Twinkle Light Question

[Dredd15]

http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=17270&cat=500&ppuser=5038

Okay - so what have we determained thus far? It appears that this is an image of a twinkle light from Disney:

http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/data/524/Light_Blub_001_Small_Web_view.jpg

... as well as these two photos of the lights "in action" ...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18054&d=1102125944
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18055&d=1102125965

... and it looks like you can purchase this particular bulb here:

http://www.actionlighting.com/item-detail.asp?ID=70&MainCategory=Bulbs&Sub=G-6 E17 Blinking

Now, where can you purchase a stand that has the bulb placements very far apart? I would tihnk that these are placed every few feet on the strand ... thoughts as to how far they're placed, and where to find them?

Thanks!

 

[nicholas]

It's that time of year again. Tis the season for Twinkle Lights. Somebody find them this year!

 

[SlusherGusher]

Here's a lead to check out- Fiancee bought a 9 foot tall prelit tree from Target today (gotta love the after Christmas sales- $300 tree for $30), anyways, the tree has Staylit brand twinkle lights on it (1100 of 'em), a few of the lights actually twinkle- same speed and random effect as the ones at WDW, just a smaller bulb, but magical nonetheless. Haven't checked this out yet, but here's my thought- does Staylit sell boxes of twinkle lights with the twinkle effect, or maybe buy a box of the regular Staylit twinkle lights and a couple packages of replacement twinkle effect bulbs to intersperse among the non-twinkle effect bulbs in the string?

I saw that tree at Target and you're right, it is very similar to the trees at WDW. I tried to find just the lights at the store, but unfortunately, it didn't seem that Target had it as a separate product.

This article mentions the twinkling lights:

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/10-4-2005-78157.asp

"A beautiful twinkling effect can be accomplished by inserting several flashing type bulbs in a Staylit string. When a flashing bulb is placed in the socket of an ordinary light string, the entire string flashes on and off. When placed in a Staylit light string, the individual bulb flashes on and off in a random manner. Several flasher bulbs placed in a string generate a pleasing twinkle effect."

And says that:
"The Staylit product line is sold in the U.S. and Canada at many major retail stores nationwide including Target and BJ's Wholesale. The 100-light strings stretch almost 40 feet and retail for around $7.99. The lighted trees sell for $100 and up depending on tree height. For more information go to the "Products" page of the website:

http://www.inliten.com/staylit.html "

I went to the website and unfortunately they only sell to retailers. Has anyone found a store that carries (or given the date now, carried) these lights?

Joe

***

 

[unkadug]

Target has the Staylit brand lights in stock again, buy a string, replace some of the bulbs randomly with flashing bulbs and you've got the same random twinkling effect as the lighted trees in WDW, just a smaller bulb.

Thanks, but some people don't want the same effect, they want the same lights. Thats what makes this quest so intriguing!:wave:

 

[nicholas]

Thanks, but some people don't want the same effect, they want the same lights. Thats what makes this quest so intriguing!:wave:

I also don't want to have to buy a bunch of extra strands just so I will have enough twinkle bulbs to borrow from to make a more complete strand of just twinklers.

I mean, if it's my ONLY option, I'll consider it. But the actual lights would make this so much easier.

 

[SlusherGusher]

I also don't want to have to buy a bunch of extra strands just so I will have enough twinkle bulbs to borrow from to make a more complete strand of just twinklers.

I mean, if it's my ONLY option, I'll consider it. But the actual lights would make this so much easier.

***

 

[surfsupdon]

It is very important that the lights twinkle independently and at a slower rate than the average light that is usually sold at stores during the Christmas season. Sometimes the twinkling just happens so FAST, it need be slow and soothing, like at Disney World.

Let's make this the year that we can find them.:xmas:

 

[Dredd15]

It is very important that the lights twinkle independently and at a slower rate than the average light that is usually sold at stores during the Christmas season. Sometimes the twinkling just happens so FAST, it need be slow and soothing, like at Disney World.

Let's make this the year that we can find them.:xmas:

I have checked some of the chain stores (Target, Lowes, etc) and all I've seen were "Twinkle Lights" that simply blink on and off, no fading up then fading down.

If I remember correctly, the Disney lights faded up quickly, then back down quickly ... rather than a simple on/off.

