So Sad...Couldn't see Osborne Lights

[Mainemama]

I am now rethinking our approach to leave for HS earlier than planned, monorail to Epcot, walk through Epcot, with a snack or attraction break on the way, then walk to HS. I would much rather walk for a long time than be stuck on a bus. We have APs, so this is doable after an MK a.m. (Not a rope drop a.m., just a FP rides at 10, 11, 12.) That will end by 1:00. Our goal will to be in HS by 4:00. How have buses been leaving? (We should be leaving around 8:30-9:00 after dinner.)

 

[hamilkm]

I am now rethinking our approach to leave for HS earlier than planned, monorail to Epcot, walk through Epcot, with a snack or attraction break on the way, then walk to HS. I would much rather walk for a long time than be stuck on a bus. We have APs, so this is doable after an MK a.m. (Not a rope drop a.m., just a FP rides at 10, 11, 12.) That will end by 1:00. Our goal will to be in HS by 4:00. How have buses been leaving? (We should be leaving around 8:30-9:00 after dinner.)

We left this past Friday 12/11 about 9:15. We had to wait on the second bus for our resort but then it was just the normal short ride to POFQ.

 

[dISNEYlOveer]

On 12/12, we had parked at HS in the morning so we didn't deal with the buses, but when we left around 10:20 (park was supposed to close at 10, but it wasn't close to being cleared out even at 10:15), and buses looked busy, most looked like you'd have to wait for the 2nd bus. Crowds in the park were busy, but not crazy like some people have said. Oh, and make sure to look for the hidden cat. It is pretty hidden. I won't tell

 

[Verstehen]

I haven't posted on the boards in forever (mostly just lurking on TR's when I'm bored at work), but I thought I'd post here since I was just there on Saturday and maybe my experience can help others.

It was honestly nuts. My husband and I took our two-year-old niece because she loves Christmas lights and while I'm glad we got to show her, I wouldn't brave that mess again if I can help it. We picked her up at her house in Tampa around 3 and got to WDW around 4:30 due to I-4 traffic. Signs were directing people to park at Animal Kingdom but like an idiot I pulled into HS anyway. We got to AK, no one was directing in the parking lot so it was pretty much every car for itself. The line for the bus to HS was ridiculously long and the bus was of course crowded and quite hot. We didn't get to the park until about 5:45 and even though I was hoping to see the lights turn on we were starving so we missed that part to get food.

When we did check out the lights it was ridiculously crowded of course. We didn't stay long but it was beautiful. The rest of the park was actually not that bad in comparison, so if you want to go to experience other things and can take Disney transport, you might actually benefit from the lights being so popular. More room for you to go everywhere else!

And also, about the strollers, I do apologize if anyone here was hit in the ankle with our niece's stroller! This was our first time using it and I was amazed by how difficult it was to steer. Definitely did my best when I was manning it.

All in all, I'm glad we went and I'm really sad that when we eventually have kids of our own, they won't be able to experience the lights. Our niece will just have to tell them about it!

 

[CookieGVB]

This makes me happier than I already am that we're staying at the Swan!

 

[PirateD]

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?

We are planning to be there Christmas Eve too. It seemed like a good idea 180 days ago when no one knew it was the last year and TP had MK and EP at 10's and HS at an 8 and there were no SW fireworks. We are staying at POP and planned to go to AK that morning and then PH to HS driving our own cars. Obviously, we will need to rework that plan.

 

[Mainemama]

We are planning to be there Christmas Eve too. It seemed like a good idea 180 days ago when no one knew it was the last year and TP had MK and EP at 10's and HS at an 8 and there were no SW fireworks. We are staying at POP and planned to go to AK that morning and then PH to HS driving our own cars. Obviously, we will need to rework that plan.

Exactly! I also planned my HS night without hoppers and arriving on 12/23. Now, I have hoppers and arrive on 12/20. Staying at YC on the front end. Walking in on an earlier evening would be sooo much easier, but my ADRs are really not flexible if I want to eat at a time before my 3 old needs to go to bed! (Plenty of ressies after 9 pm). Now my rethink is to skip MK on 12/24, and instead go to Epcot after a character breakfast, then walk to DH. We have loads of time in Epcot already, but 1 less day in MK midday Xmas crowds is probably a small price to pay to avoid a bus nightmare. I am not a bus person (until my 3 year old gets dancing in the aisle is not okay).

 

[PirateD]

Exactly! I also planned my HS night without hoppers and arriving on 12/23. Now, I have hoppers and arrive on 12/20. Staying at YC on the front end. Walking in on an earlier evening would be sooo much easier, but my ADRs are really not flexible if I want to eat at a time before my 3 old needs to go to bed! (Plenty of ressies after 9 pm). Now my rethink is to skip MK on 12/24, and instead go to Epcot after a character breakfast, then walk to DH. We have loads of time in Epcot already, but 1 less day in MK midday Xmas crowds is probably a small price to pay to avoid a bus nightmare. I am not a bus person (until my 3 year old gets dancing in the aisle is not okay).

Yeah, it's hard to try to rework plans now, but we are going with an overall attitude of trying to be flexible and patient. I'm sure the whole week will be a work in process. I'm still excited, but oh, boy, do we have our work cut out for us! Ha! Ha! I am trying to file away as much Dis expertise as possible for those midstream changes!

 

[Mainemama]

Yeah, it's hard to try to rework plans now, but we are going with an overall attitude of trying to be flexible and patient. I'm sure the whole week will be a work in process. I'm still excited, but oh, boy, do we have our work cut out for us! Ha! Ha! I am trying to file away as much Dis expertise as possible for those midstream changes!

