Disney Hollywood Studios Expansion Rumored

[Cardinals314]

There were talks a while back about what Disney could replace the Osborne lights with. It seems like they are going to end them for the expansion.

[NaCler]

I highly doubt Disney will get rid of the Osborne Lights as they are a huge draw to the Studios around the holidays. I'm fairly confident that they would be moved to a new location instead of just scrapping them after so many years. In fact, they just finished changing all of the lights over to LEDs.

[Goofyfan]

I know a lot want to see the GMR go....But for me, I'ts a classic. Just like the COP at the Magic Kingdom. Please don't take it away WDW..

[Wizzard419]

I highly doubt Disney will get rid of the Osborne Lights as they are a huge draw to the Studios around the holidays.

I kind of doubt that, in the sense that when people go to WDW they generally go to all the parks, and the presence of the light show would not have any impact on people's decision to enter the park in general. If it were the only holiday thing the entire resort did, then perhaps, but since the rest of the parks (and many of the hotels) have massive displays, one element being missing probably won't impact bookings too much.

[NaCler]

Being a semi local we plan a December trip just to go see the lights. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[Wizzard419]

I forget, do you have an AP or not?

[NaCler]

Yes sir, but I'm not DVC and we stay overnight on site.

[Wizzard419]

So they already have your paid admission for all the parks, and I imagine you do other holiday stuff besides just see the lights, such as seeing the other parks. If they did get rid of it, would this become a deal-breaker for future trips during the span it would normally run? They provide enough content that if one segment goes away, there won't be a dramatic gap in coverage, combine that with the section itself could be demolished if there is an expansion and they need the space.

[NaCler]

But my point is that the Osborne Lights is the only thing that drives me to make a reservation to stay there in December. I don't go look at the displays in the hotels. I don't watch the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, don't go to AK for the Christmas parade and MK only does decorations on Main Street so nothing really to see there since I don't buy a ticket for the Christmas Party. So, Osborne Lights is the only reason I go each December. That will most likely end if they go away.

[Wizzard419]

Ok, so it would stop a one-night hotel booking and presumably 2-3 meals, but you would still continue to renew your pass and visit during other times (with room bookings). So they lose out a little from you (and even less if you were to purchase DVC points from another person for the booking), but odds are the people who would be irrevocably crushed by the removal and never come again during November/December are such a small minority that it wouldn't even register.

[NaCler]

Yeah, but wouldn't it be a bad PR move for Disney just to trash the lights after the whole back story of this Arkansas family?

[Wizzard419]

Not really, the guy who made the original died in 2011 and the context has no connection to the guests viewing it.

It isn't like you hear "Daddy, when I grow up I want to be a medical equipment salesman that has a massive BBQ pit and rotisserie that can easily serve over a thousand people at once".

[Wyntuck]

Which buildings? I am surprised they have such bad flow out of there and don't use the perimeter road. DLR sometimes utilizes the backstage areas to help get people out faster.

I always wondered why they settled on this break in the "fantasy" to let people backstage when they need to "blow off" guests. I know a lot of folks find it facinating, but I found it kind of a cheat, that I had to trudge through a parking lot because it was too crowded to exit normally. Of course I would much rather trudge then stand still in the stifling heat with other sweaty guests waiting to exit. MK does the same thing.

[boilerbabe]

I understand what you're saying NaCler, we plan to go around Christmas time specifically for the Osborne Lights! We don't do the Candlelight Processional or really travel around the resorts to look at displays. We don't do MVMCP either, too pricey! We're not AP holders or DVC members.

I was just surprised to hear that Osborne Lights could possibly be no more?!

[Amy]

I understand what you're saying NaCler, we plan to go around Christmas time specifically for the Osborne Lights! We don't do the Candlelight Processional or really travel around the resorts to look at displays. We don't do MVMCP either, too pricey! We're not AP holders or DVC members.

I was just surprised to hear that Osborne Lights could possibly be no more?!

The Osborne Lights are a big draw for us as well. We only attended one Christmas party and that is because we got free tickets to it ~ not worth the extra expense to us otherwise.