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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Timeless tales told in rhymes at Story Land
Timeless tales told in rhymes at Story Land
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My niece Genevieve laughing hysterically as she spins around on Alice's Tea Cups. Reminder Publications photo by Katelyn Gendron
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GLEN, N.H. Each summer, for as far back as I can remember, my late Aunt Diane would take me, my sister and my cousins to Story Land theme park in Glen, N.H.
In today's world of gigantic, pricey amusement parks, where death-defying roller coasters have sideswiped kid-friendly fun, this theme park allows children and their families to enter a world where Mother Goose's nursery rhymes and fairy tales become reality, all for a family-friendly price.
Last week I returned to Story Land for the first time since my aunt's passing five years ago, no longer a child but with all of my childlike tendencies intact. Making the trip with me was my brother Justin, his fiance Deena and her five-year-old daughter Genevieve. As soon as we parked the minivan I jumped out, grabbed my niece and we headed hand-in-hand straight for the entrance.
As we made our way through the parking lot, her eyes opened wide when she saw the Bamboo Chutes -- a river raft ride -- peaking over the property's fence just as one of the chutes rocketed down the water slide soaking its riders. Now that I look back on it, this feeling of being drenched by raining water must have been an omen but I'll get into that later.
Once we reached the entrance, Genevieve looked at me inquisitively, wondering no doubt if this unusually crooked building would stand long enough for us to get into the park. The building is your indoctrination into Mother Goose's fantasy world recreated at Story Land. Mother Goose's nursery rhyme "There was a Crooked Man" serves as the basis for the entrance.
After purchasing our tickets a reasonable $24 per person my brother and I grabbed a map to see what within the park had changed since his days of working the rides at age 18. We realized that much had changed, including numerous additions, but much had remained the same, such as the Disneyland-like merriment of the employees, the impeccable cleanliness of the park and the notable preservation of our favorite attractions.
With my niece in hand we made our first stop to see Mother Goose, who sits in her wooden rocking chair alongside her pet goose waiting to greet park goers. After a cordial conversation with Mother Goose and a few minutes petting her goose we moved on to visit "The Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe."
Just as it had been when I was a child, the Old Woman was still sitting there giving out the large circular Story Land stickers to all who entered her shoe house. Unfortunately I've grown too much to fit in her house but I stood waiting for Genevieve to emerge. She exited with a sticker adhering to her shirt and a glowing smile on her face.
For parents with small children this area in the front of the park is a great place to teach them about Mother Goose's nursery rhymes with hands-on attractions such as the animatronic Humpty Dumpty and the petting zoo, which features the Three Little Pigs, Bah, Bah, Black Sheep and others.
Adjacent is another play area for young children called the "Little Dreamers Play Area," based on the "One, Two Buckle My Shoe" nursery rhyme. There are large shoes for kids to buckle, doors to shut and even a big, fat hen.
From there you can visit the Mad Hatter and Alice on the spinning tea cups. What's great about the rides at Story Land is that the minimum height requirement for the large rides is only 36 inches, unlike the higher requirements for most of the theme parks across the nation.
After the tea cups I suggest making your way through the gates to Cinderella's Castle. From the gates you can see her lopsided castle at the top of the hill. I suggest walking up the hill to the castle to see the princess and riding the pumpkin coach down because the line is shorter up there. When reaching the castle you can look upon the majesty of the glass slipper and take pictures with her highness.
The valley below Cinderella's Castle nestles a lake featuring three rides, including the small, individualized swan boats, the Story Land Queen and the Buccaneer Pirate Ship.
Just as we got into a small swan boat, a light sprinkle began to fall on Story Land, which my family had always said was impossible. It is a long-standing joke in my family and among Story Land employees that this park has an imaginary "bubble" over it because it does not often rain on the park.
"What happened to the 'bubble?'" I asked Justin. "It never rained when Aunt Diane took us to Story Land! Maybe we just don't have her magic powers to prevent rain."
"No, I just think she checked the weather forecast," he replied with a smile.
So we sought refuge inside what used to be called the "Ups 'n' Downs," what can only be described as a kind of a seated skeeball game. Roll the ball up the ramp and sink the ball into a hole to move your horse one, two or three spaces. Be sure to move your horse to the finish line before the other 11 players and win a prize. Unlike the games at most theme parks, this one costs only $1.
Adjacent to "Ups 'n' Downs" is the Buccaneer Pirate Ship, piloted by a fierce pirate who works you to the bone while at sea by making you row.
"If you don't row, we don't go," he says.
If you want a nice, relaxing tour of the lake, I suggest riding on the Story Land Queen that will take you around to visit the Frog Prince and other fairy tale characters.
Across the way is the Los Bravos Silver Mine Tour, a guided tour of the dark, dank mine built unevenly on quicksand. I have to admit that despite this humorous tour, when I was younger it did scare me. I suggest that all children who are afraid of the dark or traveling down into a mine repaired by "shoe strings" stay away from this attraction.
Other favored pastimes at Story Land include the Polar Coaster, a roller coaster that takes your swiftly into the freezing artic on the backs of polar bears.
A short walk away are two great water rides called the Bamboo Chutes and Dr. Geyser's Remarkable Raft Ride. The Bamboo Chutes is surrounded by a wonderland of Asian architecture, vegetation and music, making you feel as if you are in China.
Dr. Geyser's Remarkable Raft Ride (my favorite water raft ride) takes you through a twisting course complete with multiple geysers that propel water high into the air ensuring that you will get soaked!
Some of the newer attractions are also fun, including the Turtle Twirl, the Tractor Ride and the Big Top Circus but for me, the most fun is in the older parts of the park. Another favorite of mine is the Huff Puff & Whistle Railroad, which takes you on a train around the entire park. This is a good way to rest and take in the park under the shade of the covered train. I also enjoy the Slipshod Safari Tour, which locks the kids into a barred animal cage while the parents ride in the seats in the back.
Even though it may not seem like it, I have left out numerous other rides and attractions that Story Land has to offer, however, this will give you the opportunity to go and take them all in for yourself. And don't worry that the Story Land bubble has popped because the park issues rainy day passes allowing you reentry on the sunny day of your choice.
I plan on using my rainy day pass very soon.
For more information about Story Land visit www.storylandnh.com.
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