Do I need to see Rivers of Light?

[Callsdodisney]

Our current ADR at Yak and Yeti is at 6, ROL is at 6:30 in early January. My kids are too young to wait to eat until after ROL, so I'm trying to decide if I should try to change the reservation much earlier (4:30?) in order to be done in time to get a spot for ROL, or skip the show entirely. Thoughts? From what I've read the 15 min show isn't overwhelming, so I'm not sure if it's worth changing everything around.

Thanks!

 

[CERS]

I did like the show, but it's not the best show on WDW. If you can't work it out, don't stress yourself. Do not miss Flight of Passage though.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Our current ADR at Yak and Yeti is at 6, ROL is at 6:30 in early January. My kids are too young to wait to eat until after ROL, so I'm trying to decide if I should try to change the reservation much earlier (4:30?) in order to be done in time to get a spot for ROL, or skip the show entirely. Thoughts? From what I've read the 15 min show isn't overwhelming, so I'm not sure if it's worth changing everything around.

Thanks!

I can't speak on the show as I've never seen it. But I can say that you know your family better than others. If you think there's any chance our kids will enjoy it, then go for it! If not, leave things as you already have them. Many have said that Navi River Ride is VERY underwhelming...not worth the time in line on a ride that's only 5 minutes long. Will I skip it....sure. As the only water ride I'm interested in is Kali River Rapids. I typically don't let too many opinions pull me one way or the other, but I do take what I hear into consideration. They say FoP is THE ride in Disney right now, but my family will not be doing it as my motion sickness is too weird to even attempt it.

 

[LSUfan4444]

If you can get an earlier ADR and do both, yes. I can't think of much I would advise anyone to not do if they could. It's not my favorite but I dont regret seeing it.

 

[Disneylover99]

It’s not a must do. IMO. I’d skip it.

 

[mn51]

We really enjoyed the show. Not sure we will do it every trip but it's nice.

 

[captaindavidhook]

I have never seen the show and have no desire to. But I rather ride Expedition Everest a few more times than see that.

 

[10CJ]

I would try to move your ADR earlier. I enjoy this show.

 

[gharter]

Its something I would do once. If you will be back in the near future, i wouldn't worry about it. If not, i would try and move your ADR to make it work.
Its an OK show, but far from a great show. Not in the same class as Illuminations, HEA or Fantasmic.

 

[CAS239]

I would watch it once.

That's what we did, and haven't watched it since. I think you should try and see everything at Disney at least once, but RoL imo is easily by far the weakest of the nighttime shows.

 

[runwad]

If it didn't fit in my schedule, I'd just skip it.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I love rivers of light.

All the hate I read before hand was unfounded imo

I thought it was perfect for what the park represents and I really liked the music.

See it once.

 

[illinidp]

Its definitely not worth moving things around for. Our first trip after it started we had the dining package twice. We were so thoroughly underwhelmed we didn't even use the tickets the second time.

 

[Smittolis]

The Rivers of Light is a good family show, seating is good all around for the most part and is definitely something I would suggest seeing. As others have said, I wouldn't break your back to do it, but if you can fit it in I'd defo do it. My kids loved it, the colors and the music present a good story. I too was wary of it due to the negative views on here and beyond, but I can safely say they weren't accurate from my family's perspective. Fun show!

 

[JETSDAD]

Even though nobody in my family enjoyed ROL, I always say that everything is worth trying yourself because you never know what your own reactions will be to it. It's one of the only things that we haven't bothered to do a 2nd time at WDW. I'm hoping that my very low expectations will make the show a bit more enjoyable in a couple of weeks when I will have to watch it because we are bringing first timers and we are going to make sure they get to see it to decide for themselves.

 

[WaltDavisWorld]

We’ve seen it once and won’t make plans to see it again. Nothing special and honestly I’d love for them to replace it with something better. With that being said if I had never seen it I would want to. I like experiencing it all at Disney at least once if possible. Watch it on YouTube and see if it’s something you would want to see in person.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Once and done........but not required unless you are really a show person.

 

[Delirium]

This is just my opinion, but unless you are doing a signature dining experience (character meal, celebrating an anniversary, etc.) dining should never drive what attractions you are able to do. The attractions you do should dictate the timing of your dining reservations. Depending on your tastes ROL may or may not be as good as the other nighttime shows, but a random Yak & Yeti reservation is not up there competing with a dining reservation at a character meal at Cinderella's castle or an anniversary dinner at Victoria & Albert's on the creating memories scale either.

I would absolutely switch the Yak & Yeti reservation to an earlier time. The timing of a meal is controlled by you. The timing of when ROL is shown is controlled by Disney. You have the power to influence one, but not the other. Even if you end up not caring for ROL, you at least tried it.

 

[FastPasser.]

I love rivers of light.
All the hate I read before hand was unfounded imo
I thought it was perfect for what the park represents and I really liked the music.
See it once.

I'm with you, I don't understand the negativity either.
I'm as jaded as anyone can be about anything at WDW, but whenever a Guest asked me, I always recommended that it be seen.

 

[WaterLinds]

My 7 year old rated it in his top 3 experiences from our last trip, and preferred it over HEA. I don’t rate it that highly, but it was a perfectly pleasant show that everyone in our group enjoyed. If you can arrange your dining to be earlier to check it out, that seems like a good option.

I am trying to decide what to do on our upcoming trip...I’d be ok with having seen it once and using our few late nights for other shows, but my son really wants to do it again. I’d rather not spend much time waiting around for it, but I don’t think I want to spend the money on any of the dining packages either. Maybe we’ll grab a same day FP for it.