Rivers of Light --- Almost Ready for Prime Time

[rteetz]

20 minutes was the rare reporting but every other review I read said 18 minutes.
No one said 15 minutes.
These were folks going in to review, being detailed oriented and taking notes.

I wouldn't doubt Mike, he saw one of the previews and runs blogMickey.

 

[DisFanDad]

Well, if you were expecting Big Thunder or Space, yeah, it is disappointing. If you were expecting a family coaster which is what it was billed as I think you were fine with it

I consider big thunder a family friendly coaster, so I was expecting both, and was left disappointed.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I consider big thunder a family friendly coaster, so I was expecting both, and was left disappointed.

fair enough - I was always picturing something with thrill level less than that (something in between Barn Stormer and Big Thunder) with a dark ride element to it added and I think that is what we got (though I do wish it was a bit longer)

I definitely think it isn't worth the lines it gets - but I find it a fun ride that zipps around fantasy land with views of the Castle, etc. and my kids love it so I think at accomplished what I was epecting. Could it have been more? Sure, but I wasn't disappointed

 

[maltdizzy]

I consider big thunder a family friendly coaster, so I was expecting both, and was left disappointed.

I think even my 10yo found 7DMR to be more of a small kids coaster. We rode it twice last trip and I think it now falls pretty low on his list of ride priorities.He found barnstromer had more thrills.

But back to the topic at hand, 7DMR is at least a popular success...with a short show, no finale, I wonder if the current RoL will fail to meet expectations, a la Jungle Book.

 

[rteetz]

I think even my 10yo found 7DMR to be more of a small kids coaster. We rode it twice last trip and I think it now falls pretty low on his list of ride priorities.He found barnstromer had more thrills.

But back to the topic at hand, 7DMR is at least a popular success...with a short show, no finale, I wonder if the current RoL will fail to meet expectations, a la Jungle Book.

I think it will be better than jungle book but won't live up to the expectations because of the delays.

 

[Grumpy6264]

This show has been way over hyped. I look forward to seeing it sometime. If it happens during a soft opening this holiday week, great. If not, so be it.

With all the announcements and discussions, I think that there is bound to be over expectations. But that is okay, because in the end this is a show at a theme park. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[rteetz]

This show has been way over hyped. I look forward to seeing it sometime. If it happens during a soft opening this holiday week, great. If not, so be it.

With all the announcements and discussions, I think that there is bound to be over expectations. But that is okay, because in the end this is a show at a theme park. Nothing more, nothing less.

I'm confused on your statement "in the end this is a show at a theme park". Does that mean better things happen outside theme parks or what? I'd argue some amazing technological shows are done inside theme parks better than many things done outside theme parks.

 

[maltdizzy]

I'm confused on your statement "in the end this is a show at a theme park". Does that mean better things happen outside theme parks or what? I'd argue some amazing technological shows are done inside theme parks better than many things done outside theme parks.

I read that is if the show doesn't happen, it shouldn't ruin anyone's day or trip.

It also is not a 3-hr Broadway show or a 2-hr Symphony of Fire fireworks show.

 

[Grumpy6264]

What I was trying to say was that my enjoyment of our trip to WDW is not dependent upon whether we will get to see this show during this trip or not. From what I have see, it looks visually stunning and I hope we can see it. But I don't WDW is a total experience and the experience will not be better or worse if we see this show or not.

I can understand the disappointment of people who are going for the first and maybe only time, I think the impact on their satisfaction is probably greater. But as a repeat customer, I know that I can catch it the next time.

 

[anthony2k7]

I don't think you can speak for regular guests. Regular guests aren't on the DISboards. It's the diehards like us that are upset.

Sorry, I actually meant "guests that go regularly" rather than "regular guests"!

 

[skier_pete]

This show has been way over hyped..

Do you mean here on the boards? I don't think Disney has been hyping it at ALL. In fact they've been very, very quiet about it because they know it's a bit of a disaster.

I do agree that "on the boards" it is been built up a lot because the delays are now stretching into 6 months. I think also those of us that have been to California and seen World of Color know what Disney is capable of - though I quite honestly DON'T expect world of color. In fact, I think it's all really been the opposite of "hype" on this one. It's been nothing but disappointment, the reviews of what people have seen haven't been great...I think that in all honestly I am keeping my expectations low and hoping to be pleasantly surprised - since we won't be seeing it until next November now anyways.

