Christmas-themed Parks
I have some slide scans featuring Christmas-themed amusement parks for you today, starting with this great shot of two kids in an antique auto (presumably built by Arrow Development?), circaJuly, 1964. Looking at the buildings and giant mushrooms in the background, it's pretty clear that this photo was taken at one of the "Santa's Village" parks. But there were several in the US, so which one is this?
I found this postcard featuring what appears to be the exact same antique auto ride, from the Santa's Village in Skyforest, California (near Lake Arrowhead). It closed in 1998.
Next is this scan from a slide dated November, 1965. It's another Santa's Village! Or maybe the complete name of this place is "Santa Claus Village", as seen on that yellow sign to the left. Either way, I can find no other photos of a park with this entrance and with that statue of Santa holding his book listing the Good Boys and Girls. So for now, this one is a mystery to me!
3 comments:
Major-
I notice in the Santas Village [sic], or Santa Claus Village image that it's air conditioned. I would think being so close to the North Pole such accoutrements would come naturally, and require no special announcements.
Thanks, Major.
The first two images are definitely Santa’s Village SKYFOREST , CA . And that is one of the Arrow Development’s Antique Auto systems. It remained as popular attraction at the mountain park till the park’s closure in 1998.
The Santa’s Village Santa Cruz used an older two seater Arrow Development Antique Auto system … that featured Model T Ford’s and Maxwell’s. The Santa Cruz location closed in 1979.
The Santa’s Village in Dundee , Illinois ( the chain’s 3rd park) had a tractor attraction later replaced by an antique auto 2 seater “ FLIVER” ride I believe by another company other than Arrow ….. CHANCE? HENSCHEL?? I can’t recall off hand.
Hmm, I do believe those colorful flowers are of the plastic variety (Flora Plasticitus), grown mainly at garden departments of big box stores across the U.S.. The little girl looks very chill riding in the green auto with the steering wheel on the wrong side.
The postcard does indeed look like the same Santa's Village. I think the Gingerbread Man looks a little sinister. He's planning something, and it can't be good.
I had a pithy paragraph written about the "Air Conditioning", but Nanook stole my thunder (haha). Looks like Santa has all 8 of his reindeer plus Rudolf. Some of them are in very awkward poses.
Nice photos for the Christmas-y season. Thanks, Major.
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