 

[unkadug]

I have checked some of the chain stores (Target, Lowes, etc) and all I've seen were "Twinkle Lights" that simply blink on and off, no fading up then fading down.

If I remember correctly, the Disney lights faded up quickly, then back down quickly ... rather than a simple on/off.

If this is indeed true, this would require a capacitor on (or within) each bulb, do-able but getting a little pricey.

 

[Main Street USA]

If this is indeed true, this would require a capacitor on (or within) each bulb, do-able but getting a little pricey.

I have video of the lights at WDW, and they're a direct on and off. By memory alone, I can see why "fading" would seem right. The twinkle is so slow.

I'll probably try out the fading effect with teh "staylit" brand, and if it works out, I'll be sure to post it here.

 

[swimmom]

I have some GE Random Sparkle Lights. They are a set of 100 lights that every 5th bulb flashes randomly. I bought them at Michael's.

 

[SlusherGusher]

I have video of the lights at WDW, and they're a direct on and off. By memory alone, I can see why "fading" would seem right. The twinkle is so slow.

I'll probably try out the fading effect with teh "staylit" brand, and if it works out, I'll be sure to post it here.

***

 

[Main Street USA]

It works; the Staylit brand lights with flasher bulbs inserted randomly will produce a slow, intermittant and random, twinkling effect just like the lighted trees at WDW. Our prelit Christmas tree with the Staylit lights and flasher bulbs is my proof; give 'em a try.

Cool. I'll give it a whirl. In the meantime, I still want some outdoor ones for my trees to match WDW's.

 

[mousermerf]

This si the right string, just not the blinkey bulbs, right?

http://www.partylights.com/products/strings/G40.html

And since it's a "stay on if one bulb goes out" like the Staylit brand then perhaps if you buy the right size blinky bulb, it should have the same effect as the blinky bulbs on the Staylit brand?

 

[GoofyMagic]

lights

I believe that is the right string...I'm still doing searching on this subject...I'll keep you guys posted on what I end up finding out as well!

The mission continues!!!

 

[Hawk4255]

Well, I recieved an email from a lady in MGM Guest Relations who apparently got in touch with an engineer for the Studios after I had asked her about the lights (they have them out in front of the Sorcerer's Hat). Here is her response:

I don't know if you even remember asking about this, but a few months ago you came to Guest Relations at the Disney-MGM Studios inquiring about the twinkle lights in the trees in front of our Sorcerer's Hat. I got a very quick response from Steve Faulkner in our Engineering department, but promptly lost the note!
Having finally found the note, I'm writing to let you know that those lights are made of strings of 258 Flasher Bulbs. If you have any further questions, please feel free to respond.

So hopefully that should help us. 258 Flasher bulbs? No clue what that means. Lighting people?

Also, upon closer inspection of the light sockets for the bulbs, they say 10-7 on them. Just some more clues. Let's try and find these!

 

[clarkstallings]

E17 blinking bulbs on C7 stringers is the effect. You have to run them on a step down transformer though because they are 12V bulbs. The fireflies must run on 12 volts because raw spliced wire is within the reach of guests.

 

[unkadug]

258 flasher

Description: 258 Flasher
G-4.5 14.0V, .27AMP
Volts: 14
Average Life Hours: 500
Shape: G4 1/2
Base Type: Miniature Screw
Finish: Clear
Amps: .27
MOL: 1.06 in. (26.92 mm.)
Diameter: 0.59 in. (14.99 mm.)
Package Qty: 10
Case Qty: 1000
Additional Info: Flasher

http://www.lightbulbdepot.com/product.asp?sub=134&prod=02671A

 

[1disneydood]

Tonight I went ahead and replaced 25 of the lights on my prelit tree with twinkle bulbs. It was a PIA because I had to buy a strand of twnkle icicles, remove the bulbs from the plastic bases, then put the bulbs in my tree.

I LOVE the look. It's like the random strobe twinkles on the EPCOT tree during the lighting ceremony. Thanks for the idea.

 

[nksteckler]

I read through this thread and don't think this one has been mentioned yet. I found it via a Google search: http://www.silvestrilights.com/catalog_i2098807.html?catId=93360 Although these are mini lights, the supplier mentions them as being the "ones used at Disneyland". Does anyone know if these have the same slow-blinking effect (or if they're even being honest in saying they're the ones from Disneyland)? Thanks