What does everyone think the best theory for the future of the lights is?
If they stay in the studios, there are only a few options. One would be, they stay where they are. This seems doubtful given the overhaul the park will be getting. But there is plenty of room in the rest of the park, and with the money allotted towards infrastructure I would assume they will be building on the other side of World Drive. The SoA don't actually take up much space given that they are 2 dimensional. They could be kept, and only the the things behind their walls changed. But I find this unlikely as they will probably want to completely retheme the area. The only other option seems even less likely to me, which would be Hollywood Blvd. I just think it would be chaos with Fantasmic, ToT, RnR, and SODL all right there. The SoA are a mob scene that is impossible to navigate through, and that is a usually empty part of the park. I don't see a place with high foot traffic working out.
Disney Springs is another option. But where would they put it? Is there an area where they wouldn't have to close down shops or that wouldn't make store owners angry? If they found such a place it would draw tons of extra crowds to Disney Springs every night and they could keep them open much later, thus making them less crowded (possible), meaning MAYBE they could make them free. But I really don't think such a location exists. If Disney did charge for this, how much would it be? I could see them charging as much as 50 dollars, which really does not seem fair given it was "free" in the past. Perhaps they could let in resort guests for free, or 10 dollars. And charge the general public 50. Seems complicated though.
Animal Kingdom. I don't really think there is anywhere they would feel natural. What's perfect about the streets of america is that they are houses, which people actually decorate with Christmas lights. Putting up an elaborate Christmas display on an African hut seems strange. Plus AK will not need in help attracting guests for quite some time.
Magic Kingdom is definitely out. What do they gain by pulling even more people to the most popular park in the world?
I think Epcot is where they will move, if they move. And I think they will make them bigger than ever. I'd like to see them right in the middle of Future World. Epcot is a very open park. They can absorb the crowds. And putting them in such a central and open location means a lot of people won't go out of their way to see them. Everyone will walk through and see, and since they've already "seen them" many people won't make a special effort to come watch them for an hour or more. It would also be a much bigger area than SOA. They could put the lights all over Spaceship Earth, along the Monorail, and incorporate the fountain into the show. Maybe I'm dreaming too big. But if they can't stay in the SoA exactly as they are now, then nothing will ever be as good and this is the only option that would do them justice.
I am ready and waiting to be proven wrong though. I'd love to hear a better option, because I really doubt that happens.
I'm really bad at those "find hidden things" games so I decided just to look it up. It was in an alley next to a mail box I believe on San Fransico St. I could not find it even though I was looking right at the spot in the picture. The next day, while walking out of the Frozen show, bypassing the lights from the outside, I just happened to spot it...
I was able to see them in real life for the first time in 2013. We don't get to go during the holidays very often but am thrilled to say we are going for New Years this year!!!
Can't wait!!!
