It's Official: last year of Osborne Lights

[family4wdw]

We try to get down almost every year for the holiday season. This is our favorite part of the trip. There really isn't much more left to see once they are gone other than the gingerbread houses,the candlelight processional and a trip through the hidden gem of the campgrounds. We had given up on paying the price for the MVMCP seeing little value to it any longer. This year may very well be the last holiday stay. Sorry Disney but this was a bad decision to not try to present the lights somewhere.

 

[bumbershoot]

TO me, this is the latest in a long line of sad decisions by Disney where they truly miss the mark on what makes Walt Disney World special. It is SO much more than any one particular movie or animated franchise that has a presence in the park.

I agree.

Given the DL news about Aladdin and our shockingly-rotten trip there in July, I'm getting sadder and sadder.

But Disney just doesn't get what makes Disney tick.

I agree 100%.

Disney is slowly and surely destroying each and every truly creative and original attraction and/or theming that doesn't have a tie-in to whatever the latest $1 Billion franchise is.

Yes.

I would love it if Universal snapped them up!

Now "this place just got interesting".

They could do some seriously good things.

 

[karrit2000]

Fortunately my F & W trip in November overlaps the first week of Osborne Lights. Hopefully the Dessert Party won't be ridiculously over priced but who am I kidding. I've tentatively booked a room through DVC starting on January 2 so maybe I'll be there for the last night. It wouldn't surprise me if they decide to extend it for a few weeks once the dust settles from the announcement. I really hope they relent and decide to move the spectacle somewhere else on property. My memories go back to one of the early years when they were on the backlot street houses and I was kind of bummed when they moved them to the current location but they've really done an amazing job with them over the years and I love the specially arranged version of Winter Wonderland they had recorded and added to the display a few years ago. I can't leave until I hear it at least once. Guess I'll be making several visits during my trip in November.

 

[xApril]

I'm quite sad as well. My parents have taken me to see the lights since I was a baby, so I've pretty much grown up with the lights (only slightly older than them). I remember walking around Residental Street and just being immersed in it all. It's still my favorite for Christmas and I always enjoy looking for the purple cat each time. I've already requested off the last day and plan to make many day trips over to see them this holiday season.

 

[MatzoBelle]

Let's hope Universal seizes on Disney's mistake here so that we can all continue to enjoy the extraordinary lights. Disney is especially tone deaf this time around with a decision that fans will question for years to come.

 

[minniemous]

The dessert party and dinner to me at Osborne Lights REALLY scrapes the bottom of the barrel. It would be one thing if they always had one but to pull one out at this point lacks a certain class. How about making the last year of the lights something special for the masses who have visited and enjoyed the lights (hand out free cookies and cocoa a couple nights).

I feel that they have really missed the mark as many have said. They can add these special themed rides and lands but still hold on to the things that make Disney special. We do not go to Disney World for over the top rides (we could go to 6 flags). Disney is magical and these lights really epitomize that. Not that Star wars and Toy Story are not anticipated.

We had a long break from Disney and returned when we had our own family. We discovered the lights about 4 years back our expectations were not that high being from NYC we are accustomed to holiday decorations. We were floored. The lights at HS had an impact on our decision to come back every year since. Of course it is but one of the wonderful things that bring us back. Disney is an awesome place.

I really think they should rethink this. They could even do a slightly smaller version somewhere in HS. Perhaps Universal should capitalize on this move.

 

[TristanWingfield]

Breezy Osborne has made her official statement and it can be seen here:



Soon after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that our Christmas Lights Display go dark (around 1994) Dad received a phone call from a Director of Walt Disney World welcoming the lights to their then MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios). At first we all thought it was a joke...until we started meeting everyone in person. The original Director that called Dad has been there since day one, even attending Dad's funeral, and with the utmost grace, compassion, and loyalty he was the person that flew to Little Rock to meet Mom and I this week as we found out that this is the last year for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Twenty years ago, at age 15, my greatest childhood memory that had been loved & cherished by so many beyond the state was now going to be at Disney World. I'm pretty sure the most excited person on the planet was my Dad. You might as well have told him that he was going to meet Elvis it made that much of an impact. He often said he got to be a kid again, and at the same time MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people from around the world have been able to experience this light display.

Today, I spent a few hours speaking with Media and you seriously cannot express what this display is all about unless you've been under the glow. There is something so magical about these lights-there has been since day one in 1986. I will be honest...I have spent a lot of time today reading many posts, blogs, comments, links, and the tears have been massive. My first tears came from knowing this is Riley's last year to see what my childhood (and so many others) has been about. Its one of the last physical connections to Dad. Then the tears have shifted to reading how this light display has brought immense joy to so many as they made it their family tradition every year.

