Lights of Winter - EPCOT archway ??

[KellyNY]

I just finished reading this entire post and I definitely feel I have to chime in. I have been going to Disney now for 25 years and have missed very few Christmas Seasons. For as long as I can remember the LOW has been there and I have many pictures with those wonderful arches. I'm not going to sit here and quote many of the threads that I wanted to comment on but rather will just comment in my own post. As for the speculation of Disney possibly waiting until the last minute to test the lights and then realize that it isn't working that is not realistic at all considering that a more noticeable change was not performed on Space Mountain due to the fact that actually changing the ride would have kept it closed during the holiday season and that is not something they were willing to allow; and before the comments start I realize that money and other things factored in as well but this was at least a small contributing factor that was mentioned on another thread about space mountain. As for the budgets, considering that Universal had a contract with Marvel which is now being honored to Disney not only are they getting that extra money but I would think that at least some profit from Universal Parks would have to go into Disney and it would definitely make sense for it to go into the "park budget." I can go on all night ranting but I would definitely just like to mention that this whole Holiday in the music instead of Christmas and the Christmas Trees being called Holiday Trees in different parts of the world is just absolutely ridiculous. I am well aware of the separation of Church and State and all about the PC but I'm just sitting here wondering what's next are they going to change the motto of our currency from In God We Trust to In Some Entity We Trust because after all not all religions believe in God (insert sarcasm). Seriously UGH I feel sums it all up. Oh and in case anyone is wondering I am going this holiday season because it has been booked and fully payed for as well as this being my grandparents first trip in a long time to the world during the holiday season however you better believe that an email, snail mail letter, phone call and an in person complain will be made (did I forget any method LOL) Thank you for listening I just really needed to rant.

Good rant
I also wonder, what other holiday uses decorated pine trees, why all this political correctness when it is obviously a Christmas tree not holiday tree. What is next, getting rid of Santa or renaming him to "Holiday UPS Man"

 

[brunette8706]

What would Walt do?


***********

BINGO!!!

I think you and I know the answer to that one.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

What would Walt do?


***********

BINGO!!!

I think you and I know the answer to that one.

My favorite Walt Story came from a fabulous tourguide in DL years ago. He was talking about building the castle.

Walt wanted Gold Leaf on the top of the towers of the castle. He explained to Roy it would still sparkle on the most cloudy day which Gold Paint would not. Roy said - Walt buddy - you are nuts. No room in the budget.

A few days later Roy was off to NYC for meetings and Walt hired the contractor and had the gold leaf applied. When Roy returned - it was too late.

WE WANT WALT

WE WANT WALT

WE WANT WALT

D--- the expense - do it right the first time. and 50 years later it's still topped with Gold Leaf and Disneyland never went bankrupt!!!

 

[iluvwdw4ever]

This makes me sooooo sad!!!!!!!! First, the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas show was cancelled and now this. What idiot makes these decisions??????????

 

[Figment1990]

This just totally figures. We don't go to WDW every christmas. I've been there only twice during the holidays and this December will be my third. The first time was back in 98. It was breathtaking! We WALKED through the Osborne Lights on the backlot streets and we watched the tree lighting ceremony at Epcot from under the LOW archways! It was perfect! The next time I was there at the holidays was 03 and it was the year they were re-doing Osborne Lights. It was DH's first Disney holiday experience and we were so disappointed he didn't get to see them. This year, my MIL really wanted to take the family to WDW for the holidays and when I found out there was no Epcot tree-lighting ceremony, we were very disappointed. Now of course, my luck, the LOW are not up this year.

Hopefully they will put the LoW up next year again. Osborne Lights came back and were "Dancing." I'm looking forward to seeing them this year. And I'm fortunate enough that I will probably be able to return again during the holidays sometime so hopefully I will see them again. But many arent going to do that, like my SIL and niece. It's very unfortunate and a bad bit of timing on my part, but I guess I do understand where they are coming from a bit. After all, they had to skip a year with Osborne Lights too. I'm just going to keep my mouth shut on the trip and hopefully no one in my party will know what they are missing and they won't be disappointed. There are so many more magical Disney touches that I doubt they will notice. DH & I will notice, but I'm gonna give them a pass this time. For now. Unless they never bring them back.

