Disney notes: ‘Rivers of Light’ update, Galaxy’s Edge reservation details at Disneyland

Two years after Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened “Rivers of Light,” the nighttime show will be seeing some changes.

Debuting Memorial Day weekend, “Rivers of Light: We Are One” will include characters from films released under the Disneynature labels alongside those from Disney animated films. Concept art released by Disney features a scene from 1994’s “The Lion King.”

‘Rivers of Light: We Are One’ introduces additional, stunning imagery and familiar animal characters from Disneynature films, along with a colorful tapestry of classic moments from Disney animation, to express our connection with animals and the emotions and milestones we all share in our journey through the great circle of life,” Shawn Slater, senior communications manager for Disney Parks Live Entertainment, wrote in a blog post.

Disney did not release additional details about the show. Use of “Lion King” characters would make sense, considering Disney’s CGI remake of the film is due in theaters on July 19.

Disneyland opening Galaxy’s Edge reservations May 2

For Central Florida fans who can’t wait until their version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in August, getting into the Disneyland edition of the 14-acre land will require more work than just showing up at the gates.

From the May 31 opening of Galaxy’s Edge through June 23, Disney is requiring guests who want to get into the land to make a no-cost reservation. It was previously announced that all guests at Disneyland’s three on-site hotels will be guaranteed a reservation time, but this was the first indication the land would be open to other guests.

For those guests, they’ll have to first look up details on how to make a reservations on the Disney Parks Blog and Disneyland.com at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT) on May 2. A Disney account will be required. Registration will then begin two hours later.

Demand is expected to be high. Every single room at Disneyland’s three hotels for the night before the Galaxy’s Edge opening has been booked, and a one-night stay from May 31 to June 1 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is currently going for $763.

Even at that price, your time inside Galaxy’s Edge will be limited. According to an email sent by Disney to those with hotel stays booked, each reservation grants you only four hours in the land.

“You and your party will be required to leave Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the end of your reservation time period,” the email explained. “If you decide to leave Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge before your reservation time is over, you will not be allowed to reenter.”

Disney has yet to announce a similar system to control crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios when the Florida version of Galaxy’s Edge opens August 29. Capacity will be an even bigger issue at Disney World, however, since the park has far fewer attractions than Disneyland — and fewer than expected at launch now that the opening Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has been delayed until spring 2020.

“My guess is they’ll implement some sort of reservation system for the period around when Galaxy’s Edge opens,” said Len Testa, founder and president of Touring Plans, which provides customizable itineraries to avoid long lines at Disney and Universal parks.

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