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.
(which was a must do for my oldest son.) Because it's cheaper than rescheduling our family's planned trip, just my son and I are making a super short trip just to see the lights in early December. 
