The Abandoned.. History of Santa's Villages - The First Theme Park Franchise | Expedition Extinct
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- čas přidán 22. 12. 2018
- Join us as we look at all three of the Santa's Village Theme parks in California and Illinois. The worlds first Theme Park Franchise has existed for over 60 years celebrating the spirit of christmas and later left abandoned.
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Credits -
adamthewoo - • Santas Village - ABAND...
19king14 - • 1955 - July - Santa's ...
About Time - • Santas Village 1955
beerborn - • Santas Village 16mm H...
David Dickstein - • Santa's Village: 1962
Randy King - • Ray Kroc Documentary M...
Silicon Valley History - • Santa's Village (Scott...
richard ameil - • SANTA'S VILLAGE SCOTT...
Mike Massee - / 354990301178329
Santasvillage - • Santa's Village
AtomicBluRadioVision - • Adventureland Pt. 2
Sean Flaharty - • POV of Typhoon - Santa...
Mforce4ever - • Santa's Village Theme ...
stevesteve8383 - • Santa's Village Abando...
allen Pilgrim - • Santa's Village Today
Gabriella Robinson - • Sorensen's Resort
• SkyPark At Santa's Vil...
TheSkeletor262 - • HK Army Indoor Street ... - Zábava
There are plenty of other still operating Santa Parks around the world and the US but none are related to these three. Small correction North Pole was in New York State not city. Merry Christmas.
I once attended the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society Satellite Conferences, located in and around the village of Mount Hermon (CA, USA), and Santa's Village 2, right off the State Route 17 north approach, was closed but mostly intact at the time.
Thank you so much. 🎅🎅😌😅Like many I have had pictures of myself at (in the Lake Arrowhead) Santa's Village as a small kid. I always wondered what happened. I appreciate the research. Well put together.
Expedition Theme Park Whatever happened to Marine Land!?!
Will you cover that one?
Invisible Iis: If you're talking about Marineland in Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles, it was open from 1954 till 1987. There were lots of complaints and protests due to animal cruelty. They were bought by SeaWorld in '87 who moved the killer whales and other animals to their San Diego facility.
My parents took us to the park in upstate NY when we were children. It was a clean and fun place to go. Thank you for telling me what happened to the parks.
Thank you for sharing the history of the Santa's Village Franchise! We re-opened the original park, near Lake Arrowhead, on December 2, 2016 as SkyPark at Santa's Village. We operate year-round with activities for the whole family. From Spring - Fall we offer active attractions like zip-lining, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, pedal cars, roller skating, fly fishing and more. During the holidays, we include more entertainment and experiences like breakfast with Santa, Tea with Mrs. Claus, parades, puppet shows and character experiences. Many of our summer attractions transform with the seasons with the addition of snow activities like snowshoeing, sledding and the roller rink becoming an ice skating rink. Thanks again for sharing this story about people and places that are dear to our hearts.
I was going to say it's reopened! I went to the original Santa's village as a child in the eighties and I hope to bring my son there when he a little older!
I was born in 1967 in the greater L.A. area. I remember those commercials and passing by the place on our way to Big Bear. We never stopped, but I always enjoyed seeing it as we drove past.
Oh dear god, that first commercial for Santa's Village. It (or one very similar to it) played state-wide in the late 80s, and I remember asking my mother where San Bernardino was (I was 10 and we lived on the other side of the state, so I wouldn't have known). She ended up telling me it was kind of near my grandmother just so I had some frame of reference (it wasn't, really - at the time, my grandmother lived in an apartment complex on Katella in Anaheim, practically across the street from Disneyland) and I couldn't figure out why they'd play an ad in Sacramento for something that was an eight-hour drive away. We never went (why, when we could go visit our favorite person AND go to Disneyland instead?) but that commercial certainly brought back memories.
I wanted to go to Santa's Village at BIG BEAR so badly. But we were JW at the time so, yeah, nope.
I went to Santa's Village in San bernadino when I was a child. I had always wondered what happened to it. Thanks for Sharing your research.
