Lake George, NY

[canwegosoon]

http://www.canoeislandlodge.com/

This is a nice place, meals are included, sailing, they have a private beach, boats, activities. They will send you a price list.

 

[diskids2]

You guys are great! Everyone is being so helpful. Please keep the tips and advice coming because I really appreciate it. I've been doing some investigating too and does anyone have any thoughts on the best place for waterskiing?

Oh by the way, someone asked and my kids are DD-15 and DS - 11. I think I would bring them to the racetrack even though they have never been to one. I think they may have a good time.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

We've been going to Lake George every year for 13 years now and my the kids love it( DD-14 & 11). We stay in Bolton Landing on Route 9 and rent a cabin for the week. Most all of them are little old & outdated.
There is alot to do. My kids go jet-sking, tubing, parachuting?, horseback riding and rafting. The Great Escape park is fun plus they have a the water park. Their is also another water park on route 9.

My 14 DD knows Lake George so much she could be a tour guide.

 

[aprilgail2]

we stayed at http://www.diamondcovecottages.com/rates.html

 

[diskids2]

Can anyone tell me more about these trolleys. Also, we have never rented a cottage/cabin and I've never even cooked on vacation before. LOL, I'm really not spoiled, we've just never done it. That could be kind of fun. Hmm, lots to think about.

 

[dandelion]

Trolleys are used in resort areas to help move people around. They're a little cuter than a public bus but that's basically what they are.

In Lake George, they're run by the Glens Falls (the 'city' to the south of Lake George) transit authority; they show the schedule here
http://www.cityofglensfalls.com/ggft/trolley_schedules.htm and have a little movie about the trolleys here. http://www.cityofglensfalls.com/ggft/movies/Trolley1.mov

The amusement park you see in the movie is the Great Escape.


My family often rents cabins/cottages on vaca, even when we're at WDW we get a rental house with a pool. It works for us. I know some people HATE the idea of cooking at all during their vacation, but for me it's less stressful to have some of the meals in our own space than at a restaurant. Also cheaper.

 

[diskids2]

Thanks for the info on the trolleys and for those of you that go to Lake George very often do you have a "usual plan" that you tend to follow year after year?

 

[MUFFYCAT]

for those of you that go to Lake George very often do you have a "usual plan" that you tend to follow year after year?

That's an understatement!
We do have a routine, so much that I can do the whole week with my eyes closed!

Saturday- arrival day. unpack, walk around the grounds for a bit. Say hello to everyone else that has returned9 alot of people go every year also), go to super market and buy the food for the week, eat at a restaurant for dinner.
Sunday- lay down at the lake, while the kids go back and forth to the pool
barbeque for diinner with another family. Kids may go jet sking
Monday-Jet sking, tubing, mini golf & lake. eat dinner at the cabin
Tuesday & Wednesday- Great Escape eat dinner out as we leave the park at around 7:00.
Thursday- go to the lake and get some tan! maybe more jet sking, go kart racing, and other game room activities on route 9
Friday more mini golf, horse back riding, pack up stuff for tommorrow.
eat out somewhere for dinner.

We're not to much in a rut , are we?

 

[diskids2]

Sounds like a good plan. I was wondering about one or two days at Great Escape and I see you stay for two.

 

[disneyred]

since we are on the topic of Lake George , has anyone been to or heard
of the resort/Lodge that newly opened across from the Great Escape...
I am thinking it must be big bucks to stay there ! I have seen a pic of it somewhere ...

any feedback on this place ??

 

[dandelion]

since we are on the topic of Lake George , has anyone been to or heard
of the resort/Lodge that newly opened across from the Great Escape...
I am thinking it must be big bucks to stay there ! I have seen a pic of it somewhere ...

any feedback on this place ??

It hasn't opened yet, I think they're aiming for an early Feb. opening now.

On my last drive by, the exterior looked a lot like the Wilderness Lodge. The water park area was still completely open (no walls or ceilings), there are 2 or 3 big curvy tube slides.

Also, you might not have all heard that Great Escape will begin charging for parking this year, I believe it's $10 per day, or season pass holders can get a season parking pass for $15.

 

[mickeyboat]

http://www.canoeislandlodge.com/

This is a nice place, meals are included, sailing, they have a private beach, boats, activities. They will send you a price list.

Thank you so much for this link. I just called and got my name on the list to go in July or August. They offer returning guests a chance to re-book until February 1st. Then they offer what is left to new guests.

DH spent many vacations camping at Lake George when he was growing up - at the state campgrounds. We have been camping there quite a few times as well since we have been married, and we really love Lake George. This trip will be a lot more relaxing for us than camping. Plus the girls are old enough now to be able to enjoy Great Escape, so we are looking forward to that.

