It really depends on what you want to get out of it. You can "see" the lights in less than an hour. We love the lights, so we can spend the night there, but that's just us (and no kids). To hear/see all the "dancing lights" song loops, to read the trivia signs about how the lights came about and fun facts, to find all the hidden Mickey's (and there are many), all the different things in the windows (ie Disney movie on TV and other things), finding the razorback pig and the purple cat, enjoying the snow, having spiced eggnog, etc., may take a lot longer. We like to get back there after the "turn on" the lights, but we have seen the lighting before. As others have stated, it is packed at 6pm. If you've never seen it, then being there for the beginning is nice, just crowded. Hope this helps. Enjoy!