Enjoy the 20 minute train ride to watch the life-size animal statues with kids. Not for family but for the individual. Cookies are used for measurement, ads, and optimization. 7.1/10 Pass on this one. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Magic Forest Sometimes I wonder if we really saw Lightning, the last remaining diving horse in the country, take his famous (and some may say inhumane) dive twice the day we visited, or if it was all a mirage. Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? The women at the snack bar were putting together a puzzle in between filling orders, and when we found that the gift shop had closed before the park did, they allowed us to come back the next day (for free) to shop for souvenirs. After 2 hours our son asked if we could leave & never come back. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. The stable and manger are not in use. A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. Hes believed to be the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world. The Magic Forest was a theme park that remained untouched by timeand when we visited, almost nothing about it made sense anymore. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. "His head is the way we got him. Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. Magic Forest This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. There is a area with several picnic table just outside a small snack bar. The World's Largest Uncle Sam looms in the center of the parking lot, and other friendly icons beckon from the heavily wooded knoll where the Magic Forest lives. When they heard about the sale they purchased that teddy bear and it meant the world to them, Baker says. The fella Im buying stuff from says, We gotta leave some stuff for the auction.'. All rights reserved. But the future doesnt have to be dark for analog attractions like the Magic Forest: I feel like disappearing Americana is not as much a problem as it was just 10 years ago, Baker says. Magic Forest About 20 dioramas -- accompanied by audio at the push of a button -- bring to life the Three Little Pigs, Jack Sprat, Hansel & Gretel, assorted princesses and woodsmen Magic Forest opened in 1963, the brainchild of Arthur Gillette, who wisely built his fairyland along a major highway (Route 9) and just south of the town of Lake George, a magnet for summertime and weekend crowds from New York City. Magic Forest Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] For other uses, see, "Dinosaurs coming to Lake George this summer", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_George_Expedition_Park&oldid=1074053798, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 February 2022, at 04:51. Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. Then there are the fairy tale worlds blessed with good fortune, as if every child who ever visited used up a secret wish on its behalf. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. For Military (Vets, Active, Retired) 2 dollars off the price of admission. Climb into a dinosaur nest, dig for hidden fossils, and stand next to what is possibly the world's largest dinosaur ever discovered - the Titanosaurus. All four of us had a really awesome day. We have an awkward moment -- not uncommon for us -- when we ask a passing manager why the grimacing, Amishized Alfred E. Neuman holds an ax. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. 51. Three of the four fiberglass giants were purchased by Atlantis Plumbing in Dallas, Georgia. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. Is there a live Santa the kids can visit with? Posted by 3 years ago. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. Lake George Expedition Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! Lake George Ruben Ellsworth, owner of Ellsworth & Son Excavating in Fort Ann, purchased the Magic Forest amusement park from the Gillette family, who has operated the park for nearly 60 years. Most of the rides are "kiddie rides" and a 10 year old would be bored. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. For Everything Lake George, It's On LakeGeorge.com, LakeGeorge.com All Rights Reserved 2023, Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are In at the Magic Forest, Find more amusement parks and attractions in Lake George >>. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. Hours and dates subject to change. Many recycled rides from other parks. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Rides were available for all ages and the Dino roar exhibits were entertaining as much as they were informative. The full, 700+ lot posting will stay online until the end of September. The park's famous Santa Claus overlooks the parking lot. This used to be Santa's Workshop and they've kept parts of it. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. WebMagic Forest Route 9, Lake George, NY Best For: Infants 0-2 Little Kids 3-6 Big Kids 7-9 Tweens 10-12 Teens 13-17 Best suited for the very young, or anyone with a penchant for quirky roadside attractions, this small amusement park opened in May 28 - June 26 this was our first year visiting but well be back for sure next year! One account for all of our road travel apps. Learn more about Roadpass accounts here. For as long as I live, I wont forget how it felt to teeter on the brink of death, slowly ascending on a rickety Ferris wheel that appeared to have been built from the mismatched pieces of a garage sale Erector set. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Then there are the fairy tale worlds blessed with good fortune, as if every child who ever visited used up a secret wish on its behalf. As a separate park, it featured the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world (as of May 9, 2019, the statue has since moved back home to Danbury, CT), a magic show, and cottages and attractions which tell the story of the Three Little Pigs, Jack Sprat, Hansel and Gretel, various princesses, Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, the Statue of Liberty, and the Spider Man. The animals were severely underfed. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! Jack Gillette, the longtime owner of Magic Forest, initially purchased Uncle Sam (and other pieces) at auction from the Danbury Fair decades ago when the fair closed its doors in 1981. Lake George Expedition Park - Magic Forest Rides are fun and seeing Santa was really great! Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Get a piece of your childhood now! Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! There are plenty of unnerving fairy tale statues along the wooded trails of Magic Forest -- an impressive collection of contorted bodies, asymmetrical faces, weird leers, and bulging eyes. 51. Take your kids to the Magic Forest to let them have a perfect time in this retro themed amusement park filled with around 25 fun rides including the kiddie rides that are perfect for both the toddlers and the older kids. They came from Woodys Fiberglass in Tennessee, Bensons Wild Animal Farm in New Hampshire, a mini-golf course in Ohio, and the Danbury Fair in Connecticut. Transferring the giant statue from Lake George to Danbury, roughly a three hour ride, was reportedly difficult. Lake George Expedition Park Anyone know if I will be towed for parking there after hours? Lake George Expedition Park There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. He says to me, Do you know Charlie Woods? Magic Forest Magic Forest Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. Staff throughout park are great with the kids and very friendly! Magic Forest All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. Still gives me creeps every night to look back on it. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! I have no place to store it, he said. Close. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Jack Gillette, the longtime owner of Magic Forest, initially purchased Uncle Sam (and other pieces) at auction from the Danbury Fair decades ago when the fair closed its doors in 1981. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries Our son loved it and so did we, will definitely be back! UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Magic Forest Park It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. I am very grateful to the Magic Forest for essentially saving all this original fiberglass all these years, and also for calling us rather than an auction house who could care less about anything other than the money, says Baker. Get a piece of your childhood now! Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. Exhibits like Cinderellas Castle and Santas House as well as the snack bar and the gift shop are also great. WebLake George, New York. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. The it in questions runs the amusement part gamut, from typical equipment like a heater and a store product stand to any number of stranger things. A bit dirty, rides seem OLD and somewhat banged up, and the animals are not taken care of very well (they seem well fed but cages are dirty and small). We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Are you associated with this business? The former Magic Forest amusement park, located at the corner of Route 9 and Bloody Pond Road, has since shed the towering fiberglass giants that once loomed over its parking lot. ' Gilette remembers. The World's Largest Uncle Sam looms in the center of the parking lot, and other friendly icons beckon from the heavily wooded knoll where the Magic Forest lives. "His head is the way we got him. Yes, it is small and management is aware it needs work. They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids photo with that particular bear. Almost all of the quirky attractions of Magic Forest described below -- including the diving horse, the gigantic Uncle Sam, and the Muffler Men -- have been removed. Simple fun and a great day. Most of them sit at a starting price of $25. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] When Gillette came back down to Danbury, intending to pick up the last of what he had already paid for, he caught the seller while he was still in a bad mood from that conversation. Learn more about Roadpass accounts, Video: How to Plan a Stargazing Road Trip, 12 of the Worlds Largest things tower over the small town of Casey, Illinois, A road trip along New York states Womens Heritage Trail. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Magic Forest I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. When the Fair went out of business, Jack Gillette bought him in April 1982 (along with dozens of other statues) and stood him in the Magic Forest parking lot. 3. I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. Since putting those larger fiberglass statues up for sale in 2019, Gillette says hes been impressed over and over by the kindness and care of the interested buyers hes met along the way. We took our almost 3 year old and she loved it. Web1912 State Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 Visit Site Adirondacks Region Details Since 1963, Magic Forest has entertained young park goers and their families, creating memories for all. Lake George WebMagic Forest Route 9, Lake George, NY Best For: Infants 0-2 Little Kids 3-6 Big Kids 7-9 Tweens 10-12 Teens 13-17 Best suited for the very young, or anyone with a penchant for quirky roadside attractions, this small amusement park opened in The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. By that point, Gillettes father had broken off from the fair to found Carson City, an amusement park in the Catskills themed around the American wild west, and which also has relics in the auction lot. The rides were antique pieces that were fascinating to me because it was like an amusement park museum. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. Almost all of the quirky attractions of Magic Forest described below -- including the diving horse, the gigantic Uncle Sam, and the Muffler Men -- have been removed. $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Diner Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Civic Centres. Many lots share a common origin: the now long-defunct Danbury Fair in Danbury, Connecticut. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Although they eventually paid the ultimate price, maybe the lesson is that we should celebrate the parks existence and persistenceand not ignore the consequences of resolutely resisting change. WebLake George (0.7 miles from Magic Forest) Situated off Interstate 87 and set in the heart of the Adirondack Park Preserve, this Holiday Inn Resort Lake George offers indoor and outdoor pools and an on-site restaurant and lounge. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. About 20 dioramas -- accompanied by audio at the push of a button -- bring to life the Three Little Pigs, Jack Sprat, Hansel & Gretel, assorted princesses and woodsmen Magic Forest opened in 1963, the brainchild of Arthur Gillette, who wisely built his fairyland along a major highway (Route 9) and just south of the town of Lake George, a magnet for summertime and weekend crowds from New York City. Magic Forest It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. Mixed among the dioramas are giant statues of American icons, several of them reworked Muffler Men: Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Smokey Bear, the Statue of Liberty, a big Indian, a couple of space-walking astronauts. My guess is that you can, but I'd ask at the entrance. Id gladly trade a few more brain cells to take that so-called safari ride again and spend a few more precious moments with the mangy menagerie of animals scattered throughout the woods. