The Osborne Family Spectacular of Dancing Lights was the most magical place to be at Walt Disney World during Christmas. It started in the 80's, when a rich business man from Little Rock started decorating his house with Christmas lights, which is what most people do. And every year, the family kept adding more and more lights. After 10 years since they began decorating, the Osborne yard featured over one million lights. Of course, it was a sight to be seen. There were a lot of traffic problems as the lights grew in popularity. The family faced a lawsuit, filed by neighbors. The family responded by adding three million more lights. The case went all the way to the Arkansas state Supreme Court, who eventually shut down the lights. The new traveled from Little Rock to Orlando. Say what you want about the Disney company, but when they're presented with a good opportunity, they take it.
In 1995, the Osborne Lights went up on the Residential Streets, part of the Backlot Tour in Hollywood Studios. In 2004, the Lights were moved to the New York City Streets. In 2006, dimmer swithces were added to the Lights so that they could be synced up to music. In recent years, Disney has been making an effort to be more environmental-friendly (something I have no doubt Walt himself would have approved of). In 2011, all of the lights were switched to LED.
In 2015, after 20 years, the Lights had their final dance. The final songs the lights danced to was "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" followed by, of course, "Mickey Mouse Club".
I had the privilege to see the final season of the Lights. They're one of my favorite memories of my DCP. Some nights after work I catch a bus to Studios, grab a peppermint mocha, find a curb under the Lights and people watch. There was something truly magical about all the people gathered under all the colorful lights. And I'm heartbroken that future generations will never see it. Hopefully Disney will find a way to bring them back one day. I think they would be amazing on the Boardwalk or Hollywood Boulevard. Until then, enjoy some pictures and videos of the Osborne Family Spectacular of Dancing Lights.
In 1995, the Osborne Lights went up on the Residential Streets, part of the Backlot Tour in Hollywood Studios. In 2004, the Lights were moved to the New York City Streets. In 2006, dimmer swithces were added to the Lights so that they could be synced up to music. In recent years, Disney has been making an effort to be more environmental-friendly (something I have no doubt Walt himself would have approved of). In 2011, all of the lights were switched to LED.
In 2015, after 20 years, the Lights had their final dance. The final songs the lights danced to was "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" followed by, of course, "Mickey Mouse Club".
I had the privilege to see the final season of the Lights. They're one of my favorite memories of my DCP. Some nights after work I catch a bus to Studios, grab a peppermint mocha, find a curb under the Lights and people watch. There was something truly magical about all the people gathered under all the colorful lights. And I'm heartbroken that future generations will never see it. Hopefully Disney will find a way to bring them back one day. I think they would be amazing on the Boardwalk or Hollywood Boulevard. Until then, enjoy some pictures and videos of the Osborne Family Spectacular of Dancing Lights.
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