Animal Kingdom Project News + An Aerial Look at Avatar

Among the many updates we've featured this past week from the IAAPA Expo, there were some other tidbits worth covering as well in the greater industry.  Some of them come from a pair of news items from Disney's Animal Kingdom.

© Disney's Animal Kingdom

The theme park has provided some more details and new concept art (above) of Rivers of Light, an all new evening lagoon show taking place in the center of Animal Kingdom.

"In “Rivers of Light,” a pair of mystical hosts come to the river bearing gifts of light. During the show, the hosts set out from the shore on elaborate lantern vessels for a dramatic dance of water and light to summon animal spirits. With the storytellers as your guides, the wonders of “Rivers of Light” builds to a stunning crescendo."

Also as indicated in the concept art, the park's Tree of Life will be involved in the show - probably using some neat projection mapping technology.  The park shared a new video of the an interview with Joe Rhode about the show, offering additional details.

© Disney's Animal Kingdom

Last week Animal Kingdom also announced a brand new restaurant, named Tiffins, will open in 2016 as well.  The restaurant will serve both lunch and dinner to guests along the waterfront with indoor and outdoor seating - meals will be inspired by the various locations that are represented in the park.  The exact location of the restaurant in the park was not revealed in the announcement, but is rumored to be in the Southern portion of Discovery Island, which may give views of the new Avatar area.

Speaking of Pandora - The World of Avatar, Orlando Park Pass recently took a helicopter tour over Animal Kingdom and grabbed some images of both Rivers of Light and Pandora.  I highly recommend following this link to their update, which includes information on what's being done at the park.  The area is looking really good so far!