HibiscusMedley This was a part of my childhood, too!
They just re-opened ....pretty pricey tho.
Ditto! ^_^
34.232934, -117.169605 (Use these coordinates, put it into google maps, and be prepared for a hundred pounds of nostalgia. Believe it or not, i live in the area, but i've never noticed it in my life. But i wonder what it looks like in the summer...)
Its reopened now but it's more like a park than an amusement park
I'm so glad this was done and to see my artwork on the video. I did custom airbrush for the park for years then moved on to being the graphic designer for the park. I airbrushed the snowball ride and it turned out great!
These classic children's villages are WONDERFUL and should be preserved. It is SO SAD to see some abandoned, like the famous GINGERBREAD CASTLE in NJ, where I went many times in my childhood; the Santa villages in NY NH PA and the Storyland villages in the East are such a wonderful part of my childhood- I was and still am fascinated with them, and I cry when I see ANY of them abandoned. WE need more of that in children's lives. Today's children are so mature it is sickening..... Kimberly
My dad once took us on a trip to see if we could find any remains of the Scott's Valley Santa's Village. We went to a nearby school that used to have old decorations from the village in it's playground for many years, but they had gotten rid of them. Then we went to the property the park used to be on. Looking down into a forrest ravine, we saw the old mushroom decorations, slowly detorating in the middle of the woods. That was the only trace of it left.
I grew up in Elgin, IL and went to the Dundee Santa's Village quite a lot as a kid.
The Polar Dome wasn't just remodeled with a flat roof, it was completely rebuilt.
I remember Santa's Village on our way to Santa Cruz!!! Loved it!!!!
I frequented the Santa's Village in Scotts Valley. My favorite things were the ice-covered North Pole, the dancing chicken, and climbing on those giant mushrooms. Nearby, were two other theme parks - the western themed Frontier Village and the Lost World park, filled with life-sized dinosaur statues.
I lived in Scotts Valley and have many wonderful memories of Santa's Village and Lost World park. Never went to the Mystery Spot but have seen their bumpersticker on cars even on the east coast.
once again CZcams reacquaints me with my childhood. Although my mom took tons of 8mm and stills, we never had any from Santa's Village near Big Bear. This is the first time my eyes have seen the giant mushrooms and that Christmas tree ride since 68. Funny how the brain cells preserve images from 49 years ago even without the periodic reinforcement of recollection and discussions. Now I just wish someone had old 60s pics of Little Bear Park near Maywood, Ca.
My brothers worked at the Santa’s Village in Dundee Illinois. I went there many times. It was always fun.
Those were the days where your parents would tell you, “have fun and before it gets dark come back to our picnic spot, so we can get ready to leave”. We were gone for hours and we all were safe.
I loved Santa village in Elgin Illinois. Grew up there was in tears when it closed. Glad it reopened.
this brings back alot of memories.. im from hawaii and spend my summmers in calfornia.. , my grandparents would always take me to santa's village... i would just stay on the mini roller coaster all day.. i love that place last time i was there was in the early 90s. i wanna go back someday.
I grew up in the San Bernardino mountains, and it was so great to see Santa’s Village re-open! It’s a great little park now :) still a lot of Christmas cheer and fun activities for everyone
It must have been tough living among the woodland creatures and foraging for food.
I was 5 when we 1st moved to Scotts Valley, California. We lived across the freeway from Santa's Village. I went there many times. I closed for a short time & reopended only to close again & never reopen. Good memories from this video.
There’s a Santa’s Village up in New Hampshire, too. Don’t know if it’s the same company, but it’s been around since 1953. It has the same problem the Chicago one does, of course, what with it being a Christmas park located in a part of the world where you don’t want to hang out outside in late December...
It’s not related to these ones
it open before the ones he talk about it opened in '53
Shoutout Cherry Hill NJ lol. Atleast we have a funplex
I grew up in Chicago, and Santa's Village was a big part of my childhood. While not as big as it used to be, I am happy that the park was able to reopen.
