Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Recommended Posts

Posted

After a few delays on our way up and meeting up with Family at a local camp ground we arrived at Santa’s village. It was around 10:45 and the main lot was full. We parked across the street and even then we ended up parking towards the back of the lot.

 

My Family bought tickets while I went in. I had an after hours ticket to use up. The first thing I noticed was the park got a new Rudolf animatronic. It was only saying hello but it was actually talking to people later in the day. The new animatronic has a plinking nose and eyes, its head moves, mouth while talking, and ears twitch. The animatronic Looks great and a nice upgrade to the old one.

 

 

After my Family got in we made our way to the Yule Log Flume. This is one of the best Flumes anywhere. There are 2 mid course mini chutes and one large drop. But it’s the setting that really makes it stand out. In a vast forested area with allot of trees. There is even forest moss growing on the rides concrete. The water is also a green Christmassy color.

 

We got in line for the Holy humbug adventure. Despite the normally full to mostly full queue, the lines always moves fast and we were on within 15-20 minutes. This is an enjoyable interactive Dark ride. There are plenty of targets so it’s easy for any age. And the scenes are enjoyable. All the gags were working including the bicycle rider on the incline hill which was down on my trips last year.

 

From there we walk around to the Sky way. On out way we stopped and rode the Little Drummer Boy. It’s a Fun tea cup ride. Small foot print but its drum cups are very easy to spin.

 

We got in line for the Skyway sleight. It was our longest wait of the day, around 35 minutes. The ride is a great way to see the park and relax. The wait is normally on the longer side at the park but it’s also one of the longest rides.

 

 

I bravely volunteered to bring my nice on the Himalaya. My niece simple refers to it as Fast. It’s a Venture mini version just large enough for an adult but not comfortably and hard to get out of do to its solid handle bar. But a fun ride for the kids and a good length cycle.

 

From there I went of on my own because I was the only one willing to ride the parks Ferris wheel. They rehabbed it for this year and it looks fantastic with its new paintjob. It was also moved to a new location up the hill from the reindeer barn and the Flying School ride. The view from this new location is breathtaking. A wonderful change, great idea on there part, it’s like a whole new ride. The operator running this was also on her game loading and unloading with a proficiency I have never seen on such a ride.

 

 

 

 

My parents skipped on the show but myself and the rest of my Family wanted to see it. The show was Once Upon A Christmas. The performers were amazing and Fare more professional then you normally find in an amusement park show. The characters were fun with a fantastic mix of both classic an new songs. They worked Stumpy the animatronic tree is to the show well. I can see why this show was nominated an award at IAAPA last year. I also think they got new snow machines they worked far better then I ever remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hopped on the Train and rode it to the other side of the park. Santa’s Express is always an enjoyable ride. I especially enjoy the long bridge along the rides path. From there we met up with the rest of our group at the pixy mix.

 

 

We got in line for The Antique Cars. This was out second longest wait and they have every car on the track. It too around 20-30 minutes to get on. Thing is the queue is a bit disjointed and most of the waiting line was outside of the station and in the way of people getting of the ride.

 

 

The ride is another rehab of an original Santa’s village ride. The ride now operates like an outdoor dark ride. The sets are fantastic with little effects going off as you pass. From the flooded road to the Car wash this is defiantly one of the most unique car rides you will ever find.

 

 

After a relaxing car ride it was time for something a little more thrilling. So we made our way up to Rudy’s Rapid Transit. This is the parks roller coaster, a Zierer Double figure eight, large model. This is a very enjoyable coaster and one of the best Zierer coasters I have been on. A must ride while at the park. They give you 2 cycles every ride and we rode it 4 times throughout the day.

 

 

 

We stopped to eat. We opted to get pizza so it was off to Nick’s pizzeria. We ordered 2 pizzas (cheese, sausage and pepperoni), and 4 drinks. Total was under $30 dollars. My sister in law refilled a souvenir cup she bought for I think $8 which got you free refills of soda and Slush’s.

