Lights of Winter gone?

[ConcKahuna]

Yea Sentinel - they don't mind bringing the truth to light about Disney....good or bad.

I hope all of us who see the magic in the LIGHTS will not let Disney forget. I cannot imagine World Showcase at the holidays without the dancing lights. They are like balloons....have you ever noticed balloons always make people smile!

Of course the Sentinel also likes to bring out the bad about Disney even when it's not true

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Mind sharing the name of the CD so we can hunt it down too

I have it at home and will bring it in tomorrow.

It has 4 tracts which are in the Lights of Winter music loop.

We LOVE it - and I'll be happy to share so you can enjoy it as well.

I'll checkin tomorrow.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Of course the Sentinel also likes to bring out the bad about Disney even when it's not true

I have found that their bad is more true than false.

As I said, they also willingly do the mindless Disney promos as well!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

For those folks that only read on the DIS, I invite you to join the effort that a few of us have going on on the Disney Parks Blog comment section in regards to the LoW. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/11/disney-parks-blog-weekly-recap-3/ At the bottom, there are currently about 72 guests that have voiced their displeasure with the looming possiblity of Epcot at the holidays without the LoW display. Please feel free to join in and keep this matter on the table even in a small way. If Disney really wants social media, then they are going to have to listen to their guest's comments and eventually say something of meaning in response.

If you feel the need to take issue with this through other routes, emails are good to voice your displeasure too, but as always, a well thought out letter is better.

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista , FL 32830-0040

It appears that the Orlando Sentinel is going to be looking into this matter and Disney may not be able to wish this away.

Honestly, does it cost THAT much to erect some lighted archways?

I checked this out today. The Disney site is FILLED with people commenting on the Lights of Winter.

GREAT way to share your opinions with Disney.

 

[heatherbabydoll1]

I was number 143 on the blog hopefully we MIGHT get them to wake up! Keep bloging there!

 

[zulemara]

I have to giggle that people think Bob Iger has much at all to do with WDW or it's operations.

If you want to blast someone, blast Al Weiss.

well I really think it's Jay Rusulo, but his puppet is Meg Crofton, so I'd start with her.
LOW confirmed canceled. It's so sad.

 

[aeryn]

From @DisneyParks on Twitter: "Note:The Lights of Winter at Epcot has been enjoyed for years. But tech to operate the lights is obsolete, prompting us to retire the lights"

Not sure how difficult it would have been to update the technology to operate the lights, I'm guessing with Disney's Imagineering talent it wouldn't have been *too* difficult.

 

[DC7800]

Disney has indeed confirmed the Lights of Winter have been permanantly retired.

The obsolete 'tech' excuse is really lame. You'd think they could come up with a better escuse than that...

 

[mickeysaver]

Awaiting Moderation....

How is it that your corporate partner at Epcot, Siemens, who owns Sylvania, a company that makes lighting technology among other things, and the awesome Disney Imagineers, who create amazing tech gadgets could not in the past 11 months have figured out something to fix the problem or have created something similar with newer tech? People love to look at lights at night, it is a magical experience for all ages.

I am so lost as to how this has come to pass. Honestly, the cuts keep coming and unless there is something done to fix or suitably replace the Lights of Winter, we are not going back to Walt Disney World next year. As it is right now, I wish that I had just kept our original reservation at the Poly. The Yacht Club is cool, but the whole point of staying there was to be near Epcot to enjoy the Lights of Winter in the evenings. I feel an itinerary rework coming on. We arrive in about 3 weeks and this just stinks.

Tweeted....

@DisneyParks How is it that Siemens who owns Sylvania, who makes BULBS and Disney who creates amazing tech gadgets can't get the LoW up?

I am so mad at this lame excuse.

 

[ChrisFL]

Next thing we'll hear is that Disney has cancelled Christmas

 

[doconeill]

I suppose it is entirely possible that given that they are now prepping and installing all the holiday lights that during testing they found that the existing controllers had some major faults, and if they are "obsolete" to replace them would have been somewhat difficult in the short term.

So it could mean that even though LOW will be missed this season, something all new and even more spectacular next season is currently in the works.

Right?

Right, Disney?

Oh, wait, who am I kidding.

 

[mitros]

Boy, you said a mouthful there............

