Disney"s Animal Kingdom 2016 Tour and Overview | Walt Disney World Tour Video
Walt Disney World has been gearing up for the grand opening of Rivers of Light, the first nighttime spectacular at Animal Kingdom. But this past weekend, theme park guests were able to see the full production for the first time as part of soft opening presentations.
What they saw on the Light side: floating lotus blossoms that morph into colorful, prancing fountains, oversized animal sculptures that could well be from a species of Tiffany lamps and gigantic water curtains featuring splashy wildlife projections.
What audiences didnt experience: a complicated story, animated characters or bombastic pyrotechnics common with Disney World finales.
As a kiss goodnight, Rivers of Light could be considered a peck on the cheek. Thanks for coming by; now, off to your cars, folks. See you real soon.
Sunday nights show, for invited guests and visitors who secured FastPass+ reservations, appeared to be smooth sailing. It began with the floating flowers that change colors with the music and eventually blossom to reveal fountains that shoot water streams in various forms and all directions. In the final moments of Rivers, the largest lotus sprouts a blazing tower, probably the most memorable segment of the show.
The floating fountains arent as sexy an effect as, say, 300 drones in the sky, but that doesnt mean they arent complicated. The units are in near-constant motion while traveling on the theme parks Discovery River, simultaneously spinning and spewing.
In the beginning, dramatic lighting on distant trees frames shadowy figures of animals. (Audience members also can hear them, allowing minds to wander to the real residents of Disneys Animal Kingdom.) Later, barges carrying boxy, internally lit animal figures drift into the picture. The one with two elephants brings to mind Stella, the calf recently birthed at the theme park.
Wildlife also take the spotlight on large, arched water screens, sometimes running across multiple sprays. Down on the waters surface, there are animals baby bears, assorted birds virtually splashing, thanks to technology tucked into the floating lotuses.
The show also has live humans on its watery stage, although they can get lost among the oversized imagery. A boat floats by with a drummer, but a silhouette on its sail commands attention.
All of this is set to an enjoyable, if evenly paced, soundtrack. The vibe is similar to the middle section of IllumiNations, the long-running nighttime show at Epcot.
Its been a long journey for Rivers of Light, which was announced in October 2013 as part of a push to add after-dark entertainment at Animal Kingdom. In March 2016, a debut date of April 22 was announced.On April 19, media members were shown a portion of Rivers of Light, but also were told that a limited-run show named Jungle Book: Alive With Magic would be the first production to appear in the new 5,000-seat amphitheater.
But Rivers, set to have its official debut Friday, should help to entertain the masses expected to check out Pandora, the Avatar-inspired landscheduled to open at animal kingdom on May 27.
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5477
Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-et-disney-rivers-light-first-look-20170213-story.html
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