osborne lights viewing tips

[katypop]

hi all!
i will be seeing the osborne lights for the 1st time this dec would love to hear all of your tips for viewing. last year mgm closed at 7:00 during the 1st week of dec which is when i am going. if dusk is around 6:00 then does this mean the lights can only be viewed for an hour each night? do you have to leave the park promptly at closing? i would think it might get very busy, so are there certain nights that would be better crowd-wise? i want to make sure sure i plan my ps's for meals for appropriate times in order to see this.
thanks
katypop

 

[Debs5angels]

I'm going the same time I would love to know the answers too.

 

[SnowWitch]

In the past the lights remain on for 1 hour past park closing. Some CM's share this others do not. We generally wait until 6:45 or so to start back towards the lights. By this time its very enjoyable with barely anyone left. Right at 6 it is packed!!! WE TRY TO HIT MGM at least twice in the evenings for the lights and then have dinner elsewhere.

 

[CarolMN]

You will not be rushed right out of the park at closing unless there is a special "private group" event scheduled for the evening.

I agree that the Lights are generally very crowded right at 6. We try to hit the Lights about 5-10 minutes before Fantasmic lets out - approx 6:40p - 6:45p. (Many times, the CMs will allow those who attnded Fantasmic walk through the Lights after the show ends - but again, only if there isn't something special scheuled for the evening). There is usually a nice "gap" in the crowds at that time. You will be able to walk through at your leisure in relatively uncrowded conditions after the inital crush is through, and still be done before the "Fantasmic wave" arrives.

Best wishes -

P.S. Keep in mind that the above strategy worked in the past during the first few weeks of December. Not sure any strategy helpds during Christmas week, LOL. This year is the first year that the Lights will not be on Residential Street (that area is being renovated for the new stunt show). We may have to come up with something different - we'll just have to see how it works in the new location.

 

[katypop]

Thanks SnowWitch and CarolMN that's exactly what i wanted to know!
Debs5angels-are you as excited as i am about seeing the lights? my dd and i were at wdw last year at this time but wouldn't you know we picked the one year the lights wouldn't be there oh well, great reason to plan this trip! are you going to MVMCP? we went on 2 different nights last year and really enjoyed it. another "not to be missed" event
have fun planning.
katypop

 

[QuickGold]

You can find some tips at http://www.mgmstudios.org/xmas.html

 

[Debs5angels]

Hey katypop,

We can't wait to go in Dec. This will be our first time going at that time of the year. We usually go in Aug. Which we are still doing this year. When are you going to be there? We will be there from Nov.27th to Dec. 4th. We will be going to MVMCP on Nov. 30th are you doing that? We will also be doing the Candlelight Processional on Nov. 28th. Hope to see you there.

 

[georgina]

When we went in 2002, they were passing out 3D-like glasses, that when you looked at the lights through them, it looked like angels were surrounding the lights. It was a cool effect. We went during fantasmic too, and it wasn't too crowded.

 

[katypop]

thanks QuickGold and Georgina for the extra tips the glasses sound like they'll give a cool effect.
Debs5angels, i will be there at the same time as you this is a solo trip for me, i will be there from nov28-dec06, and yes, i will be at MVMCP on the 30th and again on dec02 dd and i had only been in the spring until last year's trip, we went to 2 MVMCP that trip too and loved it. there is nothing like standing on main street with the snow swirling around while watching the parade(unless it's enjoying the osborne lights, i hope ) we also went to CP and i am going to do that too with another "disser". maybe i will see you on the 30th!
katypop

 

[Serenity]

The 3D glasses sound very neat. I read someplace recently that they also have SNOW for the Osborne lights viewing. I knew they were having snow on Main Street during MVMCP, but did not know about this one. Also when I read it - it said something about the number of Ice Machines that they had to use for it - so it sounds like "real" snow as opposed to the Soap Suds that I have been told they use at MVMCP. Any know if this is correct?

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

We're planning on going the first night it opens since we'll be there that week. I'm sure it's gonna be really crowded. I'm hoping to fit Fantasmic in that night too but I don't know if they will be having two shows a night during Thanksgiving week or not.

But I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the lights since we missed them last time we were there during Thanksgiving due to my DD getting sick.

Cindy

 

[LUVDSNY04]

Hi,
I have only been at DW at Christmas once but they had snow falling while we walked the streets. I'm from the North but I didn't mind this snow!
You get to keep the glasses and bring them home - they work on any lights so you bring home some Disney magic!

 

[katypop]

It's still 4 months away but i am already getting excited looking forward to seeing the lights and "snow", which is pretty funny really because i am also from the "north" and we had a very long and cold winter this year, and so far our summer has been much rainier and cool than normal, here i am complaining summer is going to be gone too fast and looking forward to snow in disney at the same time at least we don't have to shovel the disney snow LOL. i think it's neat you can take the glasses home.
katypop

 

[katypop]

it's time for another question i have looked at the nov hours for mgm and on the 28,29 and 30 they are closing with fantasmic scheduled for 8:00. i'm assuming the lights will be on display since it is after thanksgiving...does this mean they will still turn them on at 6:00 and they will be on display longer or will they wait until 7:00 to turn them on? anyone know from past experience? i have already made a ps for dinner the one night and need to know if i should change it. thanks

katypop

 

[Lucky4me]

A few years ago after Fantasmic let out, several CMs led about a thousand people right to the Osbourne lights. It was very orderly. I don't think most people even knew where they were going. Or should I say sheeple? We were able to leisurely walk through. I can't wait until this year!

 

[Lucky4me]

I forgot to answer your question katypop. The lights are turned on each night right around 6pm. I was there one year and they were on by 5:45pm.

Have a great time!

 

[FINFAN]

"SHEEPle" ! LOL!

 

[LindaD]

We were at WDW last week, and they have already started the installaton of the Osborne Lights in the New York Street area, even though they have not finished the construction of the new buildings. They have finished the new San Francisco backdrop, which was installed over the old Backlot Theater, so when you look down the side street toward the theater, it is like looking down one of the hilly streets in San Francisco. Many of the buildings already have lights attached to the sides, and they have put up the giant globe on Gillespie St., and the words, "PEACE ON EARTH," which are temporarily covered up. They still have a long way to go, but they still have about two months to finish!

 

[katypop]

LOL Lucky4me
i was hoping they would just be on longer, and sounds like they will be i was worried if they didn't turn them on before 7:00 i would miss my ps at jiko.
exciting news LindaD i can hardly wait to see these
katypop

 

[amymouse]

Katypop,
I promise I'm not ignoring you! I tried to send you a PM about December, but your inbox is full. I'll try again today.

Amy