Even if this was "cost cutting" I would understand. (I don't believe it is though). I don't LIKE watching little things be cut from the parks, but we are in a major downturn economically. Disney will rebound, I have faith. They are not the only company cutting corners. I notice it everywhere lately. Clothing selections in stores are so limited and the materials and construction are much lower quality than previously. I've noticed my clothing not lasting through nearly as many washes as they used to. I understand that people have fewer dollars to spend and to make things affordable, they have to lower prices, and to continue to make money to stay in business they have to lower some costs. I just can't wait for the recession to (really) end. I believe we will see a return of quality - in WDW and everywhere.

 

[Glenn]

Ive read the entire thread & have to agree that the excuse for canceling is pretty lame & feel they just want to save money. Ive been going to the world since the mid 80s & have sat & watched these lights many times. They used to put me in a very good mood no matter what my problems were. If I stay on my normal visiting scedule Id be back in the word next Christmas but with these cutsbacks & who knows what else by next yr I doubt if I may make it. With everything being cut it might feel like being at a wake. Oh yes im a somewhat disney nut. I even flew & was there the Christmas after 9/11.
Last thing, revenue might be down on disneys mechandising decisions as well as the economy. Friends came back from a Oct trip commenting they didnt buy much because of all the generic stuff. Could be that Disney shot itself in the foot on that one. Sorry this is long.

 

[DisneyMom14]

Good rant
I also wonder, what other holiday uses decorated pine trees, why all this political correctness when it is obviously a Christmas tree not holiday tree. What is next, getting rid of Santa or renaming him to "Holiday UPS Man"

Holiday UPS Man!!!

 

[puntagordabob]

yep... the LoW should be returned to operation as they were, or perhaps ++++PLUSSED++++ even!

 

[maxiesmom]

Last thing, revenue might be down on disneys mechandising decisions as well as the economy. Friends came back from a Oct trip commenting they didnt buy much because of all the generic stuff. Could be that Disney shot itself in the foot on that one. Sorry this is long.

I was at Disney World in October too, and I actually saw more resort specific merchandise than I have in a couple of years. They actually had shirts that said Port Orleans on them in the gift shop there. Last year at the ASMu and ASSp, I couldn't find a thing with the resort name on it! I have hope that Disney is actually getting the message on that one.

 

[tecdavidt]

We just returned yesterday from WDW. We noticed that the Christmas lights are mostly LED lights. Now we have no idea if LOW were LED(we can't remember). Maybe they want to change them to LED? or Disney is just cutting their Holiday budget? I know this family will miss them. We have seen them the last 4 years. LOW was our favorite part of the Epcot decorations. When we called home and told our daughter she responded, "I don't believe the reason they are giving." She is 17. We don't believe the reason either.

Maybe the lights will return next Christmas. Or maybe next year we will see even more cut backs. It is just sad that Disney Corp. cut this tradition. LOW is just as much part of EPCOT as the dancing fountain. It is special, you can only see LOW at this special time of the year. A reason for going to EPCOT and now it is gone.

One interesting note: we stayed at BLT MK view. We watched the decoration go up on the side of the CR. The huge Mickey topiary like outline then overed in white Christmas lights. Hmm, the lights were on during the DAYTIME not at night. What is up with that? and it stayed that way. The timer must have been set wrong. We just chuckled. Maybe by today it has been fixed.

Dave and Kathy

 

[KristineN]

I will miss seeing them this trip.

 

[Calissto31]

Good rant
I also wonder, what other holiday uses decorated pine trees, why all this political correctness when it is obviously a Christmas tree not holiday tree. What is next, getting rid of Santa or renaming him to "Holiday UPS Man"

hahaha that is one I will be using Holiday UPS Man

 

[Robo]

We just returned yesterday from WDW. We noticed that the Christmas lights are mostly LED lights. Now we have no idea if LOW were LED(we can't remember). Maybe they want to change them to LED?