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. We have an awkward moment -- not uncommon for us -- when we ask a passing manager why the grimacing, Amishized Alfred E. Neuman holds an ax. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Magic Forests rides and layout will mostly remain the same, except for the removal of Uncle Sam and a few other fixtures, including animal statues; 23 of the 25 rides will remain in operation. Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. 7.1/10 Was wondering about parking at magic forest theme park (parking is free) and taking the trolley to great escape. You can get the I LOVE NY Travel Guide by, 2023 New York Department of Economic Development, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources for Travelers, Spotlight: Jamestown and Chautauqua-Allegheny. WebMagic Forest Address: 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States Magic Forest Contact Number: +1-5186682448 Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary! Lake George Expedition Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. For what he does for them, that poor guy is not taken care of very well in return (matted mane, hooves not properly trimmed, SMALL paddock that he is just put back into after his dive, soken wet), and he doesn't seem to enjoy what he's made to do. The park was somewhat enjoyable but I would not return because of the use of the animal in this manner, and it ruined our time at the park. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! Most of these giants had already stood at a handful of locations before coming here so it is not surprising they are on the move again.. As Gillette tells it, Wood the creator of StoryTown USA, the former theme park where The Great Escape now stands was protesting the sale of any items from the sale prior to a proper auction. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Anyone who wants to be one of Gillettes next buyers has a month to do it. Will go again when were in the area. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. I was there last week nothing was unsafe it is one of the best children's parks around. In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. We got to do and see everything, a few things more than once. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Animals and astronauts are headed to a campground in Iowa, and Story Land in New Jersey purchased a castle, a Robin Hood figure, and several animals. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. These are rides that we as children went on growing up and rides we brought our children to go on when they were little but at different amusement parks. Is this worth it for a 2 year old? Santa had been on the Atkins diet and looked as healthy as the animals. Visitors passing through the garish fairyland entrance building are inundated with choices, as paths curve away into clusters of statues, rides and brightly painted cottages. Today, many roar obliviously north on the interstate, but enough families exit to keep MF hopping, under the management of Arthur's successor, Jack Gillette, since 1988. WebMagic Forest (Gone) Lake George, New York The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Magic Forest The magic show by Jimmy Brown was incredible, full of laughs, both of my girls got to go on stage and participate. Magic Forest LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) Up until just a couple years ago, a drive up Route 9 toward the village of Lake George would take visitors past, among other things, Paul Bunyan and Uncle Sam. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. So many rides. Its different, he said. Read on to find out the details. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Best Western of Lake George 2452 State Route 9N, Lake George, NY, 12845 $77 per night Mar 1 - Mar 2 Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lake George. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. Sign up for our newsletter & stay up to date. Gillettes own connection to the Danbury Fair comes from a family background in show business. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. The creepy part is the statues. Jack Collins is slated to be the General Manager and COO of the new park; he brings experience working as the General Manager of the Great Escape and has also consulted with Santas Workshop in Wilmington. Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). Magic Forest Park Credits, Media/Business Inquiries WebLake George (0.7 miles from Magic Forest) Situated off Interstate 87 and set in the heart of the Adirondack Park Preserve, this Holiday Inn Resort Lake George offers indoor and outdoor pools and an on-site restaurant and lounge. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. We have a couple of similar parks here in NH that are WAY ahead of Magic Forest. Gillettes over 700 nostalgic lots are all up for the bidding now, and can be seen in-person by appointment. They were nice. Magic Forest WebLake George, New York. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! WebMagic Forest - Lake George Expedition Park FUN TO MAKE YOU SOAR Enter a world of nostalgia and wonder Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! The Muffler Mena Paul Bunyan, a Mortimer Snerd, a clown, and Pecos Billwere among the first items to sell. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. Magic Forest Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. It depends, Albany Sheriff: Pair arrested for illegal gun possession, Crossgates Mall opening at noon due to weather, Snow begins falling in Capital Region during latest, 03/03/2023: Significant winter storm tonight, Downtown Kansas City bar calls out Jackson Mahomes, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Fun Park I havent had a bad experience with anything Ive sold.. This is a must see. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Magic Forest Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. I was especially concerned about "Lightening" the diving horse. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. The only thing that I was disappointed in is the fact that the dinosaur are on a section that you have to walk done a steep section and up again therefore my sister and I couldn't go down.
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