Disney Gives a Sneak Preview of the New Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Starting this spring, Disney's Animal Kingdom will be completely transformed thanks to the new Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular. Disney gave Annual Passholders a sneak peek at the new nighttime show in the latest edition of the Mickey Monitor, the AP newsletter.

Rivers of Light begins this spring at Disney's Animal KingdomRivers of Light begins this spring at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Rivers of Light is the Animal Kingdom's first-ever nighttime entertainment offering and, according to the article, "will interlace technical innovation with epic storytelling, brilliant visuals, and a moving musical accompaniment."

The show "pays homage to traditional Asian lantern festivals and this beautiful myth about the aurora borealis," according to Michael Jung with Walt Disney Imagineering.

Rivers of Light will take place on the Discovery River and uses state-of-the-art projection effects, water screens, floating lanterns, live performances, music, and more. Lotus lanterns transform into fountains and four animal figures (owl, tiger, turtle, and elephant) morph into their spirit animals as the show begins.

There is no official start day for the Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom other than that it will open "this spring."

Are you looking forward to this new nighttime experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments.

Marc wrote on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 20:43:

Marc's picture

Grrr! When will Rivers of Light begin, other than the opaque "spring"? I'd love to see it during Star Wars run weekend, but that seems unlikely as Animal Kingdom closes around 6:30 or 7pm, which feels as if it may still be light outside.

Kristen K. wrote on Wed, 02/17/2016 - 15:00:

Kristen K.'s picture

I wish I knew Marc, I have reservations for early May and I've got my fingers crossed. Right now I'mm seeing a 6pm Park closing for DAK as well. W're just going to have to wait until Disney announces, and it may only be a couple of weeks before it opens.

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