Osborne Lights & Fantasmic in one night?

[hoppersa]

Will be headed to DW the first week in December, and was wondering if it's possible to successfully see both the Osborne Lights and Fantasmic in the same evening at MGM---or will I be rushing it?

 

[nutty4wdw]

according to the disney schedule the osborne lights are 6-7pm. fantasmic i believe is at 7pm. since you need to get on line early it would be rushing it but i guess not impossible. you may wind up standing for fantasmic. imo i'd do them two different days if at all possible with your schedule. on arrival day i plan on seeing the osborne lights. then doing another night for fantasmic. HOWEVER, i have an annual pass so i am not using up any days by just going to the osborne lights for a night.

 

[karrit2000]

They allow the guest attending Fantasmic to see the Osborne lights after Fantasmic ends. The park is officially closed but they expect the guests to go see the lights after the show and they tell you how to get there. It does get very crowded after Fantasmic so you might want to plan to do the two on different nights but you don't have to.

 

[jaysmom4285]

When we were there the first week of December in 04, you could go to the Osbourne lights after the Fantasmic show. Hordes of people headed over after the show, and it can be quite crowded. We just ducked into a few shops or got a snack and took our time and let the worst of the crowd get ahead of us, and we were able to view the lights at our leisure. Despite the fact that MGM officially closes at the time of the Fantasmic show, the CM's made no effort to hurry anyone along. They seem to expect people to take time to view the lights after Fantasmic. The way the lights are set up on New York Street, you go through on a predetermined path, so to speak, so when you get to the end, the CM's just direct you to the park exit.

 

[BillSears]

Wow that's fantastic to hear!!! I was planning on doing 2 nights one for Fantasmic and one for the Osbounre Lights. Now I know I can do them both in one night. Thanks.

 

[unbroken chain]

So, if the park "closes" at 7.......what does that mean for the Osborne lights ending time? I have a 6 p.m. ADR at MGM. Didn't realize the lights were only scheduled for an hour? If they're really 6-7, obviously I won't see them with a 6 p.m. ADR. How late do they really run? Maybe I can see them during Fantasmic?

 

[Robo]

So, if the park "closes" at 7.......what does that mean for the Osborne lights ending time? I have a 6 p.m. ADR at MGM. Didn't realize the lights were only scheduled for an hour? If they're really 6-7, obviously I won't see them with a 6 p.m. ADR. How late do they really run? Maybe I can see them during Fantasmic?

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-9:45pm would be the
approx. wrap-up.

 

[Viki]

Last December we enjoyed Fantasmic and then hustled over to the Lights with no problem whatsoever!

 

[unbroken chain]

Thanks for the detailed info Robo!

 

[golden1]

Are the lights open later on EMH nights? I am going Dec 11th and there are two Fantasmic shows at 7 and 8:30pm.

 

[Robo]

Are the lights open later on EMH nights? I am going Dec 11th and there are two Fantasmic shows at 7 and 8:30pm.

If the park is open, the lights are on.

 

[minnierocks]

I suggest doing a "Fantasmic" dinner package to avoid the wait in line...We made reservations at the Hollywood and Vine around 4:30 (after the parade) and they gave us a ticket for reserved seating in the stadium. You go in through a different entrance and your seating is off to the right, but they were still good seats and no wait! We were able to see the lights and still get to the show...

There are two (I think) other restaurants that you can do the same type of thing with, although I'm not sure which ones...the kids like the H&V. When you make your reservation, ask for the Fantasmic dinner package...there is no upfront charge, but they do require a credit card to hold your reservation. If you decide not to go, you will have to cancel the reservation or they will charge your card for a no-show.

Have a great time...both the show and the lights are awesome!!!

 

[ppony]

I suggest doing a "Fantasmic" dinner package to avoid the wait in line...We made reservations at the Hollywood and Vine around 4:30 (after the parade) and they gave us a ticket for reserved seating in the stadium. You go in through a different entrance and your seating is off to the right, but they were still good seats and no wait! We were able to see the lights and still get to the show...

There are two (I think) other restaurants that you can do the same type of thing with, although I'm not sure which ones...the kids like the H&V. When you make your reservation, ask for the Fantasmic dinner package...there is no upfront charge, but they do require a credit card to hold your reservation. If you decide not to go, you will have to cancel the reservation or they will charge your card for a no-show.

Mama Melrose is one becuase that is the one we are going to for the package. Got a question for you , is it obvious where that entrance is for the special seating? It's been many years since I've been to Fantasmic and I only have been in the main entrance. I'd love to get a look at the lights before Fantasmic. Our dinner ressies are at 3:45 so we'll be out in plenty of time before they start and Fantasmic.

 

[minnierocks]

Got a question for you , is it obvious where that entrance is for the special seating?

There isn't a sign or anything...but there's a fence looking thing and you go through the gate. There will be someone standing there checking for your ticket. So when it's time for seating, it's obvious because so many people are heading that way. When you are at the restaurant, they will tell you the name of the place (I can't believe I can't remember )-if they don't, ask. The first time we went, we took a stroll down there and found it before we headed anywhere else. It's not that far from the H&V, and that guaranteed that we knew where we were going!

 

[phisigprincess]

Last year during Christmas week we did the Osborne Lights and then headed to Fantasmic. The Lights were so amazing!! The last Christmas trip we did they were refurbing the backlot, so they couldn't do the light display. I'm so excited for my DH to see them this year!

 

[Mo-Yo]

We did it the opposite way last year...and I wouldn't necessarily advise it.

We went to the Lights first...it was awesome to see them turned on...music played, the snow started...then WOW!!!!

We booked it over to Fantasmic after about a half hour of soaking in the scenery...and we got stuck in a crush!!!! We almost had to do 'standing room' with our family of five...which would have been a nightmare.

We are fine with standing, but the way the section is situated, it's a stretch for a full-grown person to see what's going on, let alone three small kids. I did some last minute frantic recon, and sent my son back to get my husband and the girls when I scored some seats (separate), but closer to the front.

I'm not sure what I would have done, if I knew I could have seen the Lights afterward. I'm not sure I would have wanted to miss seeing them 'come to life,' but I definately would try to avoid getting to Fantasmic too late.

 

[CinderellaIam]

Got a question for you , is it obvious where that entrance is for the special seating?

We did this last year. The entrance is to the left of Oscars Garage at the entrance to the park (where the lockers are).

 

[ppony]

We did this last year. The entrance is to the left of Oscars Garage at the entrance to the park (where the lockers are).

Cool! When it's over do they let anyone out that way? I'm betting no because that would be a huge jump on the rest of the throngs going out the back way and be a dream come true but it would be awesome to be able to get a jump on it.

 

[NancyIL]

I have been at MGM when they did NOT allow the Fantasmic crowd to see the Osborne Lights, so make sure you don't save it for your last night at WDW.