In today’s Disney Parks Blog Walt Disney World announced that the hugely popular holiday light extravaganza will be ending this holiday season. According the Thomas Smith, Disney’s Social Media Director:
“As you plan ahead, we also wanted you to know that this holiday season will mark the finale for The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The display of lights has enjoyed a successful run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, going all the way back to when it first appeared on Residential Street.
In order to prepare for some incredible experiences coming to the park, including the recently announced Toy Story Land and a Star Wars-themed land, we will not be able to present The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in the future. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the family of Jennings Osborne for letting us share their family tradition year after year. And thank you to all of you for being part of the spectacle with us. Here’s to making more memories in this, the 20th and final year.”
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights have been a Christmas season staple at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for 20 years. The lights’ final run at Disney will be on display from Nov. 6, 2015 through Jan. 3, 2016.
The display originated with 1,000 lights at the Little Rock, Arkansas home of businessman Jennings Osborne as a gift for his then-6-year-old daughter in 1986.
The display eventually grew to include over 3 million lights in 1993, and Osborne had to buy two properties adjacent to his home to expand his light show.
Disney acquired the rights to host the display in 1995 after neighbors sued Osborne, complaining of traffic congestion created by visitors driving to see the lights.
The millions of lights that make up Disney’s version of the display would be 10 miles long if strung in one straight line. In 2013, Disney World began selling interactive “Glow with the Show” Ear hats that light up in sync with the music which accompanies the display.
Disney News Today 