Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Santa had been on the Atkins diet and looked as healthy as the animals. Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Fear not, Magic Forest lovers the new Lake George Expedition Park will be adding onto the Magic Forest park along Route 9 between Lake George and Queensbury. The train ride was quite fun. when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. Will go again when were in the area. Information is subject to change. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. Water available for sale all throughout. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. 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. Our son loved it and so did we, will definitely be back! Unfortunately, for each figure whose origins are known, anothers backstory has been lost over time. It's perfect. "His head is the way we got him. This was very nastalgic for us because the rides here were bought from different parks over the years and brought to this one. 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. Because they are giant, it feels like they will never leave, but the truth is they are well-traveled for as old as they are. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. 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. Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. 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. There is so much potential to this park. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Hundreds of fiberglass figures strewn about the heavily-wooded park were faded by decades of sun and exposure to the elements, covered in spider webs and other forest detritus. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. Fun for the kids and nostalgic for us babyboomers! 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. Lake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Went there with 3 toddlers and spent almost 4 hours. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions more, A family fun park, in the Adirondacks, that features 25 amusement rides, including the Safari Ride, plus live animal performances, magic shows and the ever-popular "Rex the Diving Horse. 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. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. The next button will take you to Roadpass to create a free Roadpass account and finish the process. Get a piece of your childhood now! All rights reserved. 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. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Not for family but for the individual. 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! Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you when you hit the road! I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. 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 Staff is great rides are safe & fun for any child or adult. A good place to spend half a day for kids. When sorting through his collection, Gillette knew that those items, in particular, should be auctioned. Close. Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! It was an amazing collection of original piecesthe largest I knew to exist.. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. 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! This is a must see. 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.. [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. Learn more about Roadpass accounts here. The magic show by Jimmy Brown was incredible, full of laughs, both of my girls got to go on stage and participate. 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. The park is almost completed shaded. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. This was our first time. Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? Was wondering about parking at magic forest theme park (parking is free) and taking the trolley to great escape. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. But we bet this up close encounter will come back in someone's nightmares. Uncle Sam is 38 feet tall and formerly stood at the Danbury Fairgrounds in Connecticut. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Explore the unknown as you traverse the Dino Nest and uncover the world sleeping beneath our feet as you excavate colossal dinosaurs in the Fossil Dig Site. 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. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. The majority of the items have now sold and most of the well-known, larger items are gonelike the big animals and Muffler Menbut there are still plenty of items online for those that are interested.. Simple fun and a great day. Close. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. 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. 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. 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. 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! 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. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. We were there 4 years ago. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. It still happens, but I feel that awareness is growing about the importance of saving and restoring these piecesI like to think that today it is more about relocating Americana rather than disappearing Americana.. The former safari area will see the most changes. 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. We could see things in the woods by they are roped off. Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. However, that didnt keep father and son from getting together at the Danbury Fair after it had closed, for the grounds to become a mall to rescue hundreds of statues and decorations. Gillettes own connection to the Danbury Fair comes from a family background in show business. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. There was this crazy little tiny squirrel that was literally the smallest figure I listed and everyone wanted that thing, he says. That means the array of memories up for auction come from a variety of other fairs, carnivals and fun lands. Get a piece of your childhood now! 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. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. The animals were severely underfed. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. The park is very clean and the employees are patient and friendly. 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 Ever. Maybe what we actually saw was the ghost of Rex, the parks original equine entertainer and Lightnings fatheror perhaps it was all an elaborate magic trick performed by the resident magician, Jimmy Brown (who also doubledor rather, tripledas the parks lone emcee and balloon animal artist). Hundreds of fiberglass figures strewn about the heavily-wooded park were faded by decades of sun and exposure to the elements, covered in spider webs and other forest detritus. Soon we will require you to update your account to a Roadpass account as it will be the only way to log in to Roadtrippers. We did go early in the season. