2007 HOLIDAY SEASON:

November 12, 2007 -January 6, 2008

Are there any special Holiday Happenings at Disney's Hollywood Studios?

Just what *is* the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights and how did it start?

Jennings Osborne, a Little Rock, Arkansas, businessman, began putting up lights nearly a decade ago, at the request of his young daughter. (Read our 2002 interview with Jennings Osborne HERE!) Each year, he added to the displays. When he ran out of room, Osborne bought the two houses on either side of his home so he could continue his creativity. Neighbors complained, however, and the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in October 1994 that Osborne's house, when adorned with the 3 million lights, was a public nuisance. Although legally barred from causing a "spectacle", Osborne still lit the display three nights. He was found in contempt of court and fined $1,500. The court suspended a 10-day jail sentence, but ordered him to pay $7,000 in attorneys' fees. In 1995, the Walt Disney Company brought the Osborne Christmas lights to Walt Disney World! Disney's agreement with Osborne gives it the option of keeping the display for 5 years, possibly longer.

It sounds very impressive -- what exactly does the display entail?

The Spectacle of Lights includes:

-- 5 million lights
-- 32 miles of extension cables
-- 66 snow machines
-- 100 gallons of snow fluid a night
-- 43 hidden Mickeys

In 2006, the spectacle was enhanced to include choreographed "dancing" lights that swirl and soar to an exhilarating medley of holiday music every 15 minutes, thanks to electronic wizardry featuring more than 400 dimmers. Every building facade, all the trees, wreaths, bells and holiday figures dance to classic tunes among "Florida snow" flurries. Also bringing the Disney's Hollywood Studios backlot to life are three-dimensional and motion-based displays – some originally created at the Osborne home in Arkansas by businessman Jennings Osborne as a holiday display for the delight of his daughter.

(To see a variety of photos of the 2005 Osborne Lights, visit our Photo Gallery.)

How much does it cost to view the Osborne Lights?

There is no extra admission charged for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights beyond admission to the Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Where exactly are the Osborne Lights located?

The Lights used to start at the beginning of New York Street at the back of Disney's Hollywood Studios. As of 2004, they are located in the revamped "Streets of America" city backlots. Every night there is a brief lighting ceremony and guests are directed to walk down through the lights along the backlot area.

How long are the Osborne Lights on display? Are they shown every night during the holiday season?

The Osborne Lights usually have special previews just before Thanksgiving. They are officially unveiled after Thanksgiving and are displayed every night until the first week of the new year.

Are the Osborne Lights worth seeing?

12/4/04, Deb Wills reports on the recently returned Osborne Lights: I got to see the new Osborne Lights on Saturday, December 4, 2004. For folks who remember the old version of the lights, you know that touring them gave you the feeling of walking through a hometown, going house to house. Now that the lights have moved to the Streets of America area, walking through the lights has a very different feel, like you're in a city. It's very crowded -- maybe it's because we were seeing them on a Saturday, but we were packed on the street like sardines. The line was backed up past the Commissary restaurant, and we shuffled along waiting to get in. Even at 6:20 p.m. (20 minutes after the lights had been turned on) the line was still horrendous. Toward the end of the street, near the new Motor Cars theater, the space opens up a bit, and there were Streetmosphere performers there, but it was still fairly crowded. My best advice is to see what the lines are like before deciding to go in.

Read what others have to say about their past Osborne Lights experiences HERE or visit our Reviews section HERE.

If you have comments or tips to share with others about touring the NEW Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios, please post them HERE.