If you decide to have something to eat at the Asian Lantern Festival there are plenty of concession spots along the festival walkway, some of which serve Asian-inspired bites. It would be tough to pass up all the wonderful date night spots in Sanford, so consider making a full night of it. The Central Florida Zoo is located near downtown Sanford. If you decide to do the same please be respectful of the staff and make sure you get to the exit well before 10:00pm.ĭragon at 2022 Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo – Dani Meyering What to Eat At The Asian Lantern Festival In the past I decided since it was still well before 10:00pm I had time to go back through the entire walkway one more time. The friendly staff members have kindly obliged. Once you reach the large dragon prehistoric animals and T-rex display you'll have reached the finally.Įach year I've asked to go back over to the splash pad area, near the front because it was so crowded at the beginning. This group of lanterns marks the last portion of the festival. New for 2023 is a display of dinosaur-themed and prehistoric animal lanterns. Once you enter the walkways with fish lanterns overhead you'll be reaching the halfway point of the festival. Prehistoric Animals Lanterns at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo – image by Dani Meyering I highly recommend slowing down so you can appreciate the details. Because it is one-way it is tempting to keep walking and keep going. Crowd flow is managed by making the lantern walkway one-way. The lantern walkway winds through the entire zoo, though some of the smaller walkways in the center of the zoo are blocked off and not part of the festival. Enjoy this nice spot to relax, take in the views, and let the crowds get ahead. Once inside you'll be directed to head to the left walkway. You'll need your ticket either saved to your phone or printed to be scanned for entry. The long walkway is lined with lanterns, getting you in the mood for a beautiful evening before you even walk through the gate. There is a very long walkway leading to the actual gate. It is dirt and grass, and the zoo itself is mostly a wooden boardwalk so I would recommend comfortable shoes, closed-toe if possible. When you arrive at the Asian Lantern Festival you will park in the free parking lot. You'll just need to let the initial crowd get ahead of you for about 15-20 minutes.Ĭherry Blossom Walkway at 2022 Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo – Dani Meyering How To Get Around Selecting this last timeslot of the night seems to be a good strategy for couples who want to have fewer kids and fewer people overall around them. There was hardly anyone in sight by the time 9:15 pm rolled around and I was about halfway through the lantern pathway. When I first arrived it was very busy, so I hung back and relaxed in an Adirondack chair near the splash pad (which was turned off so guests could enjoy the lanterns in this area).Īfter about 8:20 pm the crowds had gotten ahead of me, so I was able to enjoy the lanterns without as many people around. This is my third year attending the festival and usually, I select the 8:00 pm arrival time, which allows me to enjoy the festival until 10:00 pm. When you book your tickets you select a timeslot. January is the best time to go to avoid crowds. Like all holiday events in Central Florida, the closer you get to Christmas Day the busier it will be. If you want to go in December, I recommend getting tickets sooner than later. This festival is really a celebration of the new year, so it runs through January 14, 2024. If you are like my husband and me, you're pretty much booked through the month of December. Flamingo Lanterns at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo – image by Dani Meyering When To Go to the Asian Lantern Festival
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