In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. 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. There were no lines. 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. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. Officials ended up tipping Uncle Sam onto a 40-foot flatbed truck, and had to remove one of his hands to avoid it getting torn off by a bridge along the route. 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. 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. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. 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. Anyone who wants to be one of Gillettes next buyers has a month to do it. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! 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. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. 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). 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. 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. 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. We took our almost 3 year old and she loved it. Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. 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 theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account The food was not too expensive. Posted by 3 years ago. WebMagic Forest 3.5 461 #10 of 27 things to do in Lake George Amusement & Theme Parks Closed now 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About A family fun park, in the Adirondacks, that features 25 amusement rides, including the Safari Ride, plus live animal performances, magic shows and the ever-popular "Rex the Diving Horse." Still gives me creeps every night to look back on it. The park was somewhat enjoyable but I would not return because of the use of the animal in this manner, and it ruined our time at the park. The magic finally ran out last year when longtime owner Jack Gillette sold the park to a local contractor, Ruben Ellsworth. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. Are you associated with this business? $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Diner Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Civic Centres. The people who worked there were either teenagers from Europe or seniors. In the beginning, I was getting over 30 emails a day, he says. 3. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. The Dinosaur park is amazing!! Having trouble using this site? 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." Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. There was this crazy little tiny squirrel that was literally the smallest figure I listed and everyone wanted that thing, he says. Get a piece of your childhood now! A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. 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. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. Former Magic Forest decorations have also made their way to California, Oregon and Texas. There are plenty of unnerving fairy tale statues along the wooded trails of Magic Forest -- an impressive collection of contorted bodies, asymmetrical faces, weird leers, and bulging eyes. 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. As a separate park, it featured the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world (as of May 9, 2019, the statue has since moved back home to Danbury, CT), a magic show, and cottages and attractions which tell the story of the Three Little Pigs, Jack Sprat, Hansel and Gretel, various princesses, Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, the Statue of Liberty, and the Spider Man. 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. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. 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. We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. WebExperience a journey through time. Sign up for our newsletter & stay up to date. POTUS landmarks, oddities. Its different, he said. Water available for sale all throughout. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. 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. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries Posted by 3 years ago. 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 Magic Forest felt like it was from a different time not only physically, but spiritually. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Its fiberglass figures had long ago dug in their collective heelsand hoovesas the world evolved around them. 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. Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Amazing! Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. There are also a petting zoo, magic shows, and stunt shows with the last remaining diving horse, Lightning. Hes believed to be the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world. The park is expected to be open May through October, with tickets going on sale in March. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. A great park. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. The new park will transport viewers to prehistoric times with animatronic dinosaurs, a Dino-Roar Valley, and more. Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. WebExperience a journey through time. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Fun for the kids and nostalgic for us babyboomers! enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. It was an amazing collection of original piecesthe largest I knew to exist.. 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. I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. The kids thought the place was greatmy husband and I thought it could be better. There are plenty of unnerving fairy tale statues along the wooded trails of Magic Forest -- an impressive collection of contorted bodies, asymmetrical faces, weird leers, and bulging eyes. Read on to find out the details. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. Our son loved it and so did we, will definitely be back! Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. The animals were severely underfed. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. After 2 hours our son asked if we could leave & never come back. 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. 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 probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Get a piece of your childhood now! As of this week, over 700 lots from Magic Forest were posted by Schenectady-based Collar City Auction & Realty Management, all put there by the parks former owner, Jack Gilette. [2], The other part of the park is Dino Roar Valley, which opened in 2019 and featuring animatronic dinosaurs.[3]. No, I would say age 8 max. 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. 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. Get a piece of your childhood now! The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. It was clean, very clean. They were nice. I have no place to store it, he said. The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. 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. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram. Rides are fun and seeing Santa was really great! Three of the four fiberglass giants were purchased by Atlantis Plumbing in Dallas, Georgia. Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. 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. Also cant beat the setting, they are carefully dispersed through a beautiful forest. But in fact, hes actually returned home. 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. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Plenty of parking. 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. Get a piece of your childhood now! If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Close. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. Enjoy the Snowy Weekend in the Lake George Area! This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the park. 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. 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 >>. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. WebLake George, New York. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. 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. Transferring the giant statue from Lake George to Danbury, roughly a three hour ride, was reportedly difficult. I havent had a bad experience with anything Ive sold.. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. My guess is that you can, but I'd ask at the entrance. 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.