Our family read about this great event and decided to give it a try - sounded fun! We purchased our tickets the day before which was a good thing because they were sold out. We arrived at 530 pm and there was ample parking. We headed to the gate and entered in the e-ticket line where I had to hear about how frustrating it was to scan the phone (then don't take e-tickets!). The lady at the front gate handing out maps was super friendly and really took time to make our 2 year old feel welcome and even got him a little wrist band like the rest of us had.
We entered and people were just standing around. This was the theme for the night - lack of movement. We headed down the trails and it felt like I was a rat in a maze just looking for my way out. The trails were so congested that it was hard to move and to pull the little wagon I had the kiddos in. At first I felt bad about clogging up the narrow trails with my wagon but (1) it was better than letting them run loose and burning down the whole place or burning themselves and (2) the large scooters that were being rented out took up more room than my wagon. This was, in my opinion, not a very kid friendly event.
My 4 year old kept asking why we had taken them there and after about 10 minutes I was wondering the same. There was live music but that still wasn't enough to bring up the star rating. The stations to purchase beverages were nice but also blocking access to getting around.
I will agree with others that it is a beautiful thing to see -- but I would not go back - ever. The $30 price tag is way too steep for what this is. In New Mexico there is a shuttle tour that takes you through neighborhoods that decorate with luminarias and that is $3.
Would I return? No way.