A Disney Fan’s Review of Rivers of Light
Disney’s Rivers of Light is a nighttime show at Animal Kingdom park that utilizes floats, fountains, laser projections on mist screens, fire, boats, and has its own original score. It takes place on the lagoon between Asia and Dinoland and is 15 minutes long. The show is reminiscent of Illuminations, the nighttime show at Epcot, and it is a celebration of all living things. Rivers of Light was inspired by the northern lights, which is also known as Aurora Borealis or River of Lights.
There are five lotus flower floats which are responsible for the water effects and then there are also four animal floats that represent the four elements of earth. The African elephant and her calf represent earth, the turtle and her baby represent water, the great horned owl and her owlets represent the sky, and the Asian tiger represents fire. Shamans that are located on the boats are responsible for narrating the show.
The show is beautiful and while it is not as extravagant and loud as most of Disney’s nighttime shows it is still extravagant and powerful in a serene and awe-inspiring way. The music is beautiful, and the lights and projections are stunning. It is truly a one of a kind show and I would highly suggest seeing it.
Dining Packages
If dinner and a show is your cup of tea then you’re in luck because there are two dining package offerings for the Rivers of Light show. A dining package comes with a meal, a non-alcoholic beverage, and premium seating for the show.
The first option is the Tusker House Restaurant. Here you can eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner and it is a buffet style restaurant. Breakfast costs $39.00 for adults and $24.00 for children. Lunch and Dinner costs $52.00 for adults, and $32.00 for children.
The second option is Tiffins Restaurant. Here you can eat lunch or dinner and it is a table service restaurant. It is important to note that this restaurant is fancier than most Animal Kingdom restaurants. Lunch and dinner costs $67.00 for adults and $26.00 for children.
Dessert Parties
A dessert party is also available for Rivers of Light. The party costs $79.00 for adults and $47.00 for children. For the party you get exclusive access to a viewing terrace will you will indulge in a multitude of desserts and beverages. Then before the show begins you will be escorted to a reserved seating area to view the show.
Rivers of Light Tips and Facts
The music for the show was played for the animals at night so they could get used to the music and so that it wouldn’t scare them.
The amphitheater can hold around 4,500 guests.
The show works with Disney’s Made with Magic accessories. They even designed a special accessory for this show. It is the special totem glow wand. It is a wand is shaped like the animal floats from the show.
There are two seating areas for Rivers of Light: one is in the Asia section and the other is in Dinoland USA. The Asia side is where the Fast Pass+ seating is located and Dinoland is where the dining package seating is located.
If Rivers of Light is cancelled when you have a dining package you can attend another show for up to five days after the cancellation.
The two gates marking the entrances of the amphitheater are painted with lotus flowers, which is Asia means enlightenment. This symbolizes the enlightenment you will receive by viewing the show.
The four storytellers costumes were made with 81 different embroidery motifs, 180 different fabrics, and more than 250 various bead designs.
The seating area is a key part of the show’s story telling. Each side of the theater represents a village and when you enter the theater you are being welcomed into that village.
The lotus flower is a key decoration for the show and the seating area so make sure and take a look around and see how many you can spot.
The four animal floats are quite large, some of them measuring 15 feet tall and 30 feet long. They are also made with LED technology which gives them their lighting and makes them look like they are moving. I hope you enjoy Rivers of Light!
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Hello Disney Fans! Janie here. I was a Disney kid growing up and now that I am an adult I love it even more. Whether its movies, music, parks, or games I just can’t get enough of it. I visit Disney World at least twice a year and even when I’m not there it’s all I can think about!