The Osborne Lights attraction presented an unusual problem for MGM.
When they were "acquired" by Disney from the Osborne family (not OZZIE, BTW) there was a huge amount of national publicity about them.
Disney got a lot of "mileage" out of having them and they needed to DISPLAY them for lots of guests to see (after dark).
But...
Even in the winter months, it simply does not get really DARK in Florida until about 6pm.
So the lights can't be properly viewed until that time.
(They simply are NOT a daytime or even "regular hours" attraction).
And the MGM park usually closes (except EMH) only an hour or so after dark.
Since Disney spends a major (MAJOR) amount of time and money to set-up, promote, fund the electricity and CM's and (after the holidays) remove and store these hundreds of thousands of lights, they needed a way that guests could actually VIEW them.
(Otherwise, what's the POINT?)
So since, at sunset, MOST (up to 10,000) guests in MGM are SITTING IN THE FANTASMIC! THEATER and can't SEE the lights as it gets dark... AFTER the show, the CM's actually ENCOURAGE the exiting crowds from Fantasmic! to go over and see the Osborne Lights.
Even though the rest of the park is closed, the lights are in full glory, and there are even some concessions open for refreshments.
The info that keeps getting posted (same one or two posters, by the way) that says guests were stopped from going to see the OLights after Fantasmic! is accurate as well.
There are some nights when the OLights are being used for a private "event" and regular guests are not allowed in.
You simply will not KNOW about this unless you stop at Guest Relations that day and ask if the OLights will be available after Fantasmic!
As for how late?
If Fantasmic! is at 7pm, then its over at 7:25pm, most guests are out of the theater by 7:50pm and headed to the Osborne Lights.
I'd estimate that they would keep the OLights open for a hour-plus, so, say 9:15pm-9:30pm would be the approx. wrap-up.
