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Aquatica Orlando Launches ILLUMINATE Lantern Festival After Weak Quarter for Parent Company

The dry, ticketed experience is pitched as a holiday driver for attendance.

Overview

  • ILLUMINATE debuts November 8 and runs select evenings through January 31, 2026, with event hours from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
  • The park transforms into a no-swim nighttime experience built around five zones: AquaLuma, Rivers of Discovery, Myst Wood Waters, Enchanted Lagoon, and Candy Cascade Falls.
  • Family offerings include letters to Santa, a Santa meet-and-greet, campfire s’mores, a miniature train, and a wishing-tree activity.
  • Exclusive menus feature items such as Brisket Mac & Cheese, Apple Cider Churros, Pork Belly Tacos, S’mores Pizza, Cotton Candy Margarita, and a non-alcoholic Christmas Tree Punch.
  • United Parks and Resorts reported Q3 attendance down 3% to 6.8 million and revenue down about 6% to roughly $512 million, with leadership promoting holiday events and 2026 ride openings to regain momentum.