Osborne Lights Worth Special Trip?

[Auntof2]

I've always wanted to see the Osborne lights and had hoped to do so next year, but of course we all know they are ending this year. I'm torn on how to work them into an existing trip, if I should plan a separate trip this year, or if I should just give up on the idea.

We have a whirlwind trip planned with 8 people, where we are driving down one day, spending the next two days in the Magic Kingdom, and then driving back. The trip cannot be adjusted on either end for the two of us due to work schedules. The day we drive down my husband and I could walk to Hollywood Studios and get in for the last hour or so, but that is 1) a very expensive way to see the lights, 2) may not be enough time and 3) will probably cause hard feelings with at least one person going on the trip with us (and I have no desire to pay for 8 people to get in to see the lights, we're already paying for the entire trip for everyone).
So this is option 1 - most convenient timing wise but at the cost of family drama and perhaps wishing I had more time in the park.

Option 2 would be to fly down the week after Christmas, spend the day at Hollywood Studios, see the lights, and fly home the next morning. Cost is honestly close to the same as bringing everyone in to see the lights the evening we arrive on the prior trip, so maybe that makes the most sense after all.

Option 3 is just giving up on the idea....open to opinions! I rank enjoyment over cost if that helps...I realize it's expensive either way.

 

[g-dad66]

If cost of Option 2 is the same as Option 1, and if you rank enjoyment over cost, then Option 2 seems like your best option to me.

If I could afford making a special trip just to see the lights one last time (we have seen them many times before), I would do it, but alas.....

 

[ArwenMarie]

If you're going to be there, I would just try to see them the night you get down there but I guess I can't understand the math of making a second trip more cost efficient. Although making a second trip sounds a bit more peaceful! Why would you have to buy everyone's ticket? Is it the type of trip where you are all committed to staying together the whole time?

Either way, I would try to see them before they go, but they are my favorite thing at WDW so obviously I am biased lol. Once they are gone, I am never going to WDW again during the holiday season.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Farps]

We extended our trip for two nights to see them one last time, we were supposed to fly out on 11/6 (the first night of Osbourne lights) and added two nights. So if it makes you feel any better it's going to cost us about $1000.

 

[beccasmom]

I would go w/option 2 as well. We plan late fall/winter WDW trips approximately every other November and this is an off year for us to sneak in another visit (we were there in August). Bad timing! Our remaining vacation time is spoken for now. If you can swing another trip, go and enjoy!

 

[bc7ate9]

I've never seen the lights so we are taking a special trip in December just to see them. It's important to me and I can afford another trip this year. I don't think I'd personally consider it worthwhile to go for just one day, but that's me. You have to consider what you can afford and what's most important to you.

Have you actually priced how much an extra park day for everybody would cost? If you already have multi day tickets, adding an additional day might not be all that much.

 

[NJlauren]

Ok what about option 4 which may not be doable but throwing it out there...Add park hoppers and hop from MK to Hollywood studios for the lights on night.

I don't know the hours for the days your going but it's an option.

We have a special tripped planned to see them. However, a one day trip in the winter always worried me as I come from the northeast and bad weather is always a possibility.

 

[Auntof2]

Option 1 involves potentially paying for 6 other people more due to keeping the peace and family politics more than anything, I realize I don't technically "have" to pay for the rest of our group to do something that I want to do. But, in the past, my husband and I doing ANYTHING that this other group considers "more" than they got has caused a lot of drama and grief, and I would honestly rather pay for 6 extra tickets than deal with that (hopefully that expresses how horrible prior situations have been). And sneaking away from them will be difficult, especially since it will be timed around dinner. This will more than likely be the only time my in-laws go with my nieces (their only grandchildren), so keeping the peace for their sake will be priceless.

So option 1 is about ~800 assuming I cover the entire group (serious rounding going on here), option 2 involves ~450 worth of plane tickets plus two park tickets - so around ~650 plus food (hotel will be free with points).

Option 4 is a great idea, but the park hours on our days combined with other things we have planned (CRT, BOG and fireworks cruise) doesn't work out, I wish it did.

 

[Nancyg56]

Without knowing the cost you would be adding, it is had to say. Based on the little you shared, I'll jump in.

If I was committed to paying for everyone's way, and I was not willing to pay to add the tix for those who wanted to go, I would no go either. I think they are fun, but not near worth causing hard feelings for any reason.

If you are lookig for a reason to have a quick additional trip, then this is what I would do.

I added an additional trip in so I cold see the lights one more time. My DDIL is accompanying me and we are going on the cheap. I will not add one thing that she cannot afford that I am not willing to pay for. ANd I will not do anything that would exclude her. This is how we roll, though. Last trip my DH knew I wanted a massage at Senses, and he knew I would never go if all of our girls could not come, so he paid for all of us. If he could not afford that, none of us woudl have gone.

 

[Nancyg56]

Option 1 involves potentially paying for 6 other people more due to keeping the peace and family politics more than anything, I realize I don't technically "have" to pay for the rest of our group to do something that I want to do. But, in the past, my husband and I doing ANYTHING that this other group considers "more" than they got has caused a lot of drama and grief, and I would honestly rather pay for 6 extra tickets than deal with that (hopefully that expresses how horrible prior situations have been). And sneaking away from them will be difficult, especially since it will be timed around dinner. This will more than likely be the only time my in-laws go with my nieces (their only grandchildren), so keeping the peace for their sake will be priceless.

So option 1 is about ~800 assuming I cover the entire group (serious rounding going on here), option 2 involves ~450 worth of plane tickets plus two park tickets - so around ~650 plus food (hotel will be free with points).

Option 4 is a great idea, but the park hours on our days combined with other things we have planned (CRT, BOG and fireworks cruise) doesn't work out, I wish it did.

Under these circumstances, go on the new trip. I would not do anything that would disturb any peace your IL's have on your trip, and honestly, you could spend more time if you are not rushing it in.