A part of my heart is torn today-yet let me set the record straight. I am not angry. I am reliving a part of my grieving process surrounding Dad. And at the same time I'd love to share a perspective that many might not realize...Did you know that our light display is the only real story that has ever been a part of Disney? Think about it. Besides knowing about Walt himself...this is a REAL heartfelt REAL story attached to a Walt Disney World attraction. Its not a made up story. How dang amazing is that?! You never ever hear of Attractions hanging around for 20 years (except Dad's favorite, Its a Small World ride...just kidding, he groaned when I wanted to ride over and over and over and over LOL).

We have met INCREDIBLE friends in the last twenty years. I mean...I N C R E D I B L E!! Friendships that will last a lifetime. Stories that we laugh at daily. And family. We actually spent 25 years at Disney together. Yes, that is correct. I am 35 years old and the first ten years of my life I spent Christmas in Arkansas. We had already started a family tradition of Christmas at Disney BEFORE the lights and even stayed at the same hotel for the last twenty five years. It gives me chills thinking about it. Cousins and friends that traveled with us were not even born when we started the tradition. This experience has literally lasted a lifetime.

Over the next few months I'll be posting a ton of memories and stories that might not have been told just yet. And I'm so excited for Christmas this year. We plan to immerse ourselves in the lights and love, and especially the LIGHT that Riley gives to all of us. So far she remembers the lights from our 2014 trip, and just like she's understanding the back of my Spectacle of Lights shirt we will commemorate this last Holiday season truly living in the moment.

If you've ever wanted to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights...GO. This year's dates are November 6-January 3. I have a feeling this year will be brighter than ever.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Breezy Osborne has made her official statement and it can be seen here:

Soon after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that our Christmas Lights Display go dark (around 1994) Dad received a phone call from a Director of Walt Disney World welcoming the lights to their then MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios). At first we all thought it was a joke...until we started meeting everyone in person. The original Director that called Dad has been there since day one, even attending Dad's funeral, and with the utmost grace, compassion, and loyalty he was the person that flew to Little Rock to meet Mom and I this week as we found out that this is the last year for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Twenty years ago, at age 15, my greatest childhood memory that had been loved & cherished by so many beyond the state was now going to be at Disney World. I'm pretty sure the most excited person on the planet was my Dad. You might as well have told him that he was going to meet Elvis it made that much of an impact. He often said he got to be a kid again, and at the same time MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people from around the world have been able to experience this light display.

Today, I spent a few hours speaking with Media and you seriously cannot express what this display is all about unless you've been under the glow. There is something so magical about these lights-there has been since day one in 1986. I will be honest...I have spent a lot of time today reading many posts, blogs, comments, links, and the tears have been massive. My first tears came from knowing this is Riley's last year to see what my childhood (and so many others) has been about. Its one of the last physical connections to Dad. Then the tears have shifted to reading how this light display has brought immense joy to so many as they made it their family tradition every year.

A part of my heart is torn today-yet let me set the record straight. I am not angry. I am reliving a part of my grieving process surrounding Dad. And at the same time I'd love to share a perspective that many might not realize...Did you know that our light display is the only real story that has ever been a part of Disney? Think about it. Besides knowing about Walt himself...this is a REAL heartfelt REAL story attached to a Walt Disney World attraction. Its not a made up story. How dang amazing is that?! You never ever hear of Attractions hanging around for 20 years (except Dad's favorite, Its a Small World ride...just kidding, he groaned when I wanted to ride over and over and over and over LOL).

We have met INCREDIBLE friends in the last twenty years. I mean...I N C R E D I B L E!! Friendships that will last a lifetime. Stories that we laugh at daily. And family. We actually spent 25 years at Disney together. Yes, that is correct. I am 35 years old and the first ten years of my life I spent Christmas in Arkansas. We had already started a family tradition of Christmas at Disney BEFORE the lights and even stayed at the same hotel for the last twenty five years. It gives me chills thinking about it. Cousins and friends that traveled with us were not even born when we started the tradition. This experience has literally lasted a lifetime.

Over the next few months I'll be posting a ton of memories and stories that might not have been told just yet. And I'm so excited for Christmas this year. We plan to immerse ourselves in the lights and love, and especially the LIGHT that Riley gives to all of us. So far she remembers the lights from our 2014 trip, and just like she's understanding the back of my Spectacle of Lights shirt we will commemorate this last Holiday season truly living in the moment.

If you've ever wanted to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights...GO. This year's dates are November 6-January 3. I have a feeling this year will be brighter than ever.

What an eloquent statement and a great story. Now I'm crying.

 

[AlexaofArendelle]

Sad..very sad.. The lights were my favorite part of my last trips..

We are going to WDW next week... I'm considering a short trip on Dec just to see Osborne Lights.

