I don’t know about you, but one of my family’s all-time favorite things to do during the Christmas season is to go and look at lights. I know Rachael has already put together her “Christmas Light Displays 2020” list for you and the World of Illumination is a MUST SEE on that list!!
There is only three World of Illumination displays in the country: two in Arizona and one in our very own Atlanta. The website’s tag line says, “Magical. Whimsical. Interactively Animated. Ready for the ride of your life at the world’s largest drive-thru light show? Come to World of Illumination”. I can honestly say it really was AMAZING and that tag line is not an exaggeration!!
The only way to purchase tickets is online on their website: http://www.worldofillumination.com. The show is running nightly rain or shine from 6:00 to 10:00 pm through January 3. The price is $35 per car on weekdays and $45 per car on weekends and holidays.
Two Tips:
- Limos, Buses, and RV’s are not allowed. But there is no limit to the number of people you can have in your vehicle.
- They will give you the option to purchase 3D glasses upon check-out – save your money and skip the glasses. (We bought them thinking we would need them for a part of the show, but you don’t!).
It took us about 45 minutes to get there. It is in the parking lot of White Water in Marietta. We took my husband’s truck. Two of my boys stood in the bed and my third stood up out the sunroof. We saw people sitting in their open minivan side doors, others were sitting up out their windows, and others just rolled down their windows and watched.
We went on a Saturday evening and our tickets were for 7:00 pm. You can enter anytime during the 30 minutes past your entry time. We arrived at about 7:20 pm. We did have to wait in line for about 45 minutes before we entered the actual show, but you can still see a lot of the lights during the waiting time and it really didn’t seem that long of a wait.
They give you a radio station to tune to for the music that corresponds to the lights. We entered the actual show a few minutes past 8:00 and it lasted just over 20 minutes. You can watch my video for a small taste of what you will experience – Candy Rush Video
You will hear a variety of music from Queen, Gwen Steffani, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, TobyMac, and even Amazing Grace (plus many more).
I thought instead of just taking a mom’s perspective, it might be helpful to hear from my boys.
- My thirteen year old said, “I liked how the songs and lights were synchronized.”
- My nine year old said, “I loved all the fast-changing colors.”
- My six-year-old said, “Everything looked SO good.”
All three asked if we could come back and do it again which we might just do. I felt like it was worth the money and the wait. Next time I might try to do a weekday evening to see if the line is a bit shorter.
Tip: There is a small pull-off area at the very end (just past the last tunnel of lights) to park and get everyone back buckled in their seats. Note: They have a sign before the tunnel saying no stopping or getting out of your cars; the pull-off is just after this tunnel.
Let Cumming Local know if you go and what you think of your World of Illumination experience!
ASHLEY JANSEN, FORSYTH COUNTY RESIDENT & MOM – REVIEWS EDITOR
Ashley Jansen is a wife to Mark and mom to three boys, Hamilton, Luke, and Garrett. Originally from Texas, she has lived in Forsyth County for the last 17+ years. She graduated from Baylor University with a BBA degree in 2001 (before Chip & Joanna Gaines put Waco on the map). She loves Mexican food, watching football and baseball, reading a good book, making Excel spreadsheets, and prefers Diet Dr. Pepper over Diet Coke. She was a teacher at Forsyth Central High School for 3 years, on staff with North Point Ministries, Inc. for 7 years, and a stay-at-home-mom for another 10 years. She is a breast cancer survivor but still prefers purple over pink.
