I read this rumor in another Disney forum. These were the lights that were synched to music and were on the bridge linking future world to the World Showcase and formed several arches. There were retired in 2009 and never replaced. I recall going to WDW during the holiday season of 2010 and being incredibly disappointed in not seeing them. I recall posting a thread back then "Scrooge McDuck stole my Christmas". EPCOT has never felt right at holiday time without those arches.

Reason for the speculation; two holiday pins for EPCOTS Holidays Around the World feature the arches as backdrops. One pin has Mickey & Minnie in Winter attire with the arches behind them and the other has Pluto with a toy bag in front of a Christmas tree with the arches behind.

Nostalgia or foreshadowing of things to come? Hoping for the latter.