 

[flicx]

Earth to Iger, earth to Iger, are you there Iger? It seems he just isn't home! Let's hope someone at universal is home!

 

[Figment1990]

I agree with so much of what has been posted here already- (and I posted a few pages back). and like the poster a few pages ago whose FB post got removed, my blog response didn't even make it past moderation and I didn't even post anything nasty (nor did he). I simply pointed out facts and expressed my dissatifaction w the decision and a few others recently made to Hollywood studios. That's sad they wouldn't post it. I guess they don't want people remembering that they used to have a park dedicated to the inspiring and fun act of moviemaking and storytelling.

Anyhow my theory is that we will see "lights" come back somewhere on property after they take down Osborne lights. They just won't be like the Osborne lights. They will be more Disney themed (probably mostly princesses if not just frozen). They will be smaller too probably but people will love them anyway. I for one want the OSBORNE lights because they aren't just about a Disney character or movie. They are homey and nostalgic and everything that makes me think of holidays in my world just on an amazing scale! I think that's why we aren't seeing the lights just moved elsewhere, like the front of the park streets (ah, help with attendance while half the park is a construction zone?!). Because they want to do the lights their way.

And adding this party and dinner thing just doesn't sit well with me either. I realize it's "the thing" lately to add special experiences or advantages for a price. But just, no. Maybe instead of asking us to pay more when you shutter lots of attractions, you could throw in a free cookie or coffee. Do you realize how inexpensive it is to make a cookie for that many people? When you've closed American idol, sounds dangerous, animation (yes it was often a meet and greet but DS loved meeting hero and bay,ax and wreck it Ralph and we liked the art class), back lot tour, and are about to close lights motors action, probably evict lighting and mater and phineas and ferb and who knows what to muppets, mama melrose and pizza planet. I know these NY streets seemed "pointless" to many and obviously to the Disney execs who didn't see money coming from them but we absolutely loved them. we ate popcorn there watching lunch sweat and shears, DS napped there as a young child in his stroller while DH and I took turns doing star tours and visiting the writers stop, and generally were fun to explore (pull the umbrella anyone?). Anyhow thanks for letting me vent here. I'm usually the happy Disney fan but I'm just really disappointed it it this week. DHS was my favorite park once, and bc of some of the closed attractions, my DS enjoyed going there too. Now with only TSM and star tours left that appeal to him (he's too old for dis jr now, and won't do the princess's stuff like little mermaid, beauty Nd the beast, or frozen, and he is too scared yet of tower of terror and rock n roller coaster.) I don't see any reason to draw us there now. wow.

I too saw the lights going back to residential street and what an amazing experience. I had never WALKED through a Christmas light display before. Now I try to make an effort to find a not freezing day and walk through our neighborhoods (or run) just to see the lights. It's so different than seeing them from a car. All because of Osborne lights. That trip in 1998 was a source of amazing memories for me and my family. it was our first Christmas trip (in 25 years I've only been in December 4 times - and only 2x with my parents and sister). On that trip we saw the lights, the candlelight processional, shared a bottle of wine with strangers at Marrakech on New Year's Eve and then saw the bye fireworks there. We saw the lights of winter(!) and the tree lighting ceremony and then hurried to canad to buy sweatshirts Nd jackets because it had turned so cold and we didn't expect it! Magic kingdom's Christmas party was full of hot cocoa while waiting for the Christmas parade to come down Main Street before it had 8 million Disney characters in it and was mostly "classic" holiday stuff like toy soldiers and gingerbread. (Although I confess that might have been the 2003 trip).

I'm torn between convincing my parents to return this year (which they already said would be difficult) and saying no way Disney I'm not playing your games - I give you enough of my money. It's so frustrating.

 

[mmafan]

Hey gang, Tristan here, yes sadly the lights will be coming to an end after the 2015 Holiday Season. My family sat down with the directors of the lights last night, and we were told that this year is going to be the biggest and best year for the lights as a final blow-out and the 20th year celebration. There are currently no plans to move the lights to any portion of HS or any other park on Disney property. (In fact we were given and inventory sheet of the items in the lights that belong to our family, which further cements the fact that they will never again be displayed on Disney property.)

While the family is sad that the lights will be leaving Disney, we are so very happy that we had the chance to spend 20 years lighting up HS and the many, many people we were able to meet and make their lives brighter after seeing the lights.

We hope you'll join us for one last hurrah, before the streets go dark. And don't worry I'm sure Disney will fill the void with something equally as magical as the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights was for the last 20 years!

-Tris

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for the many years..tons of memories and pics thanks to your familys lights

 

[flicx]

I love how Disney Parks has pulled this down off their FB page. Additionally my comment seems to be removed after I make it. Odd. I didnt think I was posting anything wrong here "

Nothing new. Disney has done this many times if people don't say things they think are positive for Disney. They only want positives!

