Santa’s Village

I reserve 5 stars for exceptional places — and there are so many exceptional points about Santa’s Village that they have earned it.
First off: This is a place for people that have children in the 2 – 10 year old range. Any older and the rides aren’t as thrilling as a 10+ year old might expect. There are bumper cars and a small roller coaster but it pales in comparison to a larger ‘adult’ amusement park. The bulk of the rides require you to be 42″ tall to ride alone or 36″ to ride with an adult. Check the park website before you go if you think this’ll be a problem for your group.
The most impressive feature of this place is the PEOPLE. Seriously, I swear that every person that works here loves their job and shows it with the most patient, courteous, competent help that you could ask for. They are dealing with a tough crowd: kids in the 2 – 10 year old range aren’t always cooperative, quick, or able to understand instructions. Yet the ride operators patiently explain how the ride works, buckles them in, and most of them do it with an enthusiasm that is sadly missing from just about everywhere in our culture.
For example, the woman operating the Himalaya ride today asked everyone «how fast do you want to go today?». «FAST!», everyone replies. «Well, Santa installed a LIGHTNING SPEED button and that’s how fast we’re going to go!». We came back to the ride 5 times over the course of the day and she delivered roughly that speech each time with the same enthusiasm.
Same thing with the guy operating the monorail sleigh ride. «What do you say?» (if you’ve been reading the signs, the answer is «Up up and away»), so the kids reply «Up up and away» and he shouts out «Here we go!» as he starts the thing on the tracks. Every time, with the same enthusiasm
The kid operating the roller coaster — he sings a little pop music lyric as the train goes whizzing past the station. Each time, a different tune. totally off key. but he’s not embarrassed. Not the kind of thing a clock punching high school kid would normally do.
And the guy operating the train. My word, driving around the track a hundred times a day has to get old, but each time we’ve been to the place, it’s the same guy and he looks like he’s thrilled to do his job.
_​Most_​of the people working are in the retirement age range. 60+. so perhaps they all just love kids. But there are younger «kids» working some of the rides that require a little more physical deman (the «you tube» slide, etc.) and even they’re great with kids.
Sorry, that was a little over the top but they really deserve it.
Point two: The park is in immaculate condition. Clean, clean, clean. There are bathrooms everywhere, there are plenty of places to sit down, and it smells like a pine forest all year round.
Point three: The theme is well delivered and consistent. Even if you’re there in June, you won’t mind the Christmas music blaring (they have a thing for the Carpenters’ Christmas album) and while you don’t have to be a religious person, they didn’t totally sell out to the retail part of Christmas. They have a nativity and a church and if you’re into that sort of thing, you can spend a couple minutes there.
We’ve been there in June a few times and again now in October and the place is great regardless of season. You obviously can’t do the water rides (well, you can — and some people do – the log flume when it’s 45 degrees out. but they’re crazy) all year round, but just about everything else is open.

This place is fun for all ages. Lots to see and do. My husband and I love to take our grandchildren there when they are in town. In fact we visit Santa’s village at least once in the summer and also on a weekend around Christmas. My husband loves to stay all day to enjoy the park and then be wowed by the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations after dark. Our grandchildren love the park and it is difficult to say what their favorite thing to do. The reindeer are always a big hit. They ride the chimney drop over and over. They love the swings too. But in the summer we always end our day at the water park and they love it. The bathrooms are located in many places around the park and they are always sparkling clean. They have rooms for nursing Mothers and family bathrooms. The staff is always cheerful and helpful. The flowers in the summer are beautiful. The grounds are kept immaculate. I cannot say enough about this place. It is definitely a place to take children of all ages. Fun, Fun, Fun!

My four year old loved this park and is still raving about it weeks after we have returned) the alphabet elves) game was something she loved (getting a new letter was great for her) Feeding the reindeer was another highlight for her; I will say that this is a park other parks should look at for an example of how to treat a customer and make their day special (the employees were not run down, dragged out, unhappy employees) it was as if they were there to make YOUR day special and something for YOU and YOUR family to remember /​the value is great food prices beyond reasonable and my daughter honestly liked this park MORE than DISNEY :-) I will be going back with my nieces next trip as I loved this place (the park is also very clean) and has enough walking space and paths to allow for crowds although wait times in the middle of peak season were no more than 20 minutes for any ride we went on and some rides had no lines at all :-)

Went to Santa’s Village with the family yesterday for the first time and we all had a pretty good time. The rides are ideal for ages 6 – 12 year olds. The roller coaster was ok but overall the rides were entertaining. The water park area was very good. The three big slides were fun for the kids as well as the adults.
The park was very clean and well maintained. Not we need to go there again but it was worth the $ 30 per person.

Such a great time. Took advantage of their policy when you arrive after 3 you get passes to come back the following day (or any day for that matter). Spent 3 hours the first day, came back the following day and stayed all day. Great, clean park perfect for younger kids. Never felt overcrowded. The employees were all super friendly. Will definitely be back!