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. As of this week, over 700 lots from Magic Forest were posted by Schenectady-based Collar City Auction & Realty Management, all put there by the parks former owner, Jack Gilette. Best suited for the very young, or anyone with a penchant for quirky roadside attractions, this small amusement park opened in 1963, and retains some of its retro charm. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Magic Forest also has sheep, pygmy goats and country goats at the farm, whom the kids will love to adore and feed. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries Rides are fun and seeing Santa was really great! Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. Enjoy the Snowy Weekend in the Lake George Area! ", Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Albany, Central Troy Historic District Walking Food Tour, Albany Scavenger Hunt: Empire State Of Mind, 2 Hour Private Forest Immersion Retreat in Woodland Sanctuary, 3 Day Reiki Certification Retreat in Vermont, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. 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. Definitely recommend for little kids. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. 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. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. The rides are very old school, and my kids. 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. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. 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. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. Alexandra is the features editor at Roadtrippers Magazine. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. Before Chuck E. Cheese, video games, Six Flags, or Disney World, parks like the Magic Forest used to be the place to take your kids. 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. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. Also cant beat the setting, they are carefully dispersed through a beautiful forest. 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. 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. No masks were required even for the kids as it's all outside. And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. There is a area with several picnic table just outside a small snack bar. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The people who worked there were either teenagers from Europe or seniors. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Diner Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Civic Centres. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the park. The use of the diving horse is not nor should it be an attraction for children or adults. Many lots share a common origin: the now long-defunct Danbury Fair in Danbury, Connecticut. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Hes believed to be the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world. 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. Returning the statue to its original home was part of the deal. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. WebLake George, New York. I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. 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 Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. 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. Enjoy watching the magic show by Jimmy Brown and the diving show by the last diving horse called Lightning. Are rides being disinfected after each use? A great park. 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. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram. Amazing! I think that you would probably be towed. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. Gillettes over 700 nostalgic lots are all up for the bidding now, and can be seen in-person by appointment. live santa only comes out when the weather isn't too hot. Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. Close. 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. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. 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. The next button will take you to Roadpass to create a free Roadpass account and finish the process. 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. Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only
Most hotels are fully refundable. All rights reserved. The Magic Forest felt like it was from a different time not only physically, but spiritually. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. There were no lines. Posted by 3 years ago. ' Gilette remembers. this was our first year visiting but well be back for sure next year! 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. Anyone know if I will be towed for parking there after hours? A lion-head drinking fountain (and lion-head trash can), a caveman family, Ma and Pa Kettle, an Esso tiger, a 15-foot Santa, a one-hump camel, a skull, and several other pieces are still up for sale. 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. 7.1/10 I havent had a bad experience with anything Ive sold.. Explore the unknown as you traverse the Dino Nest and uncover the world sleeping beneath our feet as you excavate colossal dinosaurs in the Fossil Dig Site. I was especially concerned about "Lightening" the diving horse. Fairies were missing fingers, buttons used to activate animatronics were broken, and, when I put a quarter into a prize machine, I received nothing in return. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. Officials ended up tipping Uncle Sam onto a 40-foot flatbed truck, and had to remove one of his hands to avoid it getting torn off by a bridge along the route. I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. Is this worth it for a 2 year old? Pass on this one. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? I was buying stuff and bringing it back up here and just putting it in my parking lot, wherever I could, Gillette recounted. 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. WebMagic Forest 3.5 461 #10 of 27 things to do in Lake George Amusement & Theme Parks Closed now 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About A family fun park, in the Adirondacks, that features 25 amusement rides, including the Safari Ride, plus live animal performances, magic shows and the ever-popular "Rex the Diving Horse." 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 3. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. In the beginning, I was getting over 30 emails a day, he says. This place is great if you are into any of the following, all others beware: Unsafe broken rides, uneducated senior citizens running rides, creepy overall, sad use and abuse of a horse forced to walk up an inclosure and dive down into a pool multiple times a day, dirty sad animals in cages, safari train ride of ceramic animal heads with choking fumes from extremely slow moving ride, permanent carnival. The food was not too expensive. Plenty of parking. A very well run park. 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. Are you associated with this business? The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. I have no place to store it, he said. That was a bit disturbing to me. But we bet this up close encounter will come back in someone's nightmares. Uncle Sam is 38 feet tall and formerly stood at the Danbury Fairgrounds in Connecticut.
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