Speedway Christmas Lights

[GoPhils]

I've been to each the Speedway and McAdenville once. Forget what day of the week they were but I seem to remember more traffic at McAdenville than the Speedway. Overall both were okay but probably a little underwhelming IMO. This year we checked out the display at Daniel Stowe, and that might have been better than both (although you need to walk through to see them). Will have to check out Tanglewood sometime.

[bigdaddyd]

I hate to be negative, but we went to the Speedway two years ago and it was okay...not awesome by any means. Our company took us this year...we went last Friday night and it was not very busy, so much so that they let us in for $20 even though we were in a bus and should have paid $50. The village leaves much to be desired and the "games" are not worth the extra money. They have a few vendors inside selling stuff...again, not very amazing at all. The lights are just okay. Not at all worth the money, even the discounted price we got.

Someone mentioned Tanglewood....listen, its a trip up there...about 90 minutes I'd say from south Charlotte, but it makes the Speedway look bad. And if that is not an option...I'd suggest McCadenville.

If you do go to the Speedway....please come back and give us your opinion. I am wondering what other people really think.

[Caniac Nation]

I've done the Speedway before and I think we went the Saturday before Christmas. The traffic was miserable. If you go, go as early as possible in the month. Also go on a weeknight instead of a weekend. Other that that, it was ok. Didn't blow me away. It's always fun to drive your car on the speedway though and my 4 year old son still talks about riding the turn in the minivan. That was the highlight for sure.

[tamitrail]

Thanks everyone. I am not sure what we will do yet, but I will come back and let you know what we did and how it was. I am not expecting to be blown away. Just want to do something we've never done before. I figured the Speedway would be good for one year and not likely something we would do again.

We will actually be coming from the Lake Norman area so I was thinking about checking out Zootastic in Troutman. Anyone ever been?

[tamitrail]

So here is my update. We went to the Speedway on Thursday night around 6:30. No traffic whatsoever. We left around 8:30 and there was no traffic back-up going in at that time either. We enjoyed the lights and went on a carriage ride, got hot chocolate and took a family picture with Santa. My kids enjoyed it and it was fun to listen to Christmas music on the radio while driving through.

What I felt is that there weren't enough Christmas lights for the big area. Since it is so wide open, you are looking at cars going around after you. To me, because the area is so big, it's less intimate. I say this because we went to Zootastic on a weekend night. Same deal except it is $5 per person. They have a lot of trees so the light displays seemed to be more dense. It was very enjoyable and in the middle, you can get out and look at the animals. They have a petting zoo (you have to pay for the food). They also had a nativity area with a few displays and live animals. You can buy snacks and they have a gift shop too.

Overall, we enjoyed both and will probably do them again next year, time and weather permitting.