The holidays are fast approaching and we know that many of you are starting to make your plans. Two more options for holiday fun at Walt Disney World Resort will soon be available to book: the Merry & Bright Dessert Party (Nov. 6-Dec. 30) and the Merry & Bright Dinner Reception (Jan. 1- 3), both overlooking The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
With the dessert party, guests will enjoy holiday-themed desserts while surrounded by the amazing light display. New for 2015 is a dinner reception Jan. 1 – 3, featuring a selection of small bites including beef, shrimp and turkey, plus wine, beer and specialty beverages. You’ll be able to book these experiences beginning Sept. 16, so check back at DisneyWorld.com around that time for full details and to reserve your spot.
As you plan ahead, we also wanted you to know that this holiday season will mark the finale for The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The display of lights has enjoyed a successful run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, going all the way back to when it first appeared on Residential Street.
In order to prepare for some incredible experiences coming to the park, including the recently announced Toy Story Land and a Star Wars-themed land, we will not be able to present The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in the future. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the family of Jennings Osborne for letting us share their family tradition year after year. And thank you to all of you for being part of the spectacle with us. Here’s to making more memories in this, the 20th and final year.
Comments
So incredibly disappointed and sad about this. I hope that Disney will note the fan feedback and reconsider this decision. If the lights can’t stay where they are, please find another location at which to feature them. The Osborne family lights are a family favorite, and I can’t imagine the Christmas season at WDW without them!
To echo what the previous commenters said, my family is very excited for the new changes to Hollywood Studios, but the additions are not worth the loss of the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This holiday offering holds some of my family’s fondest memories whether it was just sitting in the middle of the street or searching for all the Hidden Mickeys (we found over 70 last year!). We travel to Disney World from NY every Christmas season because of the Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Please move this show to somewhere else at WDW! There is so much property you don’t even need to put it in one of the theme parks. Just put it somewhere at the resort. I know Disney always has the fans in mind and I have faith they won’t disappoint. If they don’t bring the dancing lights back, I hope a better holiday offering will take its place (if that is even possible)! But no matter what, I’m grateful I have this year to see the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights with my family once more.
I am also just heartbroken at Disney’s decision to discontinue this awesome attraction. My children are crushed as well. They love to go and dance with the lights under the fake snow. It’s something we look forward to every year. There just isn’t anything else like it anywhere. When people ask my advice about Disney, I always tell them “go during the holiday season and see the lights!!!” Please do consider moving it somewhere else.
I join the long list of comments asking you to find another location for the lights. It seems that Disney Springs would be a great fit. You are closing Disney Quest, why not consider it for that spot? Some place(s) can surely be found. It would be great to be able to see it still each holiday.
So incredibly disappointed to hear of this loss to the new expansion. I was afraid this would happen, but I was so hoping it would be moved elsewhere, perhaps Disney Springs or Future World at EPCOT? I know what’s done is done, but the lights mean so much to so many people. After Candlelight, the Osborne Spectacle of Lights was always my favorite Disney Holiday tradition (and I’ve been a passholder for about 8 years!). Please consider moving them to another place on Disney property, so many people don’t want to lose this part of their vacation magic!
This is a huge disappointment. Certainly, as suggested before, the liguts could be displayed in another part of WDW. The lights are a holiday tradition. This is something we look forward to all year. Don’t just do away with it totally!
This is really sad. It has been a tradition for so long. I wish it could be relocated to another area at the very least. I mean we have all the lights, and TONS of space.
This is like doing away with Dumbo.
I understand the need to Change and The Streets have been underutlized … But there has got to be a way to have them somewhere at WDW .. please tell us that the opportunity of setting up elsewhere is being seriously considered ..
The Osborne Lights were one of the best parts of Christmas time at WDW. I remember when the Lights decorated the old “small town street” before they were “re-imagined” for the new Streets of America after Lights!Motor!Action was built. Certainly they can be “re-imagened” again! Some things at Disney are in the “priceless” category that contribute to such a huge loyal following — I think the Osborne Lights are one of those things. It would be a HUGE mistake to get rid of them completely — it would certainly make me and my family question future visits to WDW in Nov-Dec. Very very sad and disappointing.
I’m really upset to hear that the Christmas Lights will be going. I can’t visit this year, but I’m going to visit next year (2016). Being from Australia, it’s not like I can just pop over and see it. I was really looking forward to this as a friend told me about it and it’s part of the reason I’m planning to go at that time of the year. Very sad that I will miss out of such a spectacular event.
Hello, We can not express enough how upset we are about Disney taking away the Osborne Lights. What a shame!!! This decision should have been announced last year or announced for next year. It seems unfair that such an announcement be made at such short notice. Disney should have given notice in advance to allow guest to make arrangements for next year.
We are already in the planning stages to take my mom next Nov/Dec for the Osborne spectacular.
