Winter City Lights — Local services in Olney

Glad to have a unique experience like this in the area. We plan to go back after kinks worked out. I attended opening night. We drove all way from WV and went the first night because it was cheaper and I hate crowds. When we got there the main tree was lit but by they weren't letting people down the trail because lights had been vandalized. There were also obviously several areas around gathering place unlit. We had to wait 15 minutes, but once the line started moving it went fast. Took good amount of time to walk through. It's 1.5 miles with one steep hill and one set of stairs. The lights displays go on and on. With several super impressive displays. Unfortunately we did pass several light displays that were dark and had been vandalized. The trail was also too dark in some areas. I am not sure if this was intentional or due to vandalism. Some of the elements for field of screams also more noticeable where lights out. However 90% were on. I feel bad for organizers with all the work someone would do such a thing. At the end there was a sign instructing people to leave but we went back for cocoa. By this point it was 8 and crowd thinned out quite a bit so there was just line 3 people deep. We sat under tree and had cocoa. My son wants to go back and bring his baby sister because "it was so beautiful." However trail not stroller friendly. If you have mobility issues this isn't for you. But I have a bad foot and knee and didn't have much issues. There is a spot mid way to quit if you want. I enjoyed the exercise and felt got money's worth due to length. Also got free hot 99.5 hat. Im sure this is an event they will continue to build on year after year. In future could have tents selling Christmas wears and souvenirs to make more like Christmas village and Santa Claus set up. Also consider having loop of trail that is stroller friendly. Like one shorter flat trail in open field than also full wooded trail. Go ahead and give out cocoa and hot cider from large urns for price of event so people not in lines. I feel this is different audience for them compared to field of screams (families young kid and elderly, not just young people) and they need to adjust to it, by having more lights on trail and area from tickets to gate. But over all very large light display. Fun and unique holiday activities for families with kids 4 plus. Price is high, but if it was lower people would come back multiple night and crowds would be bad. consider bringing flash...

Pricey but beautiful, the walk through lights are gorgeous but the tubing is really just a small slide, you can't come back to it once you go through walk through lights so if you don't know that, you're S.O.L, enjoyed it but would not go back due to price, for the same amount of money we spent for this we got more at enchant, we got dinner in the diamond club, Santa and ice-skating with just as many lights. Winter city with tax/fee's its like 50pp plus more for tubing and extras. Other lights give you more for less.

Update: I would like to "clarify" based on response from winter city lights, no you are not cheaper, the tubing is the same price as "real tubing" and its a short slide with a big bump at bottom that about breaks your tailbone, WE were told by the gaurd at the entrance to the lights that we absolutely could not go back after the light walk through. The cost for the tubing, axe throwing and food far surpasses what the other place I mentioned cost after you add it up per person and they have a indoor sit down high end buffet dinner. I've been to both, I paid the money for both and this was my review. It wasn't rude, it was honest. The walk through I said was beautiful, I left out,as a courtesy, the fact that this clearly is also a haunted trail with creepy reindeer face, haunted trail tunnels with some lights thrown on them, thick mulch and wires you constantly trip over, a nightmare to push a stroller or wheelchair through, the bonfire has limited seating for the amount of people who attend, the lines are forever, the acres of scenery/farm you speak of can't be enjoyed in the dark where you can't see them and there is no Santa so as I said in my original post, Enchant was cheaper and I got more. I appreciate your response and attempt to clarify but in the future perhaps you should just reply with, "thank you for your response, we are always looking for ways to improve our event and appreciate your input,happy holidays!" Feel free to cut and paste that, i stand by my post based on my experience and hope you can use it and the negative posts from others to make adjustments to provide a experience they feel reflects the cost,...

The Winter City lights was something I didn't think I could do this year due to being 12 weeks out of a complete knee replacement. Even if I could hike the trail, I did not want to delay or hurt other folk’s experience. Nonetheless, we arrived with the crowds on a Thursday night. As we headed into the parking lot, we asked for handicapped parking, and everyone we spoke to knew where to send us. After parking, we made the very efficiently trip to the trailhead. First was the “scanned on your phone” safety release, then the bathroom stop. Here's where things got interesting. A young guy saw my cane, and held the door open for me to exit, even waiting for me to dry my hands. WOW..... then others on the trail gave up seats for me, and 3 female elves stopped to take a picture for us. As we entered a large golden arch, we asked the folks there if we could use their space for our own photo. They said “sure, let us help you,” and they took all the pictures. Later of the trail, we got the same offer from another group. I wondered, have I just stumbled into a place with the nicest most polite people in Maryland? The lights were exceptional, as you might expect. All products of terrific engineering. The staff was all along the course, with info on how far to go. They were very nice to us too. It was clear, they wanted to be there, and were glad to help. We succeeded in hiking the whole 1.5 miles, but door to door from the car was 4.1 miles. Honestly, as I was leaving, I was tired. Another kind guest saw my dilemma, and opened a fence space to shorten my walk back to the car. I will be back next year, partly for the lights, but mostly for the people at the event. Thank you to all who showed us such Christmas kindness! David Flynn...