Christmas in the Parks: Disney's Hollywood Studios Edition

Holy Cow!!!  It's December already?  How did this happen?!

So, with that being said, it's time to get back to things to do to celebrate the Holidays at WDW and this time we're going to the park that's literally known as Tinsel Town this time of year, Disney's Hollywood Studios. The decorations around here are geared towards kitsch which is the best part about it.

I love all the tinsel decorations they use around this park.  It's such a great tie in that most people don't even get.  (Get it, the use of tinsel, Tinsel Town...I was hoping I made that obvious, but hey, you never know!)

To me though, the main draw for visiting DHS during the Holidays is the incredible light display known as the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.  Let me tell you, this thing is fabulous!

For those who don't know the story, The Osborne Lights came about because of a man named Jennings Osborne who put up a huge display every year, at the insistence of his daughter.  As the years went by, the display got bigger and bigger...so big in fact that he ran out of room and bought the two houses next to his, just so he could continue decorating.  It grew so big that people complained, it then was ruled that it was public nuisance and Jennings Osborne had to desist.  However, Disney caught wind of his story and they decided it would be the perfect fit for their park.  And I have to say, it really is a splendid match.

Currently the lights can be seen on the Streets of America, Although the lights didn't always take place there.  Prior to their current location, the lights were once held on Residential Street, (where you could see the house from the Golden Girls) which is now where Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show currently sits. 

So for those who haven't seen them, what are the lights like?

Take Clark Griswold's house (please tell me you've seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...if you haven't...you must stop reading now, find a DVD of it and watch it immediately...it's my absolute favorite Christmas movie) and magnify it times like a thousand and you'll kind of get a tiny feel of what the Osborne lights are all about.  It is a sight to behold!

And there is nothing like walking down the Streets just in awe.  The lights really do surround you.  You really feel like you are just walking a colorful wonderland.

My first favorite time to visit is right as the lights come on.  It's so astounding to see how the area changes in just a manor of seconds.  It truly takes your breath away when the switch gets flipped.

My other favorite time to visit is just as the park is about to close.  A lot of people are leaving the parks at that time but the lights stay lit the whole time.  So you'll get to see the wonder of the lights, all without waiting in a HUGE crowd.  (More than likely, of course.) 

Then, at certain times throughout the night the lights will dance to a choreographed musical number. This is such a neat thing to behold. 

The other really cool thing is that like on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, it does snow on the streets here as well. 

This year there are actually a few additions to the festivities.  First is the addition of Phineas and Ferb audio snippets.  Second is the addition of these windows (actually LCD screens) where it snows of the screen.  It's a really neat effect.

Of course this experience needs to be seen to be believed...and while I have some photos to show you, this is something that needs to be seen in person.  You can't miss it.

And my favorite photo I've ever taken here...

Seeing the Osborne Lights remind me of those times as a kid when my family would pile in the car and drive around town looking at all the lights on all the houses, except these lights are on a much more gargantuan sized scale.

Because of that, The Studios are one of my favorite places in the entire world to experience holiday decorations.  And I'm sure that if you ever get to experience it, you'll feel the same way too.

As a side note...the blog will be going on a little hiatus as I will be going on vacation...unfortunately not at WDW this time.  However, I will still be in the state of Florida...the very most southern part of Florida...I'll be visiting Key West!

I'll still have the weekly article for you, however, the News and Rumors postings will be taking a couple of weeks off.  (Watch, Disney will announce something major while I'm gone. It never fails!)

So, have a great week everyone!  And I'll see you all real soon!