Orlando residents and visitors can enjoy a new holiday lights spectacle this year with more than 1.5 million bulbs twinkling and blinking to music, all without leaving the comfort of their cars.
Christmas Nights in Lights arrives in Orlando for its first-holiday event in Central Florida after moving from Mobile, Alabama. The attraction has visitors wind their way through a merry and bright parking lot outside Dezerland Action Park.
The drive-through experience, which takes 20-30 minutes, features snowmen, wise men, Christmas trees and tunnels of lights that pulse to holiday music. Recognizable tracks include “Let It Go,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Christmas Vacation.” These can be heard by tuning the car radio to 90.5 FM on-site.
Passengers in truck beds, topless Jeeps and convertibles, of course, are more than welcome for this glistening experience. Pets and snacks are allowed as long as they stay in the vehicle.
The experience is presented by MSEG, an entertainment company, and typically takes months of planning and programming before the lights are presented to visitors.
“Around April or so, we start taking things out of storage and preparing everything. That takes a couple of months. Around July, we start building new things for this year,” said Ari Rosenbaum, MSEG’s president. “Typically, it takes three to four weeks to put it up and get it wired and programmed.”
While looking to move his holiday lights show from Alabama, Rosenbaum honed in on Orlando as a place that could benefit from a drive-through lights show.
“I saw an opening to do a drive-through. There are a few walk-through events, there’s a drive-through in Daytona. I think that’s the closest one,” he said. “I felt we could bring something really cool to Orlando. I fell in love with the light show business. I want to see people having a good time during the holidays.”
Season passes (starting at $350) are available for families who wish to return multiple times. In addition, Rosenbaum hopes to make this an annual tradition in Central Florida.
“We want to turn it into a tradition not just for the people who live here but for the visitors who come multiple times a year,” he said. “I love seeing the kids riding in the back of the trucks listening to music and taking video of the lights.”
Visitors to the drive-through lights can receive a Dezerland Action Park Orlando discount card with buy one, get one coupons for several of the attractions inside. The indoor experience will have festive offerings of its own in a holiday village. Santa will be present on Saturday afternoons; visitors can check Dezerland’s Facebook page for details.
“We’re going to have a Christmas Village set up including Santa’s sleigh made up on an antique Volkswagen. The reindeer are made up of micro vehicles,” said John Goodman, Dezerland’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Kids will be able to compete against Santa Claus for high scores in pinball or video gaming consoles. We’re excited to be a part of the holiday celebration here on International Drive.”
If you go
Christmas Nights in Lights is open 6-11 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1 at 5250 International Drive in Orlando. Tickets cost $45 (plus taxes and fees) for a vehicle of up to 8 people and $65 (plus taxes and fees) for vehicles with 9-15 occupants. Season passes are available starting at $350. Pets and snacks are allowed in vehicles. Visitors cannot leave their cars. The event is rain or shine, barring severe weather. Drive-up tickets are available. For tickets and information, visit nightsinlights.com. To learn about Dezerland’s offerings, visit dezerlandpark.com.
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