Osborne Lights

[MaryAlice]

I have never been to WDW during the Holiday season. We are looking forward to experiencing as much of the Holiday magic as possible. I noticed that the Disney Studios closes at 7pm except for the nights that have a showing of Fantasmic---they close at 8pm on Fantasmic nights during our trip. First of all, what time does Osborne Lights start? And secondly, which is better....to go view the lights on a night when the park closes at 7 or go during Fantasmic? Any thoughts?

[Robo]

Originally Posted by MaryAlice

I have never been to WDW during the Holiday season. We are looking forward to experiencing as much of the Holiday magic as possible. I noticed that the Disney Studios closes at 7pm except for the nights that have a showing of Fantasmic---they close at 8pm on Fantasmic nights during our trip. First of all, what time does Osborne Lights start? And secondly, which is better....to go view the lights on a night when the park closes at 7 or go during Fantasmic? Any thoughts?

The first light them each evening after it gets dark.
Figure between 5:45 and 6:00 PM.

The Osborne Lights attraction presented an unusual
problem for WDW.
When they were "acquired" by Disney from the Osborne
family (not OZZY, BTW) there was a huge amount of
national publicity about them.
Disney got a lot of "mileage" out of having them and
they needed to DISPLAY them for lots of guests to see
(after dark).
But...
Even in the winter months, it simply does not get
really DARK in Florida until about 6pm.
So the lights can't be properly viewed until that
time.
(They simply are NOT a daytime or even "regular hours"
attraction).
And the DHS park usually closes (except EMH) only an
hour or so after dark.

Since Disney spends a major (MAJOR) amount of time and
money to set-up, promote, fund the electricity and
CM's and (after the holidays) remove and store these
hundreds of thousands of lights, they needed a way
that guests could actually VIEW them.
(Otherwise, what's the POINT?)

So since, at sunset, MOST (up to 7,000) guests in DHS
are SITTING IN THE FANTASMIC! THEATER and can't SEE
the lights as it gets dark... AFTER the show, the CM's
actually ENCOURAGE the exiting crowds from Fantasmic!
to go over and see the Osborne Lights.
Even though the rest of the park is closed, the lights
are in full glory, and there are even some concessions
open for refreshments.

There are some nights when the OLights are being used
for a private "event" and regular guests are not
allowed in.
You simply will not KNOW about this unless you stop at
Guest Relations that day and ask if the OLights will
be available after Fantasmic!

As for how late?
If Fantasmic! is at 7pm, then its over at 7:25pm, most
guests are out of the theater by 7:50pm and headed to
the Osborne Lights.
I'd estimate that they would keep the OLights open for
a hour-plus, so, say 9:15pm-9:45pm would be the
approx. wrap-up.

On EMH nights, the OLights should be on and open to guests until the EHM is concluded.

See the following thread for more confirmation of this-
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1884272


VIDEO CLIP-
Osborne Lights DANCING to "Trepak" (Nutcracker) by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (30 seconds)
(This is just a hand-held shot from my STILL Camera, but its a good example of the lights.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMlmWjKPVto

Sorry that the quality must be so severely reduced for posting on the web.

[disney queen]

the lights are turned on at 6:00 and we think that it is awesome to be "there" when it happens. there are bunches of people, but it is manageable. i would just say go when it fits your schedule best, but just go!