I went the one in Chicago area in the 1970's
I grew up at Santas Village Dundee in the 90s and I worked there in the early 2000s, I was apart of the grounds crew in the summer, and got to run the snack bar in the winter, as well as sharpen ice skates and drive the zamboni. Some of the best times ever! Santa's Village Azzosment Park is now opened in the original location, I also got to work there for a couple years operating rides.
I’m so happy you covered this. This is in my neck of the woods.
I went to the Illinois Santa's Village when I was a kid. I remember getting to ride Typhoon because the ride attendant counted my hair as an extra inch. I think it was my first looping coaster, too.
Me too! That place was so fun. It is open again, but from what I have heard it is a little different, but kept a few things.
Ditto, I used to go there when it was open.
My first looping coaster was also called Typhoon.
But that was in Belgium
Same here! We also went to Adventureland.
I only got to see the commercials growing up. I thought that I passed it a few times while in the car with the parents but I must be thinking of a different park as we never went into the North suburbs. But I remember passing some small park that I believe was in or around Oak Park. But it was a tiny park as you could see most of it from the road and the rides were for toddlers at best.
My grandparents lived in Big Bear when I was growing up so I spent a lot of time at the original Santa's Village in the early 90s. I still have very fond memories and somewhere there's a trove of photos and home video if it hasn't deteriorated.
I never went there (the San Bernardino location) but these commercials were forever burned into my mind. I was very happy that it was re-opened a few years ago for new generations to enjoy.
I have memories and a few photos of our trip to the Santa's Village near Big Bear, California.
I lived a half hour away from the Illinois park and went to it the last season it operated before it closed in 2005. Great memories.
I can just picture a guest traveling to the Santa's Village "Worlds of Fun" and asking a cast member, "would you please direct me to Orient Express and Zambezi Zinger?"
Thanks for posting this! I used to go to the Santa's Village in Sky Forest, growing up in the late '50's, early '60's and it was a real treat going there. Many great memories!
I worked at the Dundee park from 2013-2015, nice work on the vid!
Always saw that first commercial you featured on TV when I was growing up. Never went, but when I heard they were reopening, that just made me incredibly happy. Had no idea there was more than one location! Thanks for making this great episode!
Happy Holidays!
I remember going to the original one near Lake Arrowhead when I was little with my siblings in the early 90s, and how sad I was when it closed. So happy that it reopened as Skyforest. Whenever I can get back to California I have to bring my kids
We used to go to the Santas Village in Scotts Valley near Santa Cruz. Great childhood memories!
That’s why there’s a Santa’s Village road in Scott’s valley
Yea. It's the only thing left to let the older people know that it did exist at one time.
I used to go all the time! I thought there was only the one in Scotts valley. Who knew it was so wide spread? Wow!
This shits gonna fkn make me cry. I miss my grandad so much. He used to take me there when I was a little kid.
5:47 And the dundee for the first amusement park chain goes to: Santa’s Village!
Thanks Michael!
They should then install a snowball fight attraction where the guests are surrounded by life size snowmen. Because in the end the best snowball isn't a snowball at all, but fear. Merry Christmas!
Back in the early '70's, my father played in brutal northern Illinois men's hockey league that held it's games in the Polar Dome at Santa's Village in Dundee, IL. The police had to be called in to deal with fights on a number of occasions. If you ever saw the movie "Slapshot", that's what it was like. Here are a few things that I will always remember:
1) The unique (and by that, I don't mean pleasant) smell of the Polar Dome.
2) The surreal feeling I got watching grown men bash each other's faces in, at was meant to be a whimsical, happy place for children.
3) If you ordered a pizza from the concession stand, you would receive one that was burned on the outside while still frozen in the center.
Ahh yes, that musty smell is still there but is now being used by the paintball people, they completely remodeled the Alpine Lounge bar, it's nice but its lost it's magic in my opinion.
I went to Santa's Village near Santa Cruz as a kid. The only things I can remember is a shaky footbridge over a gulch and riding the train. A family movie shows that we three kids were the only ones riding, me and my sister . . . and my brother riding in the back alone.
