Disney also announced today that its current Magic Kingdom fireworks show, Wishes, will close and be replaced by "Happily Ever After," a new fireworks production that will include castle projections and laser effects.
Rivers of Light originally was to debut in April of last year, but Disney delayed the premiere until May, then eventually canceled it. Disney tested the show for cast members last November, then finally did a public rehearsal of the performance this week. This week's performance was shorter, at about 14 minutes, than some of the previous rehearsals, but still remains longer than some of Disney's other night-time show, including IllumiNations, which clocks in around 12 minutes.
If you want a reserved seating for Rivers of Light, Disney is now offering dining packages at Tiffins and Tusker House that include premium seating for the show. Prices start at $67 for adults at lunch and dinner at Tiffins and $39 for breakfast and $52 for lunch and dinner at Tusker House.
As for the MK fireworks, Wishes has been running at the Magic Kingdom since 2003, replacing the original Fantasy in the Sky fireworks, which debuted with the park in 1971. The show's final date will be May 11, with Happily Ever After starting the next evening, May 12. The new show will include continue to feature music from multiple Disney films, as well as Tinker Bell flying across the hub. Here's the tease:
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I'm always stoked about new stuff. Our Fall Orlando trip is shaping up nicely!
Though, knowing the loving of americans for fireworks, i really don't think they'll put the emphasis of the show on projections.
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Now that WDW seems to be celebrating "The Year of a Million Cutbacks", I'm concerned that this show is going to focus more on projections and lasers and less on fireworks as a cost cutting maneuver. My favorite place to watch Wishes is undoubtedly from restaurants or a Magic Kingdom area resort. How about those people who are at the end of Main Street? Will they get an inferior view if the emphasis is on projections?
I felt very similar about Star Wars Symphony in the Sky. The fireworks were great, well timed with the music, and could be well viewed from many angles. Meanwhile, the current show has extremely limited quality viewing angles and very few fireworks. In addition, an emphasis on projections really diminishes its impact on repeat viewings.
I'm not opposed to change, but I think they're losing sight of why people like the nighttime spectacles in the first place. The added effects should be enhancements, not replacements. In sum: Disney, Keep it simple, stupid!