We are so lucky to have some fore knowledge. The suggestion given to walk through Epcot and walk to HS was a helpful tip for us. (We are at Poly, so will monorail to Epcot, but parking at Epcot works if you have a car). However, I have to be realistic about the length of the walk. Breaking it up with attractions and snacks will make it bearable. I doubt we will do it in reverse, though. Has anyone caught a cab from HS? Is that even possible? Waiting in line for 2 buses sounds okay, but like PirateD said, I want to know my options!

 

[FeralCatRogue]

With how busy this was did anyone who had the desert party thing to give an idea how crazy that was with these crowds?

 

[Allison's Mommy]

We were there Sunday and walked through the lights twice. We had an ADR at Sci-Fi at 6:40 and had to tell a cast member at the end of the street by the Great Movie Ride to be allowed that way. The crowd coming out was crazy at this point and many had got caught in a rain shower. After our ADR we made our way around to the lights and the crowd was still heavy, which we expected. We enjoyed the lights and music and were able to buy some souvenirs pretty easily. We debated leaving at this point but it started to rain again and I think they cancelled Fantasmic so tons of people were leaving. We decided to stay for EMH and were able to do Path of the Jedi, Star Tours, Osbourne Lights, TSM, and RnR again before the park closed. The crowd in Osbourne Lights the 2nd time (around 10:30) were much lighter and manageable.

 

[Boopuff]

It's a mad house that's for sure! We ended up there on Friday 12/11, and it looked exactly like the pp. I think it would go a long way in crowd control to have people park the strollers. Not only do you get an torn achilles tendon being rammed over and over but really the poor kid! What exactly does a child see from that crowded vantage point. About busses: we couldn't park in the lot. Had to return to the resort. That was the easy part. Exiting and finding a bus back... well now that was fun! Every bus line was incredibly long. WE jumped into the shortest line and road there, transferred to DS (ate dinner there) but what a crazy night!

 

[epcotty]

So I still don't quite know: If you're not staying there and don't have an ADR, is it ok to park at the Epcot area resorts (and is it only valet?) and then walk to HS from there?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Because the lights are closing, the parking lots have been hitting capacity every Saturday with tremendous traffic delays.

it would likely be that way on January 3 (Sunday) as well. Those of us who need to get to the park for an event should probably intend to arrive early and hang around... I have the dinner reception that night. the lights are going to be extremely crowded. No parking or bus needed, I'm staying at Beach Club, but my friend will be at Old Key West and he'll need to plan around buses. Maybe we'll go have a nightcap at Crew's Cup.

Technically you are NOT supposed to park at the Epcot resorts if you are not staying there. And they are cracking down to keep guests from parking there to go to DHS or Epcot. It's possible to park at Epcot's parking lot and take the bus over, or walk through the park and grab the boat if you have admission (park hopper or annual).

 

[BeerMe]

Very, very crowded. Had trouble getting to Mama Melrose for dinner.

 

[epcotty]

Technically you are NOT supposed to park at the Epcot resorts if you are not staying there. And they are cracking down to keep guests from parking there to go to DHS or Epcot. It's possible to park at Epcot's parking lot and take the bus over, or walk through the park and grab the boat if you have admission (park hopper or annual).

Thanks for the advice. Don't know why parking at resorts was recommended by others when it's tough to do. If the HS parking lot is full (doubtful as we'll get there early) then we'll park at Epcot and take a bus, hopefully it wouldn't take too long at that time

 

[TDDisney]

Will be there on Monday. Arriving at 8 am for breakfast ressie. Planned on leaving, then returning around 4:30. We have a 6:40 ressie for Minnie's Hollywood Dine and Vine. Were planning to watch lights turn on, but that idea is now out the window....ok bc we did that two years ago...will go back to lights later in night. Does anyone who has been there recently see any concern in us returning around 4:30 for our dinner ressie at 6:40? (Staying at POR. My paranoia is about catching the bus to HS. Is it going to be insane trying to get the bus?) Thanks in advance for any insight those of you who are there, or have been recently, can provide !

 

[dISNEYlOveer]

Will be there on Monday. Arriving at 8 am for breakfast ressie. Planned on leaving, then returning around 4:30. We have a 6:40 ressie for Minnie's Hollywood Dine and Vine. Were planning to watch lights turn on, but that idea is now out the window....ok bc we did that two years ago...will go back to lights later in night. Does anyone who has been there recently see any concern in us returning around 4:30 for our dinner ressie at 6:40? (Staying at POR. My paranoia is about catching the bus to HS. Is it going to be insane trying to get the bus?) Thanks in advance for any insight those of you who are there, or have been recently, can provide !

You'll be using buses the whole time? I didn't take buses bus I'm going to guess you should be okay taking the bus at 4:30. Getting back to POR will be busy but there's no other way around that. If you have a car and want to or are only using a car, park there in the morning and leave it there until the end of the night so you don't have to deal with buses at the end. Personally, I like being able to not drive and take Disney transportation and I'd use the buses the whole time.

 

[hiroMYhero]

So, when we are there on the 27th, the lights should turn off at 10pm for the Star Wars fireworks? My plan was lights at 6, fantasmic at 8:30, SW fireworks. Would you change any of this?

@dredick, yulilin3 has confirmed in the SW thread that the Lights were turned off at 10:00p.

 

[dredick]

@dredick, yulilin3 has confirmed in the SW thread that the Lights were turned off at 10:00p.

Thank you! I think my plan will work!!