Lights of Winter - EPCOT archway ??

[anne930]

Anyone else hearing a rumor that they are not putting up the Lights of Winter archway in EPCOT this year? That would be a major disappointment for our family!

 

[danielle782001]

please someone say it is not so

 

[anne930]

What I'm hearing is that the Archway has not been put up yet and doesn't seem to be sitting in the normal "holding area" to be put up. There's speculation that they might be redoing it with LED lights, but no-one seems to know for sure.

 

[Sabi]

I'll be right behind you, as will many others I'm sure. I don't care if they are repainting them/putting LEDs in; ______ EE said, there are 11 months before the holiday season. That was the time to do that. Saying you are refurbing them during the holidays is not and will not be an acceptable excuse.

 

[anne930]

Anyone know when they are normally up by?

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Oh, wow. I sincerely hope they put them up.

 

[mickeysaver]

Yes, I read the speculation, which unfortunately seems quite credible, on another discussion forum. If it proves true, I will most definately be making a stop at Guest Services to lodge a complaint in hopes that, at the very least, that they will see fit to allow it's return in 2010.

I love the Lights of Winter. The lights are pretty and the music that they twinkle to, well, it's just magical. I will certainly miss them if they are not there this year. It's bad enough that they don't do the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Show anymore. But losing this too, well, it just doesn't seem like Epcot has as much holiday magic as it should.

 

[Colleen27]

I would think even the Disney beancounters would see that this is a step too far, to take away the centerpiece of the Epcot Christmas decorations in the name of cost-cutting.

 

[RMulieri]

Nothing will surprise me anymore. I will be disappointed, but it won't ruin my trip

 

[Sabi]

No...Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
No...Arch Lights of Winter

Walt Disney World has made the December holidays a Special Celebration throughout the parks and hotels. This is a grand time to visit WDW and get in the HOLIDAY Spirit!
Where is the Christmas Disney Magic in EPCOT.

Again, just a rumor and hope it's completely false!

Photo by Jeff_B (Flickr)

Yet another of those lovely things that bring us back to Walt Disney World year after year – the beautiful Lights of Winter in EPCOT. During the late fall, we watch the arches go up over the walkway between Future World and the World Showcase; the bare white structures giving little hint of the dazzling show that awaits. Just after Thanksgiving, the parks and resorts seem suddenly to burst forth in holiday dress. Now, each evening, the modest archway transforms, becoming a brilliant canopy of color. It’s an ever-changing tapestry as continuous patterns compose and fade away, twinkling and pulsating in harmony with a holiday musical score.
We love the charming ceremony that takes place at nightfall, when characters arrive for the lighting of the EPCOT tree. As the lights on the tree begin to twinkle, the magic moves to the archway, and it comes alive for the first show of the night.

Via: fav5 Reasons for a Holiday Visit - Disney Travel Blog

 

[buckylarue]

No...Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
No...Arch Lights of Winter

Walt Disney World has made the December holidays a Special Celebration throughout the parks and hotels. This is a grand time to visit WDW and get in the HOLIDAY Spirit!
Where is the Christmas Disney Magic in EPCOT.

While I will be disappointed if the Lights of Winter are not up this year, Epcot does still have the Holidays around the World in World Showcase, the Candlelight Processional, the special holiday ending to Illuminations... Not exactly lacking in spirit!

 

[NickP33]

I'll be quite disappointed if they don't put up the arches. This is one of my fav. things at WDW regardless of season.

 

[mickeysaver]

If the LoW have been killed off, doesn't this new tour seem sadly ironic?

Disney's Holiday D-Lights Tour

Disney's Holiday D-Lights Tour will show how the twinkle of holiday magic is created for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, the transformation of Cinderella Castle, and the Candlelight Processional. The tour will only be offered on the following 2009 dates: Mondays November 30, and December 7 and 14; and Wednesdays December 2, 9 and 16. Tours will begin at 5 p.m. outside of Epcot. This tour is for guests 16 years of age and older. The cost is $179 per person. Theme park admission is NOT required. Make your reservation by calling 407-WDW-TOUR.

 

[Sabi]

To all those that dismiss WDWMAGIC Guest theory.

First the Country Bear Christmas show went. Then the Epcot Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony went. Then "Micky's Twas the Night Before Christmas" went. And now the Lights of Winter and it's associated Christmas music seems to have been cut. Christmas Carolers at Camp Minnie Mickey went too

And what replaced them? CBJ.....nothing. Tree Lighting? Nothing. TtNBC? Another Stitch Dance show. LoW? Apparently nothing.

Something is going on here besides cost savings. Guaranteed.

 

[Robo]

Even if they don't put up the Lights of Winter, there is no reason to believe that they won't be playing the music.

Those music tracks are actually a part of the Fountain of Nations, and the water show that goes with those tracks will likely continue.

Nothing additional to "put up" and no extra costs involved just to play the Christmas music and run the fountain water show.

 

[Robo]

Something is going on here besides cost savings. Guaranteed.

I seriously doubt that.

 

[FigNewton]

Yes, we will be very sad indeed if the lights of winter display isn't put up this year.

 

[Colleen27]

To all those that dismiss WDWMAGIC Guest theory.

First the Country Bear Christmas show went. Then the Epcot Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony went. Then "Micky's Twas the Night Before Christmas" went. And now the Lights of Winter and it's associated Christmas music seems to have been cut. Christmas Carolers at Camp Minnie Mickey went too

And what replaced them? CBJ.....nothing. Tree Lighting? Nothing. TtNBC? Another Stitch Dance show. LoW? Apparently nothing.

Something is going on here besides cost savings. Guaranteed.

Oh, I think most of that can absolutely be chalked up to cost savings (except TtNBC, which as I understand it has to do with changes to that part of Tomorrowland and the stage space available). If, and that's a big IF, the LoW really are gone, I think it is just another sign that Disney isn't all that interested in offering extra/seasonal magic unless they can charge extra for it.

 

[auntsue]

We really enjoyed the Lights of Wonder. It will be disappointing if they are no longer there.

 

[ransom]

Oh, I think most of that can absolutely be chalked up to cost savings (except TtNBC, which as I understand it has to do with changes to that part of Tomorrowland and the stage space available). If, and that's a big IF, the LoW really are gone, I think it is just another sign that Disney isn't all that interested in offering extra/seasonal magic unless they can charge extra for it.

...or it brings in additional customers (like the Osborne Lights probably do). Who's going to buy a ticket to Epcot just to see the Lights of Winter? Much as I love them, I have to admit that very few would pay just to see them.