By the time I went to the Christian college across the highway, Santa's Village was long closed and torn down. This was the mid-80s. I drove through the campus once, a few buildings were still there but were in very bad shape. Borland never built their headquarters on that site.
It was in Scotts Valley, and believe it or not, Elvis had bought it and a few years later sold it..
The last front entrance was the last to go in 2009. Scotts Valley grew a it just sat there. I travel highway 17 everyday to go to work and watch the trees and bushes take over the land. On the other side of highway 17 was a group of dinosaur statues at the edge of group of trees in Scotts Valley CA.
This takes me back. My first job was at Santa's village arrowhead. From 93 to 95. The Hanks were good people. I remember every once in a while Mrs Hank would like to walk around the park but being in her 70's needed help. So part of my job was giving here a arm to hold onto while she walked around and enjoyed seeing everyone having fun and enjoying the park. The Hanks actually lived right there at the park in a small apartment in one of the main buildings. They're son David was the one who mostly ran the park.
We still have a Santa's Village here in Ontario Canada. I took my son when he was about 5 years old. He loved it!
I just love the original buildings and mushrooms and concepts and "look" of those places. It has a charm that can't be replicated it seems.
I remember this place as a child in the late 60's in Scotts Valley, CA off of highway 17 near Santa Cruz CA. By the time I was old enough to go, the park closed. Another park closed down the same time Frontier Village in San Jose CA. I wish I could go back to visit they places as a child once more, and to be old enough to see Santa's Village. Blessings to all.
Fantastic video yet again Sam !!!!!!
This has been my favorite expedition extinct to date! Fantastic work as usual! Happy Holidays!
It was neat seeing Santa's Village in NY... My family went there when I was about 4 years old (I remember being there) back in 1969. Many years later, we were able to take our Children (went twice.. read on). Santa's Workshop had just been sold the first time we went - some things were a little run down, but just as charming. We took out children a second time; It was nice seeing that the people that purchased it renovated it and "upgraded" it. North Pole NY is actually has its own post office/zip code. It is nestled in Wilmington NY, about 5 miles east of Lake Placid, and in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain (if you saw the 1980 Olympics, this is where all the downhill skiing events took place. I knew Walt Disney had visited and took ideas for building DisneyLand. but did not realize that the Santa Parks did the same thing. I hope whatever parks like this that still exist remain open.
Man all these old clips with the music is GOLD
There was also Santa’s Village in the Santa Cruz mountains in the 60’s. It was my favorite because it was opened all year round
While I cant imagine visiting a Christmas themed park outside of December, I love the story and that two of these parks basically still exist. Never heard of these! Another great one Sam!
I'm so happy this expedition had a happier ending! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to one and all and have a Great 2019
There is still one Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire. I’ve been there before. It looks almost identical to the others.
You have no idea how happy I am to see this video. Even though I live near Disneyland, there was always a lot of lore around Santa’s Village. It’s such a charming park, and it’s nice to go to a park where there are no IPs.
Merry Christmas Jasmine!
Expedition Theme Park Merry Christmas!
Such a great video! Thanks for the nostalgia!
Sam awesome video as always. You do such great research. Christmas themed video for Christmas is awesome. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I have so many happy memories of Santa’s village...the reindeer and animals, the pictures with Santa, the ornament ride, the train ride, the giant bee monorail, the giant mushrooms and candy,
I remember going to North Pole Village as a child at the foot of Pikes Peak in Colorado.
My mom remembers going to the Santa's Village in Ontario when she was younger. This video makes me want to revisit it!
Awwwwe, this episode made me so happy!!! Awe, you're the best!!!!! BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!!
Merry Christmas!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Happy Xmas! 😊 and Boxing Day!!! Don't laugh but I shared this vid with everyone I know.
I remember my family went there when I was a child. For many years I wondered if I dreamed it because my sisters did not remember it. I think I was only 4 or 5. My parents aren't around now to ask. I remember that it was in New York State. We are from Michigan. Thank you for sharing this!
