Editor’s Note: This trip report was reformatted in 2022 to match the current style, including photo galleries and ride counts. Older trip reports, however, detailed every ride of the day, whereas newer reports only touch upon a handful of rides. In order to preserve what I wrote, you will still find each ride detailed below.
Back in October I finally became a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). It was long overdue and in the months since I joined, I have been able to attend two different events held by the organization. The first was the Phoenix Phall Phunfest Informal Meetup, organized by ACE Eastern Pennsylvania at Knoebels on Saturday, October 8. While I, along with Sam and Greg, were able to take advantage of the coupon packs that day, sadly we weren’t able to attend the swap meet, meet up, or extended ride time (ERT) on Phoenix.
My second event, which came yesterday at Storybook Land was held by ACE New Jersey. It offered ERT on both Bubbles the Coaster and Tick-Tock Drop, although I was quickly distracted by other things inside the park. I would be alone for this trip. None of the other crew members were available to come.
Greg already had plans with his mom to attend Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane. Everyone else was working. In hindsight, however, I wish I would have asked my dad to come. While not a coaster enthusiast, my father has many memories of a theme park that once stood about 30 minutes from where I grew up in Maryland. That park was called Enchanted Forest and my parents took my brother and me there numerous times when we were kids.
Recalling Childhood Memories & Making New Ones
Before getting into details of any rides or attractions I experienced once inside Storybook Land, I want to take some time to talk about something that made this visit more than just a chance to claim a coaster credit. That thing is how much this park brought a ton of my childhood memories to light – ones from the early to mid-80’s.
Harkening Back to Maryland's Enchanted Forest
Not to be confused with Enchanted Forest in Salem, Ore., Maryland’s Enchanted Forest operated from 1955 to sometime between 1987-95, with dates differing across sources. The park was ultimately left to rot away in the woods, but thankfully many of the park’s buildings, decorations, and props would come to be saved and restored. In the early 2000’s Clark’s Elioak Farm in Ellicott City, Md., the same town where the park once stood, set out on a mission to relocate and restore many of the park’s iconic structures.
Clark’s Farm proudly displays those items for those wishing to visit and relive some of those memories. How I haven’t visited yet is beyond me. Perhaps I should add that to my agenda for a feature here on We Were Inverted for 2021? Even though Enchanted Forest didn’t have a single coaster, it was still instrumental in helping shape my love of amusement/theme parks at a young age.
Likening Storybook Land to Enchanted Forest
If you’re wondering why I went on such a long backstory about Enchanted Forest it is because I felt like I went back in time to that park. From the moment I pulled onto the parking lot of Storybook Land I began to get that feeling of “enchantment” as I took in the castle entrance before me. It made me harken back to the 1980’s when my parents took my brother and I to Enchanted Forest. I knew I was in for something special. While I waited for our 3:45 p.m. entry time, I sent a few photos of the castle to my father. It took him back as well. He responded the same way I did, remembering the castle entrance to Enchanted Forest above.
When I finally made it into the park, I stopped in my tracks. Everywhere I looked I saw some kind of fairy tale character or nursey rhyme scene before me. In between those exhibits were rides, but I was looking past them. I wanted to see what Storyland had to offer when it came to telling the stories of characters such as Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland. Let me say, they did NOT disappoint. The Alice in Wonderland walk-through, which I’ll touch on in a bit, was one of my favorites.
Taking in All the Fairy Tales
After walking in and looking at my first couple displays, I pretty much knew Bubbles and Tick Tock were going to have to wait. As much as I wanted to ride them, I wanted to see all these exhibits even more. You don’t see these types of attractions at most parks. Honestly, the only two other parks that I’ve been to recently that feature anything close are Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pa. and part of Great Escape in Queensbury, N.Y. With that said, those parks are still vastly different that what I was walking through in Storybook Land.
One thing I took quick notice of walking up to these exhibits was the craftsmanship put into each and every display. These weren’t your run of the mill, mass produced decorations or props. You can tell someone did these by hand and arranged things in a way that you will not find at any other park – even ones telling these same stories.
