What’s new at Disney World’s Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in 2014?

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Who doesn’t like to admire holiday light displays? It’s fun to see how the neighbors decorate, especially if that Orlando neighbor is Walt Disney World.

My family and I joined AllEars editor Deb Koma and contributing photographer Jason Dz of DisneyGeek.com for a stroll through the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios this past weekend. No matter how many times we see this display, which Walt Disney World acquired in 1995, it’s never boring. Still, the folks at Disney try to offer a little something new each year for the many returning visitors.

** This year, the song “What’s This?” from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” has been added to the playlist. Jack Skellington’s image also can be seen on the canopy of lights over Brownstone Street as the song comes to a close. Like a challenge? See if you can spot Jack in another location on the street, as well. (Skellington dressed as Sandy Claws meets guests during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for this first time this year. See the AllEars.Net video here.)

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** If you are an avid hidden Mickey hunter, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is the place for you! Not only are there almost 80 hidden Mickey symbols, but cast members are adding more through the last day of the show, which is Jan. 4. That means that each visit has the potential to be a different experience.

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** When the lights arrived in Orlando from Jennings Osborne’s home in Arkansas, a lighted purple cat from the family’s Halloween display was mistakenly included. Each year, cast members hide the cat in the Christmas display. This year, however, they are moving it within the display each day. Happy hunting!

** New Made With Magic light-up items, such as a wand, a Mickey glove and a Minnie ear headband – as well as the original Glow With The Show ear hats – are synched with the dancing lights. The accessories are sold at carts on the Streets of America for $25 each, but if you purchase them in one of the merchandise stores ahead of time, you can apply any discounts you might have, such as one for having a Walt Disney World annual pass or a Disney Vacation Club membership.

Here’s a recap of some of my best tips from previous years, which still apply to this year’s show. I hope they will help you make the most of your experience.

** Cast members direct the flow of guests onto the Streets of America, and you’ll be asked multiple times to walk with the crowds. This really is in your best interest, both for safety reasons and to lessen your frustration at trying to see the lights along with so many other people. You will be asked to walk past Star Tours, Pizza Planet, Muppet Vision 3D and the Phineas and Ferb meet-and-greet, before finally rounding the corner of the attraction. From there, you’re on your own to explore the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at your own pace, exiting on the opposite end of the Streets of America and walking past the ABC Commissary.

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** Guests also can enter the lights display by walking down Mickey Avenue, past Studio Catering Co. This may be the best bet for your family if you would like to meet Santa Goofy first in Tri-City Square. Goofy’s Winter Wonderland debuted in 2012, and it’s back again as a fun photo op. I recommend getting in line a little before 6 p.m., when he appears, because the line can grow quickly.

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** Speaking of photo opportunities, there is so much to capture here on your camera or videocamera so you can enjoy it again at home. Don’t panic, though, if you forget your equipment or find your view blocked by others. Disney’s PhotoPass photographers are set up in multiple locations on the Streets of America, in addition to the Santa Goofy meet-and-greet. One of the most popular spots year after year is in front of the 70-foot Christmas tree in the center of the display. We’ve also seen photographers roving by apartment steps, the lighted bicycle and other fun backgrounds.

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** Stay on The Streets of America long enough to see the lights dance and the snowflakes fall. After each choreographed song, there is an intermission of about seven minutes when the lights don’t dance while other holiday music plays or characters talk.

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** The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights begins each night at 6 p.m. with a small opening ceremony when a lucky guest “flips the switch.” The attraction usually stays on past park closing, so guests can linger a bit as the crowds clear. The show is included in regular theme-park admission.


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3 Replies to “What’s new at Disney World’s Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in 2014?”

  1. My sister and I made the Studios and the lights our first new experience of our trip in 2009. We were both exhausted from our long Amtrak Auto Train trip but this excitement energized me!

    Now planning my next visit so I can see again!

  2. Hi we were there to run the Wine and Dine half marathon and the Jingle Jungle 5k it was the first week of the lights and was not crowded at all. First time seeing them stayed and listened to the entire playlist great time

  3. Hi Kristin,
    I saw these a few years ago for the first time and they took my breath away.
    As a regular visitor to WDW from the UK for the last 23 years, I’ve always been before in Summer, and to see the Streets of America lit like this is a truly amazing experience that really brought home the holiday spirit.
    Your pictures have really made me smile, but nothing will ever prepare you for the real thing.
    Thank you