Hey everybody! We were recently invited out by Aquatica Orlando to experience their brand-new nighttime event, Illuminate! We had such a great time experiencing this festival of lanterns, so here are three reasons why we think you should check it out too.
Experience Five Uniquely Themed Realms
During Illuminate, you can step into five themed “realms,” spread throughout the water park. These are:
- AquaLuma
- Candy Cascade Falls
- Enchanted Lagoon
- Myst Wood Waters
- Rivers of Discovery
Within each of these realms are several lantern displays depicting mammals, insects, reptiles, and more. To fully immerse yourself in each area, there’s also music, scents, and even bubbles cascading from the sky.
Walking through each of these areas was so enchanting, and we had a great time getting up close to the lanterns, seeing each unique display, and how they fit into the overall theme of the realm.
Indulge in Tasty Dishes
During the event, several locations throughout Aquatica Orlando also offer small bites and treats to enjoy while you’re strolling through the realms. In total, there are three locations each for specialty menu items and specialty drinks.
We were able to try a few of the items available, namely the S’mores on the Shore experience. We had a lot of fun getting our s’mores kit and roasting the marshmallows ourselves by the fire. The fire pits are designed to look like giant logs, with smaller logs for your party to sit on. We appreciated this whimsical touch!
Another dish we tried was the Deck the Halls meatballs with cranberry sauce from Mango Market. This was genuinely one of the best meatball dishes we’ve ever tried, and would definitely order this again on our next visit.
There are so many other menu items throughout the park that we didn’t get to try, like the Spicy Sugared Churro, the Golden Glaze Chicken Tenders, and the Midnight Street Empanada. With the variety of items on the menu, there’s bound to be something for everyone in your party to enjoy.
You can pick up a tasting lanyard to make the experience even more seamless, with options for either a 5- or 10-punch lanyard. Pass Members also get a discount!
Encounter Interesting Characters… and Kiwi Santa!
During our time at Illuminate, we encountered several characters, like the “Tide Travelers,” who come from distant lands to guide guests on their journeys to the five realms. We were so captured by the deep storytelling woven into the event, and the characters played into this seamlessly. If you encounter one or more during your visit, definitely strike up a conversation!
Of course, with the holidays rapidly approaching, we had to get a quick moment with Tropical Kiwi Santa! This year, he’s traded in the snow for sunshine, and meets guests in his tropical workshop located in the Jolly Wave area. Kids can also write a complimentary letter to Santa here, and photographer elves are on hand to take family photos. (We also recommend chatting them up, they’re lots of fun!)
There is plenty more to do besides these three offerings we’ve listed here, like the Serengeti Express Train Ride with even more animal lanterns, and designated family-friendly craft areas throughout the water park.
Illuminate runs at Aquatica Orlando from November 8, 2025 through January 31, 2026. It is a separately-ticketed event, with prices starting at $24.99. Keep in mind that the slides and pools are closed during the experience, so keep your walking shoes on and dress for exploration!
To learn more, visit Aquatica.com/Orlando, and thank you to Aquatica Orlando for having us out!
