It's Official: last year of Osborne Lights

[yulilin3]

This makes me very sad.

I hope they find another location to move them to.

many people on the DPB are asking and hoping for it to be moved but here's the official answer
Thomas Smith on September 11th, 2015 at 11:52 am
Hi Tara, there are no current plans to offer them at a different location.

 

[mtfarlin]

Just was reading on another site that the Disney Parks blog has put out a statement that this will be the last year for these wonderful lights at HS No word if they will be relocated, but it does not sound like it. Sad to see them go.

 

[NJ Goofy]

We arrive on the 10th, one week after they shut them down ! I guess there is no chance Disney could be persuaded to keep them on throughout January since it's the last year ??????

 

[marivigi]

many people on the DPB are asking and hoping for it to be moved but here's the official answer
Thomas Smith on September 11th, 2015 at 11:52 am
Hi Tara, there are no current plans to offer them at a different location.

Thank you...

Even sadder now

 

[ArwenMarie]

Interested in hearing more details about the "Merry & Bright Dessert Party" and the "Merry & Bright Dinner Reception" ~ love that reservations open on 9/16 and "more info will be released at that time" It would be too much to ask, I guess, that they release the info prior to reservations opening so that you actually knew what your were booking.

Sounds like the dessert party they had last year, but maybe taking out the Frozen component?

Dinner reception should be interesting to hear about.

 

[Magpie]

Interested in hearing more details about the "Merry & Bright Dessert Party" and the "Merry & Bright Dinner Reception" ~ love that reservations open on 9/16 and "more info will be released at that time" It would be too much to ask, I guess, that they release the info prior to reservations opening so that you actually knew what your were booking.

Well, it'll probably be about seventy dollars a head, since it's likely to include alcohol. I'm hoping it won't be 100 dollars, like the ferry-tale cruise (I mean, it's not like it'll be on a boat and it won't include characters, right? So it should be cheaper, right?) And it'll also include a "themed amenity", which I would assume is some kind of plastic tchotcke, like a glow cup. Though a pin would be amazing.

And I don't care if it's 'worth it', because right now it sounds like the perfect way to say goodbye to the Lights.

I wonder if I should try to book it at midnight on the 16th?

 

[mtfarlin]

oops...did not know a thread was already started on this...sorry...

 

[epcotty]

We've seen them a few times, we might this year. Definitely disappointed with all that Disney has closed more recently (and who knows how long it'll take to build the new stuff)

 

[DisneySince1967]

I'm devastated! I live on the West coast and saw the Osborne Family Lights Display for the first time last year. I left my DH, who was occupied with something else, behind in our hotel and went by myself well into Magic Hours when walking was unobstructed by crowds. I've never experienced anything like it before. People were singing and dancing in the streets out of sheer joy. As fantastic as A Very Merry Mickey Christmas was, it paled in comparison to Osborne Family Lights. I'd fly to WDW just for that display.

If no appropriate Disney venue is offered, I hope the family connects with Knotts Berry Farm. (Please East coasters, don't hate or flame me. :-0) When Disneyland "retired" Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, a beloved comedy/bluegrass band that played in the Horseshoe Review for 20 years, Knotts Berry Farm picked it up and its name changed to Krazy Kurt and the Hillbillies. Disgruntled fans go to Knotts just to see them. I will be among them next Spring.

I'm going to go nurse my sorrow now by watching the Osborne Family Lights videos I took on my iPhone over and over. Sigh.

 

[melbatoast]

This is SO upsetting to me and my family!!!! It is our favorite thing at Disney! I think it does bring a lot of people to Disney at Christmas time that otherwise wouldn't go then. I know I wont be that enthused about going after this year with no Osbourne Family Lights!!!!

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

I am already getting teary eyed. We have many wonderful memories seeing the lights. I am glad we will get to see them one more time and say good bye. Walk around and enjoy our last cup of cocoa and pose for our last picture for our Christmas card. I am going to cry and completely embarrass my son.
Thank you Osborne family for sharing your family tradition and letting it become ours for many years.

 

[Jkpark]

So I was planning on seeing the Lights for the first time December 2016. I have always wanted to but I'm not usually at WDW that time of year. I have a Disney cruise this year, 12/26-1/2, and just convinced husband to stick around for a night afterwards so we can see this. Interested in the dinner party but expecting it to be really pricey since it is the last 3 nights and includes drinks. Guess I'll find out on the 16th when I try to book...

 

[vettegirl]

That's too bad, will have to come over for a few days to see them one last time

 

[JJZMgailey]

oops...did not know a thread was already started on this...sorry...

No worries! I merged them.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Tearing up a little already. So glad I managed to see them 5 plus times over the years, with one last time this December. Thank you to the Osbourne Family for sharing!

 

[JimmyV]

many people on the DPB are asking and hoping for it to be moved but here's the official answer
Thomas Smith on September 11th, 2015 at 11:52 am
Hi Tara, there are no current plans to offer them at a different location.

Well, that only confirms that Disney is done with them. That doesn't mean that someone else won't jump in. Can you imagine what a boost it would be for Sea World to figure out a way to incorporate them into the park!

