Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. 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. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. At Dino Roar Valley, find adventure, make discoveries, and be transported to other places through hands-on experiences. That means the array of memories up for auction come from a variety of other fairs, carnivals and fun lands. There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. 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. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. WebMagic Forest Address: 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States Magic Forest Contact Number: +1-5186682448 Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary! 95% of travelers recommend this experience. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. We are hoping to go back again We got there around 2 and stayed until close. 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. Where else can you see Esso tigers and Sinclair Dinosaurs peacefully coexisting with pink flamingos and polar bears? It was clean, very clean. 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. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. We missed the magic show but will catch it next time. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 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. 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. He cataloged the items, helped set prices, and listed them on his website. The full, 700+ lot posting will stay online until the end of September. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. 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 theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Again the kids enjoyed itand that is the most important part. Sign up for our newsletter & stay up to date. 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. WebMagic Forest Address: 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States Magic Forest Contact Number: +1-5186682448 Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary! When they heard about the sale they purchased that teddy bear and it meant the world to them, Baker says. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. He says to me, Do you know Charlie Woods? POTUS landmarks, oddities. Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. 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. Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. 51. 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 stable and manger are not in use. The Dinosaur park is amazing!! Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. 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, Having worked with these giants for almost 10 years now, I know that nothing ever stays the same, he says. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! For Military (Vets, Active, Retired) 2 dollars off the price of admission. live santa only comes out when the weather isn't too hot. 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. 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. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. She dreams of visiting every state in the U.S. and will always stop for a Muffler Man. For just $12,000, you can literally be the old lady who lived in a (20-foot-tall) shoeold lady and five fiberglass children included. Returning the statue to its original home was part of the deal. 3. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Since 1963, Magic Forest has entertained young park goers and their families, creating memories for all. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. 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. We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. He comes to me and says, Now, what more do you want? And so Charlie Woods attitude helped me buy more stuff.. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George 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 used to be Santa's Workshop and they've kept parts of it. May 28 - June 26 WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Having trouble using this site? Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. 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. WebExperience a journey through time. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. 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. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. A good place to spend half a day for kids. The Gillettes bought so many items from the Danbury grounds, in fact, that at one point they were cut off. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the park. 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 Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. After Ellsworth decided to take the park in a different direction, Gillette contacted Joel Baker, owner of the Muffler Man restoration company American Giants, to help facilitate the sale of all of those fiberglass figures. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. People normally club together Water Slide World and Lumberjack Pass Miniature Golf while planning their visit to Magic Forest. Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. 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. It's perfect. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. We strive to insure accuracy on Lakegeorge.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Baker is surprisingly sanguine as he watches the collection split up and scatter around the country. Old, sad, dingy, dirty. 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. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. A very well run park. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. Since putting those larger fiberglass statues up for sale in 2019, Gillette says hes been impressed over and over by the kindness and care of the interested buyers hes met along the way. Gillettes own connection to the Danbury Fair comes from a family background in show business. Posted by 3 years ago. The Muffler Mena Paul Bunyan, a Mortimer Snerd, a clown, and Pecos Billwere among the first items to sell. Santa had been on the Atkins diet and looked as healthy as the animals. Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? No computerized rides here! I think that you would probably be towed. So many rides. WebExperience a journey through time. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. 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. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! The creepy part is the statues. 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. 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. One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. 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. "His head is the way we got him. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. 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. A great park. Totally wrong about Magic Forest. Former Magic Forest decorations have also made their way to California, Oregon and Texas. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. 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. 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. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. There are also a petting zoo, magic shows, and stunt shows with the last remaining diving horse, Lightning. They came from Woodys Fiberglass in Tennessee, Bensons Wild Animal Farm in New Hampshire, a mini-golf course in Ohio, and the Danbury Fair in Connecticut. 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. Gillette can be reached at 518-895-8150 to schedule an appointment. Hes believed to be the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world. I made, I dont know, about 20 or 30 trips, sometimes with a tractor-trailer. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. But then there is a whole dinosaur park with animatronic dinosaurs throughout the forest. Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. 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. Unfortunately, for each figure whose origins are known, anothers backstory has been lost over time. Are you associated with this business? 100% of travelers recommend this experience. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! 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. Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. 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. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] Magic Forest also has sheep, pygmy goats and country goats at the farm, whom the kids will love to adore and feed. Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! I have no place to store it, he said. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only 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. 7.1/10 enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. Is this worth it for a 2 year old? Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. When Gillette came back down to Danbury, intending to pick up the last of what he had already paid for, he caught the seller while he was still in a bad mood from that conversation. WebLake George, New York. I was especially concerned about "Lightening" the diving horse. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. 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. 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Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. 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. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. All rights reserved. WebMagic Forest Address: 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States Magic Forest Contact Number: +1-5186682448 Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary! Close. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. WebExperience a journey through time. The sale began last November, and Baker was shocked with the level of interest. 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." This place was perfect for my 4 and 6 year old. 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. We did go early in the season. You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. Follow, like and subscribe to LakeGeorge.com on social media. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. 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 pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. Not for family but for the individual. They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids photo with that particular bear. 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. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. All rights reserved. For Everything Lake George, It's On LakeGeorge.com, LakeGeorge.com All Rights Reserved 2023, Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are In at the Magic Forest, Find more amusement parks and attractions in Lake George >>. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. 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 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 71.18% of people who visit Lake George include Magic Forest in their plan, 42.86% of people start their Magic Forest visit around 3 PM - 4 PM, People usually take around 30 Minutes to see Magic Forest, 95% of people prefer to travel by car while visiting Magic Forest. 7.1/10 This place is great! I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. There is so much potential to this park. It is now a running joke In our family that as a pumishment we will return to bizzaro world. 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. My guess is that you can, but I'd ask at the entrance. Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you when you hit the road! The use of the diving horse is not nor should it be an attraction for children or adults. 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. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. But some of the once-over 700 sculptures that once called the park home are just now resurfacing. We have a couple of similar parks here in NH that are WAY ahead of Magic Forest.
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