Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights 2012 – A Dazzling Holiday Tradition at Walt Disney World

I’m fresh back from my latest trip to Walt Disney World, and WOW—what a magical experience for the entire family! We packed in everything: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a New Fantasyland Preview, our second Epcot Segway Tour, a first stay at Port Orleans Riverside (including the legendary Yeehaw Bob), Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and even a four-day cruise.

But of all that magic, I want to start with something unforgettable: the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights on the Streets of America in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Where the Lights Began

The Osborne Lights didn’t start in a theme park—they began in 1986 when a six-year-old named Breezy Osborne asked her father, Jennings Osborne, to decorate their home in Little Rock, Arkansas. That year, he put up over 1,000 lights. Each year, the display grew—eventually covering three homes and totaling over 3 million lights. After legal issues caused the display to be shut down in 1995, Disney stepped in and moved the lights to Residential Street in what was then Disney-MGM Studios.

The display later moved to New York Street and became the heart of the Streets of America. In 2006, the lights started dancing, synchronized to classic Christmas music thanks to 1,500 relay circuits. And just like that, a new Disney holiday tradition was born.

Dancing Lights and Holiday Cheer

We were lucky to be there for the first night of the 2012 season—November 9th through January 6, 2013. Snowfall drifted through the air, music filled the streets, and over five million lights glowed, blinked, and danced in unison.

Hidden Mickeys? You bet! I stopped counting in the 20s, but there are reportedly over 40 of them. And don’t forget to look for the infamous black cat—a Halloween stowaway that Imagineers hide in a new spot every year.

Two full-size rotating carousels spun high above New York Street. The 70-foot Christmas tree stood tall with its brilliant colors, and windows glowed with animated scenes. It was sensory overload in the best way possible.

Tips for Visiting (Back in 2012!)

The lights kicked on around 6:00 p.m., with an unofficial countdown each evening. If you wanted to catch the lighting moment, you had to be in the park well before dusk. The crowd would surge right at 6:00 p.m., then again around 7:15 after the first Fantasmic show.

If you were smart, you used that post-Fantasmic lull to wander the Streets of America more freely. The lights were best enjoyed slowly—taking time to explore every angle and look up (you’ll miss the carousels if you don’t!).

There were multiple PhotoPass spots, including one with Santa Goofy, and plenty of snacks and souvenirs—cupcakes, hot cocoa, light-up popcorn buckets, and more.

The Music of the Season

In 2012, the lights danced to:

• Jingle Bells
• Feliz Navidad
• A Mad Russian’s Christmas
• Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
• Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
• Christmas Is Starting Now
• I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas
• Winter Wonderland

I even created a split-screen video showing the same song from two different locations—demonstrating how unique the experience was depending on where you stood.

One of Disney’s Greatest Holiday Traditions

The Osborne Lights 2012 were more than a display—they were a memory-making experience. Though they’re no longer part of Walt Disney World, they live on in videos, photos, and in the hearts of fans who were lucky enough to witness them in person.