Attraction Profile
Disney’s Animal with new Rivers
T
heatrical storytelling takes center stage at the new Rivers of Light Show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom taking guests on the journey of a lifetime…
Rivers of Light, an all-new nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is now entertaining Walt Disney World Resort guests. Rich in symbolism and storytelling, the elaborate theatrical production takes guests on a breathtaking emotional journey, a visual mix of water, fire, nature and light all choreographed to an original musical score. The new 15-minute show is the latest addition to the lineup of nighttime experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Celebrating the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans in the world, the performance combines live performers, beautiful floating lanterns, glistening fountains, special effects and authentic animal imagery projected on giant water screens. “Disney’s Animal Kingdom is built around the lives of animals, built around the rules of nature, and those rules dictate that as you move between day and night everything
changes...and you’re going to want to see that,” said Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “It all really is summed up by Rivers of Light. In the show, we take this combination of light and water which create life, and out of that comes this fantastically rich explosion of animal life that ultimately rises up and joins the stars.” As the sun sets, guests gather along the picturesque edge of the Discovery River at the site of a fabled age- old ritual. A new 5,000-seat amphitheater welcomes guests to two distinct ‘villages’ separated by a bridge and the river.
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Sounds of animals are heard from a nearby forest, and magical fireflies descend from the Tree of Life toward the lagoon, creating a sense of wonder as four beautifully illuminated lotus flowers float across the water. The ceremony begins with a stirring musical overture signaling the arrival of a pair of mystical storytellers, two complementary forces who come to the river bearing gifts of light. They set out from the shore aboard elaborate lantern vessels. Adorned in intricately designed costumes, the hosts engage in a dramatic dance of water and light to summon the animal spirits – an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant and Great Horned Owl – and take guests on a wondrous journey across Asian jungles and African savannas. Disney challenged renowned Broadway production designer Michael Curry to create vessels that were artistic and stimulating, yet innovative. The commanding lanterns stand 15 feet tall and are 30 feet long, illuminated from within by LED technology. As the show progresses, Rivers of Light continues to unfold
with a musical score created by songwriter and composer Don L. Harper and recorded at the renowned Abbey Road Studio in London. The signature song ‘We Are One’ was written by Mark Mancina, who created the score and was a key collaborator on the music for Disney’s hit animated feature film Moana. A collaboration with Disneynature to incorporate rare
nature cinematography showcasing tender animal moments adds rich authenticity to the storyline, many are never- before-seen moments from Disneynature films.
JUNE 2017
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