Seeing Osborne lights after Fantasmic

[anneofgreengables]

MGM closes at 7 p.m., the time Fantasmic starts, in December. After Fantasmic is over, is it possible to wander around MGM and look at the Osborne lights? Or will people be shooed out and the lights shut off by then?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, and always a great way to end an evening at MGM.

 

[Scraper]

We always have.

 

[anneofgreengables]

Hurray! Then we don't have to try to squeeze in the Osborne lights in our touring plan earlier in the day. We can just make it our finale for the night! How long can you wander around MGM before they finally boot people out? Park officially closes at 7 p.m. in December.

Also, I wanted to grab a shake at Sci Fi after Fantasmic, but the last ADR is at 7:30, and that's when Fantasmic ends, so that doesn't give us enough time to get to the restaurant.

 

[clombardi]

I'd love to know how late you can see them, too!

 

[finnster77]

If a family is staying off-site, will they still be able to see Fantasmic on EMH nights? (Since the park officially closes at 7, the same time Fantasmic starts)

 

[Rhongepooh]

yep! that's how we did last year!

 

[goofy4dis]

I knew nothing of this!!!!! How exciting!! We are going in November for thanksgiving and will have to try this out.

 

[Bronte]

I would also like to know how long they keep the lights on when the park closes at 7 pm, fantasmic begins at 7 pm and the show ends around 7:25 pm (the show is about 25 min. long according to the web page.)
Whenever we have been there and seen Fantamic at the time the park closes they have always made us exit out right to the front gate after the show saying that the park is now closed and that we must leave that way. If you can see the lights after the show and the park closing time how do you get there without the CM's telling you to head for the gate ????????? (I realize that if there is an EMH for that evening then there would of course be no problems at all but what if there is no EMH for that night?)
Thanks

 

[horseshowmom]

Where in the park are the Osborne lights located? This is our first trip since they've been there. I really like the idea of seeing them as a way to close the day after the fireworks.

 

[anneofgreengables]

I would also like to know how long they keep the lights on when the park closes at 7 pm, fantasmic begins at 7 pm and the show ends around 7:25 pm (the show is about 25 min. long according to the web page.)
Whenever we have been there and seen Fantamic at the time the park closes they have always made us exit out right to the front gate after the show saying that the park is now closed and that we must leave that way. If you can see the lights after the show and the park closing time how do you get there without the CM's telling you to head for the gate ????????? (I realize that if there is an EMH for that evening then there would of course be no problems at all but what if there is no EMH for that night?)
Thanks

Yes, I'd like to know this, too. We are going on such a day (no EMH), park closes at 7. Would like to hear from those of you who have done it on no EMH nights. Thanks.

 

[blessedby3]

We were there the week after Thanksgiving last year and wanted to see the lights after Fantasmic. We were told -no. We tried at two different points to go toward the back of the park and see the lights, but the CM's said the park was closed and we had to exit. I was very disappointed because that night was our only MGM night and we never got to see them. Others have posted that they were able to go after Fantasmic and see the lights, but we werent. Good luck

 

[kimbac3]

We were there the week after Thanksgiving last year and wanted to see the lights after Fantasmic. We were told -no. We tried at two different points to go toward the back of the park and see the lights, but the CM's said the park was closed and we had to exit. I was very disappointed because that night was our only MGM night and we never got to see them. Others have posted that they were able to go after Fantasmic and see the lights, but we werent. Good luck

We were there the week after Thanksgiving last year too. We had no problem going to see the lights after Fantasmic. Actually one or two of the cast members we encountered told us to head on over to see the lights. And we didn't rush right out of Fantasmic either. We waited till it was pretty cleared out.
I'm hoping on doing the same thing this year. If I encounter a CM telling me "No" I'll look for another one or 2 for confirmation. Then stop at guest services to complain if I'm still told "no". I fully intend to voice my displeasure if this should happen.
Kimba

 

[Philagoofy]

Just curious, why are they called Osborne lights? I know from reading other posts that it has nothing to do with Ozzie.

 

[Scraper]

Ok to me it seems like we had plenty of time after Fantasmic. I wish someone who was sure would post.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Just curious, why are they called Osborne lights? I know from reading other posts that it has nothing to do with Ozzie.

This link will give you some information on the background of this display:

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/h_osb.htm

 

[Robo]

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-9:30pm would be the approx. wrap-up.

 

[NancyIL]

I was also there the week after Thanksgiving last year, and on at least one of the nights they weren't allowing people to view the lights after Fantasmic. It was probably the same night that they closed all the beverage stands in the Osborne Lights area by 7:00 and weren't selling hot chocolate in the souvenir mugs!

 

[anneofgreengables]

Thanks, Robo, that's a wealth of information. I hope we can find out about these private parties well in advance, not just the day of, so we can plan our day at MGM. Perhaps I can call Disney to find out if they have a private party scheduled that day.

 

[jcchicago]

We were there twice the first week of December last year and MGM closed at 8:00. We rushed from Fantasmic to the Osborne Lights, but there was no need. Everyone was strolling around leisurely and there was absolutely no pressure to rush. We stayed at least 30 minutes after park closing and there were still a lot of people there.

On another night we had reservations at Brown Derby for 8:00 (exactly at park closing). We weren't rushed through dinner at all and by the time we left we had missed all the resort bus crowds. A perfect way to end the day.