illumi Laval — Attraction in Laval (administrative region)

First time, we went on Friday because friends got us tickets. It was a mild evening, we got the VIP experience (access to a heated tent with free non-alcoholic drinks) and decent bathrooms. The first public chemical toilets were disgusting and didn't have water to wash our hands. 🤮

The lights/ worlds were beautiful. The sculptures are mostly well done, but many were turned off and maintenance was required.

Die to the mild weather, there was water puddles and mud everywhere. It was difficult to walk around with so many people.

The animation movie was not interesting at all... I don't know what age it was intended for, but it did not interest our 4, 6, 7 or 9 year old kids. So much potential with the medium, but they failed to make good use of it.

The little game section under the huge tree was nice, but the see-saw were dangerous. Round white plastic is slippery; at least two kids slipped sideways and fell on their back...

Went back on Sunday, when I had actually bought regular tickets. More sculptures were broken, it was -15°C and kids were cold, cranky and crying. Luckily, mine had heating pads in their boots and gloves, so we managed to be comfortable.

Worlds are beautiful, except the Spiders. It felt out of place and boring compared to the other worlds which you could interact more in. We always felt in the way, mostly because people were confused and didn't know which way to go... we always felt like we were going against the current.

Food, if kiosks were open, was ridiculously expensive for junk food. The whole experience, as a family, is too expensive for what it is. The regular entrance should be much cheaper. It would give more value to the VIP experience, which didn't add to the visit only to the comfort, which felt a little elitist...

So, lights and sculptures were a success, the rest still needs a lot of work for the experience to be enjoyable on a typical cold winter day.

And seriously, more cabin toilets and less chemical toilets, especially for...

I understand that this might be a first of its kind (such a big light display), but I'm sure Cavalia should have more organizational experience with large events. It seems like they spent most of their budget on advertising (there are ads EVERYWHERE) and not on actual customer experience. -Parking was a NIGHTMARE. I paid for VIP parking, but ended up parking so far away as there were no VIP parking spots left. We had to walk through slippery mud, just following crowds and guessing where to go. No signage or personnel to guide us. We weren't even aware where the shuttle stops were. Buses kept passing so close to the people walking because there wasn't a separate area for pedestrians. We had no choice but to walk on the muddy road. At one point I was thinking someone was going to get seriously hurt and Illumi would end up on the news. -The sections of the displays have no natural flow. I'm not sure if it is done on purpose so that you spend more time wandering around, or just lack of planning. You have to retrace your steps a couple of time to be able to see each section, hoping not to miss anything. -Based on other reviews, I don't think they have fixed any of the issues. If I were you, I would wait a little longer to go visit, if at all. The light displays are very beautiful. It is just a huge shame how disorganized it was. So much potential with such a big mess. -I was promised a refund for the cost of the parking. They said they would take care of it that evening or the following day. It has been 10 days and still no refund. I even called the offices and never received a call back. They must be grossly overwhelmed and severely understaffed. NOT a good sign. I would like to maybe visit again, without the frustrations, to enjoy it as it was intended and be able to leave a more favorable review. They do need to take the time to make amends with their customers, as any good business should. Unless, of course, they are just there temporarily to make...

The Parking Getting there was quite the experience. Being in Laval, I did not think parking would have been a problem. They are charging $10 to park at least have better orientation and instructions. It's not well organized at all and very dangerous for pedestrians, not to mention the long walk getting the the park. Just anticipate and try to get dropped off instead. The traffic is horrendous.

Is this worth $26? The short answer no. Yes for the beautiful displays, but it's not that different than going to Montreal's chinese lantern festival. The lack of organisation of the staff definitely makes it hard to get around the park. From multiple strollers pushing in and the over ticket sales, it makes it super hard to walk around the park. The decorations are very pretty and worth taking time to take pictures. If only they would limit to less people. Already, many have expressed that tickets are always sold out, true, however the capacity is very high. This immense traffic rushes you to go around the park and barely get any pics.

1 part of the park is simply underwhelming. The lack of lights just says this is a half job done. When we shared it on social, many took the time to DM us this remark too. The disappointing part, the merry go round does not light up...

The lights are very pretty though as I mentioned earlier. You will stroll within various sections and sceneries to take pictures, which is all it is.

This would have been cool if it was at a warmer time of year. Besides the over crowdness of the attack of the strollers, it's cold out, wish there were more warmer spots and even an indoor area to keep warm against extreme weather.

If you ask me how much I would pay, I would say $10, make parking free, it's Laval and then I'll come back on a day that's not busy.

If people in the neighborhoods would decorate their homes, then this would have not been needed.

Overall Not worth $26 Parking is not free and a real horror show The...