Since 1963, Magic Forest has entertained young park goers and their families, creating memories for all. The park is almost completed shaded. Jimmy Brown's magic show was great. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only 10am5pm | 7 Days a Week Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. [2], The other part of the park is Dino Roar Valley, which opened in 2019 and featuring animatronic dinosaurs.[3]. Magic Forest Park More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. Soon we will require you to update your account to a Roadpass account as it will be the only way to log in to Roadtrippers. Transferring the giant statue from Lake George to Danbury, roughly a three hour ride, was reportedly difficult. It was clean, very clean. 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). 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." Learn more about Roadpass accounts here. live santa only comes out when the weather isn't too hot. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. The former safari area will see the most changes. 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 ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. WebLake George, New York. 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. 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States, Magic Forest Address: 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States, Magic Forest Contact Number: +1-5186682448. Rides are fun and seeing Santa was really great! Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? Staff throughout park are great with the kids and very friendly! 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. Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. 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. "Magic Forest" redirects here. The majority of the items have now sold and most of the well-known, larger items are gonelike the big animals and Muffler Menbut there are still plenty of items online for those that are interested.. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Definitely recommend for little kids. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Not for family but for the individual. Lake George People normally club together Water Slide World and Lumberjack Pass Miniature Golf while planning their visit to Magic Forest. I am very grateful to the Magic Forest for essentially saving all this original fiberglass all these years, and also for calling us rather than an auction house who could care less about anything other than the money, says Baker. The train ride was quite fun. 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 >>. Lake George Expedition Park - Magic Forest Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. Lake George Expedition Park - Magic Forest Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. We are hoping to go back again We got there around 2 and stayed until close. But then there is a whole dinosaur park with animatronic dinosaurs throughout the forest. The worlds largest Uncle Sam statue greets you in the parking lot. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Magic Forest also has sheep, pygmy goats and country goats at the farm, whom the kids will love to adore and feed. WebExperience a journey through time. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. This was very nastalgic for us because the rides here were bought from different parks over the years and brought to this one. 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. June 27 - Sept. 5 It was an amazing collection of original piecesthe largest I knew to exist.. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. We took our almost 3 year old and she loved it. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! There are also a petting zoo, magic shows, and stunt shows with the last remaining diving horse, Lightning. Our website found buyers who truly have a passion for saving these kinds of things.. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Many lots share a common origin: the now long-defunct Danbury Fair in Danbury, Connecticut. Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. 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. [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. Hes come to the buyers, too. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. 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. I even went as far as Kansas this summer, and everybody I have met has been nice, friendly and very appreciative. 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. Magic Forest The Gillettes bought so many items from the Danbury grounds, in fact, that at one point they were cut off. The food was not too expensive. She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Each ride had info about when and where it was made, when it was bought and info about the hydraulics. Anyone who wants to be one of Gillettes next buyers has a month to do it. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. Just perfect for grandparents with two little ones 5 and 6. Amazing! 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. Lake George Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. 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. Water available for sale all throughout. 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. 51. Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. 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). Loved the nostalgia of this park, the "dated" that everyone seems to be talking about. Sign up for our newsletter & stay up to date. Exhibits like Cinderellas Castle and Santas House as well as the snack bar and the gift shop are also great. His father and uncle started a carnival together. There is a area with several picnic table just outside a small snack bar. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. Magic Forest Prices range from a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. 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! Get a piece of your childhood now! The people who worked there were either teenagers from Europe or seniors. No computerized rides here! Magic Forest The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. 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! Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Yes. The Magic Forest was a theme park that remained untouched by timeand when we visited, almost nothing about it made sense anymore. There are adult rides and family rides too. Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! This used to be Santa's Workshop and they've kept parts of it. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. 51. 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. The new park will transport viewers to prehistoric times with animatronic dinosaurs, a Dino-Roar Valley, and more. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. Anyone know if I will be towed for parking there after hours? 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. Fun Park Gillettes own connection to the Danbury Fair comes from a family background in show business. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. 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. I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. Simple fun and a great day. Its a great park to bring the kids without the stress of a typical amusement park (parents, youll understand what I mean). when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries Fun for the kids and nostalgic for us babyboomers! 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. The magic finally ran out last year when longtime owner Jack Gillette sold the park to a local contractor, Ruben Ellsworth. 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." Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram. We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. Learn more about Roadpass accounts, Video: How to Plan a Stargazing Road Trip, 12 of the Worlds Largest things tower over the small town of Casey, Illinois, A road trip along New York states Womens Heritage Trail. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. The park is expected to be open May through October, with tickets going on sale in March. Many recycled rides from other parks. Lake George Expedition Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Fun Park All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. Is there a live Santa the kids can visit with? Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. Yes, it is small and management is aware it needs work. Lake George Expedition Park Not the first time for the boys. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you when you hit the road! The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. 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. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. This place was perfect for my 4 and 6 year old. When sorting through his collection, Gillette knew that those items, in particular, should be auctioned. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. this was our first year visiting but well be back for sure next year! Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. My guess is that you can, but I'd ask at the entrance. 7.1/10 I think that you would probably be towed. We could see things in the woods by they are roped off. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. 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. 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. Magic Forest 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. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! Information is subject to change. It means nothing to most people; but for people who went to the fair and loved it, its worth its value to them.. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. Magic Forest 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. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. No, I would say age 8 max. Its also shady as it is indeed in a forest. Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? 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. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! 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. 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. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? Still gives me creeps every night to look back on it. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. Magic Forest Our son loved it and so did we, will definitely be back! Credits, Media/Business Inquiries This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. 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. Also cant beat the setting, they are carefully dispersed through a beautiful forest. 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. They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids photo with that particular bear. One account for all of our road travel apps. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. 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. 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! Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions 3. Lake George 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. That was a bit disturbing to me. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. 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. Most of them sit at a starting price of $25. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 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. 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. 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. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. However, that didnt keep father and son from getting together at the Danbury Fair after it had closed, for the grounds to become a mall to rescue hundreds of statues and decorations. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. 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. WebLake George, New York. We were there 4 years ago. Baker is surprisingly sanguine as he watches the collection split up and scatter around the country. 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. Magic Forest Gillette can be reached at 518-895-8150 to schedule an appointment. Magic Forest Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. We did go early in the season. Magic Forest You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. 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 Magic Forest Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are Is this worth it for a 2 year old? $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? When I visited the Magic Forest in 2015, the woman at the ticket counter tried to dissuade ustwo adults with nary a child in sightfrom entering. 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. Close. One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. 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. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. 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. There is so much potential to this park. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Went there with 3 toddlers and spent almost 4 hours. Read on to find out the details. The park is open every day, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from late June June through Labor Day. 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. There were no lines. 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. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. You may have heard about a new, dinosaur-themed park coming to Lake George, but do you know whats happened to the iconic Uncle Sam statue? WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. But in fact, hes actually returned home. This is a must see. 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 Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are Magic Forest One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world.