LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.— Since the much anticipated, and oft-delayed, premiere of “Rivers of Light” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom last month, the show has hits it stride and is dazzling audiences with it ground-breaking and state-of-the-art sights and sounds.
The all-new nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, debuted Feb. 17 after a series of “soft opening” performances. The elaborate theatrical production is steeped in symbolism and storytelling, taking guests on a breathtaking emotional journey with a visual mix of water, fire, nature and light all choreographed to an original musical score.
The 16-minute show is the latest addition to the lineup of nighttime experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is billed as a celebration of the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans in the world. It combines live performers, beautiful floating lanterns, glistening fountains, special effects and authentic animal imagery projected on giant water screens.
“Disney’s Animal Kingdom is built around the lives of animals, built around the rules of nature, and those rules dictate that as you move between day and night everything changes…and you’re going to want to see that,” said Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “It all really is summed up by Rivers of Light. In the show, we take this combination of light and water which create life, and out of that comes this fantastically rich explosion of animal life that ultimately rises up and joins the stars.”
The show takes place along the picturesque edge of the Discovery River at the site of a fabled age-old ritual. A new 5,000-seat amphitheater welcomes guests to two distinct “villages” separated by a bridge and the river. Sounds of animals are heard from a nearby forest, and magical fireflies descend from the Tree of Life toward the lagoon, creating a sense of wonder as four beautifully illuminated Lotus flowers float across the water.
The ceremony begins with a stirring musical overture signaling the arrival of a pair of mystical Storytellers, two complementary forces who come to the river bearing gifts of light. They set out from the shore aboard elaborate lantern vessels. Adorned in intricately designed costumes, the hosts engage in a dramatic dance of water and light to summon the animal spirits – an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant and Great Horned Owl – and take guests on a wondrous journey across Asian jungles and African Savannahs.
Disney challenged renowned Broadway production designer Michael Curry to create vessels that were artistic and stimulating, yet innovative. The commanding lanterns stand 15 feet tall and are 30 feet long, illuminated from within by innovative LED technology.
As the mesmerizing show progresses, Rivers of Light continues to unfold with a powerful musical score created by songwriter and composer Don L. Harper and recorded at the renowned Abbey Road Studio in London. The signature song “We Are One” was written by Mark Mancina, who created the score and was a key collaborator on the music for Disney’s hit animated feature film “Moana.”
“At the show’s finale, we hope guests will feel like they have been on a tremendous ceremonial and visual journey,” said Michael Jung, Walt Disney Imagineering creative director. “Rivers of Light really provides an affirmation of life and reminds us of the beauty and fragility of the natural world we all share – with animals and one another.”
Technology and attention to detail play starring roles in the new show. The 11 show floats are independent of each other and programmed to follow a choreographed “dance” across the lagoon. More than 50,000 programmable, color-changing LED lights are found in the four Animal Spirit Guide floats alone. Each Lotus float produces its own water screen. Costumes for the storytellers and their acolytes include fabrics using 5,000-year-old dye and weaving techniques.
What you Need to Know:
- Rivers of Light is typically being performed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. During busier times, it moves to daily performances with multiple shows per day. See the full Rivers of Light schedule.
- The show is 16 minutes long. The pre-show begins around 15 minutes before show time, bringing the total entertainment to something closer to 30 minutes.
- FastPass+ is available for the show. Reservations can be made via My Disney Experience or the in-park kiosks.
- Special dining packages are available to park guests that include reserved seating at the show. Packages are offered at the buffet-style Tusker House or the new signature restaurant Tiffins (lunch and dinner). Reservations can be made by visiting com/dining or by calling 407 WDW-DINE. Tusker House Restaurant dining packages start at $39.00 adults $23.00 children ages 3 to 9 for breakfast and $52.00 adults $32.00 children ages 3 to 9 for lunch or dinner. Tiffins packages are available for both lunch and dinner, with prices starting at: $67.00 adults and $26 children ages 3 to 9
- Stand-by (non FP+ or Dining Package) seating is available, but somewhat limited. It is best to either get there early, use a FP+, or arrange for a Dining Package.
- There are two seating areas for Rivers of Light that can accommodate up to 6,000 guests. On the Asia side you will find the FP+ seating. On the Dino-Land side you will find stand-by seating and Dining Package Seating. Neither side has viewing or seating) any better than the other. Viewing outside the seating areas is limited.
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