There are big changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2016 and 2017. Anticipation has been growing with the details that have been emerging regarding the addition of AvatarLand. (Please click here for Christen Francis’ post on recent Avatar Land news.)
Currently, when night falls on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Guests leave and the animals go to sleep, but that is all about to change!
Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde recently spoke about the new Nighttime Spectacular “Rivers of Light” which is scheduled to premiere in spring 2016 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The iconic Tree of Life has been undergoing some changes that will be incorporated into the new nighttime show. As Joe Rohde explains, “Things are different at night, as you move from day to night everything changes, and you are going to want to see that.” As night falls, Guests will see the Tree of Life come to life with magical fireflies and light. The tree opens up and we see into it and the animals tell their stories. The changes to the Tree of Life are expected to change how Guests move through the park and will connect with the new attractions.
A large part of “Rivers of Light” takes place on Discovery River. The show will take place between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest.
“River of Light” will combine fire and water that will produce an amazing display that will reach up into the night sky to join the stars.
Guests can expect a dazzling combination of live music, images projected onto water screens, swirling animal imagery and floating lanterns as well as live performers.
Mr. Rohde hopes that the new show and experiences will have Guests leaving thinking about their own families and lives as well as the lives of the animals and how we all “share in the experience of life.”
The previews of these changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom have left me excited to visit again and see them in person. The next two years will certainly be full of surprises as the new attractions are unveiled. I’m sure the creativity of the Imagineers, and their collaboration with all involved, will amaze us and definitely be worth the wait!
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