New Rivers of Light concept art shown in latest Passholder Mickey Monitor

Feb 15, 2016 in "Rivers of Light"

Posted: Monday February 15, 2016 10:13am EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Mickey Monitor Annual Passholder newsletter for Spring 2016 shows previously unreleased concept art for the new Animal Kingdom nighttime show - Rivers of Light.

The article in the Mickey Monitor goes on to say:

“Rivers of Light pays homage to traditional Asian lantern festivals and this beautiful myth about the aurora borealis,” Michael Jung, Creative Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, told us. “There’s an ancient belief that when animals passed from one world to another they danced in the sky and became these beautiful rivers of light.”

Taking place on Discovery River, the show employs state-of-the-art projection effects, water screens, magical oating lanterns, live performance, music and shadow puppetry. It begins with two pairs of mystical hosts making their way to the river offering the gift of light.

Lotus lanterns open to transform into beautiful fountains. Four huge, amazing animal gures—an owl, tiger, turtle and elephant—appear and morph as their animal spirits awaken and come to life on the water screens. The hosts, the embodiment of re and water, return and the dramatic nish includes the animals ying out and literally painting the aurora all around you in an almost dreamlike panorama.

Of course, the welfare of the animals and the integrity of the Park itself were always top of mind, including not allowing any light projections or special effects to impact the animals or their environments and not installing technical infrastructure into the lagoon area.
Michael promises that this spectacle will be like no other experienced at Walt Disney World® Resort. “And what’s so exciting is that our Guests have never seen this Park at night.”


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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.

cjkeatingMar 13, 2019

Let's hope so. No sign of Rafiki's reopening so I'm not holding out hope. :(