I live about 10 minutes away from that place. Wow! I was so excited to see this video. I have always wanted to learn about the place before it re opend a few years ago.
I’m so glad I saw that snowball ride in the California park in this video. You solved a mystery that has been plaguing me for years and left my parents calling me a liar. While the Dundee park was (mostly) abandoned for those few years and most rides sold off, I happened to make a turn into Utica for some gas one day. It’s a town I’d never been to before and I was passing through. Suddenly I see the giant snowman in the parking lot if a motel with only 3 of the arms of the snowball ride.
I told them I found the ride and it was just a little interesting fact, until a few years later, when the park reopened with like 20% of what it once was. But you know what was there? The freakin’ snowman! So now I was a liar. I even got a picture, but back then, it was a 0.5mega pixel camera phone, so good luck making anything out.
Now I know my park either kept their ride or sold it and then got the one from California.
I’m almost positive (but it’s from memory so I can’t say for sure), the one at my park has 4 arms but the one at the hotel had 3.
I loved the video, then you finished it with my favourite Christmas song - I love it!
Merry Christmas!
I really enjoy this channel. You do a great job! Also, great accent and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I'd like to suggest Gaslight Village and Land of Make Believe, both formerly in upstate NY (Specifically the Adirondack region). Keep up the fine work!
Always wanted to go to Santa's Village as a kid. I finally got to go during the Summer this year for the mountain biking down hill Sky Park at Santa's Village now has to offer. Great beginner DH trials and recommend all local SoCal MTB riders to visit and keep this place running. I believe it was 40-45 bucks to ride and it has a great brew selection and food.
I went to one of these in CA as a little kid. I remember having a very fun time there. ^_^
I just started watching this... Wow this brings back huge memories for me! My parents took my sister and me to Santa's Village in the San Bernardino Mountains as part of a ski trip to Snow Summit at Big Bear Lake. When the TV commercial played I was taken back to the Saturday morning cartoons I used to watch during the mid 1980's, which is when it usually aired. I remember as a kid thinking the park was amazing, though small. I still had a blast though! As someone with a season pass to Six Flags Magic Mountain and an annual pass to the Disneyland Resort, I'm sure if the park were still open today I'd probably be less than impressed. But it still holds a special place in my heart. Thanks so much for helping me remember this piece of my childhood!
Great holiday special!
Man......i used to LOVE that place.... Sux its gone but your vid rejogged my memories
Santa’s village in New Hampshire was epic!!!!!!! Hahaha I totally forgot about it until you reminded me!
i’m like 40 minutes from the illinois one, and the timing is kind of funny as i’m currently working on a christmas present of a photo album from my trip this summer to North Pole: Santa’s Workshop in colorado!
That place is still there? At the foot of pikes peak? I loved that place when I was little! We lived in littleton but Colo springs is my all time favorite Colorado town!
@@callielu7485 yes it's still there!
OMG , I remember Santa's Village in San Bernardino! So many memories...
Great video Sam. I never knew about these parks. Its a bit odd to build a Christmas themed park to run year round but i guess people must have liked them
Growing up in Southern California we made several trips to Santa’s Village. Alway an exciting trip
Good video, though you did forget that Santa’s village has a mountain bike park at it as well and that’s what’s been keepin it alive
Merry Christmas Sam!!!
3:29 This Monorail Train At The New York's Worlds Fair In 1964 Is A Bit Like The Pacific Atlantic Monorail Train From Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds The Original Series In 1965. Thunderbirds Are GO. F.A.B Virgil. Thanks A Lot Mate. X
My first visit to Santa's Village Skyforest was in December 1991. I remember riding a few of their rides including their Bee Monorail and Bobsled. I used to live in the state up until 1999, and I heard it closed the year prior. When I visited CA a few times since then, I would check up on the defunct park to see if there were any new developments. I was blessed to have finally seen it April 2017 as SkyPark at Santa's Village, and I actually went inside for a small personal tour during the evening before they closed for the night, which brought back many memories!
