Santa's Village 2009

The first "new" thing I've noticed regarding 2009 is a substantial (and unusual) change to the schedule. For the first time in as long as I can remember the park is opening only on Saturdays during most weekends early and late in the season. Traditionally, they have been open for both Saturday and Sunday at those times of the year. Another odd scheduling issue is that of October 24. It is listed among the Christmastime days...that seems odd, and it's a date they've never been open before. Also, they are opening for Monday and Tuesday after Christmas...that's a new move.

Here is the schedule:
http://santasvillage.com/public/plan/hours.cfm

I gave this topic a generalized title so that other information can be added about Santa's Village in 2009.

That is interesting information. I guess they weren't getting the attendance on Sunday. The 24th of October is strange maybe it will be a special event. stuck there in teh middle of the month I don't think it will just be a standard operating day.

I recently got in contact with Elaine at the park. They will have 5 shows this season. no new rides. Rockn Round the Christmas tree should be operating but with single seats only.

I think you will see further in park fixes. I know there are some ADA issues We have been discussing.

Did anyone hit Santa's Village yet? They were supposed to be open last weekend...

Any news from way up north?

Oh, and I really do not like their Himalaya ride one bit... that one is just awful! My son likes it, though...

I really recommend their mini donuts. If you are nice, they will give you extra!

No no word. I haven't been in contact with the park recently. I will be at Story land tomorrow and at Santa's Village a in a couple weeks.

The Himalaya is a venture model It's built by the company as a kiddie ride. It's not really intended for adults but they allow adults to ride. It for me wouldn't be so bad if the bar opened and you could get in and out easily.

Interesting comments...I've always enjoyed the Himalaya at Santa's Village. It's really a good family ride, and it is surprisingly forceful.

Sorry for the double post, but it's been a few days, and if I just edit my last post it might not get noticed.

Anyway, I found out that Santa's Village will be adding a new food stand that will sell fruits and veggies, smoothies, and apple crisp. It sounded like it will be a farmer's market theme. It will be located near the Reindeer barn, but that could change in the future if needed because the building is mobile. The park announced this two years ago, when it first appeared on the park map, but it didn't get built. It disappeared from the map in 2008, but 2009 is the year it will happen. I think apple crisp and smoothies will be great additons to the park's menu which already has unique items like gingerbread cookies, donuts, awesome fudge, hard and soft ice cream sundaes, terrific wrap sandwiches, and my favorite pizza anywhere.

The park will also try a haunt for one day on October 24. The theme will be "the haunts of Christmas past." The Christmas season started out as a single weekend event over a decade ago, and it has grown into the busiest time of the year for them. Hopefully the Halloween season will be successful as well. I do not know if the goal is to expand it in the future, however. Six Gun City (just down the road) will also be trying a Halloween event this year, and Cranmore Mountain ski slope in Conway already started a Halloween haunted event, so there is some competition/interest in the area.

RWS and Associates will again provide the park's shows. They will remain mostly the same as last year.

I do not have word on "The Twelve Days of Christmas" swing ride. It was standing but not operating in 2008, and last Christmas I was told it would eventually operate with some modifications. Hopefully it will operate this year.

Thanks for the information. I haven't had a chance to contact the park. I'm glad that the Farmers market Fruit stand will finaly make its way to the park. I have been looking forward to trying a smooth and apple crisp. I hope they have ice cream for it.

I figured the October day might be some sort of Harvest festival Halloween thing. I will definitely check it out.

can't same I'm thrilled that Six gun is doing it. they have so few attraction I rather see them focus revenue and time adding to the park.

Has the swing ride ever worked with passengers?

Did anything more get added to that area (plantings, etc)

Did the splash park get finished?

Eric from Lake Compounce is now the GM at Story Land. It will be interesting to see what happens to the park under his watch.

I'm surprised I didn't see him there. I didn't hear anything either. I was there Saturday. I will have a trip report posted soon.

Ah, I mis-posted. I incorrectly thought that this topic was about Story Land. Instead, it's about Santa's Village.

It's interesting that Santa's Village is trying out the Halloween season this year. I don't know how it will work out for them, but Halloween has been pretty profitable for other parks.

I think they are looking to extend the season. Water rides would still be down. so like Christmas you charge full price and have as much or less to operate.

Expanding the season is one of the easiest ways to make money. They have some really good plans in the works but they need the money to do it.

Santa's Village is a great park, but its remoteness probably makes it tough to get a big draw over many months. Granted, they can really pack 'em in on good days, but they really only have July and August to make it big...
Even Storyland is in a bigger tourist area.
I would love to try SV at Christmas someday. Must be beautiful (Santa's Sleigh in the snow!!!)

The park dose well in teh summer. The Christmas event is extremely popular. I have only been there once when it was mildly slow and it was only 9 degrees and a negative wind chill. The park also has the major holiday weekends( memorial day, Columbus day and labor day). The trend I have seen is people will visit both story land and Santa's Village in a weekend.

While they are remote for those heading north, they are closer for those heading south. Travel time the park is about the same as going to Story land.

I think what they need to go is get a bit more competitive. they have gone a great job with the landscaping and feel of the park. but they could use a few more attractions. I think leaving prices back a year might be a good idea create a 2 dollar gap instead of a 1 dollar gap.

SANTA! oo! where are my presents? Where is my corkscrew coaster?

He woudl gladly let you know that the corkscrew was at canobie, your parents were in the park, and that there are many great rides adn Santa's village to fill your day while you were there.

No I did not mean it that way. Where is that Loop and Corkscrew in my backyard? Oh yeah. It's not time

ahh I get it now!

Glad to hear it.

Santa's Village has some interesting values/discounts/deals that apply to some dates in June (May, also, but I just saw them now!)

I wonder if they will add to this for July/August? (probably not...)
http://santasvillage.com/public/fun/games/tree.cfm

Ya it's a cool page. I guess extending it will depend on how it dose through the dates it's running.

I got as chance to visit the park this last weekend. I have a trip report coming soon. I wanted to git some updates were I could.

Swing ride - Only talked to employees but it was apart. is being slowed a bit and should be open by July.

The park got a lot of capital improvements a lot of paint. new cement pads. roofs.

I will have a trip report posted soon.

It'll be nice to hear more about your trip. The swing ride seems to have been nothing but trouble for them. I'm surprised they still haven't gotten it working yet. It looked so good visually, and if they can get all the bugs out, I think it will be a great ride for the park.

Did they add anything in that area (trees/plantings, benches, etc?)

That ride has been a thorn in their side...

I want gingerbread!!!

Yay for gingerbread!! I love their gingerbread cookies too. They're a real treat whenever I visit.

Gard - Ya the swing has been a bit troublesome. it should be open by July. As for gingerbread not a fan but I'm making a point to get Apple Crisp when i go next.

Hub Dave - No they haven't added anything to the area. there were some trees planted last year which will fill in nicely in a few years. the is just as open as it was before just instead of being an open field it not has a path. I woudl guess as more is done in the area that they will add more landscaping and buildings to make the area look better

It's taking a while to get the images up online. I will post the trip report when they are up. Looks like Tomorrow afternoon. but I will try and post a video tomorrow morning.

Though there is a delay in teh trip report I hope this video will help settle your desires for the park.

Yule Log Flume POV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cSyrGVZZc4

Great vid... It looked like the old "watch your fingers and your toes" signs were gone??? (sorta like Burma shave)

LOL, just lean into the turns and it's like being there!