Are you looking to experience Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s nighttime show – Rivers of Light? The Rivers of Light Dining Package is a great way to access preferred seating while also enjoying some of the wonderful dining options available at the park.
The Show
Rivers of Light is the nighttime show that was introduced at Animal Kingdom in early 2017. It combines gorgeous lighting, music, and water features into a production that celebrates nature. The show has received mixed reviews, though I personally enjoy it. The music is beautiful and the water projections are stunning with the Tree of Life in the background. (And it was a hit with our preschooler, as well, thanks to the number of visual effects that kept his eyes busy.)
The Package
The Rivers of Light Dining Package is available both at Tiffins and at Tusker House. If you have little ones in your traveling party, you can’t go wrong with Tusker House – the food is great and the character interactions are top notch. If you’re looking for a more sophisticated experience, Tiffins is a fantastic option. I was excited to be able to enjoy a leisurely and delicious meal at this signature restaurant as part of the package.
The Rivers of Light package at Tiffins is available for both lunch and dinner, costing $67 for adults and $26 for children ages 3-9. An appetizer, entree, and dessert are included. (The package does not include tax, gratuity, or alcohol. For more details on the package itself, click here.) You are able to choose from their full menu. That means, depending on what you select, the dining package can be a pretty good deal.
My Experience
I had booked my dining package at Tiffins for a late lunch. It was my first time visiting one of Disney’s signature restaurants and it has set the bar high. I was seated in the Safari Gallery. The dining room was inviting and relatively quiet – likely due to the timing of my reservation. There is a beautiful variety of artwork that adorns the walls and it felt like I had stumbled across a quiet art gallery in the middle of a bustling Disney park. Sipping on a glass of wine and checking out the art pieces was a wonderful way to unwind while waiting for my meal.
The food at Tiffins echoed the quiet sophistication of the dining room. I thought their menu offered a nice variety of options. The only challenge was settling on what sounded best. The food was fresh, perfectly made, and delicious.
To top it off, the service at Tiffins was excellent. I will say that I ended up spending far longer on the meal than I had planned for. I savored the experience, and it was well worth the time.
After a fantastic meal, I left the restaurant with my Rivers of Light show voucher to enjoy a couple hours around the park. Disney recommends arriving at the Rivers of Light theater between 15 – 35 minutes before showtime. I arrived about a half hour early and there was plenty of time to get a great seat and settle in.
I was lucky enough to land a front row spot. Getting there early enough gave me an opportunity to take in the beauty of the theater and watch the sun finish setting – all with the Tree of Life as the back drop – before the show started. (Not a bad way to spend an evening, I would say.)
The show itself felt like a great way to wrap up my day at Animal Kingdom. It was visually stunning and, to me, felt like it incorporated everything that this park is about. I found myself reflecting on things I had experienced earlier in the day while taking in the show – somehow it seemed to tie it all together in a beautiful package.
Final Thoughts on the Rivers of Light Dining Package
Based on my experience, I would absolutely recommend the Rivers of Light Dining Package at Tiffins! The meal itself felt like a great value, and the preferred seating at the nighttime show seemed like an extra perk. I found it to be well worth it.
If you’re considering booking the Rivers of Light Dining Package, keep in mind that advanced reservations are highly recommended and the package is booked separately from your typical dining reservations. If you maybe don’t want to go with a dinner package, Disney does offer a Rivers of Light Dessert Party, as well.
Have you booked a Rivers of Light Dining Package? What were your thoughts of the experience? Share in a comment below or on Facebook or Twitter.
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