MGM Spectacle of Lights Installation

[wdwmagic]

askmike1 - I don't think we are complaining. Just curious why WDW is putting up X-mas lights 5 months before they will be "switched on"

I honestly don't believe this report is true.

Yup it is true. Installation on Residential Street used to be underway in August each year. Have a look through the archives on the main site and you can see photos from previous years of the install in progress.

 

[boo52]

Most of the work that begins in July is attaching the conduit to the building facades that is required to hang the lights to the stucco. This was an added step when they moved to NY street. They also relight the ropelight set pieces, angels, troubleshoot the lights etc. The first set of lights still may not go up until the end of August. They have plenty of work to do before then.

 

[thimblekisses]

Ooooh I'm excited!!! This will be my first year to go.
Maybe I should take a cue from them and get started earlier this year. . . It took me all of Thanksgiving weekend last year! hmmmm. . . . :xmas:

 

[KevinPage]

Any rumored changes to the lights this year?

Alot of the charm from the original was lost mainly due to size restrictions and traffic flow.

Didn't know if they would open up the area right in front of LMA for people to walk around or something?

Knock down the Hunchback theatre if it's not going to be used to give some more "space" to the area. But they might have to redo the SF facade again though. :lol:

 

[surfsupdon]

Any rumored changes to the lights this year?

Alot of the charm from the original was lost mainly due to size restrictions and traffic flow.

Didn't know if they would open up the area right in front of LMA for people to walk around or something?

Knock down the Hunchback theatre if it's not going to be used to give some more "space" to the area. But they might have to redo the SF facade again though. :lol:

Indeed the charm was lost. They should build some house facades for the lights, so we can still wlak down the streets like in Mid town America.

 

[shoppingnut]

I love the lights, they are one of the reasons I visit WDW in December so I can enjoy all the holiday events. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year down there. I do miss them being on the houses though, but even so, I would definitely not like to see them go anywhere. It is there only holiday thing in MGM.

They also start baking the gingerbread in July/August each year for all the displays, etc.

Leaving the lights up all year round wouldn't work because with the constant heat and sun on the wires, they would dry out and become very brittle, thus a fire hazard.