Osbourne Lights question

[dw123]

On the night we were looking at going to see the Osbourne Lights at MGM, the park closes at 7:00. However, Fantasmic starts at 7 - and we have dinner reservations at 7:30. Does anyone know if you can still walk through the area where the lights are after 7:00?

 

[kimbac3]

We were able to walk through after Fantasmic even though the park was "technically" closed. You should be ok.
Kimba

 

[pixiepower1971]

We were able to do it last year. We were right near the lights when it was about closing time. We took our time through and did not feel rushed at all.

 

[Mickey1122]

We stayed for an hour after closing with no trouble.

 

[babar41]

Just a word of caution here.... a few years ago (back before they moved the lights to their present location) DH and I had dinner at The Brown Derby. Dinner ended up lasting a lot longer than it should have (they were having some kind of problem and it actually took almost 3 hours for the 2 of us to have dinner!) Anyway, I told the waiter that it was our last night at WDW, heading back for WI in the morning, and we had really wanted to see the OL. He told us that we should just walk on back, if we were stopped by security just explain that the Derby kept us and they would let us walk through.... WRONG! We got stopped by security, explained our problem, and was told basically, tough. The security guard proceeded to tell us we should have gone earlier in our visit. I explained it had rained nearly everyday we were there and we couldn't go before, it was either that night or never. He finally relinguished enough to walk us to the entrance of the OL. Let us look at the front for about 1 minute, then said we had to leave and walked us to the gate.

Although we go every year to WDW, it took till last year before we finally got to see the lights! (And boy, was it worth it!!!) So here are my words of caution... If you really want to see the lights, go during normal hours, don't expect to see them after your dinner that is scheduled for 7:30 when the park has a 7 close time.

Enjoy them! They are great!

 

[anewvance]

Just this past year, my sister and our kids and I had thought it was extra hours for MGM Studios. We had eaten at Chef Mickey for dinner and it was taking forever and a day to get to MGM by bus since you have to go to GF and Poly first. While on the bus we found out that it was NOT extra hours at MGM (Pop Century hadn't changed the sign in the lobby from the day before) and that it closed at 8pm. It was about 10 till 8 by the time we finally got there. We decided to head to the entrance anyway and they were still letting people in. So we got in and as it turns out, we were able to stay in the Osborne family light area for over an hour and it was actually still very busy when we left which was an hour and a half after the park had closed.

 

[Robo]

So here are my words of caution... If you really want to see the lights, go during normal hours, don't expect to see them after your dinner that is scheduled for 7:30 when the park has a 7 close time.

That is very unusual.
THREE HOURS for dinner? Well, that would not be something I would ever care to do.
No wonder you were "after the fact" for the lights!
But the security guard let you take a look anyway...
THAT is amazing.

But for folks NOT partaking in a "Late-Night Dining Marathon" at MGM, here is some logic for the lights:

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.
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 them open for a hour-plus, so, say 9:15pm-9:30pm would be the approx. wrap-up.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Keep in mind there are nights where the OL are a part of private or hard ticket events.
I just don't want anyone to assume because some lucked out, that all others will too.