Have you been to Osborne Lights?

[cer]

If so, I have a question for you!

So, we are going in November - this is our first time to go during this time of year and our first and only time to get to see the Osborne Lights. We will be there on Monday Nov 16, the last day for Food and Wine Festival at Epcot and then go over to DHS.

The question is, do you recommend being there for when they turn on the lights? If so, how much earlier and where do you recommend waiting?
- OR -
Is it really no big deal, not worth the hassle of being there for the turn on?

Also, if we are not there for when they turn them on, is there a better time to show up to avoid the craziness?

Any ideas as to what we should expect in terms of crowds on a Monday?

What do you think?

Thank you so much!

-c

[Strmchsr]

A couple of things about the Lights. First, it's always crowded. Especially this year it'll be packed. Just expect it from the moment they turn them on until the end. BUT, it's a walk through at your own pace thing. There's nothing you have to wait in line for or you can't see because people are around you so the crowds really aren't a big deal. Just take your time and enjoy it. I don't really think it's a big deal to be there when they turn on the lights, but some folks really enjoy it.

[joonyer]

It's cool to be there when they are first turned on, but still very much worth seeing even if you come later.
We took one of our best family Christmas pics ever there. Very festive and a lot of fun.

[IrishMickey]

I agree, just being there is amazing, it is fun to see them turn on for the first time, but really just sitting there drinking hot chocolate and watching them twinkle will be worth it too! So don't worry if you the first light up We have great pictures from here too! Have fun, we will be there in December!

[magicofdisney]

There are lines for picture opportunities. I seem to recall needing to wait in line at certain spots and with certain characters, like Santa. Otherwise, you do this at your own pace as previously mentioned.

I thought they turned the lights off at the end of the music and then turned them back on. Like maybe they re-light more than once. I wonder if someone can confirm that? Maybe my memories are mixed up. ;) Also, it snows during the music!

[thads]

It is awesome. You are going to love it. I have found that 20 minutes after it starts is better than at the time it starts. Right when it starts many people are standing. After a few minutes folks stroll around a little more. I enjoy strolling through more, so I don't mind missing the start.

[Crow]

ive been there once but not at the start. i chose to go back to WDW instead of somewhere else just because its the last yr for it. Idt you have to be there when they start to enjoy it

[sbwillie]

Been a year or so, but consider going to OL right after second show of Fantasmic. Everyone else exits the park because all rides closed. Lights are still lit and not many people. they may keep it open for an hour or so. No activities if believe (all done) but we just liked to stroll and they still had the snow coming down.

Some else please feel free to correct if errors.

Have fun. We will miss it a lot!

[DadTriton]

They run the same light show every 30-40 minutes so being there at the turn on is not needed. It will be less crowded at later shows.

[TracyL]

They only "light" them once per night. The little ceremony thing is kind of cute and changes a little bit each year. Generally a family is chosen to do the honors, and they are joined by a few characters in a little introduction that takes maybe 5 minutes. The actual turning on is done with a gigantic light switch.

The lights stay lit and just twinkle between "dancing" shows, and the dancing happens about once every 10-15 minutes as I recall. Music at a lower volume and a "radio" broadcast happen in between the dancing shows. And the snow actually happens between dancing shows, not during them. So in short, there is never a dull moment on the Streets of America while the lights are lit!!

The question *I* came to ask was what time they start, and I'm remembering now that the answer is generally "sunset" -- which of course makes planning tricky and gives them all kinds of wiggle room for any tech glitches. :D

[cer]

Thank you all so much for your responses! TracyL, from what I have read on the
Disney site, they turn them on at 6.

[Altair]

We tried the after the second Fantasmic! show method one year and there were very few people at the lights. However, they politely let us know it was time to move on after about 15-20 minutes. Since then we have gone during the second Fastasmic! show.

[Terra]

I agree, just being there is amazing, it is fun to see them turn on for the first time, but really just sitting there drinking hot chocolate and watching them twinkle will be worth it too! So don't worry if you the first light up We have great pictures from here too! Have fun, we will be there in December!

We love doing that! Just sitting and enjoying!

Does anyone remember YEARS ago when they did the backstage movie ride and it went through the facade homes [boy do I miss that!] and even those were decked out with the Osbourne lights????

[goofy-4-disney]

I went to Osborne Lights several years ago. We did not arrive when it first opened, but more towards the end. We were able to stroll through at a very leisurely pace since there was not much of a crowd. It is a very cool experience!

[Little Round Bale]

As long as you are there for this event why not be there to see it switched on!? :party: It is really special I still remember the first time my daughter seen this..... so cool.....

[cer]

As long as you are there for this event why not be there to see it switched on!? :party: It is really special I still remember the first time my daughter seen this..... so cool.....

We are not crowd fighters, parade and/or fireworks staker-outers or wait-in-long-lines-for-Fantasmic-seats people. We are the ones who strategically leave early to avoid the long lines at the buses. It's just who we are. (That being said, we do make a point to be there for rope drop. :confused:)

However, if the overwhelming recommendation is, "By all means you must be there for the turn on!" We would make an exception. :mickey:

[Crow]

i saw a mention that someone heard they may move to Epcot...i dont know where they would put them though. it would b nice if true

[2Epcot]

So, we are going in November - this is our first time to go during this time of year and our first and only time to get to see the Osborne Lights. We will be there on Monday Nov 16, the last day for Food and Wine Festival at Epcot and then go over to DHS.

It was kind of funny reading your post. I have also never seen the Osborne Lights. I have never gone to WDW this time of year either. I will also be going on Monday the 16th, first starting at Epcot and then going over to the studios. I'm mostly making this trip just to see the lights, since I will only be in Orlando 4 days.
:deer:

[Maddie]

We were there later on a night when there was extra magic hours in the park and it wasn't crowded at all. Not only did we walk on all the rides, we walked through Osborne Lights with no trouble. While seeing them first light up is cool, I recommend going later once some of the crowds have died down to really get the full experience and not feel rushed.