Fantasmic and Osborne lights

[poohfriend77]

We'll be at DHS on Dec. 4. Fantasmic is at 6:30 and the park closes at 8. I'm trying to figure out how to see both F! and Osborne lights. Does anyone know what time the lights start? I'm guessing we won't really have time to see the lights BEFORE F!, if we need to be in line by 5:30 or so. Should we try to make our way to the lights AFTER Fantasmic?

On our previous trip, F! was at park closing time. We left our rental stroller before the show and exited the park immediately after. I think this time we would want to get another stroller after the show, mainly so we can cross the park more quickly to see Osborne lights. Is this even possible, or do they start returning strollers to the front gates during the show?

 

[Robo]

We'll be at DHS on Dec. 4. Fantasmic is at 6:30 and the park closes at 8. I'm trying to figure out how to see both F! and Osborne lights. Does anyone know what time the lights start?

After nightfall - between 5:30 and 6:05PM.


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.

 

[poohfriend77]

Perfect! Thanks for answering so thoroughly, and more importantly, telling me exactly what I wanted to hear! I was a little worried they would be shooing people out of the park as we were trying to make our way back there. We'll be prepared for massive crowds (like the entire Fantasmic audience!) but I'm glad to know we don't have to choose between the two. Thanks, Robo!

 

[OnceUponADream07]

Perfect! Thanks for answering so thoroughly, and more importantly, telling me exactly what I wanted to hear! I was a little worried they would be shooing people out of the park as we were trying to make our way back there. We'll be prepared for massive crowds (like the entire Fantasmic audience!) but I'm glad to know we don't have to choose between the two. Thanks, Robo!

We have been able to see F! and still get to enjoy the Osborne Lights for the past several years, too. People seem to just wander out slowly and I don't recall feeling rushed. Now, we just have to hope there are no Private Events (Pop Warner???). That would be real shame. Taking my "kids" for back for the first time in several years and they have never seen either of these!!