Santa’s Village Photo Trip Report

[mrceagle]

 

Being winter we Dressed worm and in layers before leaving the house around 9:00 that morning. Weather report called for 40% chance of Snow and Cold and estimated 31 degrees. After a long drive which brought us through the towns of Carol and Bethlehem we arrived at the park. The park side parking lot was already filled.

 

I was glad to see snow had fallen and we would be walking through a White Christmas park. So we parked across the Street in there overflow parking lot.

 

We walked up to the line at 11:15 to see 4 reasonably long lines waiting for tickets and an equally long line waiting to get in.

 

We figured we would hit the Train first off. There were already long lines at Holly Humbug and there were a few problems with the sky ride. They had to use a leaf blower to blow the snow off the track so the sleighs would run right.

 

 

We walked back to the Polar Theater and hoped on the train for a ride around the park. When we got Off I notices Bill, an ACE member, was operating the train so I talked to him a bit. He introduced me to one of the maintenance workers. We talked about the Ferris wheel moving and possible replacement rides. The park has a dedicated team that will help in its future growth. One newer attraction is the new Mini Doe-nuts Factory. It was an Empty Building last I was at the park.

 

 

We wanted to go on the S.S. Peppermint twist first but it was down Maintenance had it up in 30 minutes of so and it was up the rest of the day. We hit the reindeer barn and looked around. I really like the new reindeer over the traditional deer.

 

 

We made our way across the park to see what they did with the new car set up. The rides new setup is nice and the cars seem to handle it better in the snow then they did last year. The ride though was a bit dull without the effects I had enjoyed so much. I noticed allot of lights around the ride. We would have to come back and ride after dark to get the full effect.

 

 

After the ride I needed to worm up the cold was getting to me really badly. After worming up we walked down the path towards Rudy’s it wasn’t blocked off like it usually is. I slipped and hit the ground once but it’s my own fault. I took a few shots of the area in snow. Worth the bruised ego!

 

 

 

Before heading back to the other side of the park we took a spin on the Ferris wheel. It’s a traditional Eli Wheel but it works and the park. A Nice relaxing ride that’s not too fast of slow.

 

 

I was able to get a good sky shot of the coaster covered with snow. Always a special Treat.

 

 

After checking back up on the peppermint twist we safely walked (no more falling for me) to the polar theater to see Tinkerdoodle Christmas. It’s a fun little 3D show with some good pops. A very smart move for the park but they need to show It more often The barley maid it in that show and many of the later shows were closed do to full houses. We hoped over to the SS peppermint twist after the show. Great little ride!

 

 

Still worm we opted to battle the Humbugs and the line to get in. We waited about 35 minutes for Holly Humbug adventure. The line was out the queue. Only shot like a 2,500 score but that was while video taping the ride, 1st person shooter style.

 

 

From there we hoped over to the skyway Sliegh ride. There was around a 45 minute wait, and this ride has a high capacity.

 

While waiting I did what many did is I went on The Drummer boy tea cups while my brother and Sister in law waited in line.

 

 

After our Sleigh ride we figured we’d go and eat. Since there were 3 of us we opted to eat at Nick’s Pizzeria. Turned out to be a slight mistake! The staff was on the ball. Pizza was coming out as fast as they could make it and service was well organized. But, it seems everyone else in the park had the same idea. There was a waiting line just to get a table some were opting to take there Pizza up to Downers delights and eat at there tables. Our food took a slightly more then normal 35 minutes to come out. Not big worry it took us that long to get a table. The 3 of us used a 2 seat booth and my Brother stood. The park is apparently considering building a new building for the Pizzeria. I think it’s time to take action.

 

From there we took a walk past Santa’s house and along the back area of the park. were looking at plots that might hold a ride or attraction to better scatter the rides to thin out the crowds. We walked past the small pond were the large Nativity scene still stands. We walked into St Nicolas’s church. In all my times I have never seen what I saw. There was a Family Praying in the church. It reminded me that Santa’s Village strived to be more then just a themed park.

 

 

We walked around the park taking Photo’s and it was starting to get dark. I took what little time I had left to take as much video and photos as I could. With the light almost gone we headed for the Reindeer carousel. It’s a nice ride but way too small for adults. It would be nice to see them upgrade to a larger more family friendly carousel and move this one to another area of the park, perhaps past the reindeer barn.

 

 

 

As it was dark we hoped the train to see the park at night. We took the train all the way back to the polar theater. The park looks amazing at night. Something you don’t get in the summer since them along with the rest of the parks close at 6:00 pm. There seemed to be more lights this year. While they seem to add lights every year this year stood out as one of the best. The lights were amazing. Every tree seemed to be aglow.

 

We opted to walk back to the car ride knowing there were lights along the ride. What and attraction. The night rid was amazing. Many of the mist affects from summer were replaced by lights. The Rides Car wash dad lights along it ceiling that turned on and danced as you passed though. Well worth going back for.

 

 

We walked back to the Sky ride hoping to get a very amazing night ride. The lien was shorter but still around 30 minutes. It was worth the wait the raised view of the park at night along with all the light hidden in some of the back wood area you don’t se from the ground. One section has hundreds of Stubbed that sparkled like stars in the night.

 

 

We hadn’t much time left and my I wanted to hit a few more rides. My brother and sister in law went off to ride the train till closing. I made my way to Holly Humbug. Not planning to take any video this time I went for a high score. I chose the better of the two guns on my car and took aim. In all I didn’t do too bad. I scored a 5,480. The operator said that was the Highest she had ever seem but I have had a +6,000 score. But not too shabby!

 

I walked back through the Polar Theater. I always do this because it’s heated and provides a quick worm up. I then walked over to the SS Peppermint twist. I was able to get in 6 rides before the end of the day. The ride literally stoped as they announced the parks closing.

 

 

In all it was a very good day despite the crowds. But hey I’ve been to SFNE, Canobie, Disney, Etc it was nothing I couldn’t stand. I have to commend maintenance for there hard work. Jingle Jamboree (Animatronic show) was the only attraction down that wasn’t planed. There were small problems on the Skyway Sleigh, SS peppermint twist, and Bumper cars (condensation on the floor). They responded quickly and resoled the problem in a timely manner, often to Thunderous applause.

 

 

Thus comes the end of my coaster and park year. What a wonderful way to say goodbye to the 2006 season.

[music11]

That would be pretty funny if they had the coaster going while it was covered with snow but it would also be a lot of fun as long as no one got killed.

[Canobie Fan]

Uh.. how would snow = death? lol

Rides can run in the snow and still be 100% safe.

[music11]

^I dont know just in case if like the snow some how loosens the wheels or something and then the train flys of the track. something on the lines of that.

[mrceagle]

The snow wouldn't Loosen the wheels. But you really do need it out of the way. the added resistance would not allow the train to make the Full run. It would stop before it was planed to. The coaster Ran up to that we3ekend I went. If it hadn't snowed it would still be operating.

[dandaman]

R&E survived in Japan last Christmas just fine.

 

(It was last Christmas, right?)

[music11]

^^Well ok just forget what i said about getting killed.

[mrceagle]

it's a normal assumption japan is so lacks with rules though that they would shovel off the tracks and then let a 3 year old ride a looping coaster there parents lap.

 

But it's Unusual to see a park open in the winter in an area you get snow. most parks that offer Winter festivals are in warmer areas with better weather.