It's Official: last year of Osborne Lights

[3Goofy's]

Yup, I added my disappointment in the end of the Osborne Lights to the DPB. I suggest everyone that is sad to see it go, post your feelings, or sign the petition. Whether it changes things or not, a collective voice is very imprortant. We are the customer, and they should know what we love.
I will cherish our memories of the Osborne lights as being among my favourite at Christmas. I thank the Osborne family for sharing their tradition with us and uniting a park full of guests to celebrate. It was magical!

 

[maiapapaya]

So sad to see the Lights leave, and so disappointed in Disney's decision just to let them go. What could they possibly be thinking?
Yes, change is good and inevitable, but this is such a beloved tradition for so many people. So short-sighted on the part of the PTB not to find an alternative location. I have also signed the petition and added my comments to the DPB.

Thank you to the Osborne family for sharing your spirit of the season with us for so many years and helping to make our holidays a little brighter and more magical.

 

[PhoenixWright]

Truly awful.

Anyways, glad I'll be able to see them one final time this holiday season with my family.

 

[maiapapaya]

Well I tried to comment on the DPB. I wrote something last night and my post was awaiting moderation. I see several new posts this morning, but not mine? Guess I'll wait to see if it shows up later, if not I'll try again. Not sure what I said that would cause them to delete my comments.

 

[jgraney106]

There has been a petition started on change.org for anyone interested.
https://www.change.org/p/the-walt-d...utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

SIGNED !

 

[Disney's Fan]

Not available on November 17th and December 9th due to private events - the only exceptions. Yulilin has the dates posted in her original/first post of this thread.

Thanks so much for the information! I missed seeing the earlier post with the dates!

 

[BrytEydBelle]

Ugh now I need to try to get down there this winter. Eight hour drive, but perhaps I could make a long weekend of it - yay for not using all my vacation time yet!

 

[Mol42]

Glad we're booked in December and get to see it one last time before they're gone!
sucks it's happening, but it was inevitable. especially with all the new renovations coming up.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Well I tried to comment on the DPB. I wrote something last night and my post was awaiting moderation. I see several new posts this morning, but not mine? Guess I'll wait to see if it shows up later, if not I'll try again. Not sure what I said that would cause them to delete my comments.

Unfortunately the Disney Parks Blog regularly removes/prevents comments that don't portray anything other than sunshine and roses or ones that tote the party line. The announcement on the Disney Facebook page was removed because of all the negative comments. This is an unpopular decision and by removing/preventing feedback Disney is just trying to control it's image on social media.

I too am very sad that Disney has decided to end the lights. With all the resources and areas that Disney has at it's disposal it's a real head scratcher that they chose to end this wonderful tradition and not simply relocate it to another area. With all of the past cuts at the parks and the constant empty promises and construction delays it's clear that the mouse is prioritizing profits over guest experience. Walt is dead, end of story, period. It's all about how much money Disney can suck out of your wallet while giving you less and less at every turn.

~NM

 

[ShannonMB]

Very sad to see this go, but very grateful to have had the chance to experience it. I will probably always remember the exact feeling it gave me!

 

[Accident]

I don't really have a family tradition of the lights but it was the only place I could witness this type of display. I did enjoy getting to see them last year and will miss them in the future, especially since we are skipping going down this year because we ware moving to the area next year. We were looking forward as a family to see them every year starting in 2016 though

I can see a variation of this being incorporated into disney springs or animal kingdom nights in a few years. I think it's safe to say they wouldn't be the osbourne lights as they would probably need to be handled different and not really a "home style mega display" to fit it. I personally think they just gave universal something they can snatch up and replace with their own display. I wouldn't mind that but again this doesn't have the same meaning for our family, it was a great to see holiday option for the 1 winter trip we've ever taken in our lives down there.

While there is many sad, I do want to commend disney for how they announced the end. flying out to the family before the news came out, making sure you knew before it started this year that it's not returning. Closing anything at disney is rough and this was probably the best way to do it. I think the only thing missing is if they do have longer plans for something with the christmas lights, they should have added that right from the start.

 

[DebbieB]

Yup, I added my disappointment in the end of the Osborne Lights to the DPB. I suggest everyone that is sad to see it go, post your feelings, or sign the petition. Whether it changes things or not, a collective voice is very imprortant. We are the customer, and they should know what we love.
I will cherish our memories of the Osborne lights as being among my favourite at Christmas. I thank the Osborne family for sharing their tradition with us and uniting a park full of guests to celebrate. It was magical!

I think they know that people love it, that's not the issue. They need the land for a major new project and they don't have a suitable place to move them to right now.

Does anyone remember when they tore down Residential Street and Osborne Lights were cancelled for a year, did they announce right then that it would be moved for the following year?

Edit - found this thread. They announced in May 2003 that they would not show in 2003 but they said at that time they would be moved to NY Street for 2004.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/osbourne-lights-not-showing-this-year.380469/

 

[Nancyg56]

I just put a complimentary hold on a resort, added mall my dining plans and will be heading down for one last stroll through if I can change a few work related issues. I really need to see it one least time!

 

[Bullseye]

Somebody, somewhere, is going to make a play for the lights. They have to. It just makes so much sense and is an instant crowd creator. Universal? City Walk? Gatorland?

I wish they'd display them in the world showcase. Plenty of tall buildings and space.

 

[flicx]

Plenty of places to put it! They just have to cut things so the bottom line looks better!

 

[Skywise]

So I'm making a special trip on the last weekend to catch the lights with my sister (ouch my credit card!)

I see Fantasmic is running 30 minutes after park close - Are the Osborne Lights left up w/shows AFTER Fantasmic on those nights? EG can I sneak back with fewer people around?

 

[yulilin3]

So I'm making a special trip on the last weekend to catch the lights with my sister (ouch my credit card!)

I see Fantasmic is running 30 minutes after park close - Are the Osborne Lights left up w/shows AFTER Fantasmic on those nights? EG can I sneak back with fewer people around?

with the park closing at 8 pm the lights should be turned off at 9pm. I'm not sure if they will extend them

 

[lucas]

Glad to get to see them 1 more time this coming November.

 

[yulilin3]

oops...wrong thread

 

[Tash87]

Gutted

I had everything crossed that they would still be up and running next year. My honeymoon was at WDW a few years back in December and we didn't go to see them. Now I never will and am truly kicking myself