 

I ran into the owner at the restaurant. It was nice to be ask questions about my life(school, work, family) instead of being the only one asking questions. I did get confirmation of the new playgrounds cancellation and that the park won’t get any sort of large scale tower ride. I did bring up the family friendly Moser tower to her though. I also got confirmation that the Jingle Jamboree show is being rehabbed and will return.

 

Some good news was I ran into the owner as she swept up the patio outside of the restaurant. My brother and sister in law also experienced some problems with the toilets in the restrooms. After telling her she was on the phone right after out conversation getting maintenance on the move. Absolutely no delay!

 

After eating my niece and I raced my brother on the red hot Racers water ride. It’s a simple ride but a nice way to cool off on a hot day.

 

What’s a day at Santa’s Village without a meet and Great with the big man himself? As to be expected, there was a bit of a line at his house. We kept my niece busy in the igloo across the way and got her a nail ring from the blacksmith. I got one also. I have so many of those rings. And we got back in line for Santa. Got a Great pic and my brother and sister in law got one as well. Good prices on photo 5X7 for $8 dollars. There was a Santa’s Special with a 5X7 and a snow glob for $15 bucks. My brother got that at Santa’s house and on the Skyway sleight. We got a standard 5X 7 picture at both. In all we spent $46 on photo’s(4) and Snow globs(2).

 

We all went over to the Flume for a last minute ride. We got in just before they shut down the line and they still let a few more people in after they should have denied them, which was nice to see.

 

My niece wanted to go back to the car ride and I wanted to get in a few more rides, since it was getting close to closing time. I was only able to get a couple extra rides in on the Humbug adventure. Without my niece with me I was able to concentrate on hitting targets. I scored in the high 3000s both rides.

 

The day went by too fast but then the park opened at 9 and we didn’t get there till nearly 11. I would have liked to get on the parks SS peppermint twist ride which is very enjoyable. I also would have liked to take in more shows. I missed the Tinkerdoodle Christmas 3D show and temporary show in the Jingle Bell Theater.

 

In all it was a nice day at the park. The weather though cold in the morning wormed up to be a very comfortable day. Staff was friendly and on there game only one small problem and it was a guest fault not the staffs. I hope to get back to the park before they close for the season Columbus day weekend.

 

Since it’s always part of my plan and hopefully will become part of years. Santa’s Village is open for Christmas. no water rides and the coaster is down after snow starts falling. The event is weekends from Thanksgiving to a weekend after Christmas.

  • Replies 14
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted

It's a fantastic place to take the kids. It's also a great park if you simply want to feel like a kid again or have a day in the park and not feel rushed like you can at many of the large scale parks.

Posted
Nice pics, I really enjoy your PTRs of all of these smaller parks!

 

i enjoy sharing them. I feel there are many parks out there that get over looked just because they don't have the bigest baddest coaster out there. i hope that seeing the smaller park in my area will encourage members to seek out smaller parks in there area. not to mention get the park out there so if anyone is in the area they can visit is they wish to.

Posted

Very nice TR.

 

I would imagine the place takes on an even more festive "look" to it when the winter and actual Christmas seasons roll around, hmmm?

 

But to maintain that kind of atmosphere in a non-holiday season can be pretty hard. It looks like the people at this park, do just fine.

 

Maybe that's what our Playland should do - go with a really heavy seasonal theme to it. Would certainly be an improvement over "Parking Lot Chic" lol.

 

Thanks for sharing your trip.

 

Posted

They do a Great job all year. The big thing about the Christmas season is it's the only part of the year they are open late enough to turn the light on. Boy do they have allot of lights. nearly every ride is open as well.

 

Not sure which playland your talking about. it it's Palace playland not sure how much better it's going to get but they could do more. Rye playland has allot fo potential and the plans put forth from there master plan will help make it a much more atmospheric attraction.

