VIDEO - New additions for 2011 make the Osborne Lights better than ever

[wdwmagic]

I understand that there's a "show" quality to a lot of what appears in the parks, and that sometimes information is fudged, or otherwise completely untrue, but I don't like being lied to when it comes to matter-of-fact information. For example, if there's a replica of a costume on display, tell me it's a replica, but don't tell me that it's the actual costume worn by the actor when it's not.

Doesn't an area audio loop (and other promo info) explain something along the lines of "these are the lights that the Osborne family..."? Well, with so many updates and changes since the first generation show, these really aren't "the Osborne family's lights" anymore. Color changing LEDs are Disney's, not the Osborne's. Additional programming and lighting arrangements are Disney's, not the Osborne's. Etc.

So, why doesn't Disney just take ownership of what has become very much their own? :shrug:

Surely they could rename the display to something more Disney-esque. :shrug:

The Osborne brand has run its course. Let's return to the Disney brand - they're the ones who deserve the credit anyway. :sohappy:

__________________
Timekeeper

I disagree. The entire concept of the lights came from Disney's partnership with Jennings Osborne. Nearly all the actual structures that the lights are attached to are still the original pieces from the Osborne house. Changing individual lights does not fundamentally change the display. Add to all this that the lights are world famous, why change the name.

 

[Timekeeper]

...Changing individual lights does not fundamentally change the display. Add to all this that the lights are world famous, why change the name.

The name "Disney MGM Studios" was also "world famous" for decades as one of the primary theme parks making up WDW. :lookaroun

I would suggest that replacing Annie's photos in the Annie Leibovitz Photo Gallery with photos taken by Timekeeper, even if of the same subject matters, does fundamentally change the display and frustrate the purpose of the name association. The more appropriate name would then be the Timekeeper Photo Gallery. Even if Annie's display was 20 black and white photos of elephants, and my display is also of 20 black and white photos of elephants - taken with better camera technology.

Regarding "fame," I asked a few people (adults) - who are specifically not familiar with the Hollywood Studios display - if they have ever heard of the Osborne family Christmas lights display, and so far the answers have consistently been "no." It's been a long time since the first installation (remember Residential Street? Any current "fame" associated with the Osborne name and their lights is most likely attributed to Disney's decision to keep the name.

__________________
Timekeeper

 

[fillerup]

We were over to see the lights last weekend (very manageable crowds btw) and they were more spectacular than ever.

One thing that really impressed us was that there was a small army of techs with headsets out examining the displays and calling in the sections that weren't lit or functioning properly.

 

[wdwmagic]

We were over to see the lights last weekend (very manageable crowds btw) and they were more spectacular than ever.

One thing that really impressed us was that there was a small army of techs with headsets out examining the displays and calling in the sections that weren't lit or functioning properly.

The thing that impresses me about that is that not only do they spot problems, they often fix them during the night. A good proportion of the issues are fixed there and then.

 

[71jason]

The thing that impresses me about that is that not only do they spot problems, they often fix them during the night. A good proportion of the issues are fixed there and then.

I've seen sections not working fixed within minutes. It's remarkable.

 

[PalisadesPkteer]

I've seen sections not working fixed within minutes. It's remarkable.

If only all the problems with other rides and attractions around WDW had the same love about fixing things.

EX. Yeti, EPCOT Christmas tree 2010, Splash Mt etc.

 

[Tigger1988]

I understand that there's a "show" quality to a lot of what appears in the parks, and that sometimes information is fudged, or otherwise completely untrue, but I don't like being lied to when it comes to matter-of-fact information. For example, if there's a replica of a costume on display, tell me it's a replica, but don't tell me that it's the actual costume worn by the actor when it's not.

Doesn't an area audio loop (and other promo info) explain something along the lines of "these are the lights that the Osborne family..."? Well, with so many updates and changes since the first generation show, these really aren't "the Osborne family's lights" anymore. Color changing LEDs are Disney's, not the Osborne's. Additional programming and lighting arrangements are Disney's, not the Osborne's. Etc.

