Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Walt Disney World Gets Ready for Its 'Rivers of Light'

November 20, 2015, 5:52 PM · Walt Disney World is revealing more details about its next big attraction, the Rivers of Light nighttime show at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Rivers of Light
Concept art courtesy Disney

In “Rivers of Light,” a pair of mystical hosts come to the river bearing gifts of light. During the show, the hosts set out from the shore on elaborate lantern vessels for a dramatic dance of water and light to summon animal spirits. With the storytellers as your guides, the wonders of “Rivers of Light” builds to a stunning crescendo.


The show's creative team includes Walt Disney Imagineering, puppet designer Michael Curry, composer Mark Mancina, and the filmmakers at Disneynature. Imagineering's Joe Rohde explains the inspiration behind the new show:

The viewing area for the new show will be located on the shore of the Discovery River, near Expedition Everest. Here is a look at the state of construction, from earlier this week.

Rivers of Light construction

Rivers of Light opens this spring.

Replies (5)

anonymous
66.249.84.241
November 20, 2015 at 7:28 PM · What in the h*** is in his ear...
anonymous
70.126.135.117
November 21, 2015 at 9:56 AM · Can I just say that the concept art for Rivers Of Light is probably some of the coolest concept art I have ever seen? Really looking forward to this new show! One thing that's always held DAK back is that it never really operates into the nighttime hours. Which is a shame, because all the other WDW parks operate at night and look absolutely beautiful, and some parts of them (like Tomorrowland) I would argue look more beautiful at night then during the day. And DAK has some of the best scenery in any Disney park, so just imagine how awesome the park would look at night. If the Yetti animatronic was still working, then riding Expedition Everest at night would probably make for the ultimate Expedition Everest experience. The darkness of night would add a little more to the mystery, horror and intrigue that makes Expedition Everest such a great ride.

So, in summary, I really can't wait to experience DAK at night.

dlrwdwkd
dlrwdwkd
November 21, 2015 at 11:01 AM · I am SO excited!
Bigwig30
Writer
James Rao
November 21, 2015 at 7:30 PM · Rivers of Light in mid 2016, and Avatar: the World of Pandora in early 2017 [just rumors at this point]. Expect Everest to close shortly thereafter to fix the Yeti problem once and for all [just wishful thinking].
Timchat2
Tim Chatlos
November 23, 2015 at 9:24 AM · Still no real sign of Disney characters or other IP in the show. It looks like this might be a return-to-form of sorts to spectaculars in the vein of Tapestry of Nations and Reflections of Ice...and that's fine by me! Encouraging stuff so far.

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