20th and final year of Osbourne lights

[Confederate Scott]

Very disappointed to hear this. I wonder if there is any sort of no compete clause that would prohibit this from moving to Universal Studios in a few years. This assumes of course that they would be interested and could handle it.

 

[cmash95]

This stinks. Disney at xmas time was one of the most magical places in the world.

First they got rid of the Lights of Winter. Then the garland on Main Street. Now the Osborne lights.

All the reasons to go during the holidays are gone. so sad

the garlands are gone because the new parade floats are too tall and instead they
have the wreathes along the sides of the street. The lights of winter were outdated and when the lighting was changed to LED system in epcot it was no longer compatible with the new system. I wish they would bring back something like the lights of winter to epcot. the osborne lights are over 20 years old and have been a problem with trying to fix broken parts this past few years and it's harder and harder to find lights when the originals burn out let alone the mechanics. Last year it was noted that this year was the 20th year and that the osborne family had concerns about the display and it was rumored that disney would discontinue the osborne lights. but the studios does need to have something for the holidays so hopefully they can come up with some sort of show or even a new light display in another area of the park.

 

[only hope]

I've been dissappointed by some Disney news, but this actually has me mad. The lights are amazing. We spend over an hour, at least twice a year, wandering around and watching through the whole song loop. Surely there is somewhere else they can put them! Four parks, plus Downtown...there has to be an alternate solution that can be figured out. I have never seen a ligh display as immersive and impressive as this one. Finding hidden mickeys in the lights, and the cat, is so much fun. I love TS and SW but I'd rather there be no new lands than the lights taken away.

 

[Celtics33]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Planogirl]

the garlands are gone because the new parade floats are too tall and instead they
have the wreathes along the sides of the street. The lights of winter were outdated and when the lighting was changed to LED system in epcot it was no longer compatible with the new system. I wish they would bring back something like the lights of winter to epcot. the osborne lights are over 20 years old and have been a problem with trying to fix broken parts this past few years and it's harder and harder to find lights when the originals burn out let alone the mechanics. Last year it was noted that this year was the 20th year and that the osborne family had concerns about the display and it was rumored that disney would discontinue the osborne lights. but the studios does need to have something for the holidays so hopefully they can come up with some sort of show or even a new light display in another area of the park.

There are always reasons. I won't say excuses because that's a bit harsh but the reasons are always there. I think that an innovative company figures out ways around just simply ditching something if they really want to.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

really sad, this one one of the most magical things at Disney world at Christmas, besides the CLP, it will be sorely missed

 

[Eoghann]

They're only blocked off temporarily if you mean the Macy's parade. I could see them putting these lights in the New York area.

But then they'd have to block that off for how long putting them up?

 

[rteetz]

But then they'd have to block that off for how long putting them up?

Install at Disney starts in about August. They are taken down in late January.

 

[Jake]

Disney change all the lights to LED's. So there no problems to find replacements light. All the light controllers are digital ( like new ) no problem to replace them. Disney just don't want to spend the money to do them. Once there gone. There really gone like everything else, that went.

 

[Eoghann]

Install at Disney starts in about August. They are taken down in late January.

That's a lot of time. You'd need somewhere out of the way at Universal if you wanted to do that.

There's actually never been anything stopping Universal putting on their own light show for Christmas, they just haven't shown much interest in it. I suppose they could seize the opportunity to stick it to Disney, but that seems rather petty.

The other thing that can't be stressed enough is that it would be the same light show. It might be better, Universal does some good stuff, but it wouldn't be the show people are sad to see leaving. That show is primarily owned by Disney, any light show at Universal would be its own thing even if they licensed the name.

 

[DanBoris]

I agree there really is no purpose for them other than the 2 months a year which is why it is happening. I really thought they would move them somewhere else. I understand it, but am greatly saddened by the news.

This is also why they are unlikely to be moved somewhere else. The Streets of America were ideally suited to this display. This lights to 4 to 5 months to put up each year and I image a month or two to take down. There is also a lot of infrastructure (electrical, attachment points, etc) build into the facades to support them. Since the streets aren't really used for anything else the disruptions caused by the things are not a problem.

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

This is also why they are unlikely to be moved somewhere else. The Streets of America were ideally suited to this display. This lights to 4 to 5 months to put up each year and I image a month or two to take down. There is also a lot of infrastructure (electrical, attachment points, etc) build into the facades to support them. Since the streets aren't really used for anything else the disruptions caused by the things are not a problem.

Gotcha. That would make it difficult to put them somewhere else.

 

[circus4u]

the garlands are gone because the new parade floats are too tall and instead they
have the wreathes along the sides of the street. The lights of winter were outdated and when the lighting was changed to LED system in epcot it was no longer compatible with the new system. I wish they would bring back something like the lights of winter to epcot. the osborne lights are over 20 years old and have been a problem with trying to fix broken parts this past few years and it's harder and harder to find lights when the originals burn out let alone the mechanics. Last year it was noted that this year was the 20th year and that the osborne family had concerns about the display and it was rumored that disney would discontinue the osborne lights. but the studios does need to have something for the holidays so hopefully they can come up with some sort of show or even a new light display in another area of the park.

All the lights I saw there were LEDs; those in the canopy were pixels.

 

[circus4u]

Disney change all the lights to LED's. So there no problems to find replacements light. All the light controllers are digital ( like new ) no problem to replace them. Disney just don't want to spend the money to do them. Once there gone. There really gone like everything else, that went.

When Disney first started animating the lights to music, they used controllers by Animated Lighting, I assume they still do. Another major provider of animated lighting equipment is Light O Rama. (I'm one of those geeks that does the animated lighting thing each year.)

 

[IL2WDW]

I am so sad to hear this. I have never had a chance to see it yet but we will be there this year. We are.so happy to be able to experience it before it is gone. ( We were lucky to attend grad night back in 2011 right before that ended as part of my daughter's senior chorus trip to perform at EPCOT.. great memories)

 

[wareagle57]

I really wasn't that impressed by them when I saw them last year. I mean yes, lots of lights and music. But also so ridiculously crowded you couldn't actually move around and enjoy them anyway. Plus there are so many places to enjoy light shows over the Christmas season, it didn't live up to the hype for me.

I completely disagree. Yes, it is crowded. But if you hang around until after the park closes, you can have the place to yourself. And while there are other light shows, being able to walk through one this big and immersive is something I've never seen. You are surrounded in every direction. But I understand people who don't care about chrismtas/christmas lights being unimpressed.

 

[wareagle57]

I would bet the lights go somewhere else even if it's not Disney. There are also some amazing displays across the country.

Oh absolutely. They will find a home and there will be other displays. But I will likely not make a trip specifically to see any. Already being in my favorite destination was a huge plus.

 

[Planogirl]

I would however make a special trip to see a good light display. We already do so - what can I say? I love them.

 

[rteetz]

I would however make a special trip to see a good light display. We already do so - what can I say? I love them.

I love them as well that's why I do my own display

 

[BigAlsGal]

I thought the lights were ok. Impressive absolutely. I mean the sheer number of lights is something else. I can't imagine the work it takes to get it all up and running every year. I'm not a big fan of LED lights though. They almost assult my eyes. I understand LED's are the future but I hope they can someday get them to look more incandescent.

As far as the Osborne lights it's a shame to those that loved them. Me? Meh...on with the next big idea.