Land of Lights Christmas Park — Attraction in Athens

I gave a 1 star review just because, I went there last night and had a not very good experience. The park and the Christmas lights itself is great! Not gonna lie! Is just the crew who I had a bad experience with.

I’m going to start by saying that I googled what time they closed in Sunday where it clearly said 10pm. We arrived by 9:30, and the guy who welcomed us said they indeed closed at 10pm, but DID NOT MENTION we had to be out by 10pm! He also asked if we were gonna pay cash or card, and I said card, and he brought up that with card we had to pay the $40 fee at the concession stand, which I had to get off the car and walk- by the way I’m 8 month pregnant so it takes me a little longer to move from place to place. By the time I paid, and the lady at the concession stand filled out a paper with all my info and car info it took nearly 10 mins, to start the route (9:40pm). Ohhh and I forgot to mention, I have another baby in the car which I removed the car seat and put it in the trunk, and a person with me hold her while I was driving. We start driving around the park and of course if I’m paying $40 to see Christmas Light I’m not just going to speed, instead im going to enjoy the ride and drive slow- which I never stopped at any moment! My car kept moving. By the time we got the “downhill” I see this car approaching towards my car, going extremely fast trynna rush me thru and had her high beam lights, I couldn’t even see where I was going, I had to cover my side mirror, just to be able to see. By the time, we got down hill I told the guy that was there, to tell the person behind me not to rush me nor to have their beam lights so bright, he said “ all right I’ll let them know” when we got up hill I tried to let the car behind me pass, which he just didn’t and I kept going, but again, this person kept rushing me thru the park until a 4-wheeler followed us thru the whole park which I new it was one of the workers there. We finish the whole route, and like I mention earlier I unblocked my daughters car seat for the people in the back to have more space to enjoy the ride, I had to park right in front “Santas House” to get down to put the car seat back, as soon as I a foot down, on of the employees came yelling at me saying “ MAAM WE ARE CLOSED!” and I said “I know, I’m just putting back my baby’s car seat” and then this person left. Little after, I saw the same car, who had their high beam lights pointing at me while driving inside the Christmas light park right across from me! And it was the same lady who I had paid $40 at the concession stand!!!!!!

All Im saying if you trying to leave by 10pm closed your gates at 9pm for no one else to come in! No one will like to pay $40 just to ride for 30mins or less! Specially to be rush when trying to spend some...

Not Youth Group Friendly!

I am a youth minister in ETX. I feel compelled to share my experience in hopes of helping others who are looking to have a fun family-oriented event to be able to make a good choice.

We drove for an hour to check out Land of Lights. Our group carpooled in 5 vehicles. Once we arrived, the kids in my vehicle got out and got in the back of the truck. The first worker I corresponded with asked “y’all aren’t that white truck that’s causing problems are you?” To which I replied “I hope not.”

About 2/3 of the way through, some of our kids were cold, so I told them to get back in the truck. Another worker from 20 yards away started yelling at my kids to stay in their vehicle. He then aggressively walks toward us as I explain the situation. He proceeds to try to chase my kids around the vehicle while I am pleading with him to deal with me! Finally, after repeating myself three times, he acknowledges me. It was to the point where I thought I was going to have to exit the vehicle and intervene. I was doing my best to not escalate the situation, but was prepared to do what was necessary to protect my kids. The fellow then begins to tell me how they have 6000 cars a night, we aren’t special, and so on. Luckily the traffic began to advance and I was able to drive off.

Then we get to the pay station. The fellow taking money (cash only) was friendly at first, but tried to charge me double, $50, for having people in the back of my truck. I expressed that I wasn’t a “full truckload” as denoted on their signage; that the students in the back we the ones who had been in the front of the cab. He then tried to knock the price down to $40. I said “no sir, I am paying you $25.” To which he argued I couldn’t legally haul 6 people in my truck. I had to physically show the guy that my front seat console folded up to make a bench seat before he would take the rightful amount.

The actual drive through was ok. Much less lights than I expected. More plywood cutouts than anything. At least my students somewhat enjoyed it.

I will not be taking any trips in the coming years with my congregation to...

We have lived in the area for several years, but this is the first year that we were able to go to the Land of Lights in Athens Texas. We took our five-year-old grandson and he had a blast!! This display consist mainly of the wood cutouts. However, the way that they have put them all together and all the storylines and different things to see was amazing. They have many of the actual light displays also , and the water area is beautiful . The hills in the tunnels are a huge surprise and beautiful . They have something for everyone young and old. If you are not in the Christmas spirit before you visit, you will be after this experience. At the end of this display, they even have a house with the one and only Santa Claus!! You can visit Santa and have your picture taken for $10 for one picture and $15 for two . Then in addition to seeing Santa, Olaf was was on stage and interacting with the children. The smiles on the children's faces seeing and interacting with Olaf is definitely a heart moving moment. They have a concession stand at the end or the beginning and you can visit there beginning or at the end. The barbecue smelled absolutely delicious. Once you enter the gates there are several of the porta potties if you have to make a pit stop. The prices are very reasonable for a night of family entertainment. The waiting line can be long, so make sure you take some hot chocolate, snacks and maybe something to entertain the kiddos along with a little patience. When we went the line was continuously moving at a very slow pace, but we did not have to sit still for very long. It is definitely worth the wait!!! Merry Christmas to all and have a good night at the land of Lights in Athens Texas!!! P. S....