It's Official: last year of Osborne Lights

[RAD]

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???

So what else is new, the mouse just keeps pushing the envelope on what he can get away with, and will keep doing so until people stop going. Heck, I remember they used to replace the white lights on the Contemporary Resort tower columns with red and green ones.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

We have seen the lights several times and they are great. This year we will be running our first 1/2 marathon through the lights. Very Glad everything lined up for this.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

I'm glad we're going again in Nov! I may do the dessert party

 

[cath1979]

Is it that amazing? last day trip is november 6.. and was suppose to go to MK..Have BOG diner ADR and we are suppose to stay for frozen wish.. now I wondering.. Do I change everything and go to MK on the 5 to see frozen wish and cancel my adr at arkhensus november 5 and cancel BOG november 6 diner to go to Osborne lights on november 6? that is 2 hard to get ADR..so really not sure what to do

 

[palmtreelover08]

About rearranging your schedule to see the lights- depends on you and your families "likes". I personally have flown in from NJ just to experience the lights and have no regrets. They were awesome in my opinion. So much so- that I have booked several short trips (3-4 days)- mainly to experience the lights. But I LOVE Christmas and I Love twinkling lights. I have never heard a negative comment about the lights- ever. If you have hoppers- I would hop over on the sixth. My favorite part is when they actually flick the lights on- so if you could change your schedule- you may want to. If you are traveling with kids- I would ask them-- would you rather meet XYZ- or see lights that move in time with music (maybe check out on you tube).

 

[D C]

I'll miss the lights but not the wall of people. It became an unenjoyable event because it has just been entirely too crowded the last few years. Disney's method of "crowd control," which was herding people in one direction and restricting entrances and exits actually made the situation a whole lot worse. Plus they have just been phoning it in the last couple years with the purple cat.

The best time to go is right at park close, or very near. Let them escort you out of the park. On one trip of ours, guests were outnumbered by cast members late at night. It was great!

 

[mick1229]

Universal should do it... right where the Macy's parade is

 

[yulilin3]

The best time to go is right at park close, or very near. Let them escort you out of the park. On one trip of ours, guests were outnumbered by cast members late at night. It was great!

we are locals and go almost every weekend to enjoy the lights. We were there for NYE this past year and after the midnight fireworks show we headed to the lights and look at the crowds, that's my DD spinning around

 

[Disney Dynamite]

My DH and I leave for Disney tomorrow, and I just managed to talk him into a short trip in November to see the lights since I've never gotten to experience them. We were going to go next year, but it seems that might be a little too late. One of my co-workers told me I had a Disney problem. That's the best problem to have, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Magpie]

The best time to go is right at park close, or very near. Let them escort you out of the park. On one trip of ours, guests were outnumbered by cast members late at night. It was great!

This is our favourite thing to do, too! Walking around the nearly empty streets, searching for hidden mickeys - bliss!

 

[Lumiere Lover]

More sad news from Disney. I am so glad we are going this December. It is the one and only time my mom will see the lights.

 

[ArwenMarie]

So what else is new, the mouse just keeps pushing the envelope on what he can get away with, and will keep doing so until people stop going. Heck, I remember they used to replace the white lights on the Contemporary Resort tower columns with red and green ones.

And they got rid of those cool Mickey Head wreaths on the glass at the Contemporary last year.

 

[Vernie822]

We planned our trip for September this year and moved it to November specifically to catch the Osborne Lights and the Christmas party. We have never seen them so we are really excited.. but sad to hear they are going away. I'm glad we will get to see them.

 

[larissawbb]

I really don't have any words.....

 

[cath1979]

About rearranging your schedule to see the lights- depends on you and your families "likes". I personally have flown in from NJ just to experience the lights and have no regrets. They were awesome in my opinion. So much so- that I have booked several short trips (3-4 days)- mainly to experience the lights. But I LOVE Christmas and I Love twinkling lights. I have never heard a negative comment about the lights- ever. If you have hoppers- I would hop over on the sixth. My favorite part is when they actually flick the lights on- so if you could change your schedule- you may want to. If you are traveling with kids- I would ask them-- would you rather meet XYZ- or see lights that move in time with music (maybe check out on you tube).

At what time does it start.. My BOg diner is at 5pm, so was maybe tinking of going from MK to HS after diner

 

[teddygurl28]

we have never been during the holiday season (normally we go in September) (although I went in Nov as a kid but I don't remember decorations?). This year we are taking our daughter who will be 15 months and thought early December would be a great time weather-wise and for the holiday scenery. my parents are coming with us and my dad and I love driving around and looking at lights so I am so happy we will get to experience this once before it goes away!

 

[yulilin3]

At what time does it start.. My BOg diner is at 5pm, so was maybe tinking of going from MK to HS after diner

they turn them on at 6pm and they stay on until one hour after park closing

 

[lugnut33]

Wow, some people on social media are saying Disney is attacking religion by this removal of the lights.

 

[minniemous]

Just added the evening of the 6th to our vacation to see the lights one last time. I was in the process of doing it regardless to see the lights and this just solidified it. So sad. The lights instantly put you in Holiday spirit.

I wish they would move them elsewhere. For that matter I love streets of America and we love wandering and taking in the details. As many have said Streets of America's days are numbered.

Glad we will see them one last time

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

We first saw the lights in 2006. One of the best comments came from our then 5 year old son, "It's not snow.....it's soap". From then on anytime we saw the lights or went to the Christmas Party someone always says it's not snow, it's soap. We will always remember this as one of the best moments in time.