Rivers of bore

[tseitel]

Agreed that different people like different things. I thought ROL was pretty & I enjoyed it. My husband & daughter did not care for it at all - a “one and done” attraction.
Another example, many on Disboards raving on seeing Pandora at night. I was so excited to see the “bioluminescent” features. Upon viewing I was like “ this is it?!” Not sure what I was expecting, but was really let down. Won’t bother with it again. (FOP is spectacular, though)
It has absolutely nothing to do with “attention spans”. Just different strokes for different folks.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I didn't enjoy it much and probably wouldn't bother on another trip. My 9 year old liked it. I don't think it helped that the seating felt far too cramped, I had a toddler on my knee and it was squashed trying to avoid him kicking the person in front, plus as it is lower down than the seating it is hard for children to see.

Yes, the seating was terrible.

I also had a toddler on my lap (who probably couldn’t see much anyways) and I spent the whole time holding his feet back although the person in front of us probably felt a few kicks anyways. He wasn’t even kicking, there was just no room to even move much. We couldn’t even put our backpack down on the floor without it hitting people on the way down.

 

[pitpat]

Saw it for the first time last week. Walked right in with FP to a second row seat about 15 minutes before the show. Thought it was a perfect nighttime show for AK.

The shamans with the lanterns and the animal shadows across the far trees pre-show were a nice touch. The floats, projections and water sprays were cool.

I don't need to see it every trip, but I'm glad I got to see it. Not everything needs fireworks. The novelty of ROL was interesting enough for me.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Sorry you feel that way. It's our favorite.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Another example, many on Disboards raving on seeing Pandora at night. I was so excited to see the “bioluminescent” features. Upon viewing I was like “ this is it?!” Not sure what I was expecting, but was really let down.

(Whispers... DW and I felt the same way....)

 

[Bronte]

WE LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!
A must do every trip along with a meal at the Sanaa.
The music, special effects and especially the meaning all add up to a fantastic show.
I listen to the River of Lights music almost everyday on my way to work and it inspires me ...
Everyone is different, I personally am not thrilled about the Hollywood Studios fireworks but others love it.

 

[AngiTN]

Are you implying that you "rode" Rivers of Light??
You realize that this is a show, shown only at night?

Maybe confused with the Na'vi River Journey?

I noticed the same thing and wondered how one rode RoL but as I read through I realized after reading the following posts, PP figured it out, with some help. River Journey gets some really bad reviews too, so I can see how the confusion started. And honestly, I appreciate both of them for what they are

When it’s working, the Shaman animatronic is really amazing and worthwhile to see in person.

The Shaman is in the Na'vi River Journey not the ROL

I’m to tired to post

 

[Klayfish]

I think it's wonderful that WDW offers such a variety of rides and shows. Everything from thrill rides to fireworks shows to musicals to serene shows like ROL.

Having said that, and being as big a WDW fan as it comes, I thought the best part about ROL was when it was over and we could leave. OK, being sarcastic there, but I definitely was not a fan and found it quite boring. Add that to the horrible seating and it's one attraction we will only do if we have time we have to kill and can't find anything else to do.

 

[emgilmartin]

Here right now....aweful!

Glad to know I can skip it

 

[chalee94]

It wasn't my thing either.

Adding recognizable Disney songs would help improve it, IMO.

 

[disneygirlsng]

Agreed that different people like different things. I thought ROL was pretty & I enjoyed it. My husband & daughter did not care for it at all - a “one and done” attraction.
Another example, many on Disboards raving on seeing Pandora at night. I was so excited to see the “bioluminescent” features. Upon viewing I was like “ this is it?!” Not sure what I was expecting, but was really let down. Won’t bother with it again. (FOP is spectacular, though)
It has absolutely nothing to do with “attention spans”. Just different strokes for different folks.

Again, this thread is not about the boat ride in Pandora.

 

[Eccle]

Yes, the seating was terrible.

I also had a toddler on my lap (who probably couldn’t see much anyways) and I spent the whole time holding his feet back although the person in front of us probably felt a few kicks anyways. He wasn’t even kicking, there was just no room to even move much. We couldn’t even put our backpack down on the floor without it hitting people on the way down.

Yes that was the issue I had too, he wasn't actually being too wriggly or awkward for once, there just wasn't space for him to move his legs at all. Then whilst their stroller parking is helpful going in, there was nothing to say where they were when we got out, and it took a lot of wandering in the dark to find it!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I thought it was really pretty.

Same here! I loved it! It was a bit short, but beautiful!

FOP was cool and all, but it made me nauseous. So honestly, never again. Once was enough for me. Different strokes.

 

[Tomh]

I myself give it a mixed review lol. I didn't dislike it. It is visually beautiful. However, it falls short of what I expect of Disney, and of what was advertised and promised from the show. I understand that there were technical issues which required removing some show elements. They were an important part of the show though. What we are left with feels a lot like they took the existing show design, removed the elements that they couldn't make work, and just ran what they could. The problem is, somewhere in the process, they lost the story, and that is where the show really fails for me. Disney shows are always about the story, and this show somehow forgets to tell it.

I really, truly hope that they will go back, and overhaul this. Even if it isn't possible to add in the show elements that were deleted, they can work with what's there, and craft a new story. I honestly think that the shows visual elements are adequate, they just need to put them together in a more cohesive manner, and bring back the story that goes with them.

 

[andrencau]

Would I plan my whole day around ROL? No. Would I see it again if there? Absolutely. It is very different than the other parks' night time shows.

 

[WEDWDW]

Would I plan my whole day around ROL? No. Would I see it again if there? Absolutely. It is very different than the other parks' night time shows.

That's sums it up for me also.

I actually like "Jungle Book:Alive With Magic!" better!lol

 

[robinb]

I noticed the same thing and wondered how one rode RoL but as I read through I realized after reading the following posts, PP figured it out, with some help. River Journey gets some really bad reviews too, so I can see how the confusion started. And honestly, I appreciate both of them for what they are

I thought the post was about Na'vi River Journey when I first read the subject and OP .

I actually like "Jungle Book:Alive With Magic!" better!lol

Me too!

 

[peteykirch]

If you look at the concept art which I understand is "Blue Sky thinking" and compare it to what we got, after LONG DELAYS, then yes everyone is well within their rights to feel the show is a stinker.

 

[WDW_Ding]

I thought it was really pretty.

I think it's lovely. I adore the floats and the water dancing with the lights.

I don't like F! though. And most do. Different strokes and all that

We really loved it too... I think it depends on what you appreciate and enjoy.

I liked it. I wouldn't plan my entire day at AK around it, but I'm glad to see it. It's pretty calm and relaxing...as long as you aren't expecting a fireworks-type of show I would think that most people would enjoy it.

The seating is the worst part of the show. Those bleachers kill my back! And getting in and out is pretty time consuming.

 

[Dawn T.]

I'm actually obsessed with ROL. I play the music while I'm getting dinner ready, and it never fails to mesmerize me....

It's awesome that Disney attractions appeal to such a wide variety of people...