So Sad...Couldn't see Osborne Lights

[disneysailor]

It was a nightmare getting to HS Friday night. We left POR at 5:10 to drive over. We saw the sign that said lot full so we decided to go back and take a bus. BIG MISTAKE! We waited for a bus until 6:15. The arrival time kept getting pushed back later and later. Everyone cheered when it arrived. We ended up getting trapped on the bus until 7:50. The driver couldn't get through the light because cars kept cutting into our lane. A dad asked the driver for a trash can because his daughter had been waiting so long to use a restroom. The driver said many nights had been the same. I'm not sure why they don't have someone out there directing traffic when it's so crazy. Also, it would have been great if they had let us know of the issue at check in or when arriving at the park in the morning. We would have never taken an afternoon break and would have just stayed for the day. On a positive note, the lights were amazing and we loved Chewie and Darth in the morning. The actors did a phenomenal job!

 

[LarryNabisco]

last night was packed full, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of people trying to get into the lights, turned around and left. I've been on every major holiday never seen crowds like that at DHS. Never. They should have closed the park there were too many people.

 

[LarryNabisco]

No no... It was a picture of the crowd! (I didn't stop to take that shot either - I was just trying to get across the street!)

Don't forget the idiots who cannot push a stroller properly and apologize several times for running over your ankle.

It's not an accident if you keep doing it, it becomes stupidity. Get a clue and pay attention.

 

[Mainemama]

Gulp. I am planning to see the lights Xmas Eve. We have a 3 year old in a stroller and 2 bigger kids. HBD at 7:00 pm. We were going to take a bus from Poly at 3:00ish. We will already have been to HS for RD on another day. This is just about lights and dinner, but I am nervous about these crowd descriptions. Any suggestions for an alternate approach? Is 3 early enough that buses won't be that bad?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Gulp. I am planning to see the lights Xmas Eve. We have a 3 year old in a stroller and 2 bigger kids. HBD at 7:00 pm. We were going to take a bus from Poly at 3:00ish. We will already have been to HS for RD on another day. This is just about lights and dinner, but I am nervous about these crowd descriptions. Any suggestions for an alternate approach? Is 3 early enough that buses won't be that bad?

What if you take the Monorail to Epcot? Walk through Epcot and walk/boat to DHS.

Ditch your stroller at HBD and carry the little one once you get to the Lights so they can actually see something.

 

[Mainemama]

What if you take the Monorail to Epcot? Walk through Epcot and walk/boat to DHS.

Ditch your stroller at HBD and carry the little one once you get to the Lights so they can actually see something.

Yeah, that's kind of where my mind was going. I really dislike buses on a regular crowd day. Although my DD is 40 lbs. not sure I can carry her. AND she is a runner, so I don't want to lose her. She "went for a walk" today... Aka took off alone with a scooter from our garage, while I was next to the garage. She likes crowds... They provide cover for a quick getaway. The stroller keeps her buckled in!

 

[epcotty]

You can only walk/boat from Epcot if you have a park hopper/annual pass, right? Otherwise if the parking lot's closed you need to take the bus, right? I'm almost totally sure of this but just making absolutely sure

 

[subtchr]

You can only walk/boat from Epcot if you have a park hopper/annual pass, right? Otherwise if the parking lot's closed you need to take the bus, right? I'm almost totally sure of this but just making absolutely sure

If you are asking if you can pass through Epcot to get to the International Gateway, then boat/walk to DHS, then yes, you need park admission (hopper or AP) to do that.

You could also take a bus to the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan, or Dolphin, and walk to DHS from there.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'm hoping next week is better since the lights will be on later each night. According to park hours it says 5:45PM-10:00PM. With double Fantasmics too. That should help disperse the crowd.... hopefully! I'm sure the galactic spectacular will be a nightmare.

 

[gometros]

Don't forget the idiots who cannot push a stroller properly and apologize several times for running over your ankle.

It's not an accident if you keep doing it, it becomes stupidity. Get a clue and pay attention.

