The music of Rivers of Light

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Posted: Wednesday March 2, 2016 4:34pm EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

For many, the music can make or break a show, and this is especially true with the upcoming Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Without fireworks, the new nighttime show will need a strong soundtrack to accompany what promises to be some incredible imagery.

Rivers of Light concept art

Disney has turned to two trusted composers, Mark Mancina for an original song, and Don L. Harper for the soundtrack. Both have worked with Disney in the past on a variety of TV, movie and park projects.

Rivers of Light concept art

Don L. Harper is credited with work on the scores for National Treasure, Training Day, Armageddon, The Rock, Twister, Broken Arrow, Assassins, and Speed. In the theme park environment, Harper recorded the soundtrack for Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea.

Mark Mancina, who has produced an original song for Rivers of Light, worked on arranging many of the songs in The Lion King, including the Broadway musical. He also collaborated with Phil Collins on the Tarzan and Brother Bear soundtracks.

Rivers of Light will debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom on April 22 2016.

Rivers of Light concept art

Discuss on the Forums

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I am TimmyJul 17, 2020

Rough. I had high hopes for this, my oldest son actually loves it. We knew it wasn't popular, maybe if it had been given the chance it deserved, instead of constant cutbacks it could've been great. The area is beautiful, hope they do something with it.

HauntedMansionFLAJul 17, 2020

One of the best shows on property

brb1006Jul 17, 2020

At least we have the Tree Of Life projection show (that happens at random).

HauntedMansionFLAJul 17, 2020

Well, I guess if they aren’t going to be open pat 6:00 pm 😭

brb1006Jul 17, 2020

R.I.P Rivers Of Light 2017-2020

bubbles1812Mar 17, 2019

I don’t think they probably do that much cleaning (if at all) to the water in Paradise Bay. Having experienced WoC up close and personal, I can tell you it’s definitely not chlorinated by any means. I don’t think I’d feel too much difference with it versus the water in AK, haha. And I’ll echo what the other poster said. Definitely fireworks ash combined with water. Has happened to me at several of the Florida parks if there’s been a rainstorm right before the night shows. Still gross ;)

RSoxNo1Mar 16, 2019

Delicious tropical bacteria*

ToTBellHopMar 14, 2019

The water in Paradise Bay is nasty, too. At least in Florida, it’s only tropical bacteria.

TTA94Mar 14, 2019

Maybe im wrong but I feel like there is a big difference between the water in WoC and RoL lol. Getting wet from WoC doesn’t sound as bad or dangerous as getting wet by the nasty water of RoL lol. I feel like I’m going to catch some nasty bacteria or something lol. I remember watching Ignite at Sea World during the Summer, getting soaked from their fountains and having black specks on my skin. Gross!

Timothy_QMar 13, 2019

There's wind only in Florida? You usually get soaked in WoC if you're close to water. That's a non issue

TTA94Mar 13, 2019

It happened to me twice recently from the Dinoland side.

SquishyMar 13, 2019

I watched the show front row atleast 8 times already and never felt a drop of water.

TTA94Mar 13, 2019

Hopefully I’m wrong but I doubt the Shamans will come back. If RoL was more like World of Color, sadly with IP, it would be extremely popular. Although I’m not sure that would ever work due to wind and beeeze factors. As it is you can get pretty wet from just the 4 lotus fountains and the giant water screen.