Disney to Soft Open Rivers of Light Tonight

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will soft open on Friday February 10th for all guests.

FastPass+ is now available for tonight’s show, which begins at 7:15pm.

Disney announced yesterday that Rivers of Light officially opens on February 17th.

From WDWMagic

Walt Disney World Opens Reservations for Rivers of Light Dining Package

“Rivers of Light,” the new nighttime show that debuts February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will wow guests with live performers, a soaring musical score, grand theatrical imagery and innovative water special effects that celebrate the relationship between animals and nature. The new show comes to life on select nights after dark on the Discovery River between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest.

The park’s culinary team is working on special dining packages at both Tiffins and Tusker House Restaurant to add to the special evening.

Similar to the popular “Fantasmic!” Dining Packages at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the “Rivers of Light” Dining Package includes reserved seating at the new show. At all-you-care-to-eat Tusker House, you can choose the breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet on the day of the show (but you have to dine at least 2 ½ hours before the show). Breakfast is $37, $23 ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity; lunch and dinner, $49, $30 ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. Tusker House Restaurant is on the Disney Dining Plan and counts as one table-service meal.

At Tiffins, “Rivers of Light” Dining Packages are available at both lunch and dinner. Choose your favorite appetizer, entrée, dessert plus a non-alcoholic beverage. Dining must take place at least two and a half hours prior to showtime. Cost is $67, $32 ages 3 to 9 plus tax and gratuity. Tiffins accepts the Disney Dining Plan, and counts as two table-service meal entitlements.

Reservations are now open and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dining or calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Rivers of Light Finally Gets Official Opening Date

For more than a year, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has continued its evolution to a day-to-night park by introducing a rich variety of new nighttime experiences – from Kilimanjaro Safaris after sunset and fine dining at Tiffins, to the vibrant entertainment at the Harambe Wildlife Parti and Discovery Island Carnivale. And when the Tree of Life awakens after dark, it is truly a sight to behold!

Today, Disney announced one of the park’s newest nighttime experiences, “Rivers of Light,” will make its official debut on February 17.

Continuing the grand Disney tradition of innovative, after-dark entertainment, “Rivers of Light” combines live performance, floating set pieces, a soaring musical score, fountains and more in a celebration of animals and nature. The story magically unfolds on the broad natural stage of the Discovery River, conveying the uplifting spirit of an ancient and timeless lantern ceremony and filled with symbolism, storytelling and plenty of heart.

FastPass+ is now available for Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  To make dining or FastPass+ reservations for this new show, visit MyDisneyExperience.com or the My Disney Experience app.

And don’t forget that the next step in the expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – the grand debut of Pandora – The World of Avatar – will take place on May 27, 2017.

Walt Disney World Lists Rivers of Light as Coming in 2017

In a new “What’s New, What’s Next” press release, Disney mentions a 2017 opening for Rivers of Light.

The Animal Kingdom nighttime spectacular has faced several technical difficulties during its development, and missed its publicly announced April 22, 2016 opening date. Ever since, Disney has remained silent on the the future of the show.  Recent Cast Member previews have given hope of an impending opening.

Here is the full text:

Rivers of Light – Coming in 2017, this powerful theatrical production takes Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests on a magnificent emotional journey – a visual mix of water, fire, nature and light choreographed to an original musical score. Continuing the park’s transformation from a day-into-nighttime experience, the amazing after-dark show on the banks of Discovery River celebrates the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans in the world. With innovative and never-before-seen technology, Rivers of Light will be unlike any other production ever staged at Walt Disney World Resort. 

Rivers of Light Cast Member Previews Taking Place this Sunday

The long delayed Rivers of Light show may actually be ready for public viewing sometime soon.

Cast Members at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are being invited to attend previews of the show this Sunday. Such previews are typically an indication that an opening to guests is imminent.

There’s still no word on when the show will open to the public since its original Spring 2016 opening was delayed.

Disney in August said Rivers of Light would open by year’s end. The company didn’t say this week whether that would still be the case.
Park insiders say the show has been plagued by technical difficulties. Rivers of Light is a complex production, taking place on the water and featuring floating lanterns, lighting effects, live performers and music.

Walt Disney World Delays ‘Rivers of Light’

Two new nighttime shows and experiences at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom are not coming as soon as expected.

A nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris and the lighting effects on the Tree of Life – both set to premiere on April 22 –  have also been put on hold.

“While we’d hoped to debut these offerings on April 22, unfortunately, they will not open as planned on that date as we give the team more time to bring these innovative experiences to life in a way we know will exceed our guests’ expectations. We’ll share more information about timing on the Disney Parks Blog by mid- to late May,” said a blog post.

The two experiences are important to the park because they extend Animal Kingdom’s evening appeal and will help draw more curious fans to Orlando for vacations.

However, it’s not surprising to see Disney delay the shows if they weren’t ready. Walt Disney World has some of the highest standards for its shows, which helps it be the most-visited theme park in the world.

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