by Lorri Mealey

Created on: February 11, 2007

For families with young children, Story Land, located along picturesque Route 16 in Glen, New Hampshire, is a must-see attraction. A sprawling amusement park, "Where Fantasy Lives," Story Land is a scaled down version of Disney, with cheaper tickets, shorter lines, and an all around less-frustrating experience than the Happiest-Place-on-Earth.
Each year Story Land expands its features, adding new rides and attractions. Visitors can take a ride in a pumpkin carriage to Cinderella's castle, or go flying in a Dutch shoe. They can go on a safari ride, hijack a pirate ship or take spin in Alice's teacups. They could even brave the seemingly innocent looking Bavarian Glockenspiel ride (which is not for those with weak stomachs).

A whole section of the park is made up of walk through attractions based on children's nursery rhymes. Children can visit Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater's giant pumpkin house, the Old Woman who lived in a shoe, or the Swiss cottage belonging to Heidi and her grandfather. The Three Little Pigs and Three Billy Goats gruff are also in residence, in a small petting zoo area.
A Less traditional attraction, but fun nevertheless, is Professor Bigglestep's Loopy Laboratory. The Loopy Lab is a perfect stopping point for tired parents. Inside the vaulted canvas building, kids can play with a variety of vacuum hoses (who doesn't love vacuums?) and foam balls. They can shoot balls at one another, or even better, at their exhausted parents. This is a very fun attraction for toddlers, especially. Professor Bigglestep also puts on a fun show where kids are invited to participate.
Amenities offered by Story Land include meticulously clean grounds and restrooms. There are several changing rooms for mothers, where they can nurse, if needed. There is a large variety of moderately priced food and drink throughout the park. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks. Strollers and pet kennels are available free, on a first come, first serve basis.
Story Land is open from Memorial Day weekend, through Columbus Day weekend. The best time to visit Story Land is early or late in the season. My husband and I were lucky enough to discover that the last Sunday in August is a GREAT time to go. Any families with older children were all home, getting ready for the start of the new school year. As our children were only 2 and 4 at the time, we were able to plan our visit much later than those families. There were hardly any lines! The following year, when our daughter started kindergarten, we were forced to visit a week earlier. Oh, what difference! It was so much more crowded! However, it was still less crowded than Disney, by far.
According to Story Land's website, August is the busiest month. The site also mentions that Saturdays are the busiest day, while Friday and Sunday are the least busy. Rainy days are slow (no way!) while the day following rainy days is usually busier.

For anyone who has ever wanted to step into a fairy tale, Story Land is the perfect place to relive childhood dreams with your own children.

For More Information: http://www.storylandnh.com/whatyoullseeatstoryland.h tml

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