In crowded situations, people are going to bump into each other, it's unavoidable. It would be great if we could all have air bubbles around us, but we don't. Best thing we can do is apologize /accept the apology and move on

 

[Eastern]

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!

Walking is also faster than the boats, even at a normal pace.

 

[NJlauren]

When we were there thanksgiving weekend we got stuck on a bus trying to get in to Hollywood studios for an hour and 40 minutes. To leave instead we went to Epcot and took a bus back to the POP from there. We just didn't feel like dealing with the HS crowds. The next time we went to see the lights we arrive by walking over from Epcot but did take a bus back to the hotel.

It's totally doable to go see the lights, you just may need to plan an alternate was to get there.

Taking an uber home from one of Epcot area hotels is also an option (beach club, Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, or yatch club). If we didn't have a toddler this is what we would have done.

 

[epcotty]

You could also take a bus to the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan, or Dolphin, and walk to DHS from there.

Thanks didnt know that before

 

[Magpie]

Yeah, that's kind of where my mind was going. I really dislike buses on a regular crowd day. Although my DD is 40 lbs. not sure I can carry her. AND she is a runner, so I don't want to lose her. She "went for a walk" today... Aka took off alone with a scooter from our garage, while I was next to the garage. She likes crowds... They provide cover for a quick getaway. The stroller keeps her buckled in!

Child-carrier backpacks are brilliant in crowded situations (it's a lot easier to carry 40lbs on your back, than in your arms), and the kid gets a great view. (This one: http://piggybackrider.com/ - is good up to 60lbs.)

And while the Osborne Lights would obviously be too crowded to have a small child getting about on their own two feet, for the rest of the time, leashes can provide extra security with runners. I know they're controversial with some parents, but I saw quite a few of those monkey backpacks at Disney on our last trip, and I know that when my kids were small I much preferred getting them up on their feet and burning off some of that energy, than having to have them strapped into a stroller being sedentary for any length of time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you are asking if you can pass through Epcot to get to the International Gateway, then boat/walk to DHS, then yes, you need park admission (hopper or AP) to do that.

You could also take a bus to the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan, or Dolphin, and walk to DHS from there.

Not from Epcot, if that's what you mean. There's no bus between these resorts and the two nearby parks. You'd have to start from MK, AK, or Disney Springs.

 

[Luv2trav]

I'm hoping next week is better since the lights will be on later each night. According to park hours it says 5:45PM-10:00PM. With double Fantasmics too. That should help disperse the crowd.... hopefully! I'm sure the galactic spectacular will be a nightmare.

I hope this works out. Our first night there is next Saturday night. I am getting a little concerned. Just need to practice my patience and look for alternate ways to navigate. Thank goodness my kids are not little anymore.

 

[subtchr]

Not from Epcot, if that's what you mean. There's no bus between these resorts and the two nearby parks. You'd have to start from MK, AK, or Disney Springs.

I was answering a PP's question. They were not starting from Epcot, they asked if they started at another park and wanted to get to DHS through Epcot, would they need a hopper or AP. I just pointed out that from their original location (don't remember which park it was, or if they specified), they could also take the bus to the Epcot area resorts and walk from there.

 

[epcotty]

I was just meaning if we had to park at Epcot with the HS lot being closed

 

[disneypanda11]

We saw the lights on 12/7 and it was BANANAS. The crowds were exponentially larger than last years- so much so that cast members were actually closing off side streets to the Streets of America and routing everyone down to the end of the street in an attempt to control the chaos. It was literally shoulder to shoulder crowds up and down the streets. We were there when the lights were turned on and stayed for about an hour. It did not thin out at all. We were happy to see it in its last year, but I'd echo that if you plan to do so, be ready to WAIT for a boat and bring a large dose of PATIENCE, you'll need it.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Where is the best way to enter and exit the Streets of America when we see the lights? We have an ADR for Boathouse later than night (9:30pm) so since we can't stay after park closing, is it best for us to head to the lights before they're lit and wait?