The Gillettes bought so many items from the Danbury grounds, in fact, that at one point they were cut off. There is so much potential to this park. Enjoy the Snowy Weekend in the Lake George Area! The pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? 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. Amazing! It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. $$ - $$$ 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. When sorting through his collection, Gillette knew that those items, in particular, should be auctioned. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. 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. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. He says to me, Do you know Charlie Woods? 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 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. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. Gillette sold the park in 2019, but much of the remnants have remained on the property, now operating as Lake George Expedition Park. Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. I made, I dont know, about 20 or 30 trips, sometimes with a tractor-trailer. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] 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. Putting prices on the items and getting them ready to go was a bit bittersweet for Gillette, but overall he says he would rather see the statues and decor go to people who can continue to get some enjoyment and use out of them. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This place is great! Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 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. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. Modern amusement parks just cant compete with the thrill we got when we realizedperhaps too latethat our body weight was testing the load-bearing limits of one of five rides said to accommodate adults. Fun for the kids and nostalgic for us babyboomers! 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. The food was not too expensive. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. 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. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! Baker is surprisingly sanguine as he watches the collection split up and scatter around the country. The animals were severely underfed. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Are you associated with this business? I have no place to store it, he said. 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. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. There's a chapel, too. Not for family but for the individual. Anyone know if I will be towed for parking there after hours? Information is subject to change. WebExperience a journey through time. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. But in fact, hes actually returned home. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. 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. The train ride was a Diesel engine that kept throwing black smoke in our faces, and at the end of it the animation & recording say that they are going to blow the train up, which really scared our 5 year old son. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 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. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. 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 Magic Forest was a theme park that remained untouched by timeand when we visited, almost nothing about it made sense anymore. 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. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! WebLake George, New York. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. 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! At Dino Roar Valley, find adventure, make discoveries, and be transported to other places through hands-on experiences. 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.. Rides were available for all ages and the Dino roar exhibits were entertaining as much as they were informative. But its hard not to become despondent and dig in your heels when it feels as if the world you love is rapidly disappearing. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. 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. [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. She dreams of visiting every state in the U.S. and will always stop for a Muffler Man. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. Magic Forest (Lake George) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near House of Frankenstein Wax Museum, Hotels near SUNY Adirondack Community College Queensbury, NY, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Lake George, Game & Entertainment Centers in Lake George, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Lake George, Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, St Maarten Sailing and Snorkeling to St Barts, Bryce Canyon National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour, Paris Tootbus Discovery Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, Adirondack Cottage, Escape, Relax, and Enjoy, View all hotels near Magic Forest on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Magic Forest on Tripadvisor. I was especially concerned about "Lightening" the diving horse. 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. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. There are adult rides and family rides too. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. 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 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. With magically delicious food and shows so good you wont believe your eyes, one trip to the Magic Forest will have you checking for vacancies in the Old Womans shoe. The kids thought the place was greatmy husband and I thought it could be better. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the park. Its different, he said. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. The next button will take you to Roadpass to create a free Roadpass account and finish the process. 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." Definitely recommend for little kids. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! It's perfect. One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. 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. 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. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. this was our first year visiting but well be back for sure next year! In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. 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. Gillette can be reached at 518-895-8150 to schedule an appointment. WebLake George, New York. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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 admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. 3. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country.