I suppose it is entirely possible that given that they are now prepping and installing all the holiday lights that during testing they found that the existing controllers had some major faults, and if they are "obsolete" to replace them would have been somewhat difficult in the short term.

So it could mean that even though LOW will be missed this season, something all new and even more spectacular next season is currently in the works.

Right?

Right, Disney?

Oh, wait, who am I kidding.

 

[daber]

Next thing we'll hear is that Disney has cancelled Christmas

They couldn't do that this year, as they have taken over Dicken's Christmas Carol this year. Bad form to cancel the holiday and then make "Disney's Chirstmas Carol" in the same year.

So Lights of Winter will become a fond memory of Christmas Past, just like the Country Bear Christmas show. Wish CA was closer so I could enjoy Haunted Mansion Holiday and Small World Holiday.

Who knows maybe the technology will become obsolete next year and we will lose Osbourne Spectacle of Lights. Have to keep CP and MVMCP since they charge extra for those.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Mind sharing the name of the CD so we can hunt it down too

Ok, here is the scoop on some of the LIghts of Winter Music.

CD titled: One Special Christmas

by: David Clydesdale


the following tracts are in LOW:

#3 - Carrols of the World, including: O Tannenbaum, Good King Wenceslas, He is Born - by the Royal Brass of London

#6 Starry Night <--my favorite

#8 A Song of Joy, including: How Great Our Joy, Joy to the World - again, Royal Brass of London

#10 - Christmas Hymn



I bought my copy a year ago, used, from Amazon. It came in clear plastic and seemed brand new.

Good hunting and ENJOY THE MUSIC!

 

[Cricket2]

...Who knows maybe the technology will become obsolete next year and we will lose Osbourne Spectacle of Lights...

Yeah, "light" is so outdated. I'm surprised we have bulbs at all anymore and don't just use fire again like the old days.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

We leave in 16 days for DL. We made the decision and reservations last winter with heavy hearts because we would miss our beloved dancing Lights of Winter.

Now we will take our CD to the Grand Californian and play the music at the end of each day.....in memory of our Lights.


I am so sorry everyone. I cannot imagine standing in that bare place in EPCOT - looking to the sky without the lights.



......anyone have anything else they enjoy at Christmas? Even something little....to share with everyone. I know, I know, it won't take the place of the Lights....but may help a little.

Let me start.......

* Wearing my Santa Mickey Hat at night (don't feel so foolish after dark)

* Castle lights <---that is one of the BEST things Disney has done in years

* Holiday ending to Illuminations <--- never a dry eye! Years ago I took a friend to WDW the first week in December. She was in remission from multiple myeloma. It was our last day and I asked her what she wanted to do....she said Illuminations because she had never seen any fireworks which were better. I think of Joan (she's watching with me...but has a better view now).

* Gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian

* Watching little kids playing with the snow on Main Street during MVMCP



Ok, can we have a and come up with a list of our favorites. Maybe some newbees are reading and they will enjoy the good ideas.

Too upbeat?

Well....I tried.

 

[Golf4food]

I don't know... I have to agree with the PP who said the lights of winter broke up sight lines and blocked views of the Christmas tree. They're pretty, but they do get in the way and are by no means spectacular. Just a few trellaces covered in normal lights - hardly fancy. You could do it over your own driveway at home.

I'll gladly trade the Lights of Winter to keep the Castle Ice Lights or Osborne Lights any day.

 

[Disneyadore]

Disney Paris got rid of them four years ago.
They replaced them with beautiful lamps. Entering the park you can now see the castle in hid full beauty. I'm sure WDW will find a nice solution for these lights.

 

[ChrisFL]

Disney Paris got rid of them four years ago.
They replaced them with beautiful lamps. Entering the park you can now see the castle in hid full beauty. I'm sure WDW will find a nice solution for these lights.

If they were going to replace it with something meaningful, they would have said so...but all we're getting is that they're not happening.

 

[Disneyadore]

If they were going to replace it with something meaningful, they would have said so...but all we're getting is that they're not happening.

Maybe next year?
But it just boils down to the simple fact that Disney will removing the lights and that's it.
Remember everything that "works" has a time that it is to expensive to maintain and sadly "old soldiers never die, they just fade away". (Vera Lynn)