Note: Thanks to Santa’s Enchanted Forest for inviting me to visit the park. As always, all opinions and tips are 100% my own.
Looking for a fun family holiday event to celebrate the holiday season? Santa's Enchanted Forest located in the Tropical Park is open through January 8, 2017, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
While up north, Christmas means softly falling snow, cold nights and hot cocoa beside the tree. Here in Miami, Christmas means a 80-degree weather, a dip in the ocean and palm trees wrapped up with lights. But we still want to enjoy the holiday spirit.
To get into the Christmas mood and feel festive, hundreds of thousands of people young and old visit each year Santa's Enchanted Forest the World's Largest Holiday Theme Park©. In its 35th season this year, this is an interesting carnival-ride fair with a heavy Christmas theme, featuring over 100 rides, shows, games and attractions.
The park features the magic of South Florida's tallest Christmas tree and light show, millions of dazzling lights, hand-crafted themed displays, festive Christmas music and carnival-style food. Live show entertainment includes acts shown on Americas Got Talent, from the Motorcycle Globe of Death to the 70 ft. High Wire Act and the Dale Scott Magic Show. Santa hand selects scores of carnival rides and games from around the country and features six coasters.
I loved the sparkling lights in the trees-lined walkway at the entrance with the Christmas scenes on each side, which make a nice and inexpensive backdrop for family Christmas pictures. From this first part of the park, you go to the generic rides, which are not what I expected, but they are good fun and with a good mix of thrill-type rides and gentler rides for younger children.
This year’s new attractions include:
* Santa’s Sky High Wheel, North America’s largest traveling Ferris Wheel with over one million LED lights and spectacular views to South Florida.
* The Megadrop - Back after three years - Shoot up into the sky on this 130-foot tower of power and then feel the stomach-lurching thrill of plummeting back to earth in less than two seconds.
* Santa’s Snowstorm. Bring the kids to this new interactive holiday-themed game show and watch them compete in creative and challenging tasks.
* New kiddie rides! The collection of kiddie rides has expanded by 20 percent, with additions like the Flying Bees and Wiggle Worm, etc.
General tips:
* Do try to get there early to be able to park close to the entrance and to ride all the rides with no or very little lines.
* Pack a disposable poncho or rain jacket in case it gets wet.
* To beat the crowds, walk straight to the back of the park and then work your way to the front.
* Bring a stroller. In case you forget yours, there are strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent at the park.
With something for everyone to enjoy, Santa’s Enchanted Forest is open every day, holidays included, from 5:00 p.m. to midnight till January 7, 2018. Admission price includes all rides, roller coasters, live stage acts and parking. Season Passes and Express Pass Add-ons for peak nights are also available.
Did you like this article? Sign up for Macaroni Kid North East Miami and Miami Beach weekly e-newsletter to receive news, events and special offers.
