Christmas Information

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2007 Event Details
2006 Event Details
2005 Event Details
2004 Event Details
2003 Event Details

2008 Event Details

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

What's Being Planned: Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

When: Nov. 28, 2007-Jan. 4, 2008

What consists of the Osborne Spectacle of Lights:

How much does it cost: Free! It's included with admission to the Disney-MGM Studios.

Where is it: It will be shown on Streets of America.

Viewing Tips

When should I go: Avoid weekends as they tend to have higher attendence times. From after Thanksgiving weekend to the week before Christmas are the least crowded times and best to enjoy the lights.

What are some tips for viewing the Lights: If you go early enough in December, wait about 30 minutes after it first opens. The huge crowd at the start makes it hard to move at your own pace—let alone stay with a group. And if you have children in strollers or folk in wheelchairs, they will get an excellent view of other people’s backsides. If you hold of for about 15-30 minutes, the masses enter and you can really wander along, enjoy both sides of the street, and not feel rushed. Sadly, as you get to that week prior to Christmas until New Year’s, all bets are off as we’ve found the crowd typically stays heavy the entire time but still somewhat less crazy after the initial rush. If I'm seeing Fantasmic! before the Lights, what are some tips: To beat the crowds, wait for everyone to leave your showing of Fantasmic! and then follow them to the lights. That way, they'll all be in front of you, giving you more time and space to enjoy the view. Special Viewing Tip: Try using your 3D glasses that they give out to you to see the lights!

Picture Taking Tips

Still film cameras: Use manual exposure settings if possible. It is best to experiment ahead of time, but if you cannot do that, check the film instructions or a photography handbook to get an idea of how outdoor lighting should be photographed. The setting will vary with the speed of the film.

For experimenting, take a string of Christmas lights, stretch it out and hang it against the wall of your house outside, and take pictures using different settings. Remember the best camera settings for use at WDW.

In addition, 200 and 400 speed disposable cameras will give a decent picture of outdoor Christmas lights without having to do anything special.

Video camcorders or digital still cameras: You also need to use manual exposure. Even if manual exposure override is limited to plus two, plus one, zero, minus one, etc. that is better than no control. If you have a color panel viewfinder adjust it so the lights look their best, while people will look very dark. If your viewfinder is only a tiny black and white peephole, at least adjust it so the scene should look like night, not letting the camcorder automatically try to make the scene look like daytime.

When videotaping the Osborne Lights or Main Street Electrical Parade or similar subjects, you need to set your camcorder manually so the scene looks like night. Otherwise all the colored lights may come out white. Unfortunately some camcorders won't let you override their auto exposure, and they try to make night scenes look like day.

2007 Event Details

When: Nov. 12, 2007-Jan. 6, 2008

Harlem Gospel Choir

What's Being Planned: Harlem Gospel Choir

When: November 30, 2007 - December 25, 2007

How many performances: Three performances nightly

Where is it: Theater of the Stars (Sunset Boulevard)

What songs will be performed: Songs include "Are you ready for a miracle", "Joy to the world", "Silent night", "O Holy Night", and "We wish you a merry Christmas".

2006 Event Details

When: Nov. 13, 2006-Jan. 7, 2007

2005 Event Details

When: Nov. 14, 2005-Jan. 8, 2006

2004 Event Details

What's Being Planned: Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights

When: Nov. 24, 2004-Jan. 2, 2005

2003 Event Details

What's Being Planned:
* The daily Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade will boast a holiday overlay treatment as it becomes the Hollywood Holly-Day Parade(Dec 13 - Jan 3).

* Holiday-themed performances will take place daily on Hollywood Boulevard and at the Sorcerer's Hat icon, including appearances by the Holiday GleeClub.

* Toy Story Holiday Meet & Greet hosted by Sarge and Toy Soldiers

* Special Fantasmic! meet and greet with Belle and Beast, Aladdin and Jasmine, Pocahontas and other members of the Cast of Fantasmic!

* Disney characters will wear their holiday best and help Guests celebrate the season during festive autograph and picture sessions an the Sorcerer's Hat icon, and Mickey Mouse will host his own holiday meet-and-greet area.

* Special holiday menu's at Studios restaurants on Christmas Day

When: Dec 13 - Jan 3.

What about the Osborne Lights?: They are not being shown in 2003 due to the construction on New York Street and in the Backlot for the future attraction and will resume in 2004.