Lights of Winter - EPCOT archway ??

[lvdis]

That's too bad if they did away with them. I was looking forward to seeing them for my 1st time this year. I hope we can find out for sure before I go. I was going to make a special trip into Epcot the evening of 11/27 to see them, but I won't bother with it if they aren't on display. We are sharing an Illuminations cruise that night, so we won't need to go into Epcot if not for the Lights.

 

[Tricialiv]

I hadn't heard about the tree lighting ceremony ending. My DD loved that on our last trip. So much of our special experience at Disney revolves around seeing the characters. That is a huge part of what makes it unique and special. Otherwise we would spend our vacation money elsewhere. If the cuts keep coming we will not be going back for quite a while.

I also loved the lights. They were spectacular.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I too was looking forward to seeing them for the first time. We have never been to Disney this time of year, and it seems like all the things I want to see is diminishing away. I was very excited to see Twas the Night Before Christmas show at MVMCP but now it is gone , and now the LoW . Plus my kids would of loved to see the tree lighting ceremony, oh well at least we will still be able to see the other things that Disney offers during this time of year.

 

[Havana]

No Lights of Wonder will put me closer to my tipping point of not going back next Christmas. Disney is starting to dissappoint me rather than make me "wanting more".

 

[aprilp]

I hope they do put the lights up this year...this is my parents' first time coming during the christmas season and I've already told them all about it. I would be so disappointed if they didnt get to see it. Granted, illuminations and the fountain dancing to holiday music is still great but the lights just add a little something.

 

[LMO429]

I just want to confirm this is all speculation and rumor correct?

When are the LOW suppose to go up?

 

[Subrbnmommy]

Wow! If this is true, I will be very disapointed... We had decided to only go to WDW for one day this season (we picked MK). But, we've been debating adding a second day to visit Epcot.
We love Epcot at Christmas time. The music, the different Santas at every country, but most of all the Lights of Winter. Walking through the archway is such a magical experience!
Ohh, well looks like we'll stick to plan A and only go to MK.

 

[lisah0711]

I just want to confirm this is all speculation and rumor correct?

When are the LOW suppose to go up?

Yes, as far as I can tell it is all speculation and rumor. I'm not going to worry about it until I hear from a reliable source, like a bus driver or boat captain.

 

[nbodyhome]

It's more than a rumor, I'd heard about this last week. This is one of my favorite parts of Christmas at Disney and I hope they reconsider.

 

[LMO429]

Yes, as far as I can tell it is all speculation and rumor. I'm not going to worry about it until I hear from a reliable source, like a bus driver or boat captain.

indeed a "reliable" source!

 

[LittleFlounder]

I sure hope it is just a rumour. I saw the arch way set up in Nov 2007, but I was there too early to see it all lit up. Since I'm going to the World later this year I was looking forward to see what I was missing. *crosses fingers*

 

[divanicki75]

I too was looking forward to seeing them for the first time. We have never been to Disney this time of year, and it seems like all the things I want to see is diminishing away. I was very excited to see Twas the Night Before Christmas show at MVMCP but now it is gone , and now the LoW . Plus my kids would of loved to see the tree lighting ceremony, oh well at least we will still be able to see the other things that Disney offers during this time of year.

Me too! I've had a picture of that as my desktop on my computer since we decided to go at Christmas time. BAH HUMBUG to them! No Christmas music, too?! Next thing you know, Santa will be gone.

 

[nbodyhome]

indeed a "reliable" source!

Normally, they'd be on the schedule for being installed - they aren't.

I was told about this last week, and I hoped it would NOT be the case. I saw the Lights of Winter yesterday in their normal area, and I'd be surprised (but very HAPPY) if they went up this year.

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

It's 19 days until we leave for our WDW trip. This is my wife's first trip to WDW for the Christmas holidays. I'll be dissapointed for her if the Lights of Winter are not at Epcot. If they don't I also will be at guest relations complaining.

 

[mickeysaver]

...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.

Buy a ticket Book a hotel nearby

We booked the YC because we really enjoy the LoW and planned to enjoy them most nights during our stay since we would be so close by. Holiday music is played darn near everywhere from November 1 onward in this country. I can listen to it anytime anywhere. What made the LoW special was the dance and the tone that it set for the park at night. It gave Epcot holiday magic at night. Music alone just doesn't cut it.

Maybe it's because our first trip to WDW during the holidays was the year that the Osborne Lights were not shown and that was "the light show" for the holidays that year. We have lots of pretty holiday PhotoPass pics with the LoW in them. I am going to miss them if they are not shown.

 

[mickeysaver]

From the other forum that this discussion seems to have originated from, the evidence is mounting towards this not being a rumor, but rather a very sad fact.

By now, the LoW structures should have been cleaned, tested, and moved to the "staging area" in the Epcot parking lot for install after the F&W festival ended. There are photos of the LoW structure, still in outdoor storage with weeds growing up through the structures.

The CM Hub website has no mention of the Lights of Winter.

All official press releases regarding the holiday season at Epcot have made no mention of the Lights of Winter.

There was no mention of a schedule for the installation of the LoW in the plans for the holiday overlay at the parks.

None of the promotional materials for the holiday show images of the LoW.

 

[mickeysaver]

Oh, and one more thing before I must get back to work. Check out this Disney Parks Blog for many people's questions about the LoW and watch it for a response, if they choose to give us one.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/11/disney-parks-blog-weekly-recap-3/

 

[Doug7856]

I sent an email request to WDW yesterday inquiring about the rumor. I hope the LoW are indeed on display this year. It is one of the most enjoyable parts of Christmastime at Epcot.

 

[michaeldorn1]

Yes, as far as I can tell it is all speculation and rumor. I'm not going to worry about it until I hear from a reliable source, like a bus driver or boat captain.

 

[Tricialiv]

Thanks for the link to the blog. I added my 2 cents.