Moby Dick
About 15-20 minutes into my filming session is when I noticed yet another scene that took me back to the Enchanted Forest once again. Back when I was a kid, I crawled inside the mouth of Willie the Whale (above, left) too many times to count. When I saw Storybook Land’s Moby Dick display (above, right), I stopped dead in my tracks. I even stuck my head inside and smiled under my mask. No, I didn’t crawl in Moby’s mouth. My much older self didn’t want to have to be rescued while representing ACE.
Alice in Wonderland
The Alice in Wonderland Exhibit is one I waited until the end of my visit to experience and man, it was awesom!. This neon painted cavern features random scenes depicting Alice’s journey down the rabbit hole. This is easily my favorite non-ride attraction at Storybook Land. You just don’t see stuff like this at your typical amusement/theme park. And best of all, when you exit the cave, it’s not yet over. You still have to navigate a mini-play card maze of the Queen of Hearts’ soldiers.
I Did Ride & Should Have Rode Some More
It did take me a while to finally stop admiring all of the displays and walk up attractions throughout the park when I entered, but I did save some of the ERT time ACE had for three rides on Bubbles the Coaster. I also hit the drop tower, Tick-Tick Drop before leaving for a wasted nighttime visit to Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv). The less said about that, the better. I wish I had stayed and enjoyed a little bit more of what Storybook Land has to offer. Guess I’ll just have to go back. Darn! (sarcasm)
Bubbles the Coaster
Even though the rest of Storybook Land stole my heart, the reason I decided to go in the first place was to ride Bubbles the Coaster. As an enthusiast, the chance to ride a new coaster is always a welcome event – even when it comes in the form of a family-sized coaster. While not usually the most intense rides, some of these smaller coasters can be fun. Bubbles is one of those coasters.
I was impressed with the landscaping around the bright pink E&F Miler coaster. Many parks would be totally content to plop a coaster like this into an area of flat land or concrete. Storybook Land, however, went above and beyond with some theming and a picturesque setting. I was even told that bubbles normally blow out during the ride. That was not the case during our visit, however. I’m sure it is a nice touch when that happens.
On a side note, I was elated to find the park selling a 20th anniversary pin set for Bubbles the Coaster. I had no idea that the ride was 20 years old. It sure doesn’t look or feel like it. Kudos to the park for the amazing upkeep.
Tick-Tock Drop
Okay, it’s not the biggest and it’s not the most sudden drop on a drop tower, but man… Tick Tock Drop is seriously good! I’m not joking. It takes you up and does a series of mini-drops that give you just a taste of floater airtime. It also spins around in the process. The slow spinning lets you take in the park around you in the process. This ride also lasts for a few minutes too. Don’t skip out on this thinking it’s just some kiddie ride. Storybook Land, this is a great attraction!
Final Ride Counts
Bubbles the Coaster (3)
Tick-Tock Drop (1)
Taking in the Amazing Christmas Lights
As I walked out of Tick Tock Drop, I filmed the ride and it’s amazing light package before darkness set in. I then hit the gift shop and grabbed a bite to eat. That’s where I met Hailey/Haley (spelling?). She was working at the Dining Depot and had some of the best customer service. As I was looking over the menu, she told me all about the park and how I didn’t want to miss Christmas light display. In just a few minutes, Santa, with the help of all the kids at the park, would turn on the lights. Not wanting to miss it, I ordered my food and thanked her for the information.
I ran outside and saw Santa on top of a near by house. He and all the kids wave their wands three times and lit up the park. I was in awe. I heard a few people throughout the day say the park had over 1 million lights. They weren’t kidding! Everything was covered and looked amazing.
It was then I remembered I ordered a pizza and ran back inside. Hailey/Haley flagged me down when she saw me come back. I decided to eat outside by Tick-Tock Drop. Even just sitting there, being surrounded by all those lights just made me feel festive and carefree.
Chapter 2 in Storybook Land?
I can easily say that I want to go back to Storybook Land in the future. I would honestly love to reach out to someone at the park and do a more “feature” style piece on the park and its history. The park surely has me intrigued. I want to know more about its backstory and how it managed to keep on going when so many similar parks weren’t able to. If I am able to make this happen, you best bet I will be sharing that news with all of you here.
Storybook Land Gallery - December 4, 2020
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): Bubbles the Coaster
