santa's workshop

This was our second trip to Santa's workshop. We took my son when he was 4, and still an only child- and this time we took my daughter who is now 5, as well as my son who is now 10. A great experience both times. If you are expecting a luxury theme park you will be disappointed, but the entire place gives you the Christmas Spirit.There are about a half dozen rides, mostly intended for the 6 and under crowd. They are all very cute, and provide a great photo-op! My kids loved the rain deer carousel. Besides rides, there are several other attractions. Of course, Santa is available for pictures. The line can get LONG, so if you go as part of the family weekend I suggest you make Santa's house your first stop- we did and we're in and out in under 20 minutes. That being said it is a very authentic Santa, and the staff does not rush you at all. We even took a few of our on pictures on our camera. Santa's remainder barn is also on site. My kids loved seeing them. To warm up there is a giant fire pit, with the option to purchase s'mores kits if you need a little snack break. At Santa's toy shop, the kids can see the workshop, and even make a toy of their own. The toy shop also has an indoor slide the kids like. Other shops include an old fashioned chocolate shop, glass shop (really cool ornaments) and a blacksmith making horseshoes. And of course, there are characters to meet and greet throughout the park. My daughter loved Chris-moose and Frosty the most!You must make a final stop in the post office, where kids can get a letter from Santa that is actually postmarked "North Pole". For your older kids starting question about Santa,this helps seal the deal.My only criticism is the shows the put on throughout the day. While they are cute, I find them a little hokey- and really who wants to sit still when it's freezing?

The first theme park in the USA! We got to see the Nativity in zero degree weather. These people are serious about Christmas even days afterward! Santa is the best! The roaring firepit, s'mores, caroling, real reindeer, a candy shop, 5 cars in the parking lot! Our visit was in the evening during a special Christmas lights event. If you like intimate, like it's yours and yours alone to explore, this is the place! You must go with your small children. My dad took me 35 years ago. i am so fortunate to take my son. No, it's not Disney, but its real, and full of the heart of the people who work there and visit.

I heard of this place few years ago and never got the chance to try it. Since my daughter is 10, I knew it was time for us to go asap.It was the best decision ever. She totally loved it. I must say, if your child is younger is probably better but my daughter is very innocent and she appreciates moments and this one was one of the best. They open early and they close early too. It was very cold but we knew we were supposed to do it in one day and you will have plenty of time. The only problem is that they open around/after thanksgiving and they close the day before Christmas. There is no many options (Wekends) to go so if you are really interested plan it in advance and GO!!!There are some rides that my daughter loved but the highlight of course is Santa. The park is an imitation of a town. Very cute. Every house is a store with elves working inside. They also have a mini theater, museum, chapel, etc. I totally recommend it. It's a family place, we had a very nice time.The prices are not bad at all. Basically you pay over there the same prices as you will pay in a store outside.

You visited for Village of Lights which is different from the daily operation, and is the reason the admission price is different as well. We are sorry you only spent an hour, as you most likely missed our Nativity Pageant which happens under the lights at 6PM. We also have the Carolers around the fire, which we do not offer during the day time. We do not require you to purchase a picture or the picture/frame package that you did, when you visit Santa. We were much busier for our Village of Lights this year, and there were dark areas in the parking lot which we will be addressed for next year. Thank you for visiting and we hope you give us another try in the future, when we hopefully have more rides open.

Overall a great place to take your children. It is pretty small and close together which is great for small children. There is enough to do there for one day then you have pretty much seen everything. Lots of small shops in Santa's village with reasonable prices. I always went here as a child and loved it. This year is the first for my son and we will be returning for years to come.

My parents first brought me to the North Pole in the 50's, I was 4 or 5 years old. It was fun bringing each of my four children here when they were each 4 or 5. I drove 10 hours from Ohio to meet my two grandchildren who flew in last night from LA with my daughter and son-in-law. It was a memorable day and the two children loved it just as I probably did in the 50's. The fact that it hasn't changed adds to the believability,I think. It is a quaint little village with chalets, real reindeer, campfires for s'mores, little vintage, original rides, Santa, and little skits. They give each family their own time in Santa's house for visiting Santa. The fact that it hasn't changed and the little ones are still in awe is something magical in today's high tech world!

All the way from Arizona and what a disappointment from what we saw in 1989. Things were very run down, characters clothing was dirty and had holes, and the characters acted like they were being forced to do their jobs. It's time for a facelift or just shut it down.

