So Sad...Couldn't see Osborne Lights

[EpcotQueen]

We planned on seeing them on the 9th. Park closed at 6pm and no Osborne. We planned on going this evening. Headed to HS at 3pm and turned away. Parking lot FULL!! Can't go tomorrow because we have dinner ressies at 6:45. Leaving Sunday. CM suggested taking bus from resort but we use 2 scooters. You all know what a hassle that can be. So sad....

 

[Dentam]

If you want to see them I'd take the CM's advice. Sounds like it's crazy busy since it's the final year for them. I'm happy to look at my photos from six years ago - wouldn't want to deal with those crowds!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Lots of people including bus drivers are posting only way to get into DHS to see the lights is to take a WDW bus. Parking lots are full & folks are told to park at Epcot & bus over.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

This is making me rethink my plans for week after next. Between the Osborne Lights and Galactic Spectacular I don't know if I want to be anywhere near HS in the evening!

 

[DebbieB]

I was on the boat to DHS this morning from Boardwalk. The boat cm made an announcement that the lines for the boat have been an hour to an hour and a half long at closing and to plan accordingly, the last boat will be at 10:30pm, after that you will be walking back. I came home today so it didn't matter but I was thinking why in the world would they not put busses on also? I know they probably can't do more boats.

 

[Dan Murphy]

we use 2 scooters. You all know what a hassle that can be.

The buses and the bus drivers are well equipped to accommodate scooters. They do it all day long. I have used a scooter for a few trips, never a problem on the buses. Give it a try, you will be happy you did.

 

[Citrus Splash]

The parking lot was open at 6pm Friday night. Lots of cars were going in. Just so people know.

The lights were packed. Very very hard to walk. But the lights were amazing of course!!

 

[hiroMYhero]

If the idea of scooters on a bus isn't to your liking, could you valet park at BWI or Swan/Dolphin and head over to DHS?

No bus hassle and you don't need the boat either. A small price to pay to park to enjoy the lights one last time.

 

[Keels]

Also, if you have an ADR and they can see it on your MB, even though the parking lot may be "full", they will put a colored piece of paper on your windshield and let you go in to park.

This happened to me when the EPCOT parking lot was closed recently when they were diverting to the TTC and then again when DHS was closed and they were diverting to EPCOT.

 

[goofy4tink]

I had friends that tried to get to DHS last Saturday...it was nasty. Even the buses got caught up in the gridlock. The 9th was most likely the PopWarner special event at DHS.
If it were me, I would drive to one of the Epcot resorts and just ECV my way to DHS. Or take the bus to Epcot, and ECV to DHS. Yes, it will take longer, but you won't have the same transportation issues. It would even be worth paying to valet park at BW and then take the pathway to DHS.

 

[gometros]

The parking lot was open at 6pm Friday night. Lots of cars were going in. Just so people know.

The lights were packed. Very very hard to walk. But the lights were amazing of course!!

As it gets toward closing, the crowds start to lighten up and since they stay on an hour after closing, I'd go towards the end. Much more manageable then.

 

[Magpie]

I was on the boat to DHS this morning from Boardwalk. The boat cm made an announcement that the lines for the boat have been an hour to an hour and a half long at closing and to plan accordingly, the last boat will be at 10:30pm, after that you will be walking back. I came home today so it didn't matter but I was thinking why in the world would they not put busses on also? I know they probably can't do more boats.

The walk from Boardwalk to DHS is actually quite nice. It's only about 15 minutes (10 if you walk briskly), and it's pretty. I know that can seem like a lot at the end of a long day, but it's better than standing on those same sore feet for an hour in line for a boat!

And, if you've got a scooter of course, you're laughing (unless the battery dies - then you're crying).

 

[Jennasis]

If you're worried about getting on the bus with a scooter cause it's a hassle, I would forget going to see the lights on a scooter. The crowds were so insane that trying to get around on a scooter looked like pure torture.

 

[Skywise]

I'm surprised they're not extending DHS' hours - looking today I'm seeing EMH in the MORNING...ooh yeah, that'll help...

 

[Isildur's Bane]

they extended hours last night

 

[anniemae]

Wow, I knew tons of people were making impromptu trips to see the lights one last time, but it sounds like it's crazy! I guess you just have to decide if you want to brave it or not.

 

[rwcmath]

On Friday we went to DHS by car around 2 PM. Sign said lot full, so we went back to resort took the bus. The parking lot was not full... One side was empty, even the nearest HA parking lot had some empty spaces, but we did make our FP to TSMM so I was not that upset, but getting home by bus was a different story. It was horrid... For a long time busses could not get into the park...a CM said there would be an hour delay. Eventually we did get back to SSR.

I am sorry you gave up OP. The lights were definitly doable on Friday

 

[mummabear]

I think if you really want to see them then you can make it happen, as others have pointed out there are several ways to get into DHS other than driving directly. Also if the lights are important to you then I would cancel my ADR (unless it was BOG or CRT) so I was free to go.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

As it gets toward closing, the crowds start to lighten up and since they stay on an hour after closing, I'd go towards the end. Much more manageable then.

I think the galactic spectacular, that happens at park closing, is going to heavily affect this.

 

[Skywise]

they extended hours last night

Thanks - when did they announce that? I'm here today and MDE is still showing 10pm tonight.