The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

It’s that time of year again…the holidays have arrived in Walt Disney World!  By far one of my favorite things to experience this time of year are The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.  This spectacle actually began in 1986 at the home of Jennings Osborne in Little Rock, AK.  It was a gift to his daughter that continued to grow each year.  In fact, it grew to be so big that his neighbors filed lawsuits against him and it was eventually shut down by the US Supreme Court in 1995.  To keep the show going, Disney offered to move the show to the old Residential Street at Disney-MGM Studios.  And the rest is history…

I first experienced the lights in 2000 when they were on Residential Street and I remember being in total awe!  Guests were able to walk through the “neighborhood” that was lit up with lights as far as the eye could see.  When Residential Street was demolished in 2004 to make room for the Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show, the show was moved to its current home on the Streets of America.  While this doesn’t quite have the charm of Residential Street, it is the most logical place to house the show.

The details are AMAZING aren’t they??  The display contains over 10 miles of LED rope lights.  Whoa!  Imagineers have placed hidden Mickey’s all throughout the display which are really fun to find and make sure you keep an eye out for the black cat!

Do you know the story of the black cat?  Well when the Osborne family sent over all of their lights, one of their Halloween decorations somehow got mixed in.  So the Imagineers decided to incorporate it into the display.  Now every year they hide it in a new spot for guests to find!

Oh and did you know it snows there?

And you can get some fun holiday treats as you’re walking around.  Spiced Egg Nog or some Hot Cocoa are a perfect way to get you in the holiday spirit!

In 2006, the display was kicked up to add programmable dimmers to the lights.  This allowed the lights to be set to music which is where the “dancing” fits into the name.  This is insane!  Check out these 3 videos to see what I mean…mind-blowing….

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I think I’d go with Winter Wonderland.  That canopy is too cool!

Have you seen The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights?  Do you remember it on Residential Street?  If so, which do you like better?