Req: Assistance with viewing the Osborne Lights

[RayRing]

Our family (Me, DW, DS5, & DD4) are planning to travel to WDW in early December, to experience the holiday shows and decorations. We normally go once a year in February, so this is a special trip for us.

We would like to attend the Osborne Lights (and possible Fantasmic) at MGM one night. I have gathered a lot of information from other posts, but still have a couple of questions, and I’m looking for some advice.

Since we will be traveling with young children, I have come up with two possible plans.

? – 1 We could eat at MGM (either counter or table service) around 5:00 or 5:30, and then slowly make are way over to the start of the Osborne Lights about 15 to 30 minutes after it opens, maybe around 6:45 to 7:00. We could view the Osborne Lights (hopefully when they weren’t to crowded) and just skip Fantasmic.

? – 2 We could try and do both the Osborne Lights and Fantasmic.
We could eat before Fantasmic (either with or without the dinner package), and then attend Fantasmic.
From there we could try two different things. Leave Fantasmic early, and try and beat the crowds through the Osborne Lights; or, stay late at Fantasmic (or take a bathroom break, get ice cream, or otherwise burn off 30 minutes) and then view the Osborne Lights.

I figure that if we skip Fantasmic we could comfortably view the Osborne Lights and leave the park around 7:30.

If we view Fantasmic and leave early, we may view the Osborne Lights (possible with lower crowd levels), and leave the park about 8:15 to 8:30.

If we view Fantasmic and leave late, we may view the Osborne Lights (again, possible with lower crowd levels), and leave the park about 9:00 to 9:15.

So, can some people who have seen both Fantasmic & Osborne Lights, tell me if my timings sound right.
Also, do you have any suggestions on if we should just do the Osborne Lights, or try and do both Fantasmic & Osborne Lights (and if so, when should we try and go through the Osborne Lights)

Thanks.

 

[bumcat]

You can actually go right after Fantasmic. That's what we always do. You wont have to rush and you wont need to leave Fantasmic early. Lots of people do so you will have plenty of company. It's a great ending to a day at MGM!

 

[KellyluvsDisney]

I am not sure about the timing, but DO NOT miss the osborne lights. They are beautiful. I loved them. It really gets you in the Christmas mood.

 

[Andrewssix]

Hello,

In December 2001, we (my DH, DS 4, DS 3 and I) decided to do both. We ate first, watched Fantasmic and then proceeded to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. It worked out great. It was busy heading over to the Lights, but it wasn't overly crowded while we walked through. It was a lot of fun. Make sure you look for the special glasses that they pass out. When we were there, the glasses made the lights look like they were surrounded by angels.

Andrea

 

[Skylarr29]

I was there the whole first week in dec last year when they brought back the Osbourne lights to their new location( I think new york street) and it was totally packed!!!! We tried to get in right when they opened and then tried later to see if the crowds thined out. I am not kidding when I say the "line" to wait and walk trhough was 3- 4 hours a cm told me. I have been other years when the lights where were the backstage tour is and never had any problems but last year was a nightmare. Instead of walking through coming in one side and then going out another almost in a circle like the previous years, the stree was divided in half for traffic going down and then traffic coming up. You had to go all the way down the street and then back up the other side before you could get out. The line wrapped around all the way to the muppets. I hope it is better organized this year. I dont know if this happened every night or what but it was crazy.

 

[KellyluvsDisney]

I was there the whole first week in dec last year when they brought back the Osbourne lights to their new location( I think new york street) and it was totally packed!!!! We tried to get in right when they opened and then tried later to see if the crowds thined out. I am not kidding when I say the "line" to wait and walk trhough was 3- 4 hours a cm told me. I have been other years when the lights where were the backstage tour is and never had any problems but last year was a nightmare. Instead of walking through coming in one side and then going out another almost in a circle like the previous years, the stree was divided in half for traffic going down and then traffic coming up. You had to go all the way down the street and then back up the other side before you could get out. The line wrapped around all the way to the muppets. I hope it is better organized this year. I dont know if this happened every night or what but it was crazy.

We were there the second week in December last year. WHen we went through the lights there was no wait at all. We were able to stroll through at any pace we wanted. Not crowded at all. I "think" it was about an hour or two before it closed when we went through.

 

[elaine and the boys]

Why not view Osborne lights during the first showing of Fantasmic (no crushing crowds), then go to the second showing of Fantasmic? Or perhaps you might consider going to Fantasmic another evening....spend the daylight hours at Animal Kingdom, then hop over to MGM for the Fantasmic Dinner Package.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think they gave out the special glasses last year.

Be considerate if you leave Fantasmic early. I hate it when the boat comes around the corner that people jump up and start running out, blocking the view of the people who want to see it.