They were standard incandescent bulbs.

LED's can't be "dimmed" the same as incandescent bulbs.
(They don't have the same kind of response to subtile variations of electrical current.)

The dimming and brightening of the lamps was a big part of what made the light-show interesting.

 

[brunette8706]

I'm still hoping they will SURPRISE us with something bigger and better!!!

 

[DisneyMom14]

They were standard incandescent bulbs.

LED's can't be "dimmed" the same as incandescent bulbs.
(They don't have the same kind of response to subtile variations of electrical current.)

The dimming and brightening of the lamps was a big part of what made the light-show interesting.

If they were thinking straight they could have had one last big hoorah before retiring it. They could have advertised for everyone to come see them one last time and made a big deal of it.

 

[tecdavidt]

That is interesting about LED not being able to dim. When we saw the Osbourne lights I noticed they were LED. Now in that show the lights do dim so I am guessing that the lights diming are not LED. Last year those lights were not LED but this year you could tell they were but obviously not all have been replaced. My favorite part of the parks at Christmas time are the extra fireworks at Epcot, LOW at Epcot (now gone so sad), Holiday Wishes, and the Osbourne lights. Let me tell you, the Osbourne lights were packed last Saturday night. I have never seen it that packed before! We usually see them during our post Christmas through New Year's trip. They are amazing as was LOW. Kathy

 

[Robo]

That is interesting about LED not being able to dim. When we saw the Osbourne lights I noticed they were LED. Now in that show the lights do dim so I am guessing that the lights diming are not LED. Last year those lights were not LED but this year you could tell they were but obviously not all have been replaced. My favorite part of the parks at Christmas time are the extra fireworks at Epcot, LOW at Epcot (now gone so sad), Holiday Wishes, and the Osbourne lights. Let me tell you, the Osbourne lights were packed last Saturday night. I have never seen it that packed before! We usually see them during our post Christmas through New Year's trip. They are amazing as was LOW. Kathy

LED's can dim SOMEWHAT... but they have a very limited range, whereas
incandescent bulbs have a full-range of subtle light-levels possible with
simple voltage variance.

LED's can FLASH on-and-off as readily as incandescent bulbs, and that's what many of the
light shows do.

But, the LoW shows generally featured a lot of subtle light dimming, up and down, in sync with the musical selections.

 

[doconeill]

There are ways of dimming LEDs, but they are extremely sensitive and tolerances aren't that good. In fact, it is very difficult to get a batch of LEDs that will react identically to the same current variations. Mucking with the voltage can also seriously shorten their life.

Instead, what they can actually do is turn them on and off very fast, and increase the "off" intervals to create a dimmer light, but I don't think it produces quite the same effect.

I think with "larger" LED bulbs, which are really just a lot of LEDs together, the dimming effect is controlled by managing the number of LEDs that are actually lit - but these are generally a lot larger than anything you'd use for LoW.

 

[Robo]

There are ways of dimming LEDs, but they are extremely sensitive and tolerances aren't that good. In fact, it is very difficult to get a batch of LEDs that will react identically to the same current variations. Mucking with the voltage can also seriously shorten their life.

Instead, what they can actually do is turn them on and off very fast, and increase the "off" intervals to create a dimmer light, but I don't think it produces quite the same effect.

I think with "larger" LED bulbs, which are really just a lot of LEDs together, the dimming effect is controlled by managing the number of LEDs that are actually lit - but these are generally a lot larger than anything you'd use for LoW.

Yes.
And, those kind of LED lights sets (usually used in flooding cyc's or general stage areas with color) can be somewhat annoying as some banks of LED "pop" on and off during the "ramp" up or down. It is far from a subtle, smooth fade.

It's hard to beat standard bulbs when it comes to smooth transitions.

 

[New York Digger]

ITS ALL A RUMOR thats what these boards are for !! disney needs those lights cause we all brag about them.. you hear so many rumors.. anyone who is there report to us to see if they go up !