Osborne lights at Disney

Disney's Hollywood Park closed early on the last night of our visit so the cast members (employees) could have a preview of the Osborne lights before they are turned on for the public. Marcia invited us to join her and what a treat. At 9 we arrived to be served hot chocolate and cookies with the other guests.

Marcia ran into a group of her co-workers, all young college student interns at the Backlot Resaurant.

In 1986 Jennings Osborne began displaying Christmas lights at his home on Cantrell Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas for his six year old daughter Breezy. Word spread over the years and people would drive from all over the state to see the display. The Osbornes would stand outside and pass out candy canes to those who drove by. It caused quite a traffic jam for the neighbors living on Cantrell and after several years of court battles and scaling back the light show, in 1995 the courts put a stop to the display of over 3 million lights.

The folks at Disney World heard of his plight and offered to set up a display in the Disney Hollywood Studios section of the park. Lights have been added to Osborne's original display and are choreographed to music. They dance while the snow machines above shower the guests.

Hot Springs was also a recipient of many of his lights for a sparkling Christmas tree display on Arlington Lawn in the national park downtown.  The family would then come to Hot Springs, where they have a lake home, and pass out candy canes. Jennings Osborne died in 2011 but he sure achieved his goal of sharing his Christmas lights. Many of his lights also went to Graceland in Memphis.

Mitzi, Jennings, and Breezy's stockings hang on the chimney in Florida.