Edit: The talk of will it "ruin someone's trip". We went in October, expecting from May for it to be open. We were disappointed it wasn't, but it certainly had next to no adverse affect on our trip. I think "average guest" and even "once in a lifetime guest" it would be even less of an affect, because they really wouldn't even realize that they missed anything. It's not like there was EVER a show there. I would think that "regular" guests would be much more upset at the lack of nighttime parade in Magic Kingdom, which they had maybe seen many times before.

 

[Grumpy6264]

I think that in all honestly I am keeping my expectations low and hoping to be pleasantly surprised

I agree with your take on this completely. It's funny how expectations change over time. The first few times we visited WDW we were pretty commando, but since we purchased a DVC contract, we have loosened up a lot. So for us, if we will see the show when we see it. I just hope that when they do open it up that we are pleasantly surprised.

 

[Phdmama06]

I do agree that "on the boards" it is been built up a lot because the delays are now stretching into 6 months. I think also those of us that have been to California and seen World of Color know what Disney is capable of - though I quite honestly DON'T expect world of color. In fact, I think it's all really been the opposite of "hype" on this one. It's been nothing but disappointment, the reviews of what people have seen haven't been great...I think that in all honestly I am keeping my expectations low and hoping to be pleasantly surprised - since we won't be seeing it until next November now anyways.

What initially got me excited about this show was falling in love with World of Color and hearing rumors that RoL might use some similar elements in their show. I really thought to myself, what couldn't be better than a WoC-like show in a beautiful park like Animal Kingdom?! Now seeing the delays, hearing about the issues, and listening to a recent review of the show (from a podcaster who saw one of the previews earlier this morning), my expectations have shifted a LOT. I'm not expecting much at all, so hopefully when it finally is ready for show time, it will be much better than I'm anticipating. And two Disney trips when RoL should have been available have come and gone for me...sooo...I can keep waiting. Honestly I'd really rather them take longer to release a show and get it right rather than do it sooner and end up with a piece of garbage.

 

[skier_pete]

I agree with your take on this completely. It's funny how expectations change over time. The first few times we visited WDW we were pretty commando, but since we purchased a DVC contract, we have loosened up a lot. So for us, if we will see the show when we see it. I just hope that when they do open it up that we are pleasantly surprised.

This is a tad off-topic, but that is one of the GREAT things I've found from being frequent (once annual) visitors. Those first few years we were really trying to squeeze as much in as possible. Now if we miss something, we just say "we'll catch it next time". It's not that we sit at the resort all day and avoid the parks, it's just that we spend less timing bombing through the parks and more time at a relaxed pace. (We do hit the first two hours after rope drop pretty hard most days, though.)

 

[HopperFan]

Do you mean here on the boards? I don't think Disney has been hyping it at ALL. In fact they've been very, very quiet about it because they know it's a bit of a disaster.

I do agree that "on the boards" it is been built up a lot because the delays are now stretching into 6 months. I think also those of us that have been to California and seen World of Color know what Disney is capable of - though I quite honestly DON'T expect world of color. In fact, I think it's all really been the opposite of "hype" on this one. It's been nothing but disappointment, the reviews of what people have seen haven't been great...I think that in all honestly I am keeping my expectations low and hoping to be pleasantly surprised - since we won't be seeing it until next November now anyways.

Edit: The talk of will it "ruin someone's trip". We went in October, expecting from May for it to be open. We were disappointed it wasn't, but it certainly had next to no adverse affect on our trip. I think "average guest" and even "once in a lifetime guest" it would be even less of an affect, because they really wouldn't even realize that they missed anything. It's not like there was EVER a show there. I would think that "regular" guests would be much more upset at the lack of nighttime parade in Magic Kingdom, which they had maybe seen many times before.

My view was Disney was hyping this like crazy prior to the April opening/non-opening date. This was to be off the chart fabulous.

NOW once they pulled it ... they haven't said anything at all about it, no hype, no nothing, crickets. ALL that has been talked about for now EIGHT months has been nothing more than rumors started by all kinds of people, repeated and growing into a huge web of expectation, disappointment and inaccuracy.

