Help me plan my Osborne Lights day

[KaptainK]

I was going to title this Help me plan my DHS day, but I really only care about the lights so let's work around that!

Background: It's going to be me, DH, DD3, and DD1. We've never seen the lights before and that this is the last year, was the tipping point for us getting FL Annual Passes. That comes with park hoppers and we'll have a car. We are driving there on Nov 16 (Monday) and staying 1 night (ASMovies). We are going to Magic Kingdom the second day.

Option 1: Driving straight to DHS (getting there by 11am) and staying for the day through the lights. But, I think that might be too long and not enough to do for the little ones. That would also mean waiting to get our stuff in the hotel until after seeing the lights.

Option 2: Go straight to another park (probably Epcot since it's most recommended that day) for a few hours, go to the hotel to check in and have a break, then drive to DHS for the lights (what time?)

Option 3: Go straight to our hotel, set up, maybe let the 1yo nap, play at the hotel then go to DHS for the late afternoon/evening

Other ideas? What is the best time to view the lights without getting into a super big crowd? Is parking going to be difficult at DHS if we go later in the day? (We prefer to drive over taking the buses) There is a Fantasmic that night, but I don't think we'll go to it.

Thanks!!!

 

[Robo]

I vote #2 or #3.

Don't over-think it.

Have fun!

 

[KaptainK]

But I'm the queen of over thinking! LOL!

 

[lovndisney12]

If you want to avoid the crowd - wait until after they are turned on. We watched them turn on one time and it was really cool - but pretty crowded. I believe it was 6 or 6:30.

I would go with 2 or 3. If your 1 yo doesn't want to nap you could explore the hotel or head to the park. Just know that your room may not be ready depending on how early you get there.

 

[MischaOz]

I would go with #2. I would be too antsy to sit around the hotel if I just got to WDW. . We have a little one too and are big fans of the afternoon break. We did something similar last year and just headed over to the Osborne lights after nap and dinner. It worked well!

 

[Bev J]

I would do 2 also. The crowds are big at first then will settle down so you can walk around and enjoy. Sometimes we will watch them get turned on, enjoy for a little bit then go get some dinner or a snack. Then make another trip back to the lights, alot less busy because people heading to Fantasmic. We have seen family's with little kids dancing to the music in the middle of the street and the smiles when the snow starts falling, just magical!
Bev

 

[epcotty]

I'd say go with 2

 

[CAS239]

If you really don't care about doing anything in HS aside from seeing the lights, then go to the park about 5pm. Lights usually start about 6pm.

Show up around 3ish if you want to ride some stuff. No sense in going in early if there's not much you want to ride and just trying to wait it out. Hit another park in the morning and then hop over.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

If it were me, I'd do option 3.

The last day of my trip is the first night of the lights. My plan is to go to DHS in the late afternoon, enjoy dinner at HBD when the lights are turned on, then go to the lights during Fantasmic!, when I hope most people will be there.

 

[Nancyg56]

Can I add a question here? We have Fantasmic package with fantasmic at 8:30 that nght. The park closes at 8 I think. WHen is the best time to enjoy thelights? I remember going to walk theough them after Fantasmic a few years ago, but I cannot remember the time the show was over.