 

[goofy4tink]

I said it before that if the Osborne lights go away and don't get relocated Disney better not even advertise anything Christmas because what they will have left for Christmas is beyond look lacking and sad.They're supposed to be the main players in the theme park industry but every year I'm underwhelmed when I compare their parks to other area parks,for example the Busch Gardens Christmas Town event and the Sea World Christmas events have been more impressive to me over the last couple of years.The Osborne lights have been one of the few exceptions that made Christmas at Disney worth it,starting in 2016 if nothing new is added I don't see much that will make a Christmas Disney visit a must.I'm hoping what happens is that the name Osborne lights is what's going away and they will find a new place to display a similar display if the construction is what's displacing them.

Agree 100%...maybe even 500%!! Disney isn't offering much in the way of holiday spirit anymore. The Christmas party has gone downhill badly. There wer years that I would go twice in one trip. Now? There are trips with no party booked. Why? Not really worth it anymore. Disney has gotten so money hungry that they oversell the parties. Sure, it's a business, and I don't begrudge any company making a profit. But seriously? Back in the day, you got a free photo, keepsake button, more options for cocoa and cookies. The party specific items were more plentiful and worth spending the money on. Yes, the park was crowded, but you could still easily make your way around. Now? Double the tickets sold, take away the free photo/button, narrow down the spots where cocoa and cookies are. Fewer characters out, and those that are out have hugely long lines. Oh, and then they go and raise the price for the ticket!!! The party ticket cost has gone up every year, while Disney takes stuff away.
The Lights of Winter in Epcot? Don't get me started on that one!! Antiquated technology was the reason it was taken away. And the international show each night around the Christmas tree? Nothing antiquated about that....where is it today? Epcot barely has any Christmas feel to it anymore. DHS will be barren without the Osborne Lights...it doesn't have anything else holiday-wise.

I have a Nov/Dec trip coming up. So glad I'm going to be able to see the Lights for one last time. I know I'll be more than a little teary as I leave DHS that last time!!! But seriously Disney? I can't wait to find out what the cost for the new 'parties' during the Lights will cost! You've already added a 'ferry-tale' experience over at MK. In addition to the Wishes Dessert Party. I don't know. I can make the choice to not participate in all these extra cost things. But, I can also decide not to return to WDW as much as I do now. How often is that? Well, lets see.....a week last Sept, a week in May, a week in July and heading down again for another week in Dec! I own DVC, usually have an AP. But, that doesn't mean I have to go nearly as often...especially during the holiday season. There seem to be other places I can spend my money and get in the mood for Christmas. What's next Disney? Candlelight Processional???

 

[ArwenMarie]

Well, that only confirms that Disney is done with them. That doesn't mean that someone else won't jump in. Can you imagine what a boost it would be for Sea World to figure out a way to incorporate them into the park!

They would be great at SW. They already do a lot of nice holiday stuff.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Agree 100%...maybe even 500%!! Disney isn't offering much in the way of holiday spirit anymore. The Christmas party has gone downhill badly. There wer years that I would go twice in one trip. Now? There are trips with no party booked. Why? Not really worth it anymore. Disney has gotten so money hungry that they oversell the parties. Sure, it's a business, and I don't begrudge any company making a profit. But seriously? Back in the day, you got a free photo, keepsake button, more options for cocoa and cookies. The party specific items were more plentiful and worth spending the money on. Yes, the park was crowded, but you could still easily make your way around. Now? Double the tickets sold, take away the free photo/button, narrow down the spots where cocoa and cookies are. Fewer characters out, and those that are out have hugely long lines. Oh, and then they go and raise the price for the ticket!!! The party ticket cost has gone up every year, while Disney takes stuff away.
The Lights of Winter in Epcot? Don't get me started on that one!! Antiquated technology was the reason it was taken away. And the international show each night around the Christmas tree? Nothing antiquated about that....where is it today? Epcot barely has any Christmas feel to it anymore. DHS will be barren without the Osborne Lights...it doesn't have anything else holiday-wise.

I have a Nov/Dec trip coming up. So glad I'm going to be able to see the Lights for one last time. I know I'll be more than a little teary as I leave DHS that last time!!! But seriously Disney? I can't wait to find out what the cost for the new 'parties' during the Lights will cost! You've already added a 'ferry-tale' experience over at MK. In addition to the Wishes Dessert Party. I don't know. I can make the choice to not participate in all these extra cost things. But, I can also decide not to return to WDW as much as I do now. How often is that? Well, lets see.....a week last Sept, a week in May, a week in July and heading down again for another week in Dec! I own DVC, usually have an AP. But, that doesn't mean I have to go nearly as often...especially during the holiday season. There seem to be other places I can spend my money and get in the mood for Christmas. What's next Disney? Candlelight Processional???

And they got rid of the cute themed Christmas trees in Camp Minnie-Mickey at DAK when they closed that for Avatar. We got so many cute pictures with those. And the Jingle Jungle Parade went too.

 

[JimmyV]

Disney isn't offering much in the way of holiday spirit anymore.

Because they overplay their hand in the Summer, turning everything into a Frozen Wonderland. Kind of makes it hard to create something special for the Winter.

I'm hoping what happens is that the name Osborne lights is what's going away and they will find a new place to display a similar display if the construction is what's displacing them.

Be careful what you wish for. The "similar" display without the Osborne name attached to it will no doubt have two other names attached to it, and you can rest assured that one begins with an "A" and one begins with an "E". There is no way that Disney does not replace the Osborne lights with some sort of Frozen lights.

At some point,

and....

are going to form an unholy alliance at Christmas and a whole new light show will debut.