[Question] Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

[KevinYee]

Hopefully I'm wrong on this one, but shouldn't Lights of Winter be up and visible by now?

Or if not actually standing in Epcot, it's usually off in the third parking lot at Epcot (and visible to drivers-by)... but it's not. I looked for it yesterday.

Worst sign of all, the new passholder magazine mentions all sorts of holiday decorations by name, but not Lights of Winter.

I know, I'm being conspiracy-minded. I hope the Lights are still coming. To imagine them as a budget cut would be sad indeed.

[yoyoflamingo]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

Hopefully I'm wrong on this one, but shouldn't Lights of Winter be up and visible by now?

Or if not actually standing in Epcot, it's usually off in the third parking lot at Epcot (and visible to drivers-by)... but it's not. I looked for it yesterday.

Worst sign of all, the new passholder magazine mentions all sorts of holiday decorations by name, but not Lights of Winter.

I know, I'm being conspiracy-minded. I hope the Lights are still coming. To imagine them as a budget cut would be sad indeed.

I've been reading about this too Kevin, and almost posted this same thread last night. I have never been to WDW for the holidays, and was looking forward to seeing the Lights of Winter, as I have heard many good things about them...it would be a shame, as if something is missing from the celebration, to not see them and know they have been there for years before, like the Country Bear Christmas show (which I have also never seen.)

Hopefully, the rumor that they will return next year as all LEDs will be true, but why take it down for a year to convert anyway? Seems like they might quietly slip away before anyone notices....

And just as an FYI, many people have expressed concern at the Disney Parks blog...

[Mouse princess]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

That's really sad news. I hope they are still going up. I have always enjoyed them. They are very beautiful to see and very festive.

[seenoevil]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

That would be more of a Decline by Huge Chunk!

[Jspider]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

I've been reading about this too Kevin, and almost posted this same thread last night. I have never been to WDW for the holidays, and was looking forward to seeing the Lights of Winter, as I have heard many good things about them...it would be a shame, as if something is missing from the celebration, to not see them and know they have been there for years before, like the Country Bear Christmas show (which I have also never seen.)

Hopefully, the rumor that they will return next year as all LEDs will be true, but why take it down for a year to convert anyway? Seems like they might quietly slip away before anyone notices....

And just as an FYI, many people have expressed concern at the Disney Parks blog...

I dunno, maybe they'll return if there's enough complaints?

or maybe somethings just delayed and we'll still see them this year I hope.

I mean they switched over the light show at the studios to LED without any issue so I have no idea why that'd take an extra year at Epcot.

It'd be sad to see this sort of thing glow away forever

[Kidgenie]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

Crap! I think it is. They should be up or as kevin states, at least in the parking lot by now. but they are not. Last week, a friend of mine who works in entertainment at MK, said they had heard they were NOT going up this year. I completely discounted this statement.... seriously.... a entertainment castmember quoting an unknown epcot attractions manager as saying that the lights of winter will be no more this year.

But combined with the absense of it being mentioned as a holiday offering, and its noticable absense from even the parking lot.......

that is not a decline by degree. Its a fricken rip off and a of a major Epcot holiday tradition. Maybe they should just discontinue the candle light processional in favor of a Beach Boys Cover band singing Holiday favorites. (rant over.... sorry. but I feel better now)

[ryno1986]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

It's looking very unlikely they are returning this year.

Of all the Holiday displays, this was was the most quintessential to me in getting me in the Holiday spirit. It was simpler than the Osborne Lights, but also more elegant, and it had the best music loop of all the Christmas loops. Plus it was a perfect entrance to Holidays Around the World.

I just don't understand why Disney wouldn't think anyone would notice or care. Lots of families frequent the World during the Holidays, more than any time of the year. Surely they'd notice if the centerpiece of Epcot's holiday decorations was gone.

[Barbaraann]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

My photopass photo from 2007.



My friend Jennifer took this one

[nbodyhome]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

They aren't going up this year, I had heard that last week and all signs point to it now. I wrote on the Disney Parks blog too. I will spend less time at Epcot this year for Christmas, that was one of my favorite parts of the season.

Denise

[TDLFAN]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

I know, I'm being conspiracy-minded. I hope the Lights are still coming. To imagine them as a budget cut would be sad indeed.

Kevin dear.. you know that all about WDW is a decline in degrees..but I have to say, in regards to Lights of Winter at EPCOT, I hope they are gone for good. They really need to upgrade the light displays into the 21st century here in our puny WDW parks. Why not finally install a light display along the way of the eye-popping chandelliers seens at DLP, or the magnificent Lights of romance technology from TDL???
Lights of Winter, and Osborne.. *yawn*.. they have run their course.

[Mikado]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

I wouldn't say its a decline by degrees. More accurately, the decline is more like falling off a cliff.

As has been observed for some time now, if you cut a lot of little things, gradually, people either don't directly notice or else they realize something is missing but can't quite put their finger on it. But this isn't really such a little thing as Mickey-shaped butter or smaller portion sizes. All those lights are pretty noticable (or not, by their absence) and more readily identifiable by guests what it is that's missing.

People are more likely to notice the missing Lights of Winter. All to save a few bucks.

[ti2gr]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

EPCOT will not be as magica a place this holiday season, The Lights of Winter are not going up this year. :-( Reason....cost cutting

Hopefully next year they will do away with the tired Osborne Lights as well.

[SummerInFL]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

*sighs*



Boo. Hiss...

Thank you WDW, for making it easier for me to move away, now I'll just take my vacations in CA instead.

[yoyoflamingo]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

It looks as if EPCOT cast members have been told that the Lights of Winter will not be shown this year.

It makes me sad, since I was really looking forward to seeing it.

[SummerInFL]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

Are they still doing the Santa's? I hope they didn't cancel them too.

[Biff215]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

Please, please, please, everyone go over to the Disney Parks blog and post your displeasure with this decision! Apparently it has been confirmed with Epcot CM's that the Lights of Winter will not be back this year with no plans to display them in the future. They are still stored backstage, however, so all hope is not lost. Let's see if Disney truly is listening to their guests! Here's the link:

Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap Disney Parks Blog

[Barbaraann]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

It is definitely true that very little in our lives remains the same. Traditions are wonderful. There are moments, sights, smells, and feelings from our past that we want to remember and relive. However things change. Sadly sometimes, but change just the same. Christmas is a time for starting new traditions, and spending moments with those that we love. Acceptance is sometimes hard, and should not be equated with settling, or giving in. Instead I choose to remember the old, and welcome the new, because the new can be just as wonderful to remember when all is said and done.

[Biff215]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

It is definitely true that very little in our lives remains the same. Traditions are wonderful. There are moments, sights, smells, and feelings from our past that we want to remember and relive. However things change. Sadly sometimes, but change just the same. Christmas is a time for starting new traditions, and spending moments with those that we love. Acceptance is sometimes hard, and should not be equated with settling, or giving in. Instead I choose to remember the old, and welcome the new, because the new can be just as wonderful to remember when all is said and done.

Well said, but in this case, where is the new? A gospel choir? That's not a fair substitute for thousands of lights IMHO.

[SummerInFL]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

^Agreed, I love change, I'm always the first to embrace it but when you take away and there is no change, then something is wrong.

[Barbaraann]

Re: Lights of Winter - A Decline by Degrees?

I guess holiday decorations don't mean as much to me as they do to others. Going to Disney World, at Christmastime is a personal choice. I did it, and it was an enjoyable experience. However, I don't think that Disney World owes me those displays. I haven't made them a part of my "must haves" at Christmas. My "must haves" are my family around me all safe, and happy. Then my Christmas is perfect.