Posted

Nice Photo TR, and I do agree that the atmosphere for a family park over there makes it look pretty cool, but I must say that I am not sure why you praise a park so much like this when it doesn't have anything major. I see that it caters to families very well, but for us thrill seekers it looks like nothing. (Ok, I have never been there, but still.) IMO, LC would be worth mentioning for awesomeness, don't you think?

 

-Tanks "the kid you met at the LC ACE event" 4me05.

Posted
Not sure which playland your talking about.

 

Sorry, I forgot there's more than one "Playland" in North America, lol

 

My home park in Vancouver, Canada is called Playland. Home to one of the top 25 (still, I hope?) wooden coasters in the world. Celebrating it's 50th Birthday next season! And that's about it for this crapular place. Here:

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38879&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

 

Take a look. Think some themeing of some/ANY kind would be good for it?

 

Posted

Nice tr. I like little parks like that where you can take your time and not feel rushed, I just wish that there were more parks like that around here where I live. I would love to see you do a report at Christmas time and see all the lights. I bet it looks fabulous!

Posted
Nice Photo TR, and I do agree that the atmosphere for a family park over there makes it look pretty cool, but I must say that I am not sure why you praise a park so much like this when it doesn't have anything major. I see that it caters to families very well, but for us thrill seekers it looks like nothing. (Ok, I have never been there, but still.) IMO, LC would be worth mentioning for awesomeness, don't you think?

 

-Tanks "the kid you met at the LC ACE event" 4me05.

 

Good to See a post from you. Yes LC is worth mentioning but I think there are plenty of people doing that already. they don't need my help. i will be hitting LC again in October and will post a TR showing off the awesomeness of LC and the Haunted Graveyard. so all in good time.

 

I am much more then a Thrill seeker. I am a park enthusiast and look at more aspects of a park then it's thrill rides. Now by major I take it you mean Thrilling! in that case your right there most Thrilling ride woudl be there Zierer coaster. But if you mean major as in a notable attraction your wrong. They have the only 3D attraction in a park in NE. A nice interactive dark ride, one of 2 in New england, 1 of 3 dark rides period. NE's only monorail. Broadway style shows and an animatronic show. It's just an overall unique park. also you might find something to like in these smaller parks.

 

But keep in mind this is a couple hours drive for me. it wouldn't be a vacation like it woudl be for you.

 

Not sure which playland your talking about.

 

Sorry, I forgot there's more than one "Playland" in North America, lol

 

My home park in Vancouver, Canada is called Playland. Home to one of the top 25 (still, I hope?) wooden coasters in the world. Celebrating it's 50th Birthday next season! And that's about it for this crapular place. Here:

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38879&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

 

Take a look. Think some themeing of some/ANY kind would be good for it?

 

 

That playland! I call that the Movie Playland since Final destination 3, Mitch Albrim's the 5 people you meet in heaven, and Ridding the bullet were filmed there. looks like it could use a some landscaping at least.

Posted
Nice tr. I like little parks like that where you can take your time and not feel rushed, I just wish that there were more parks like that around here where I live. I would love to see you do a report at Christmas time and see all the lights. I bet it looks fabulous!

 

I would think within a couple hours of you there would be a good number of parks. but PA has lost a few over the years which is a shame.

 

The park dose look great in the snow. Since I have a better understanding of how my Camera Works I should be able to get better Night shots of the lights this year. but until then here is last winters Report to get you in the holiday mood.

 

www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31796&highlight=

Posted

^Thanks for the link,mrceagle. The park looks beautiful in the winter with the snow. I would like to get up that way and visit that little park, my 2 year old nephew would love it, and so would I!

Posted
^Thanks for the link,mrceagle. The park looks beautiful in the winter with the snow. I would like to get up that way and visit that little park, my 2 year old nephew would love it, and so would I!

 

I'm sure you both would. It's one bonus of having a niece to bring. You can visit the park with a better excuse then simply liking the park.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/