Disney's Hollywood Studios is again hosting the Osborne Family Spectacle of
Dancing Lights. As introduced last year, the lights "dance" to music. Every 15
minutes all of the displays will glow and dim to holiday tunes. As always,
"Florida snow" is in the forecast, making this the perfect Christmas setting.
Be sure to look in the windows. See if you spot the infamous mannequin leg lamp
from "A Christmas Story". Check out what show is on the TV. There are all sorts
of easy-to-overlook details that will leave you smiling.
As the story goes, Arkansas
resident Jennings Osborne and his family were very big on the Holidays. In 1986,
Jennings asked his youngest daughter Breezy what her Christmas wish was. She
replied that she would like to see their whole house covered in lights. They had
quite a large house but Jennings was determined to make his daughter's Christmas
dream come true. That first year the Osborne family covered their home with a
modest 1000 red lights. With each passing year, the family wanted to do more.
The Osborne's eventually purchased property adjacent to their own in order to
expand on their newfound hobby.
The display grew to millions of lights. There were flashing lights,
multi-colored lights, custom-made light sculptures and a 75 foot Christmas tree
adorned by lights. This drew onlookers from all over Arkansas. Displeased by the
resulting traffic jams, the local residents asked that the Osborne family stop
the annual display. Legal intervention was sought, and it appeared that the
Osborne's beloved tradition was about to come to an end. When Mickey Mouse got
word of this, he offered a venue where the Osborne lights could be shared with
visitors from around the globe. In 1995, Residential Street at the Disney's
Hollywood Studios became the home of this dazzling light show. Approximately 80%
of the lights that are on display come from the original Osborne collection.
In 2003, Residential Street began undergoing a major renovation in preparation
of the new stunt show scheduled to open in 2005. For the first time in 8 years,
the Osborne lights were not displayed.
Fortunately, a new home was found for this magical attraction. The Streets of
America (formerly New York Street) is now hosting the Osborne Family Spectacle
of Dancing Lights.
As in years past, once evening descends, this amazing display springs to life.
Formerly drab buildings become twinkling light sculptures, while a host of
angels fly overhead. Visitors are welcome to stroll through at their own pace.
With over 4 Million Christmas lights, this is not to be missed. To enhance the
experience, Florida "snow" flutters down while Christmas tunes fill the air.
Admission to the display is free with admission to the park, and it's a
MUST SEE if you're visiting Walt Disney World over the holidays.
.jpg)
