Lights of Winter not being displayed this year (2009)!?!

[lego606]

can't find it... swear I just left it in a stroller thread the other day... danggit... say, anyone around here see... oh, here it is!

Of course the real reason is that a stroller ran over the arches, just like that stroller that ran over the Yeti.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Of course the real reason is that a stroller ran over the arches, just like that stroller that ran over the Yeti.

Hey, the Ford-class stroller (supercarrier) goes where it wants, and I'm just along for the ride.

 

[unkadug]

They discontinued it because it started to look dated.

Does a Christmas Tree look dated?

That sounds like an opinion, not a reason.

 

[George]

They discontinued it because it started to look dated.

No it didn't.

 

[unkadug]

The "official" reason was outdated technology....I call BS

 

[WDWFigment]

The "official" reason was outdated technology....I call BS

Obsolete technology. Get it right, dude.

 

[unkadug]

Obsolete technology. Get it right, dude.

That's right...lights on a string just can't work anymore.

Just look at all those people with Light-O-Rama holiday displays.

 

[Michelle Ruiz]

I thought it was tremendously embarrassing.

 

[bethymouse]

Once again: such a shame.
Darn budget cuts!

 

[Biff215]

Just when I thought I could let this go...

No doubt in my mind that it was simply a budget cut. The maintenance cost in Disney's eyes probably outweighed the return they felt they were getting. Of course I completely disagree with them, but park attendance (which probably didn't drop off) probably made whoever made the decision feel like they were right.

Think about it: the castle just got lights in recent years, and the Osbourne lights have seen significant upgrades from previous technology that could be considered "obsolete" in today's LED world. Epcot could have followed suit and spent some money, but it was somehow determined that it wasn't needed.

Simple as that in my opinion, but also simply wrong.

 

[George]

Just when I thought I could let this go...

No doubt in my mind that it was simply a budget cut. The maintenance cost in Disney's eyes probably outweighed the return they felt they were getting. Of course I completely disagree with them, but park attendance (which probably didn't drop off) probably made whoever made the decision feel like they were right.

Think about it: the castle just got lights in recent years, and the Osbourne lights have seen significant upgrades from previous technology that could be considered "obsolete" in today's LED world. Epcot could have followed suit and spent some money, but it was somehow determined that it wasn't needed.

Simple as that in my opinion, but also simply wrong.

If it was a budget cut, it is beyond cheap. They would've entered "a whole new world" of tight fistedness.

 

[wm49rs]

If it was a budget cut, it is beyond cheap. They would've entered "a whole new world" of tight fistedness.

I think at EPCOT this was indeed the case. Like you, I saw the reduction in holiday decorations this past Christmas, was wasn't pleased....

 

[John]

I think at EPCOT this was indeed the case. Like you, I saw the reduction in holiday decorations this past Christmas, was wasn't pleased....

Reduction! How about slashed to just bare bones. I mean I was completely stunned at the lack of decorations. I was at a value resort on Jan.2 and nothing....zippo....zilch. Day after New Years and nothing? Was there any there before? What happened with DHS? Are we that PC these days that even Disney is caveing in? Is it really about money? I used to be amazed at all the decorations. I see better in my own nieghborhood. OK Mainstreet had thier usaual but even the rest of the park was skimppy.

 

[wm49rs]

Reduction! How about slashed to just bare bones. I mean I was completely stunned at the lack of decorations. I was at a value resort on Jan.2 and nothing....zippo....zilch. Day after New Years and nothing? Was there any there before? What happened with DHS? Are we that PC these days that even Disney is caveing in? Is it really about money? I used to be amazed at all the cecorations. I see better in my own nieghborhood. OK Mainstreet had thier usaual but even the rest of the park was skimppy.

I don't think it has anything do do with being PC, just simple the knowledge that fans will still flock to the parks during the holidays even with reduced decorations.

And to be honest, I actually felt that DHS was just as (if not more so) that EP this year....

 

[John]

I don't think it has anything do do with being PC, just simple the knowledge that fans will still flock to the parks during the holidays even with reduced decorations.

And to be honest, I actually felt that DHS was just as (if not more so) that EP this year....

Did they start taking them down sooner? As I said I arrived on property on Jan.2... I wanted to skip the crowds but still catch the decorations....and I was highly disapointed.

 

[wm49rs]

Did they start taking them down sooner? As I said I arrived on property on Jan.2... I wanted to skip the crowds but still catch the decorations....and I was highly disapointed.

Honestly, I don't know. We were there right before Christmas, and left early for much the same reason.

 

[rsoxguy]

We were there in early January as well, and noticed that the holiday decorations were minimal in comparison to past years. EPCOT was packed on the day that we attended, which seems to lend credibility to the theory that they know the masses will flock to the park, with or without the holiday decoration effort.

 

[John]

The first time I visited happened to be the only time I have visited during christmas week ( 1973). I was 13 yrs old. Yeeeeaaa I know it was a very different time and place, but.... I remember waking up one morning and the entire resort was transformed over night.. I was old enough that I no longer believed in Santa Clause, but for a few minutes I had to think twice. Surely this was magic. I was smart enough to know that there was absolutely no way people could have done this over night. It was truly magic. The on Christmas morning there were two stockings hanging on our door. Full will small toys and candy for both my brother and myself. As we walked thru MK I am sure my mouth was wide open as I just could believe my eyes. The decorations were breath taking. No exspense was spared. Sure nothing is like it used to be....but today WDWis not even in the catagory of " a shadow of itself" when it comes to Christmas decorations. I am not naieve to think it should be like that now but it has come to a point where you have to say....why even bother. Its such a half hearted effort its embaresseing.

 

[John]

We were there in early January as well, and noticed that the holiday decorations were minimal in comparison to past years. EPCOT was packed on the day that we attended, which seems to lend credibility to the theory that they know the masses will flock to the park, with or without the holiday decoration effort.

I seen you there. You were with your three children ( all in sox caps) with a couple of elderly folks....right? You were sitting near the exit at Space moutian....right?

 

[rsoxguy]

I seen you there. You were with your three children ( all in sox caps) with a couple of elderly folks....right? You were sitting near the exit at Space moutian....right?

Nope. One college age daughter. Elderly folks are not permitted to hang around with me publicly, as I reserve them for household chores such as moving heavy objects into the attic.