Great value and fun. Our four year old had a blast. Rained a little but plenty of cover and free ponchos kept the day from being a loss. Water attractions get very busy in the afternoon, recommend doing that part early. Elf-​abet was a great way to keep the feet moving. Large pizza and 4 drinks for $ 24 was a steal for a park. Free strollers in the park are a definite bonus.

Awesome for young kids. They’ve added a great water slide and pavilion with food and outdoor tables and changing rooms by the water park. It’s really nice. And there’s a new tube slide (dry) by the reindeer barn. It’s a one-​of-​a-​kind place, but they don’t let that go to their head (unlike Attitash mountain — see my other review). It’s also remarkably clean and well kept. As usual the food prices are over-​the-​top, but you can pack a lunch.

Family trip!
it was awesome the kids and the adults enjoyed it as well we went to a pizza shop forgot the name of it in the village and i was fantastic! so good! it was close by the «elfs home» but great rides lines were not long and not so crowded. would love to come again in december!

What great thing to do see Santa on June it was a very fun place my kids loved it and had a blast and price were reasonable

Great, great, great! This place is beautiful, clean, lots to do with kids. Be careful of the tattoo girl. We were charged 12 bucks for tattoos worth 8. Ask her how much it is first before she sprays it on your kid. We kept away from the shops and still stayed all day. Carry your own food and that way you can splurge on doughnuts and ice-​cream. Bumper cars were great! Compared to other parks this was the best! Staff were all friendly and helpful.

Well done. It wasn’t a busy day so we had no line access to everything. 3 and 6 year old loved it. We managed to stay from open to close. Clean. Polite. And above expectations for a seasonal venue.

I’ve been here a few times because most of my family lives in Laconia and Gilford NH. This is a great place for kids to hang out and its fun even during the summer. It has Rudy’s Rocking Roller coaster. The Humbug Adventure is a great ride too but many be scary for young ones with the dark rooms and flashing lights. I was here a long time ago so it might have changed but the last time I went was 2007.

This was our first visit and it was fantastic! What a great park, a good size for a one day visit. There were barely any lines on this Tuesday. The park is very clean and staff incredibly friendly. My kids enjoyed the Elfabet challenge too. Food choices were incredible, loved the veggie and fruit tray options. Water park was also well designed, my 12 month old loved the baby jumpers in the wading area. Changing area was so nice and the prices in the bathing suit shop were very reasonable.

I’ve had so many great memories here. I’ve been here twice when younger, and then again recently. We were there from opening to closing. This place is a blast. The Christmas theme in the middle of summer is funny, and entertaining. Christmas music plays through the whole park. Lines were long (20 – 30 mins maybe) at first opening but later on the front of the park gets slower. We put our dog in the kennel they have there, and we really enjoyed it. They give you a water bowl and you can bring whatever you want. You get a hand stamp to re enter the park, so we walked our dog at times in the day. There’s also a hose next to the kennels! The rides aren’t too scary, so they are great for older and younger people. The alphabet elf game is great to keep kids interested. A little prize is given at the end if you find all of them! This place is a MUST.

Took our 2 and ½ year old here today (a Monday). Arrived at 11am and stayed to closing at 5pm. Perfect amount of time without over doing it. So much better and nicer than I expected. Very clean and well kept/​maintained.
We did 1 show (light show) and it kept his attention for 10 minutes. Best to skip shows if you have such a young child.
Shocked that my son wanted and willing to go on so many rides. No bumper cars, flying swings or rollercoaster (too small). But handled everything else like a champ. I’d say we hit the age window on the low end perfectly. Well go back again in a couple years when he is five and we’ll be able to do everything. We’ll do it on a Monday again too, no lines, no stress.

What better then seeing Santa in June with the kids. The kids loved it and the price was reasonable

What a beautiful park. It’s such a great park to bring little ones. Everyone is very friendly. The rides are great and well maintained. The water park was a great addition, especially since we visited in the summer! Can’t wait to go back!

I went as a small child but my wife (and 5 month old daughter) has never been, so I figured this would be a great opportunity to take our daughters 1^st picture with Santa Clause at Santa’s Village. My wife absolutely LOVED it she now wants to go every year and make it a tradition. Very reasonable price, staff was super friendly, grounds were very clean and food was pretty good too. Since we took our baby we didn’t get to do that much, will have to wait until she’s a little older but what little we did we loved! We got there right when they opened and left about an hour before closing. Great time, great memories! Santa we will see you and your elves next year and hopefully every year after that!!!

I was at Santa’s Village on a recent trip, and they added a few attractions, such as Ho Ho H2O Waterpark. The rides that I went on, are the Reindeer Carousel, and the Skyway Sleigh, which is a monorail. The gift shops sell lots of souvenirs and Christmas decorations.

This is just our 4^th year visiting Santa’s Village. Our only regret is we didn’t hear about it sooner. It is a great, super clean, fantastic family vacation spot. The folks that work here are great. It’s very reasonably priced too $ 29 for the day. If you live close enough, the season pass is an even better deal at $ 79. If you’ve never been, put it on your list. Kids love it. Adults love it too.