I wondered if the creator of Santa's Village went to Holiday World as well for inspiration.
One question I have is this: Which manufacturer made the Christmas Tree ride with the ornaments? My guess is Allan Herschell since he did similar-type rides (e.g., children's Helicopters). Arrow Development would not make as much sense even though they did the Tea Cups for nearby Disneyland.
I grew up near Chicago and went to the Dundee park threw out the 70s and 80s. Always enjoyed it.
Dang! I'm late! Anyways, my little brother and I love your videos and find them very interesting. Keep it up!
I grew up in Southern California and when that old tv ad started playing at the beginning I swear I still knew all the words 😆
I went to San Bernardinos Santas village when I was young. I remember they had rings with gemstones on them. I ended up getting one that at first glance looked like a piece of gum. I remember everyone cracking up on the car ride home, ah memories.
Thank you for a memory and for telling the story. I grew up going to the one between San Jose and Santa Cruz. I don't remember a lot outside of being really excited to be going there. I always wondered why it closed.
Loved this fascinating holiday story. I visited the original Santa’s Village several times in the early 60s and have a number of memorable family photos. Also stayed in a cabin at Sorensen’s Resort that had been relocated from the Scott’s Valley location, but didn’t know the two were related, that there was a third location, and what ever became of them. Thanks for filling in the rest of the story.
BYW/ There used to be two Santa Claus Lanes along the Pacific Coast Highway, one between LA and San Diego and one toward Santa Barbara. All that remains today are the street names.
Merry Christmas 🎄⛄!!
Had so much fun there!
Fantastic! There are lots of Santa's Village postcards and other souvenirs on eBay!
I’ve lived in Southern California all my life and I remember commercials for Santa’s Village when I was a kid in the 90s. I remember one time I actually had to choose between this and Disneyland. Kinda happy I chose Disneyland lol
Having worked at 3 worlds in the early 90s and having put on a haunted attraction there in 97 this video brings back a ton of memories. Village is where I learned how to manipulate a "Tilt-A-Wherl" to spin the cars super fast ( or not at all if you had a jerk). It's also where I spent alot of my childhood days because my aunt lived about ten minutes away.
Thank you so much for this incredible video.
Haunted trail with the train running out of gas.
@@MilwaukeeF40C yeah, did you go through?
I loved the rollercoaster
I went to Santa's Village in the Arrowhead area as a child with my family several times back in the 60's! Nice memories 👍👏
I’m a regular at the original Santa’s Village, which reopened with the addition of a nearly year-round mountain bike park in the forest adjacent to the village 👍🏼
Second
Also I'm from san bernardino and grew up with these commercials. Weird to me that someone would want to talk about this place!
NOT WEIRD AT ALL PEOPLE LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT BETTER TIMES YOUR THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES NOT.
I love hearing about places like these
In April 1958, the company entered into a fifty-year lease,....
Sears did the same thing with their properties.
Wonder if long leases have anything to do with these companies going toes up after a while?
Early squad unite! That's some impressive theming, the first ones really show a profound affection for the concept.
I used to live in Big Bear. I remember coming to Santas Village as a teenager. It was aimed towards little kids. There was a puppet show and a roller coaster. I just wished there was something to do for teens and adults.
I still work at Santa's Village in East dundee. The history of this place is very interesting
I love the history.... you do a great job ..... i learn so much ..... do one on enchanted forest in Indiana
I'm from Santa Cruz. Some of my earliest memories are entering Santa's Village in Scott's Valley.
I liked the Dundee commercial that had “Uncle” Larry Lujak from WLS radio. He had a thing on his show called Animal Stories, which is why he said, “The animals love me!!!”.
Your charming and delightful old Uncle Lar. And his shiny new dimes.
That's right Lil Tommy!
I grew up in Barstow, CA and my family went to Santa's village in the late 80s early 90s. I have very vague memories of the original Santa's village in San Bernardino. Interesting to learn what happened to the park.
I actually went to THAT Santa's Village when I was but a little girl. Oh, the memories.
Thanks for this look back.