I understand that Disney wants to expand and add new and exciting attractions for us, Your Guest, but to make such an announcement at such short notice just seems wrong…
If such a thing MUST take place, then at least give a year or two notice so that everyone will have the opportunity to see them for the last time, or PLEASE find another location for such magnificent and beautiful display.
I can only express my hope that Disney will take to heart what they are hearing here in these comments and will preserve these lights somewhere in the parks. For my family 2015 was our first time able to see the Holiday sites and these lights were the last thing we did before flying back home. I can not express how much cheer these lights gave us and how it was the icing on the cake to a wonderful experience. This is a legacy for Walt Disney World that they should try to maintain somewhere for the cheer that they provide.
We are so so sad that the Osborne lights will be gone ! We come every December for my daughter’s birthday and she spends that night watching the lights. So much of the Disney magic has been pulled and this is just another thing that makes us rethink having an Annual Pass. At least we have our reservations for one last time and we will once again record this to continue to enjoy at home.
We are beyond sad and disappointed about Disney’s decision to do away with the Osborne Family Lights. Christmastime in WDW will never be the same without them. Respectfully, it seems that nostalgia and tradition are losing significance among the Disney decision makers – it is heartbreaking.
While we are excited about the Star Wars and Toy Story Mania expansions, we wonder why it has to be at the expense of a wonderful existing Disney event. It would appear that there is PLENTY of unused space to utilize for expansion at Hollywood Studios. Please do not remove the much loved and appreciated Osborne Family Lights, or at the very least, relocate them to a different location at WDW.
We realize that in the light of eternity this is not of major significance…but right now, for those of us life long, tried and true Disney fans this a really big deal and a very sad day.
Oh my goodness PLEASE KEEP THEM. Disney = MAGIC. I know you could find a way. My nephews have never seen this!
I am glad we will be able to see it on our trip this year. My family was there for the first night way back in 1995. I know it’s changed scenery but I plan on taking plenty of videos and pictures for our memories.
So incredibly sad that the lights are going away – can’t Disney find another area to do the Osborne Lights?
Please say it isn’t so…. This is very, very sad news! Please Disney find an alternative location for this amazing light display. Surely in all of the property at WDW there is perfect location for this. Why must you take away attractions? Isn’t there a way to add without taking away? I have faith in you wdw; you can do it.
Will you be doing a new light show perhaps? The light show was very special.
I don’t understand how Disney can get rid of such a popular attraction? This was one of the must do’s for my family when we would visit around the holidays.
I wish another location for the Osborne lights could be found at WDW or even a move to DL (perhaps in the Hollywood area there). It really is a treasure that is loved by Disney fans. During our last trip to WDW during the holidays my husband I spent almost every night viewing the lights.
This is one of our very favorite things to do at Disney. What can Disney fans do to encourage Disney to find a home for the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights?
We visited Disney at Christmas last year for the first time at the holidays. The absolute best part of the trip was the Osborne family spectacle of dancing lights. It is the only reason I would revisit at the Christmas season again. I am so sad to hear it will be gone. It was the most magical display I have ever experienced. Please rethink this decision.
Please disney do not take away this attraction. My husband and I have been waiting to bring our children to see this. We can not have biological children and are in the adoption process. This is the first thing we plan to do when we have our family. It has been a dream of mine since we never saw the light show either. We decided to wait to go until our family was complete. We couldn’t wait to experience it as a family. Please keep this attraction so our future children and us can see it.
This is devastating to me and my family. Hands down, this is my favorite thing to do at the parks at Christmas time. I have many fond memories there. I understand progress, but taking away such a lovely thing is breaking my heart.
This is incredibly disappointing Disney!! I’ve long been a defender of DHS as I think it is a great park. This is a closure that will drain it as a must-do during the holidays. Waiting on an announcement of what super-fantastic thing will be in place to take over in 2016. Otherwise just leave it up until the other stuff is here!!
Please find somewhere else on property to place this wonderful part of Disney. I have added days on to our Christmas trip just to experience this. Please don’t take them away.
I am soooooooo sad about this!!!! Please put it someplace else, this is an annual tradition for my family and we will miss it incredibly. Not a good decision Disney, those lights are part of so Mandy’s holiday. Really, really bummed.
What are you thinking? This is the main attraction for the Christmas season! The entire family enjoys this spectacular at their own pace and can really spend as much time soaking in the experience. You must find a way to keep this exceptional Christmas attraction alive!
This is extremely disappointing. Last year, the holiday tag of illuminations was changed, and not for the better. Christmas was my favorite time to go, it became almost a family tradition, now all I feel is “meh”.
Please find a new home at WDW for the Osborne lights, I love this Christmas tradition & will be sad & dissapointed to see it go.
