Tucked into the rolling landscape of Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Santa’s Workshop may not appear to be the most pioneering theme park in the world.
But this family friendly, Santa-themed park is anything but average. Upon its opening in 1949, this “theme park” caught the attention of many, including Walt Disney.
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
Santa’s Workshop first opened its gates on July 1, 1949 in Wilmington, New York. The park was designed by artist Arto Monaco and featured a “fantasy village populated by storybook and legendary characters centered around a ‘North Pole’ frozen year round.”
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
The buzz surrounding the theme park’s opening caught the attention of Walt Disney, who was busy planning his Disneyland project in California. He sent a team of researchers to find out why people were talking about this little park in upstate New York.
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
The extent to which Santa’s Workshop influenced Disneyland is debatable. But what’s not debatable is Santa’s Workshop’s status as one of the forerunners of the theme park industry.
Today, the park is still open and entertaining guests of all ages.
I had the opportunity to ask Santa’s Workshop general manager Matt Stanley some questions about the park.
C101: How do you keep Santa’s spirit alive when the park is operating outside of the holiday season?
Matt: It is not a problem here are Santa’s Workshop because everyday is a Christmas day. The spirit of Santa, and the Christmas feel never leave you once you enter our happy village. If seeing Santa’s live reindeer team, listening to the Christmas music in the background or Santa Claus himself are not evidence of that, just touch the North Pole which is frozen year round.
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
C101: How does the park plan for and operate when often-unpredictable winter weather approaches?
Matt: Due to our location, we experience some extreme weather conditions. We are often checking radars, listen to weather forecasts and prepare for the worst weather in any storm. Our rides are on alert when lightning is in the area. Other than that, we try to work around the raindrops and snowflakes. Santa’s Helpers are extremely versatile when it comes to moving snow or keeping areas clean and dry.
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
C101: With so many holiday activities to choose from, what does Santa’s Workshop offer that no other entertainment venue can match?
Matt: Our personal attention to each an every guest. Our guests are brought right into the fantasy and become part of the show with Santa’s Helpers. This is where you come to make memories.
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
C101: As Santa’s Workshop celebrates its 65th season, can you envision the park’s next 65 years? The amusement industry is always innovating and adapting to meet consumers’ changing desires. Do you feel pressure to adapt or modernize? Or do you plan to retain the classic charm the park is known for?
Matt: When Santa created his summer home here in 1949, there were very few places like it. Everyone tried to copy this model called the theme park, and very few have survived. The ones that have survived, have evolved away from what we could consider the original thought of a theme park and evolved into a themed amusement park.
We do not plan to evolve into an amusement park, and plan to keep the original ideas of a place children can visit Santa and get away from the high tech devices and share a slice of time when their parents and grandparents were younger.
The park is celebrating 65 years in 2014, which is a feat for any amusement or theme park considering fluctuating economies and unpredictable tourism trends.
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
For years, families have brought their children to meet Santa’s reindeer, take photos with the North Pole landmarks scattered throughout the park and enjoy time together.
While not a mecca for thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies, Santa’s Workshop offers a variety of kid-friendly attractions, a few of which adults in the family can ride. One of those rides suitable for the entire family is Santa’s Sleigh Coaster.
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
Opened in 2003, this small Molina & Son’s steel coaster is a great first ride for the coaster enthusiasts in training.
Photo © Santa’s Workshop/NorthPoleNY.com
While the park is open during the summer months, the holiday season offers guests even more family fun. From Yuletide Family Weekends starting in late November, to the annual Village of Lights display and the nearby Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll December 12-14, special events make a winter trip to Santa’s Workshop even more memorable.
Santa’s Workshop opens weekends for the holiday season beginning November 22, 2014. For all operating dates and times, visit the park’s website. We’d like to thank Matt for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak with us.
Have you visited Santa’s Workshop? Share your thoughts about the park in the comments section below.
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