November 28-30, 2014, I attended Yuletide Family Weekend. It was the most amazing weekend with my daughter and two granddaughters...It will be a weekend etched in all our memories forever. It was certainly "The North Pole" @ 10 degrees...Vintage rides...loving the old fashion buildings..A trip to remember!

We traveled over 4 hours today and never got to see Santa!!! really, really how could this happen??? We arrived at Santas house at 230 and were told we were too late!!! the park closes at 330, there were no apologies, no substitutions, we paid a lot of$$$$ for 90 minutes. I demand a refund, it's just the decent thing to do

To this day my children talk about this as if it were the real deal. We began taking them here around 1984 and it became a family tradition. My oldest is now 38 and talks about it as if it was last month. It has all the elements without the big corporation gimmicks. Real reindeer in the stablles to feed and Santa (with a real beard) in his house with Mrs Claus. It has the workshop with elves making toys and the North Pole is an ice pole they can touch and see it is really made of ice. The rides are low tech and meant to please the little kids, the shows are held outdoor and are live interactive charachters. You can get up early and have breakfast with Santa and after the park you can travel top the top of Whiteface mountain. It embodies everything that children imagine about Santa and holiday magic. Hope they never change the park. I am waithing for the chance to take my grandchildren and start another generation of memories.

Do not expect a modern plastic and metal high-speed theme park. This is a vintage, slightly-worn-around-the-edges, charming park. The signs on the way in are 3-D works of art - be sure to slow down to appreciate them, as well as the many painted signs and other decorations throughout the park. It is clearly a full time job to keep up with them, so don't be surprised to find some looking a bit worn.Santa's house is warm and inviting, even if there are a few cobwebs in the rafters. Perhaps the elves haven't gotten to that while dealing with the naughty and nice lists. Great touch having books in the entryway to calm restless kids.Expect a big line to see Santa. If you don't want to wait, get to the park a few minutes before opening, and head directly to Santa.Candlemaking and toy making were fun. The elves running these could have been a bit more enthusiastic.Meals were good for the price and the quality is there. The restaurant is more economical than most ski areas.The rides are adorable. Very vintage, if needing paint. The carousel has been there almost since the park opened and still has wooden floorboards. The train is great, and my son really enjoyed tha peppermint ride. This ride REALLY needs some TLC in the way of paint, but looking at the progression of painting in the park, I expect they'll get to it this spring. The operator of this ride was very personable and knowledgeable about the park and its history. I suggest the owners educate their other operators this way as well, particularly those who work in the museum. Or perhaps add some (more!) signs at locations giving a simple history of each attraction.The roller coaster is really fun in spite of its small stature, and adults can ride. One of the other rides is from Coney Island.All in all a great day, and I'm glad we visited here before my son was too tall for some of the rides.

I live in Michigan. My family lives in Adirondecks. Everytime we went to visit we went to Santas Workshop. I have the best memories of the talking elf tree, the big north pole, reindeer and I can go on and on, I then took my own children omg they had such a wonderful time getting their wands and hats with their names on them (which they still have). They now want to go and take their children my grandchildren and I will go too, I wouldn't miss the chance. I luv how it made me and all my children feel. Watching their faces light up. I do not believe that in a childs eyes with the mystery of Santa, Elves, and Reindeer they would even notice what the years have done to park. It is nostalgia. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories you gave all of us. I hope you are there forever ........ Cheryl Senecal Kushnereit

As a 26 year old, I sat at the dinner table with my parents tonight discussing how we visited Santa's workshop 20 years ago. We visited right after Thanksgiving, and the entire park was covered in snow. I remember as a little girl seeing the reindeer and meeting Santa himself. I was overcome with joy and hold these memories very near to my heart. I hope in the future to bring my children so they can experience the wonders of Christmas, like I did so many years ago. This park is precious and I hope you don't change a thing!

We have been visiting Santas Workshop since the 60's and have always enjoyed it and can not wait to return! It's disappointing to read some of the negative reviews attacking the entrance cost ($20.00 adult) and the $5.00 price of a Hamburger. In today's day and age this seems like the bargain of a lifetime! I think some people need to understand that it is not Disneyland or Great Adventure but a place that provides great family memories and the preservation of Christmas!To our family its a National Treasure!!!!!Nick C

Well you can imagine my surprise when holidaying here and seeing a sign that said North Pole and then finding out its real! So off we went to see Santas House and Santa was there as well ! What a delight to see and visit and if you have children and you send a letter they will even reply.