Hi Melissa!
Thank you for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I recently traveled to Walt Disney World with my one year old and I have some great tips that I think will help so you can fully enjoy
Rivers of Light on your next vacation!
I'm glad to let you know that of all the nighttime shows at Walt Disney World, I think Rivers of Light would be the first one I would recommend for you! With the animals throughout the park, the Imagineers were focused on creating a spectacular show that did not include fireworks or incredibly loud sounds, to keep the animals from being spooked every night, after all it is their kingdom we are visiting! For this reason it is a relatively peaceful and serene show with beautiful imagery throughout, so I don't think the loud noises will be a major issue.
If you are at all concerned though, we brought some soundproof headphones for my little one that folded up really easy in his diaper bag. They are on a soft headband that goes around his forehead so he's even able to sleep in them (you may remember seeing Boomer Phelps wearing some during the Olympic games). We ended up not needing them for our trip, but I definitely had peace of mind knowing we had them just in case. The brand I use is called EMS 4 Bubs, but there are several different ones!
My last tip would be to get a nap in during the day. Just like we get exhausted after a long day in the park, it's even harder on their tiny bodies. The days my son gets a good nap in the park, we are able to have a much more successful evening!
I hope you have a wondEARful time with your little one taking in the beauty of Rivers of Light! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
-Lindsey ºOº