Big News: Rivers of Light Delayed, New Magic Kingdom Tour, and More

Big News: Rivers of Light Delayed Along with Other Animal Kingdom Nighttime Attractions:

Last week, it was rumored that previews would begin this week for Rivers of Light. Now previews are cancelled and the opening debut of Rivers of Light and other nighttime Animal Kingdom attractions are delayed. Now as announced today on the Disney Parks Blog the new nighttime spectacular will be slated to begin in mid to late May. 

The reason for the delay is Disney is giving the team more time to bring these innovative experiences to life in a way that will exceed guests' expectations. Disney also released a video showing a behind the scenes look at the Tree of Life and how it comes to life at night with animated imagery that will tell enchanted stories from nature. Check out the video below:

New Magic Kingdom Tour to Travel Through Time with Walt Disney:

A Magic Kingdom walking tour was announced today called, Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour. It will be a three hour walking tour that will take you on a journey learning of Walt's upbringing. 

You'll learn when Walt discovered his burgeoning talents, how his family influenced him, the huge impact of his work at the 1964 World's Fair, the evolution of attractions, the challenges of designing and implementing these fantastical experiences, and so much more. You'll also get insight on early Imagineers' and other trailblazers' influence and input on beloved attractions. 

Your expert guide will answer questions while imparting info, trivia, behind-the-scenes secrets, and more - sometimes even while experiencing the attraction firsthand. A special surprise also awaits guests on the tour. 

The tour will be offered daily and will begin at 8 a.m. at Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom. Itineraries and experiences on each tour will vary and although the tour is geared towards adults, guests 12 and younger are welcome. The tour will cost $35/person plus tax, (theme park admission not included). Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). 

The Disney Parks Blog Gives us a Preview of Tiffins Menu:

The Disney Parks Blog today gave us a sneak peek of what Tiffins menu will look like when it opens up this summer in Animal Kingdom. The signature restaurant's chefs have created a menu inspired the world travels of the parks creators. Here is what the Disney Parks Blog released:

"From the familiar to something new, the menu offers something for everyone – from a berbere-spiced lamb chop to a New York strip steak or beef short rib with potatoes. Starters include a Lobster-Popcorn Thai Curry Soup with Basil and Peanuts (Asia/Africa) to marinated grilled octopus (Europe). Sustainable seasonal fish crudo (South America) and a salad of roasted baby beets and goat cheese with walnut granola and a sun-dried cherry vinaigrette Discovery Island (North America) round out international creations.

Entrées include Berber-Spiced Lamb Chop with Mustard Greens, Lentil Stew and Mint Chutney (Africa); Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with Huitlacoche Tamale, Hominy Succotash and Red Mole Sauce (South America); Miso-glazed Black Cod with Forbidden Rice in Steamed Bok Choy with Turmeric Sauce (Asia), and Grilled Head-on Shrimp with Tomatoes, Roasted Fennel, Olives and Sea Urchin Butter Sauce (Europe). For vegetarians, the Roasted Market Vegetable Curry with Quinoa, Zucchini and Lime Chutney brings a taste of Asia.

Beverages focus on Africa, Asia and South America, including handcrafted cocktails and beers. Non-alcoholic beverages include exotic-fruit- flavored lemonades, Asian and African premium loose-leaf teas and coffee beans from Columbia, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Tanzania.

“With a focus on South American and South African wines, the beverage program is very special – we don’t have another one like it at Disney,” said Master Sommelier Brian Koziol, Food & Beverage Concept and Development director for Disney Parks & Resorts. “The program will focus on environmentality: producers that focus on sustainability, organic wines, and bio-dynamic viticulture,” he explained. “Environmentality is a core value at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and this beverage program is a great way to share that with our guests.”

With 55 seats inside, and 46 seats in a covered outdoor area, Nomad Lounge offers a half- dozen small bites such as a vegetarian summer roll, a seared Wagyu beef skewer, honey-glazed coriander-spiced pork ribs, Indian butter-chicken wings, seasonal fish balls with shishito peppers and house-made head cheese and chicken liver pate with chutney.

Like Tiffins, the lounge offers handcrafted cocktails with African, Asian and South American flavors, imported beers and a South American and South African wine list. Non-alcoholic beverages include exotic-fruit- flavored lemonades, Asian and African premium loose-leaf teas and coffee beans from Columbia, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Tanzania."

We will be getting an official opening date and reservation information for Tiffins very soon, so stay tuned.

Rivers of Light Previews to Begin Next Week Possibly; New Details and Concept Art for Tiffins at Animal Kingdom

Rivers of Light Previews to Begin Next Week Possibly:

The amazing new nighttime spectacular at Animal Kingdom, "Rivers of Light", previews will begin next week according to WDW News Today and an internal document that is being passed around Disney. According to the document it would begin with an Animal Kingdom cast members only preview next week on April 6th. All other cast member previews will follow on April 8, April 9, April 12, and April 13. 

An Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club preview will follow the cast member previews with a special preview for up to 4,000 guests on April 15th. Normal AP and DVC member previews will be held on April 16 and 17. 

This will all lead up to the Press event on April 19th and the show opening to all guests on Earth Day, April 22nd. Also according to the document the show will be shown twice nightly at 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

New Details and Concept Art for Tiffins at Animal Kingdom Released:

Tiffins will be the newest table-service restaurant at Disney World when it opens this summer in Animal Kingdom. The 252-seat restaurant will open in the Discovery Island area of the park. The name Tiffin comes from the Indian word for a lunchbox used by travelers also a mid-day meal. 

The restaurant will open daily for lunch and dinner with a menu inspired by many locations around the world including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. When guests enter the signature restaurant they will be greeted by a detailed map of the world to help experience world travel. Around the restaurant will be bold artwork derived from sketches, journals, and research from those who created the park. 

The Disney Parks Blog and Emily O'Brien, Walt Disney Imagineering executive show producer of Animal Kingdom shared this on Tiffins and what guests will experience:

“Tiffins is the signature restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, celebrating the culture of design and research that went into creating this unique park,” said Emily O’Brien, Walt Disney Imagineering executive show producer for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.O’Brien describes the interior design as “a gallery you can dine in with artwork that is a direct result of travels to Africa, Asia and South America which influenced the design of the park.” The ideas of the park’s design team, including sketches, photography, architecture and textures, are all presented in a way that is uniquely Disney.“All the senses are explored and turned into amazing works of art,” said O’Brien. “The galleries, or dining rooms, focus on Asia [Trek Gallery with 74 seats] and Africa [Safari Gallery with 64 seats], and the third [Grand Gallery with 114 seats] pays homage to animal species that the Disney Conservation Fund works to protect.”

The travel-inspired artwork includes a static, three-dimensional piece that features prayer flags blowing in the wind. “As our research team traveled up the high mountains of Nepal, the winds were strong,” explained O’Brien. “The prayer flags are rarely seen hanging, they are always blowing.” This portrayal of the motion is realistically captured in the display which will hang above a corner booth in the Trek Gallery.“Tiffins is not about a make-believe place, it’s about real people and places,” said O’Brien.Disney’s Animal Kingdom is about the intrinsic value of nature, transformation through adventure and a personal call to action, and the adjacent Nomad Lounge brings into focus these core values. With beautiful waterfront views, the lounge focuses on storytelling, and also on guests’ travels, with large banners as “artistic representations” of answers to travel questions written on the perimeter wall. For instance, “what do you always do when traveling” or “what was your most adventurous moment?”“We’re trying to tell the story of how guests can make a change,” said O’Brien. While the answers of Disney experts are displayed, guests also have the opportunity to purchase a tag that supports the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and to write their own answers to the questions to display above the bar– a way to share their own travel stories “so they can be a part of the story,” said O’Brien.

The Disney Parks Blog said they will be sharing the menu for Tiffins very soon as well the partnering lounge right next to the restaurant also opening up called, Nomad Lounge.

Animal Kingdom to Test New Access to The Oasis, Disney Legend Mary Blair Gets Animated Tribute, and New Pocahontas Meet & Greet

Animal Kingdom to Test New Access to The Oasis:

WDWMagic is reporting that Disney's Animal Kingdom will be testing a new access to The Oasis before park opening beginning next week. The test will allow guests on non-Extra Magic Hour days to enter The Oasis area of the park 30 minutes before the park opens. 

The early entry will allow guests to plan their day with Cast Member assistance, and make any last minute Fastpass + reservations. No attractions will be open at the time as guests will be limited to the entrance and The Oasis area of the park. This will allow less congestion as their have been frequent long lines to enter the park. The test will run through the end of July.

Disney Legend Mary Blair Gets French Animated Tribute:

The Annecy Animation Festival debuted a new animation short from French animation studio, Gobelins, about Disney legendary artist, Mary Blair. The short is just 86 seconds long and conveys the work of Blair so well. Here is the synopsis from the studio on the short called, "Mary":

"Mary Blair is hired to work in Walt Disney's gigantic and rigorously maintained garden. As he welcomes her and invites her to get to work, she starts producing plants magically. Although he is amazed, Walt cannot refrain from correcting and toning down Mary's work behind her back."

Mary Blair was a real pioneer in animation, illustration, and imagineering at a time when the field was dominated by men. Most known for her works in the "Alice in Wonderland" animated feature, the monorail lobby in Disney's Contemporary Resort, and her work on the It's A Small World attraction. Here is the short:

New Pocahontas Meet & Greet at Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Disney's "Pocahontas" and the Disney Parks Blog shared with its readers a new meet & greet with the Powhatan princess in a spot thats 'just around the riverbend.' The new location is in the Discover Island Character Landing at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Pocahontas can only be found at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and she is not the only rare character that can be only seen at Animal Kingdom. Tarzan, Rafiki from "The Lion King," Russell and Dug from "Up," and Baloo and Louie from "The Jungle Book" are all exclusive to the park.