Locals! Guess what is coming back after a couple of Decades

[Darkbeer1]

Well, great news this morning, a childhood memory that is still going strong (time with my dad at this location.)

In the San Bernardino Mountains, (Skyforest), it is ... SANTA'S VILLAGE!!!

And it sounds cool

http://skyparksantasvillage.com/

And from a news article

http://www.pe.com/articles/thanksgiving-816757-crews-venue.html

>>The return of Santa’s Village will create a new entertainment mecca for the western side of the San Bernardino Mountains.

The new Skypark at Santa’s Village will include an ice skating rink, a log cabin community of singing characters and actors, new restaurants — one with an electric train zooming above diners – and multiple adventure activities.

And the park will meld technology and nature as Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) will allow the Village’s Santa to know what children want for Christmas (because the parents write that down before entering the park), and customers of a log cabin bar sip their brews resting on oakwood.<<'

Time for a road trip (if they can get the needed permit!)

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yes! I believe someone bought it back in 2014 and now it's getting ready to open soon.

I was planning to mention this in our Southern Californian thread, but you beat me to it. I've been waiting for this to re-open for a long time. I'm going to try and get my sister and my nephews to take a trip.

 

[Phroobar]

I don't think I've ever been to Santa's Village when I was a kid. I have no memory of it. The place sounds like a tourist trap with cheap carnival rides.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I don't think I've ever been to Santa's Village when I was a kid. I have no memory of it. The place sounds like a tourist trap with cheap carnival rides.

Yes, that is what it was, a great location with a scenic drive, and back then, finding Santa to sit in his lap was a lot harder to do then all the Santa options today.

And parking sucked back then, I remember having to park across the street and wait for a spot. Tough for a kid who wants to get out of the car and go to the village. I went with my parents and grandparents one year, and yes, rode the cheesy rides.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/article...tas-village-an-abandoned-1950s-christmas-park

But then, I had a big treat riding an adult version of Huff and Puff (Adult Handcars) at Idlewild a few years ago

https://darkbeer.smugmug.com/Theme-Parks/IdlewildCoasterCon-62210/i-S93MzTJ/A

 

[Phroobar]

Yeah, there is something to say about the simple pleasures in life. I'll have to check out the adult handcars someday.

 

[peterpanic74]

I went there several times as a small child, and have great memories of the place. Glad it's reopening

 

[Earl Sweatpants]

A buddy of mine has been working on the refurb doing concrete work. Might have to check it out.

 

[Stevek]

We have a place up in Big Bear and will definitely make the trek over there after it opens. We only visited once, many years ago but thought it was great.

 

[yookeroo]

I've been raving there.

 

[Phroobar]

I've been raving there.

You went to a rave there? What was that like?

 

[yookeroo]

You went to a rave there? What was that like?

My memory was blurry the day after (which means I had a great time ). You expect better almost 2 decades later?

 

[Darkbeer1]

I just thought of something,I ama fan of the cheesy Roadside attractions, such as the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, the Mystery houses in multiple states, and I have done quite a few of them. One of the nearby classics is the Cabazon Dinosaurs....

https://darkbeer.smugmug.com/Travel/Cabazon-Dinosaurs-21912/

So sometimes it is the cheesiness that makes it a place to visit, though at $59, I am not sure I would be looking to go if not for reliving prior visits.

 

[NobodyElse]

I ama fan of the cheesy Roadside attractions, such as the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz

Do you remember this old marketing phenomenon? While people were visiting these attractions, workers would wire tagboard signs to their front bumper (looked like big bumper stickers). As they headed on down the highway, they were an advertisement for what those in the opposite direction were approaching.

On a related note, do you remember front bumpers?

 

[MoonRakerSCM]

Sadly the Cabazon Dinosaurs, while still there, are run by anti-science people and the dinosaurs are used for propaganda.

I've been to the The Thing in Arizona... loved the stop (long roadtrip, got some snacks and water), finally found out what The Thing is, and honestly I really enjoyed all the antiques and stuff they had along with The Thing in the 'pay to see' area.

Why is it 'SkyPark' at Sant's Village? The website seems a bit... 'edgey' as well? Was it purchased by a zip lining company or something?