I just wanted to add my voice to the people hoping that you will consider keeping this wonderful attraction even if it is in a new location. Three years ago our family spent Thanksgiving week at Disney World and the evening at Hollywood Studios while I was surrounded by my family (there were 16 of us) and the lights were going, the music was playing and suddenly snow was falling. One of my grandkids looked over and said “Is Pop crying?” Of course I explained that it was allergies but… Anyway this was probably the most memorable moment of that fabulous week. Thank you for that great memory. Don’t deny it to someone else. Thank you.
Please relocate the lights … what will the Christmas tradition be in the Studios … Christmas on Endor??
Also, this display inspired me to decorate my own house for Christmas!
Although I am excited about the new additions to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I am deeply saddened about taking away this great tradition of the Osborne family Spectacle of Lights. My family actually plans our vacation around these lights so that we can be awed by them. Can Disney maybe move the somewhere else or at another park or downtown Disney? You guys are very creative and it would be ashame to get rid of this great Christmas tradition that my family has enjoyed for many years! The lights are beautiful and such a huge drawing card for my family. PLEASE PLEASE DON’T STOP THEM!!!
So if the “Streets of America” have to go to make room for Star Wars land, then I assume Muppet Vision has to go as well…?
We have been coming to Walt Disney World for the past 13 years for Christmas. This, as well as the Candlelight Processional have become part of our family holiday traditions. This is very sad news in addition to the fact that the Candlelight Processional has undergone changes in the past two year. The loss of this event as well as the shortening of the processional will make us reevaluate if this is where we want to spend our holidays moving forward.
This is dreadfully disappointing. As AP holders (not from FL) we make it a point to come for Christmastime each year and the lights are truly a major reason why. This is a truly magical part of the Disney experience; it is one that brings pure joy and cannot be replaced. My little boy loves Star Wars and Toy Story, but he is much more sad about this than he is excited about either addition. This is a great family tradition of ours and it is the main reason that we ever even wanted to come at Christmas the first time we did. I urge Disney to please relocate the lights instead of eliminating them; there’s a lot of room at the entrance to EPCOT and Disney Springs is spacious as well. Please perpetuate magic and memories rather than turning Disney into just another amusement park.
NOOOOOOOO!!!! Say it ain’t so Mickey! The lights have been a tradition for my family for a long time. We looked forward to them every year. I can’t explain how disappointed I am. They are a highlight of the holidays. They will be sorely missed.
I understand progress and I am super excited about the new additions coming to Hollywood Studios, but this loss hurts. I understand the logistics and the need for the space that goes unused most of the year. I just wish it could be moved somewhere else.
While I’m disappointed that the Osborne Lights will no longer be dancing it’s way at the Studios, I’d be happier if WDW rebuilt the Lights of Winter at Epcot! I miss that a LOT!
I understand that the Osborne Lights are usually in a part of the park that is going to be torn down to make way for Star Wars Land, but surely there is room in another section of the park, or even a different park for them?? This is truly disappointing news. When I think of the Holidays at Disney the lights are my first thought! Nothing can replace it.
Our family will miss the Osborne Lights. We have been to HS the last three years specifically to see the Spectacle. The lights have become our tradition. Next year’s Christmas season will be a little less bright without the Osborne Lights but I am thankful for Disney’s hosting the lights for the last 19 years.
This is definitely bad news. We have been going to see the lights for the last 4 years.
It won’t be the same with them.
I’m excited about what the park is bringing but when I read this on my break at work I almost cried. I too love sitting on a park bench sipping on hot chocolate and watching the lights. It was time when I stopped and enjoyed life. I hope that Disney finds another location for these. I will be there this year to see them for the last time in this location. Please Disney find a new location for the lights.
Awful news. Hopefully you bring it back to another location. It’s a classic.
I don’t care what I have to do I am definitely going to see this for the last time. My love for Disney came when I saw these lights it was incredible. It’s a big part of what gets me into a Christmas time mood. After seeing this I don’t know if I will become a scrooge or not but it’s definitely going to put a big damper on it. Sorry for my and everyone else’s loss.
Let me add my voice to the hundreds: We all understand why it must be moved and we welcome the long over changes to the Studios, but Please, Please, Please find this a new home. Christmas light shows are essential elements of the Disney Holiday Magic.
First the Lights of Winter and now this…it cuts to the quick.
I realize the e Star Wars expansion is taking over the space, but why not move it elsewhere or move it to an area where another backlot facade area adjacent to EPCOT in the backstage area. As a long time Annual Pass holder, this iOS a major draw for my family, sometimes twice during the winter.
Walt Disney World decision makers, I truly hope that you have read the tremendous outpouring of pleas in response to your post. I have read each and every one and I am obviously not alone in feeling utterly heartbroken. My mind keeps returning to memories of dancing in the streets with my daughter and catching “snowflakes” with my son. My family planned trips around the Osbourne Lights schedule because this event (along with the Candlelight Processional) captures the true spirit of the season. I hope that the company that we love so much will find a way to mend our overwhelming heartbreak and utilize WDW’s “blessing of size.”
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