I agree, the great majority of the reviews have not been great. There are those who loved it, and those who hated on it - toss them out - usually bias. You go with the majority of the reviews in the middle and they feel it is not what was hyped, not what was promised and incomplete enough to appear not complete.

The only way for anything being closed to ruin someone's trip is if they planned their entire trip around this one thing, which is never a good plan. Since this show has not even been acknowledged by Disney between April and December ......... it would be foolish to plan around it.

 

[mikepizzo]

My view was Disney was hyping this like crazy prior to the April opening/non-opening date. This was to be off the chart fabulous.

NOW once they pulled it ... they haven't said anything at all about it, no hype, no nothing, crickets. ALL that has been talked about for now EIGHT months has been nothing more than rumors started by all kinds of people, repeated and growing into a huge web of expectation, disappointment and inaccuracy.

I agree, the great majority of the reviews have not been great. There are those who loved it, and those who hated on it - toss them out - usually bias. You go with the majority of the reviews in the middle and they feel it is not what was hyped, not what was promised and incomplete enough to appear not complete.

The only way for anything being closed to ruin someone's trip is if they planned their entire trip around this one thing, which is never a good plan. Since this show has not even been acknowledged by Disney between April and December ......... it would be foolish to plan around it.

This; there's a reason why the show is still not released, regardless if it's technical, story elements, etc. Disney has botched the release date, the last thing they want to do is botch the actual show.

But to your last point...you wouldn't advise planning my 2025 trip around the villains theme'd 5th gate?

 

[HopperFan]

This; there's a reason why the show is still not released, regardless if it's technical, story elements, etc. Disney has botched the release date, the last thing they want to do is botch the actual show.

But to your last point...you wouldn't advise planning my 2025 trip around the villains theme'd 5th gate?

WELL .................. you are speaking to my heart, black heart.

I would book a trip for every six months for next decade on the rumor this would happen ... AND
if they build a villain hotel, I'm in; and villain character meals, I'm in; and villain cabanas, I'm in;
and villain EMM, I'm in; and well .............. you get the dark picture.

 

[DisFanDad]

WELL .................. you are speaking to my heart, black heart.

I would book a trip for every six months for next decade on the rumor this would happen ... AND
if they build a villain hotel, I'm in; and villain character meals, I'm in; and villain cabanas, I'm in;
and villain EMM, I'm in; and well .............. you get the dark picture.

I know we are off topic but, its the SINGLE most GLARING thing disney isn't cashing in on. And people wouldn't even complain if they cashed in on it because they would be offering us NEW and exciting stuff !!! For all the ways they are trying to pinch and pull every dime out of us and offering upcharge events / services / booze in MK, etc etc ... just offer us a 5th gate, villain stuff, with IMO thrill based rides. I would never go to Universal again, and I would probably add a secondly yearly trip to WDW ...

Anyway ... RoL ... I don't think it was too hyped, i agree thats more our own doing. Star Wars, THAT is FAR too hyped for something they have very little offerings for atm.

 

[HopperFan]

I know we are off topic but, its the SINGLE most GLARING thing disney isn't cashing in on. And people wouldn't even complain if they cashed in on it because they would be offering us NEW and exciting stuff !!! For all the ways they are trying to pinch and pull every dime out of us and offering upcharge events / services / booze in MK, etc etc ... just offer us a 5th gate, villain stuff, with IMO thrill based rides. I would never go to Universal again, and I would probably add a secondly yearly trip to WDW ...

Anyway ... RoL ... I don't think it was too hyped, i agree thats more our own doing. Star Wars, THAT is FAR too hyped for something they have very little offerings for atm.

Probably #1 untapped market. Having gone to both Unleashed the Villains ...... all I saw as I looked around at the masses was lost $$$. If Universal is going to build 2 more parks, and the Skyplex complex does have more thrill options ........... Disney needs to get in the game to appeal to the teen+ with some thrills and edgy theme.

 

[Anal Annie]

I am done holding my breath for our Jan 3-9 trip. I booked FP's for a late afternoon / early evening at AK hoping I could just change the earliest FP to RoL if it opened but that's just not looking very likely. Since the stooopid park closes so early I'm wondering if we'd be better off just planning an evening at DS instead?! Guess we can decide once we're there & just waste the FP's if we don't feel like hanging out for nothing.