 

[Darkbeer1]

Sadly the Cabazon Dinosaurs, while still there, are run by anti-science people and the dinosaurs are used for propaganda.

I've been to the The Thing in Arizona... loved the stop (long roadtrip, got some snacks and water), finally found out what The Thing is, and honestly I really enjoyed all the antiques and stuff they had along with The Thing in the 'pay to see' area.

Why is it 'SkyPark' at Sant's Village? The website seems a bit... 'edgey' as well? Was it purchased by a zip lining company or something?

OK, I have NO inside information, but based on what I have seen online and talking to a few folks.

As part of the permitting process, it seems the "trendy" eco-adventure stuff of rides that are not traditional rides, but do it your self stuff is what the progressives want. I noticed one "upcoming" attraction is basically the LEGOLAND Sky Cruiser Pedal Coaster (Who knows, maybe the same one, since LEGOLAND closed theirs). (Your pedal power really doesn't much, it is just an on/off switch, as the ride itself propels using a motor for safety issues.

But the Adventure stuff is trendy, and is planned for the "addition". But to open in 2016, they are stuck with the original footprint. Hopefully we can get some reports if it opens this year.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, a tangent, but heck, I started the thread and please take this in the right way...

Coming Soon - the WDW Magic Disneyland Resort regulars bonding camp. Meet fellow posters in the San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Arrowhead and live outdoors, enjoy the outdoors, including sleeping bags and small tents, roasting marshmallows (bring your own chocolate),eating dehydrated food, and then bonding exercises like catching each other when falling on purpose. (well, there is no guarantee that everyone will be caught, it depends on your viewpoints about the Resort), recreate Tom Sawyer's Island attractions from the past. Enjoy finfding caves, but with a twist. As some have Bears and Mountain Lions in them.....And enjoy the new extension, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, where you can search for Paul Pressler and his minions. Paint Ball Guns are available at an extra fee.

As a bonus, posters will get to go to Santa's Village and ask Santa for things like short lines at Star Wars Land, Disney admitting they are going to expand DCA using the old Transportation Hub area, and getting rooms for just $99 at the new 4th Disney owned Hotel.....

Wait, I think that is a dream... just like PF Chang's offering Free Sushi.... wait, that is actually happening today!

 

[NobodyElse]

Wait a minute...

https://www.pfchangs.com/info/freesushi

Now I don't know what to believe.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Wait a minute...

https://www.pfchangs.com/info/freesushi

Now I don't know what to believe.

Well, if you are in Hawaii.... No Free Sushi for you, but then again, you are in Hawaii, and that is a good thing!

And On Wednesday, November 2nd, a Free Taco from Taco Bell for everyone

https://www.tacobell.com/stealabase...w9fCYjFwgXKX_a_No3QmMIl-D3L-sUyBjXRoCzLTw_wcB

 

[Phroobar]

OK, a tangent, but heck, I started the thread and please take this in the right way...

Coming Soon - the WDW Magic Disneyland Resort regulars bonding camp. Meet fellow posters in the San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Arrowhead and live outdoors, enjoy the outdoors, including sleeping bags and small tents, roasting marshmallows (bring your own chocolate),eating dehydrated food, and then bonding exercises like catching each other when falling on purpose. (well, there is no guarantee that everyone will be caught, it depends on your viewpoints about the Resort), recreate Tom Sawyer's Island attractions from the past. Enjoy finfding caves, but with a twist. As some have Bears and Mountain Lions in them.....And enjoy the new extension, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, where you can search for Paul Pressler and his minions. Paint Ball Guns are available at an extra fee.

As a bonus, posters will get to go to Santa's Village and ask Santa for things like short lines at Star Wars Land, Disney admitting they are going to expand DCA using the old Transportation Hub area, and getting rooms for just $99 at the new 4th Disney owned Hotel.....

Wait, I think that is a dream... just like PF Chang's offering Free Sushi.... wait, that is actually happening today!

Hopefully someone goes Blair Witch on them.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Well, Santa's Village is opening officially today for the season, as they got a Temporary Use Permit for the season,and that folks will have to sign a release form to enter the property. Hopefully some news outlets will get access today to show what is open for the season.