Disney's Animal Kingdom to open 'Rivers of Light

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Rivers of Light We Are One concept art

Posted: Monday April 22, 2019 9:07am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney's Animal Kingdom will debut an updated version of Rivers of Light this summer featuring Disney movie imagery and music.

Rivers of Light We Are One concept art

Titled “Rivers of Light: We Are One,” the revised show will introduce additional imagery and familiar animal characters from Disneynature films, along with classic moments from Disney animation.

The soundtrack will also be updated to include arrangements of the original Rivers of Light music alongside familiar Disney themes.

These changes appear to have been in response to a luke-warm reception to the original early 2017 Rivers of Light by park guests. Although many fans appreciate the subtlety and on-theme design of the show, some guests have expressed disappointment in not seeing and hearing familiar Disney characters and themes in the show.

The new show will begin on Memorial Day Weekend 2019.

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BromBonesJan 06, 2020

I far more enjoyed Animal Kingdom when it was a half day park. The implementation of the light show really ruined the beautiful lagoon outside of Expedition Everest. There was nothing nicer than eating at the Flame Tree BBQ and walking down to the patio next to the lagoon. It was quiet and undisturbed.

GhostHost1000Jan 06, 2020

Still needs a better finale. Some wow moment.

TTA94Jan 05, 2020

One, if not the only one, strong point in the show is the thunderstorm lol.

seggermanJan 05, 2020

I saw the show in early December - and it was about 40% too long. The effects were great - but then they were repeated, over and over.

RSoxNo1Jan 04, 2020

But... but... IP is always better.

jaxonpJan 03, 2020

there seriously was no reason to change the show if it wasn’t going to make it an improvement. Garbage.

TrainsOfDisneyJan 03, 2020

I miss the 3d effects, but in the end I think the show is slightly better now. It feels like it has a better flow now than previous. I really wish they would have succeeded with this show, I love what it was supposed to be. The music and feel of the show was on point. It seems like they should have just tripled the amount of lotus blossoms and done more world of color type stuff imho.

MokaJan 03, 2020

I seem to be one of the only ones who has a slight liking to it. But again, reason may be because I never saw the original. Just got my annual passes back in late 2018 after not going in almost 7-8 years or so.

Prototype82Jan 03, 2020

Did it though? No more three dimensional projections (The new show doesn't even fully utilize the tech), the subtle flaring of the flames in sync with the flutes in the music score...I feel like people keep saying it's "better" because there's "more fire". I liked the subtly. I wholeheartedly agree about how bad the flow is.

Prototype82Jan 03, 2020

I am literally ecstatic that this actually happened.

No NameJan 02, 2020

The original show, even without the live actors, was rated higher than this current version among all groups except preschoolers. If the company operated with facts and logic, they would bring the original back. It would essentially require no more than flipping a switch. However, either the company values preschoolers over everyone else combined, or more likely, the company is grounded to their view that movie IP improves everything and refuses to acknowledge data that shows otherwise. “Well at least it’s Disney now” I can hear the Bobs thinking. The reason only preschoolers like it better, most likely, is because they are incapable of processing themes, messages, etc. so they rely on cute familiar sights for enjoyment.