So, why doesn't Disney just take ownership of what has become very much their own? :shrug:

Surely they could rename the display to something more Disney-esque. :shrug:

The Osborne brand has run its course. Let's return to the Disney brand - they're the ones who deserve the credit anyway. :sohappy:

__________________
Timekeeper

The Osborne family is not a "brand" and Jennings Osborne deserves all the credit for the display existing in the first place.

Thankfully Disney recognizes that and has named the display accordingly.

 

[TimeTrip]

Got to see the lights yesterday. In additions to the additions mentioned earlier, it seems they re-worked the choreography on some songs for a greater effect.

E.g. Compare this year's version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fbb_6H9yec&t=10s

to last years version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3G07uey_mE&t=1m35s

Some songs that may have been mediocre before are much more impressive this year. If you're a local and are thinking of skipping... don't!

 

[WDWFigment]

I thought the changes to the lights sounded pretty good. Boy, was I wrong. They were absolutely amazing! I was thoroughly impressed with the upgrades to an already amazing holiday display!

Here's a pic I took:

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights - RGB Canopy by Tom Bricker (WDWFigment), on Flickr

We also talked to one of the holiday services managers, who informed us that the nightly cost of Castle Dream Lights is roughly the cost of running your dryer for two cycles. I was a little surprised by that!

 

[scpergj]

I thought the changes to the lights sounded pretty good. Boy, was I wrong. They were absolutely amazing! I was thoroughly impressed with the upgrades to an already amazing holiday display!

We also talked to one of the holiday services managers, who informed us that the nightly cost of Castle Dream Lights is roughly the cost of running your dryer for two cycles. I was a little surprised by that!

Slightly off subject....were you and your wife walking in World Showcase on Sunday afternoon about 2ish? I saw a young couple that looked just like you, carrying a nice large camera.......

Oh...and you are right about the lights this year. They were incredible...we saw them both Friday and Saturday nights. Wow!

 

[Biff215]

I understand that there's a "show" quality to a lot of what appears in the parks, and that sometimes information is fudged, or otherwise completely untrue, but I don't like being lied to when it comes to matter-of-fact information. For example, if there's a replica of a costume on display, tell me it's a replica, but don't tell me that it's the actual costume worn by the actor when it's not.

Doesn't an area audio loop (and other promo info) explain something along the lines of "these are the lights that the Osborne family..."? Well, with so many updates and changes since the first generation show, these really aren't "the Osborne family's lights" anymore. Color changing LEDs are Disney's, not the Osborne's. Additional programming and lighting arrangements are Disney's, not the Osborne's. Etc.

So, why doesn't Disney just take ownership of what has become very much their own? :shrug:

Surely they could rename the display to something more Disney-esque. :shrug:

The Osborne brand has run its course. Let's return to the Disney brand - they're the ones who deserve the credit anyway. :sohappy:

__________________
Timekeeper

I once thought about this as well, but keep in mind that most of the figures and large structures were original Osborne creations. Disney may have outfitted them with new lights and synchronized music, but the overall idea is still all Osborne. The Lights of Winter are a perfect example of a Disney creation that no longer exists, so I'm thankful to Jennings Osborne for getting Disney to display something that wasn't originally theirs but at least is still there!

I agree that the lights this year are nothing short of spectacular. I'm not sure they could do much to improve them other than expanding it even further. The only sad part for me is how few hours they are actually lit and able to be enjoyed, especially when the park closes at 8. Two hours simply isn't enough time for me to truly take in everything, but that's coming from someone who puts up around 20,000 lights plus displays each year... :xmas:

I especially enjoyed that there seems to be fewer "radio" announcements in between songs this year. The constant talking really used to take away from the feeling for me. The music really makes it, whether or not the lights are "dancing".

Thank you Osborne family for giving DHS something so amazing, and thank you Disney for making sure that it stays that way and only gets better!