This morning it was confirmed that this would be the last year for the The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios due to the need “to prepare for some incredible experiences coming to the park, including the recently announced Toy Story Land and a Star Wars-themed land.” Disney also confirmed that guests coming to see the lights this year would be able to book the the returning Merry & Bright Dessert Party (Nov. 6-Dec. 30) and the new Merry & Bright Dinner Reception (Jan. 1- 3) starting on 9/16. Because this is the last year of the lights at Hollywood Studios I wanted to revisit our original “TMSM Explains The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights” article released last fall.
Several years ago, my husband and I were in Walt Disney World during the holiday season. The only “holiday” event I had researched that trip was Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. We had decided that that the rest of the trip we were just going to wing it, minus our dining reservations. Thankfully, one of those reservations was at Sci-Fi Diner at 5pm, introduced us to what I think is THE most amazing event in the parks during the holiday season. Leaving dinner, we noticed a “glow” in the sky towards the Streets of America and decided to head back towards it and see what was going on. That, my friends, is when we discovered the awe inspiring, eye tingling, Holiday Spirit inducing Osborne Family Lights. To this day every time I see the lights, I am over-whelmed by the sheer number of lights and the wonderful shiny brightness they emit. Seeing them has become a special holiday traditional for us.
The pattern of the show makes it easy to enjoy. The lights will stay on solid (also referred to as “intermission”) for about 15 minutes, and then a “light performance” will occur allowing the lights to dance in time to the music. During the dance, items that were not lit up during the “intermission” come to life, to include several Hidden Mickeys. During the “intermission” classic holiday music and Disney themed holiday music play on the fictional Disney holiday radio station as you wander the streets. It seems Disney likes to mix up the “radio station” airing during the show each year adding new songs and “relevant guest bits” to each years audio track.
One of my favorite parts is the overhead LCD light canopy over San Francisco Street, the update to LCDs allows the canopy to not only change colors, but have dancing, changing patterns. Another tip I can offer is to make sure you watch for other guests that have just stopped to look without pulling over from the walking area, this tends to happen a lot because the lights are just so amazing. Also make sure to give yourself a few minutes to play with your camera settings, because yes, it is dark outside, but there are so many lights it has been know to overwhelm my camera’s auto focus the first few snaps, and make my eyes buzz if I stare directly for to long. Do not forget to watch for Hidden Mickeys, and the Purple Cat. The cat, which was a part Osborne family’s Halloween decorations accidentally was packed along with the Christmas, lights and made its way to Florida. The cat is set out yearly in a new place giving regulars something to hunt for.
The Osborne Lights are part of your admission to the Hollywood Studios park and run from dusk until the park closes each night. Make sure you give yourself time to see them Dance and on Intermission. Though we have been known to go in to the lights when they start (about 6:15pm) and stay until the park closes, I would suggest staying 45-60 minutes so that you can see the lights dance from the north and south sides of New York Street and from the western side of San Francisco Street because each view is different, and of course the lights do different things during each song.
Here is our video from last year’s opening night of the lights for you to enjoy.
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