This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. "His head is the way we got him. I have no place to store it, he said. Are rides being disinfected after each use? Never ever again will we return. It's perfect. when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. We are hoping to go back again We got there around 2 and stayed until close. 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 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. 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. Sign up for our newsletter & stay up to date. This was very nastalgic for us because the rides here were bought from different parks over the years and brought to this one. this was our first year visiting but well be back for sure next year! This is by far the greatest place whether you are old or young. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. Yes, it is small and management is aware it needs work. Where else can you see Esso tigers and Sinclair Dinosaurs peacefully coexisting with pink flamingos and polar bears? Its a great park to bring the kids without the stress of a typical amusement park (parents, youll understand what I mean). 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! They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids photo with that particular bear. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. 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. ", 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. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. One account for all of our road travel apps. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? They were nice. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. Hes come to the buyers, too. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. We have a couple of similar parks here in NH that are WAY ahead of Magic Forest. There were no lines. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. I think that you would probably be towed. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. 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. She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. Longtime residents and visitors of Lake George will undoubtedly be sad when they realize the beloved Uncle Sam statue that was such a significant fixture of Magic Forest is gone. 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Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions 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. 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. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. 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. Many recycled rides from other parks. WebLake George, New York. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. The former safari area will see the most changes. WebLake George, New York. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? 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 theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. 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. I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. Gillette sold the park in 2019, but much of the remnants have remained on the property, now operating as Lake George Expedition Park. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. "His head is the way we got him. No souvenirs though. Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. But its hard not to become despondent and dig in your heels when it feels as if the world you love is rapidly disappearing. The creepy part is the statues. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. This place is great! 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. He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. There's a chapel, too. 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. 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. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! 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. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. 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. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. 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. 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. 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. No, I would say age 8 max. 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. Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. 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. Just perfect for grandparents with two little ones 5 and 6. Get a piece of your childhood now! UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. 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. Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. 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. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. 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. 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. You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. Baker is surprisingly sanguine as he watches the collection split up and scatter around the country. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. Again the kids enjoyed itand that is the most important part. Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only I havent had a bad experience with anything Ive sold.. 7.1/10 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." Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. The train ride was quite fun. Kids enjoyed it a lot. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. I was there last week nothing was unsafe it is one of the best children's parks around. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. 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. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 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. Having trouble using this site? 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. I was especially concerned about "Lightening" the diving horse. 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. Was wondering about parking at magic forest theme park (parking is free) and taking the trolley to great escape. "Magic Forest" redirects here. 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. There is so much potential to this park. The Dinosaur park is amazing!! POTUS landmarks, oddities. 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! Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. May 28 - June 26 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. We strive to insure accuracy on Lakegeorge.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Went there with 3 toddlers and spent almost 4 hours. Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! Most of the rides are "kiddie rides" and a 10 year old would be bored. Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. 3. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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). 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 people who worked there were either teenagers from Europe or seniors. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. 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. Not for family but for the individual. This was our first time. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. My husband told me he was creeped out & felt like the statues were following is with their eyes. So many rides. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! 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). Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done.