HS lot full at 5:00 tonite???

[PJ]

Must be something going on? They sent us to EP. circling around to exit saw lots of empty spaces but I suppose its too hard to manage sporadic spaces. Decided to hit Disney Springs instead!

 

[RachaelA]

It was full last night too I think

 

[CAS239]

Yea I saw WDW news today posted on Twitter 2 days ago that HS parking was full and being directed to Epcot. So if it happened yesterday as well that's at least 3 days in a row now. I assume just huge crowds going there to check out the last run of the Osbourne Lights and new Star Wars Bay

 

[Pkltm]

I saw an article on FB that it has been happening for about a week, they say it is due to increased crowds with the Osborne Lights, my friend was there two nights ago, had to wait in line to get into the Lights area, and then wait an hour in line to get the bus to EP to her car.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

We were there on Sunday evening and it was packed near the lights for sure. The streets were packed when the show "went off" each time. I did find it was funny that other areas were seemingly empty though.

I believe people are there in mass to see the last run of the lights as others have mentioned. Speaking with CM friends, the tend to see the same thing the closer it gets to the evening, meaning sun down for the lights.

 

[wilkeliza]

It is the lights. It use to happen here and there over the years for the lights but now it is almost every night. Most people don't realize because they don't drive. They also have had the CMs park in Epcot if they don't have a backstage parking pass this time of year for at least the past 2 years. The big problem is that when they do that it makes Epcot CMs parking fill up.

 

[danny1649]

Don't think it will be a problem , where your hat.

 

[Skywise]

Pop Warner maybe?

 

[NH-to-FL]

We decided at the last minute this afternoon to pop over to HS to see the lights. Full lot at 4:45pm. Also saw a lot of empty spaces and a lot of CM's directing us to the exit. We decided not to bus from Epcot just for a few minutes of Lights.

Does anyone know when the lot hit capacity?

 

[KateP85]

I think the lot hit capacity today around 4pm.

Studios cast only park at Epcot Friday through Sunday until Christmas week, so on a day like today, the whole cast lot will be full and only the other three lots will be open.

Studios parking has been a problem for a while, I really hope they find a way to fix this at some point during all the expansions.

 

[Jennasis]

It was like that Saturday. I was floored.

 

[scrapquitler]

I think it's the lights. I know quite a few people from the North East that have planned last minute trips to Orlando recently specifically to see the lights one last time. I assume that every Florida passholder within a reasonable driving distance is doing the same thing.

 

[lovethattink]

Same thing happened last night around the same time.

 

[anniemae]

I think it's the lights too. I can't tell you haw many people are making last minute unexpected trips to see the lights one last time. I think locals are going too.

 

[dizzyblonde]

Pop Warner maybe?

Looks like you are correct. Ugh, going this weekend & didn't consider this.

http://www.popwarnersb.com/15superbowl/pop.asp

 

[Kenny1113]

So glad I changed my trip booked for this weekend. I was a little bummed I had changed it to Jan, because we would miss the lights (and now heard that soarin will be closed ). But hearing this makes me feel better about my decision, I was afraid it would be packed.

 

[HopperFan]

I decided tonight at dinner that I REALLY wanted to see the lights one more time.

After finding out I could stay at AllSports for less than most off-site go to for bargain hotels, I booked it - and just 3 days out!

I have AP and free parking but based on reports worth it for the BUS to DHS parking lot and EMH.

Can you imagine what it's going to be like next week when we have the new Star Wars Fireworks along with Osborne Lights and Launch Bay etc AND holiday crowds.

 

[mastodon]

Does the light area seem to be very crowded at "turn on" and then thin out during Fantastic?

 

[RachaelA]

We were at EMH on Sunday night and the lights were empty when we walked into them back by Sanra Goody around 9:30. We had gone Friday night to see them turned on and it chaos.

 

[Skywise]

My plan is to be there Saturday afternoon with Epcot in the morning - I've got FP for Star Tours, TSMM and ToT in the late afternoon with dinner at sci-fi at 7 - and the thought was that I would hit the Osborne lights for the hour between the FPs and dinner... I was also hoping Rock and Roller Coaster and Great Movie Ride would be fairly easy to get onto but those plans might be in trouble. Original plan was Epcot in the morning and then return for Illuminations after dinner but maybe I should do DHS first in the morning then Epcot then back to DHS then back to Epcot... Ahh... Disney Planning...