OT - Story Land - NH

[mom2meiko]

Hi all.

We are taking the kids to Story Land in NH next weekend. Any advice on things to do or avoid? Haven't been in about 8 years and don't really remember much.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tiggger1]

I know if you get there after 3 you can get the next day free

 

[PatsMom]

The longest lines are always for the antique cars - do them first before the crowds show up or at lunch time. Also they have a version of the teacups that tends to have long lines as well.

If you are staying anywhere you have to go south on Route 16 at closing time, expect to sit in traffic for a long, long time. Or go north from Storyland, turn left onto Glen Ledge Road at the Exxon station, when you get to the end of Glen Ledge, turn left again and you are on Jericho Road. It will take you back to Route 302. Turn left and you are headed toward North Conway. Also, if you are headed into North Conway, traffic will back up seriously going in to town. Turn left at the scenic vista onto Hurricane Mt Road. Turn right onto Kearsarge. At the first stop sign turn right again. You will end up back on Rte 16 in town but past the light where traffic backs up the worst.

You can leave the park and have lunch or you can bring a picnic. Food is OK at the park. The pizza is very blah.

Plan to get wet on Bamboo Chutes (a log flume ride) and Dr. Geysers wild raft ride. There is also a play area called Oceans of Fun Sprayground that the kids can get wet at.

Don't plan to eat at a nearby restaurant right at Storyland closing time. They will be packed with tired, hungry children!

Its a fun place to take kids. You can easily do it all in a day but if it works out, the PP is correct that if you arrive after 3 the next day is free. Saturday is the busiest day of the week. Most attractions run in the rain, unless we have thunderstorms or torrential downpours like earlier this summer. The exception is the Polar Coaster - a mini-roller coaster.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

 

[lindsmom]

Also, if you are headed into North Conway, traffic will back up seriously going in to town. Turn left at the scenic vista onto Hurricane Mt Road. Turn right onto Kearsarge. At the first stop sign turn right again. You will end up back on Rte 16 in town but past the light where traffic backs up the worst.

You can also turn left before coming out on 16 and drive parallel to the train tracks - it gets you all the way to WalMart so you pass all the North Conway traffic.

Like PatsMom said, go to the antique cars very first thing (enjoy the opening song, it's cute) when the park opens if you're going to do it. And expect very long rides for dr. geyser and bamboo chutes.

Oh, and you don't have to use the 2nd day free ticket the very next day - depending on how long you're there and what the weather is like, it's sometimes nice to do the half day (after three), get your ticket to come back and then return two days later. We do that often.

And Glen Junction restaurant at the intersection of 16 & 302 is DD's favorite - get there by 8:00 for a table, finish breakfast by 8:45, be in line to open StoryLand on your second day (obv. not the first day after 3).

 

[mdurette]

Yes, those antique cars certainly get a draw.

We head up to New Hampshire a few times a year. Although storyland is cute and my daughter likes it. She really LOVES Santa's Village. If you haven't been there in years it is well worth the trip. IMO, the park is nicer, cleaner and the rides are better.

They have shows, reindeers, cookie decorating. So much more than StoryLand.

 

[mom2meiko]

thanks for the tips - especially the avoiding traffic tips! those long single lane roadways can get very congested i know!

i also appreciate the suggestion of santa's village. i would honestly prefer to go there if i had a choice. we are visiting my mother for the weekend and she is semi-near story land but not santa's village.

 

[VBAndrea]

We were there two years ago and it was quite nice. Yes, it's small and older, but very clean. We went on Labor Day and most all rides were walk ons or very short waits.

Traffic getting there was our only issue, but I see other posters have given you advice on that.

It's very inexpensive and the food prices aren't bad, though I can't say the food is more than mediocre. Strollers are free -- first come first serve. Our dd was 3 at the time and we didn't bother with a stroller as the park is so small.

Our kids loved it and when I told them we are going to Disney this year they both asked to go to StoryLand instead (they've never been to DW yet).

 

[Cade&BlakesMomma]

I agree with everything Patsmom said. Have fun!!!

 

[gigicnm]

My kids liked eating at the Muddy Moose (I think they just liked the name, but the food was good). We also eat at the Red Fox (I think that's the name- you take a right out of Story land's parking lot and the restaurant is just a few minutes up the road on the left) they have a play area and movies for kids while you're waiting.

My kids also loved the North Conway train, and playing on the playground/splash park across from the train station.

We've been many times and the line for the antique cars is always long. Other than the cars the wait is usually reasonable. It's such a cute park.

I second the vote for Santa's Village- my kids love it.
Enjoy,
Gigi

 

[party of 3]

we love both story land and santa's village. if you do story land don't forget to get the license for the antique cars. my ds loved his. it's hanging over my mirror in my bedroom and i look at it all the time!

 

[lilyteen]

I agree with the other posters here in saying that Santa's Village is wonderful, however it is about one hour further up north in NH than Story Land is. Both parks are wonderful for the kids, even the grown-ups! I love the bamboo chutes, the polar coaster is adorable (and you can even get a photo of you and your party going down the drop at the end of the ride!). Another cute ride is a huge swan-shaped boat that takes you on a short ride through a waterway. There are these huge gates that the boat will stop in front of that you have to say the magic word to open. My kids LOVED this ride and they remembered the magic password each year since they were young. Another sweet ride is this motorized pumpkin coach ride that takes you up to Cinderella's castle. The castle is, of course, nowhere near as pretty as the one at WDW, but it is enchanting. And it's fun because the princess will tell you to pass a message along to the prince. I would also mention that you can try starting at the left of the park when you enter and approach the rides from back to front, as you would with Disney. I tried this and it did work somewhat. Also, the crowds seem to start dwindling in the late afternoon. By 2PM or so, there are less lines to deal with. Don't forget to take the kids for a stroll through the old woman's house (a large boot) and get a sticker at the end from the old lady. Another must-see is the adorable little house of Little Red Riding Hood with the animatronic big bad wolf. I think you will love it here.

 

[hroyale]

My main recomendation is the picnic. You can bring a cooler right into the park and leave it in "Old Mother Hubbard's Cupbord" and then have a nice relaxing lunch in a shady picnic area right there.

Also another vote for the Red Fox for dinner. They had face painting when we went and the kids loved it.

As for "touring advice" the antique cars were the only thing we waited for so like the pp said knock that out early. Also, I adise doing the new side of the park first (tractor ride, whales etc...) just because there is no shade back there. One last thing, you can walk up to Cinderella's castle and take the pumkin ride down the hill. That way no waiting at all.


Have fun.

Heather

 

[edward09]

hello my name is edward im a 5th year rides operator at storyland if anybody has any questions i will be happy to answer them