Lights of Life at Life University

[Robyn Williams]

Has anyone gone to see the Christmas Lights at Life University in the past few years? What did you think?

[Jennifer]

12/20/2008

I was disgusted with the Lights of Life this year and will not be returning unless I am assured of a change. I have been going there every year since I moved to Georgia and discovered it. I would say twelve years now.

I always knew the day would come when they charged for it because every year it seemed to expand a little bit and the electric bill had to be outrageous. I was and am all about them charging for it to recoup their prices and perhaps to make a little more money to improve it even more for the nest year. The Lights of life had become a holiday tradition for our flimsy and the five bucks is hardly too much to ask.

There are two problems though. One minor that I would hope would change and return next year the other major and nothing less than an apology and a change of ways would get me to go back.

The first and smallest being that the quality of the lights took a major plummet not only is the route not clearly marked and hard to negotiate but there seem to be more light displays not working and large areas with no lights at all. This certainly needs to be fixed but the unforgivable problem is Santa.

I have four children and had one of my son’s friends with us as well. When we parked at the little petting zoo, puppet display, concessions and Santa area my two year old immediately darted to Santa and wanted to sit on his lap. She was so excited and even at two knew exactly what to do and got in line to sit on his lap. Imagine how upset she was when I was informed she could not sit on Santa’s lap unless I bought a picture. What a horrible money grubbing thing to do to a child.

In my life time I have never encountered such a thing. I have been taking kids to see Santa for twenty five years(my younger sister) I do not care where he was an amusement park, the mall, a church, department store, school, church, celebrations at the square, Wal-Mart the grocery store, nowhere but THE Lights of Life have I ever known, seen or experienced a child being refused Santa.

It is one thing to charge admission, that is expected but to refuse a child Santa for the love of money? How pathetic can you be?

I will not be returning to the lights of life and will do what ever I can to get my voice heard so others know what money grubbing scrooges the people who run the lights of life are.

I am sure I will get some excuse about how the dolts who run the Santa stand are independent of Life College or some such nonsense but before you do be rest assured that they are selling their pictures and refusing children the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap as representatives of Life College by being part of the display. So every child will remember being refused to sit on Santa’s lap at Life College.

Mother of the Child who was refused Santa,

Jennifer

theoldwomanintheshoe@toothfair y.com

www.oldwomanintheshoe.com

[Wendy]

I totally agree with Jennifer. Both of our daughters were refused to see Santa if we didn't pay for the past 2 years!!! Sad! We won't be back unless things change and we have been going since the beginning!! A lot of parents don't have the money and their children shouldn't be punished for it.

[Robyn Williams]

I am sorry you had a bad experience at the Light Show. I do know that there has been a charge for the show for the past three years and 5 or 6 years before that donations were requested.

The photographer and Santa have been at that light show for many, many years (not sure exactly - but I'm thinking around 10 years) and have requested that "pictures only" for Santa for most of that time. This is due to the fact that they are not paid to be at the light show. The money made off pictures is their paycheck. The Santa's you are referring to that allow all children to sit in their lap are paid anywhere from $150 to $350 PER HOUR. The photographer and Santa at Lights of Life have a crew of 5 people each night and received many complaints before (when there was no mandatory picture) when people had to wait in line for an hour or more in the cold to get a picture with Santa. This also meant they didn't make enough money to cover their costs. Also, in the years they have been doing this, they have never raised their prices.

As to the light show taking a "plummet" as you call it we are trying to work around Life University's construction projects. One of which took out 5 of the major power supplies. There have never been nights were many items were not functioning. Unless you came before 6:00 p.m. or after 11:00 p.m. all lights should have been on and we did not notice any outages nor were any reported. Might I remind you the cost is ONLY $5 and at this cost, it doesn't even cover putting it up and running it. The University covers the difference.

Lastly, I take offense to being called a money grubbing scruge. There is a crew that works 7 days a week from September through February to put that show together. We try to keep the costs down so most can enjoy the show. We, along with the Santa crew are out in the bitter cold every night to give everyone an enjoyable experience. We have added the petting zoo, roasted marshmallows and this year pony rides. Obviously, by your harsh letter, we will not be able to please everyone.

[Bill]

To Jennifer,

Get a life. Do you work for a paycheck? To expect others to work for free is a little over the top. Everyone's got bills to pay. If you didn't want the picture, don't pay and go where you can get a 'freebie' Santa visit.

Merry Christmas Scrooge,

[Brianne]

As a kid my mom took me to see the lights, and I loved it. In fact, I loved it so much that I'm looking up information to go this year if it's still going on. Of course things are going to cost. Everything does in today's economy. So good luck on finding things that don't. It's not even about the money anyways; it's about the experience, and mine have been great at Life University.

[Sue]

Are you kidding me? There is a sign posted at the start of the line stating their prices! Because you didn't read the sign you find Life College at fault? This is a great LOW cost activity to do with your family. Even you are trying to make money by posting your website on this blog site!

[Robyn Williams]

Thank you Sue. I also feel it is a great way to entertain your family for a low cost. For $5 you can fill up a car with kids and drive through. Santa Picture are not expensive and pony rides are available on Friday, Sat and Sunday nights for $5.00. There was also a little train that arrived this past weekend (trying it out) and he charges $3 per ride. Hot Chocolate and roasted marshmallows are in the $1 range. Unfortunately some people can't be pleased.......

[Jim]

Here comes Christmas again, If it an`t free i d`ont want it [stay home]
Go Life College you are the best

[Beth]

I am sorry to hear that someone had such a bad experience at this great display. The price is insanely low to drive through, and as my family and I live only a few miles away we do it a couple of times during the season. My 3 year old just loves it. Sometimes we stop, sometimes we don't,that is a personal choice. If you don't want to pay for Santa then don't, but have you looked at the price in the Mall? People should be paid for thier time, even if it is at a considerably reduced rate. Even being Santa is a job.
we love the Lights of Life, good job guys I'll be visiting tonight with 3 very excited 3 year old little girls.:D Happy Holidays and thanks for your beautiful work.

[Fido]

Jennifers just mad because she doesnt have to pay for anything else. It's all paid for by the gumnint. The lights are as good as ever. I wonder if there are certain nights that are less crowded than others. Like maybe Monday?

[Robin]

Well I don't really care what other people are saying but I'm taking my kids and they will love it. And don't even mind paying alittle for a picture. My kids will think it is great. Everything cost money, this is not a free world, so get over it!!

[Robyn Williams]

Fido, Monday through Thursday is not as crowded. However, Santa, the train, and pony rides are only there Friday, Saturday and Sunday.