Denae

 

[diskids2]

I called the lodge in my investigations, lol. The price I was given was $300 for a regular suite week of 8/12 - per night. I would consider staying there, but I wasn't sure if it was too far away from everything else. Any thoughts?

 

[disneyred]

It hasn't opened yet, I think they're aiming for an early Feb. opening now.

On my last drive by, the exterior looked a lot like the Wilderness Lodge. The water park area was still completely open (no walls or ceilings), there are 2 or 3 big curvy tube slides.

Also, you might not have all heard that Great Escape will begin charging for parking this year, I believe it's $10 per day, or season pass holders can get a season parking pass for $15.

oh, I thought it had an opening date before xmas 2005.... and I did hear of them charging for parking..... too bad !

 

[tw1nsmom]

The Lodge across from Great Escape isn't very far (I Guess it depends on perspective). It would take you a little less than 15 minutes to drive into the village. It's right near an exit of the Northway, so you would have easy access to Saratoga, Lake George, and the surrounding area. Except for Great Escape, you would have to drive to things (not the safest area for walking, traffic...not crime). However, there is a bike trail not too far away (1/2 mile?). You would take a left onto rt9, and take a right onto Glen Lake Road. The bike trail runs into the village, if you're into that sort of thing.

If you take a right out of the lodge, you would go past Martha's, a local soft ice-cream favorite. A little further down on the left is Suttons. They are a big boutique type place with really nice stuff. It makes for pricy gifts, but it's not your regular souvenir stuff. They also have a nice cafe for breakfast and I think lunch. Almost across the street is Skateland. They have go-cart, skating (of course) and I think laser tag. If you keep heading south rt9, you'll come to the Glen Drive-in. There aren't too many drive-in movie places left, that could be a fun summer activity.

Keep going down Rt9, and you'll run into all the chain restaurants/stores in the Queensbury area. From the lodge to this area, passing all that other stuff along the way, would take no more than 10 minutes.

If you take a left out of the lodge, towards Lake George, you would be less than 5 minutes (really much less, I just said 5 because traffic can be heavy) to the factory outlet strip malls.

I know I've mentioned Saratoga a lot. It would take you about 20 minutes to get ther. Saratoga has the track, spa's, great restaurants, paint-your-own pottery store, ad a lot of other nice stores. It's a great walking little city. During the track season it's packed and hard to get a parking spot and will take a while to get into a restaurant. But, all those people make for a really festive atmosphere and in the evening there are usually a lot of people and some street performers wandering up and down Broadway (the main street).

 

[dandelion]

oh, I thought it had an opening date before xmas 2005.... and I did hear of them charging for parking..... too bad !

Before Christmas was the original opening date ... I'm sure they would have loved to have the rooms full over the holiday break. But we drove by on Dec. 30 and it would have been pretty darn cold in that uncovered water park.

tw1nsmom, the pottery-painting place in downtown Saratoga is up for sale, just wanted to let you know. Maybe someone else will take over by next summer. There is also one in downtown Glens Falls, called, cleverly enough, The Pottery Place. We haven't been there yet but it looks very cute and it also has some 'make your own stuffed animal' activities - like Build a Bear.

 

[cocowum]

We have season passes to six flags (great escape) We recently received an email about passholder discounts. I do remember it was for a suite. I can't remember if it was for a King suite or a 2 bedroom suite. Anyway it was 189.00 a night. Just thought I'd pass along the info.

It might be worth it to upgrade to a seasons pass ???HTH.

 

[diskids2]

I think my family would like the Great Escape lodge. I'm just concerned about not being in the thick of the village, but there is also something to be said for not being in thick of the village.

Can all of you decide for us, LOL!

Ok let me be practical and think about this outloud:

We'll spend at least one day in Great Escape.

We'll waterski, jetski,

We'll visit all the touristy things in the town since we've never been.

I'll want to eat dinner out for at least three of the nights

I think the boat cruises on the lake seem like fun.

I know we need a really nice pool to lounge around by.

Bicycle riding is a probability too

The racetrack is a go everyone is excited about that.

HELP!

 

[diskids2]

I just inquired about rates and availability at the Holiday Inn. 5 nights - breakfast for two, lake side, 2 double beds with all taxes etc. $1303. The reservations rep was very nice. She told me about the trolley. Does anyone use this to get to Great Escape or is it just easier to drive?

 

[dandelion]

For those considering the Great Escape Lodge - I heard on the news last night that there will be some spa services available. The webpage
http://www.sixflagsgreatescapelodge.com/ is coming right along with rates, pictures and info, but doesn't mention the spa services.

They do mention their birthday party packages ... $30 or $40 per person.