 

[thatgirl23]

Breezy Osborne has made her official statement and it can be seen here:



Soon after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that our Christmas Lights Display go dark (around 1994) Dad received a phone call from a Director of Walt Disney World welcoming the lights to their then MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios). At first we all thought it was a joke...until we started meeting everyone in person. The original Director that called Dad has been there since day one, even attending Dad's funeral, and with the utmost grace, compassion, and loyalty he was the person that flew to Little Rock to meet Mom and I this week as we found out that this is the last year for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Twenty years ago, at age 15, my greatest childhood memory that had been loved & cherished by so many beyond the state was now going to be at Disney World. I'm pretty sure the most excited person on the planet was my Dad. You might as well have told him that he was going to meet Elvis it made that much of an impact. He often said he got to be a kid again, and at the same time MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people from around the world have been able to experience this light display.

Today, I spent a few hours speaking with Media and you seriously cannot express what this display is all about unless you've been under the glow. There is something so magical about these lights-there has been since day one in 1986. I will be honest...I have spent a lot of time today reading many posts, blogs, comments, links, and the tears have been massive. My first tears came from knowing this is Riley's last year to see what my childhood (and so many others) has been about. Its one of the last physical connections to Dad. Then the tears have shifted to reading how this light display has brought immense joy to so many as they made it their family tradition every year.

A part of my heart is torn today-yet let me set the record straight. I am not angry. I am reliving a part of my grieving process surrounding Dad. And at the same time I'd love to share a perspective that many might not realize...Did you know that our light display is the only real story that has ever been a part of Disney? Think about it. Besides knowing about Walt himself...this is a REAL heartfelt REAL story attached to a Walt Disney World attraction. Its not a made up story. How dang amazing is that?! You never ever hear of Attractions hanging around for 20 years (except Dad's favorite, Its a Small World ride...just kidding, he groaned when I wanted to ride over and over and over and over LOL).

We have met INCREDIBLE friends in the last twenty years. I mean...I N C R E D I B L E!! Friendships that will last a lifetime. Stories that we laugh at daily. And family. We actually spent 25 years at Disney together. Yes, that is correct. I am 35 years old and the first ten years of my life I spent Christmas in Arkansas. We had already started a family tradition of Christmas at Disney BEFORE the lights and even stayed at the same hotel for the last twenty five years. It gives me chills thinking about it. Cousins and friends that traveled with us were not even born when we started the tradition. This experience has literally lasted a lifetime.

Over the next few months I'll be posting a ton of memories and stories that might not have been told just yet. And I'm so excited for Christmas this year. We plan to immerse ourselves in the lights and love, and especially the LIGHT that Riley gives to all of us. So far she remembers the lights from our 2014 trip, and just like she's understanding the back of my Spectacle of Lights shirt we will commemorate this last Holiday season truly living in the moment.

If you've ever wanted to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights...GO. This year's dates are November 6-January 3. I have a feeling this year will be brighter than ever.

Does anyone know where this was posted? I'd love to hear the memories and stories mentioned coming in the next few months but don't know where they would be posted. Thanks

 

[PirateD]

This just can't be the end of the story! Don't you just feel like it has to go on somehow? There are some things in life that should be more constant, and I think the Osborne Family Lights are one of them. Even if I can't see them every year, they should be twinkling somewhere for someone to be enjoying them!

 

[Huggups]

Not surprised! I've seen them once so I'm OK and even if I hadn't I'd still be OK. Not really mourning it. Time to move on and very excited and looking forward to the new attractions and events Disney has in store. This park is in need of drastic changes.

 

[Andtototoo]

After years of hoping, last year we finally went to WDW for Christmas. We went to all the parks and did the MVMHP at MK. The experience was underwhelming and did not live up to the hype, to say the least, except for one thing. The ONLY thing that was exceptional, exciting, wonderful? The Osborne Lights.

That was the ONE thing at WDW that was magical for the holidays. The one thing. And now it's going, going, gone. So sad.

 

[sharonmickey]

I only saw the Osborne lights once, on the last night of my last trip to Disney almost four years ago. I've been trying to convince my DD to go back with me ever since. Finally, this past summer, she agreed and I booked a long weekend in December. I'm so excited that I will be there to see the lights this, their final, year.

That said, I'm still hoping Disney will find some way to incorporate the lights somewhere else on Disney property.

 

[goofille]

Any chances that the lights would be shown on the 5th? Thank you!

 

[TristanWingfield]

Does anyone know where this was posted? I'd love to hear the memories and stories mentioned coming in the next few months but don't know where they would be posted. Thanks

This was posted on her Facebook page, and since posting there have been dozens of people chiming in with their own memories of the lights.

Tris