Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the Christmas season with holiday events and décor at each of its theme parks, as well as at its hotels and the Downtown Disney retail and entertainment districts. At Disney’s Hollywood Studio, the park’s holiday highlight is the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights.
The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights – also called the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights or Osborne Lights for short – transforms the Streets of America into a not-quite winter wonderland throughout the Walt Disney World holidays and just past New Year’s Day. For the 2011 holiday period, Osborne Lights is on display from Nov. 10, 2011 – Jan. 3, 2012.
Osborne Family Lights Find Home at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
What is the Osborne Lights, you might ask? Think of the most extravagant exhibit of Christmas lights and holiday displays set up in a neighborhood, all designed to celebrate the season. Now, multiply that by millions of sparkling lights, draped over the buildings of Streets of America. Add dozens of Christmas figures and icons. Synchronize the multi-colored lights and displays to holiday tunes, add a forecast for Florida snow, and you have a very merry Walt Disney World holiday tradition.
Interestingly, though, the Osborne Lights did begin as a family Christmas tradition displayed in a private neighborhood. Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne started decorating his home around 20 years ago, stringing 1,000 lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter. It became an annual event, growing bigger and brighter each year and attracting national attention as ever larger crowds would travel to see the spectacle.
Eventually, Osborne Family Lights became too big for the neighborhood, with three million lights. Disney actively sought to acquire the Osborne Lights, and John Phelan, the Show Director, refers to it as “the ultimate Americana Holiday lights display.” The Osborne Lights found a new home at Walt Disney World, moving to Florida in 1995.
The Osborne Lights has been central to Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ holiday season since that time, and Sylvania became its sponsor in 2005.
Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights Sparkles with Disney Christmas Touches
Osborne Lights was first shown on Resident Street of Disney’s Holiday Studios backlot tour, then moved to the Streets of America (formerly New York Street) in 2004. Over the years the Osborne Lights has grown and changed with its move to Walt Disney Studios, while retaining the character of the Osborne family’s design.
Disney kept many of Jenning Osborne’s animated displays and design touches. Among the most striking are an illuminated globe with “Peace on Earth,” twirling carousels, flying angels, an over 70-foot tall Christmas tree and light canopies that create an illuminated “ceiling.” These icons are set against the illuminated Streets of America buildings.
While Disney has kept many of the Osbsorne Spectacle of Dancing Lights displays and original lights, the annual Christmas display has expanded to five million lights. It now includes more than forty displays, including multiple wreaths, decorated trees, sparkling snowflakes, a Santa with reindeer, carolers and toy soldiers – even a Nativity scene.
Disney being Disney, there are extra-special touches to make an evening touring the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights even more magical. Dimmers allow its lights to be choreographed with the show’s holiday music, and approximately every 10 minutes, the lights dim and then “dance” to music. On some nights during Disney’s extended Christmas season, artificial snow falls over the Streets of America.
And, of course, for Disney fans, the Osborne Lights now has a host of Hidden Mickeys – the exact number isn’t known, but more than two dozen – among the dizzying display.
Walt Disney World Holidays – Touring Tips for Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights
To help you plan to visit Walt Disney World during the holidays to see the Osborne Family Spectacle Lights, here are some touring tips:
- Osborne Lights are turned on at 6:00 p.m. Many guests like to be there right at the beginning, when Disney allows one family each night to turn on the lights.
- Hidden somewhere in the displays is the Osborne Lights purple cat. The cat was mistakenly relocated from the Jennings’ Halloween display. The figure is moved each year, and guests who visit the Osborne Lights annual enjoy searching for it.
- Seek out the Hidden Mickeys throughout the exhibit; look particularly in windows and doorways.
- Be aware the Streets of America can get crowded with guests touring the Osborne Lights, especially close to Christmas. Looking for lighter crowds? Try seeing the exhibit during Fantasmic!
- PhotoPass photographers are available, so guests may have their pictures taken with the lights as a backdrop.
- Hot chocolate is available from street vendors, a particularly holiday experience when it snows on the Streets of America.
- A relaxing evening might include an early dinner reservation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, followed by a stroll through the Osborne Lights.
The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights is included as part of standard admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, making the lights easily one of the “must-do” experiences for guests visiting during the Walt Disney World holiday season.
Related Articles:
- 2010 Holiday Events at Disney World Theme Parks, including information on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and theme-park parades.
- Christmas at Disney World – 2010 Epcot Candlelight Processional, with information on the speakers for this annual holiday event and Epcot Candlelight Dinner Packages.
- Special Holiday Events & Tours at Disney World, which offers extended information on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Yuletide Tours, and Wilderness Lodge Sleigh Rides.
- Holidays at Walt Disney World Resorts and Marketplace, for a look at what Disney offers during the Christmas season at its hotels and Downtown Disney.
Debra Peterson - A freelance writer and scholar, Debra Peterson specializes in Disney Studies, with particular interests in Walt Disney World and ...
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