Advice/experience with Osborn Lights on first night

[PantherFanStan]

We'll be at WDW the week of Thanksgiving (VWL)....and want to see the Osborn Lights on the first night (Wed Nov 23). Does anyone know what time they are turned on, where to line up, any experience/advice will be appreciated.
Thanks...PantherFanStan

 

[lovethattink]

Last year the line was huge each time we went. My advice is to get there either very early or very late. The lights aren't as spread out as they use to be when they were able to decorate the houses in the back lot. You've got the same amount of people looking at the lights, but less space to spread out. So now they just herd everyone throught the few streets that are decorated. We went a few times last year. It was impossible to navigate through the crowds to look at both sides of the street when we went. The last time we went late. The crowds weren't as bad. We could easily navigate the street and look at everything. It was a much more pleasant experience.

 

[bcvgal]

All I can say was it was soooo beautiful and the snow on NY street was wonderful. Went the 1st night too and it was crowded but so worth it. Have a GREAT time.

 

[MumTo2Princesses]

when you say "go late" what do you consider late? for some reason i thought mgm closed at 8 pm? we are very excited to see the lights so any advice is appreciated!!

 

[bavaria]

Last year they changed the line up and direction of flow mid December because it was backing up past Buy the Book. It sounds like the new format worked a little better.

I agree that it's great to go just before closing - maybe 30-40 minutes before. The street clears out, and you can wander out at your own pace.

Last year Pop Warner had bought out MGM for a private party one night, and the park closed at 7pm. I didn't realize, and went to look at the lights at 655pm. Crazy Andy, his girlfriend, and the police officer apparently didn't know that the park closed early either - they did a show for us for about 20 minutes, before a very angry CM came along and told them to stop!

So we all wandered out very slowly after enjoying a very nice quiet time looking at the lights.

 

[QuickGold]

Lights are turned on at 6pm and you line up on Commissary lane (the street where ABC Commissary & Sci-Fi restaurants are located)

 

[PantherFanStan]

FYI.....Not sure where I had gotten the idea that Nov 23rd was the first night (I think it was from the AllEars site, but I could be wrong about that). Anyway, according to the WDW site.....the Osborne Lights run from Nov 14 - Jan 8. As such, we'll try to hit them earlier in the week...since Nov 23 is Thankgiving Eve.
PantherFanStan