Magic Forest amusement park in Lake George is undergoing major changes in 2019 as it changes ownership.
The 2019 opening of Lake George Expedition Park was announced in December at the site of the Magic Forest amusement park located on Route 9. Dino Roar Valley will be a safari trail populated by animatronic dinosaurs within the amusement park.
The new owners will continue to operate the Magic Forest in 2019 on the 46-acre site.
Ruben Ellsworth of Lake George, owner of Ellsworth & Son Excavating in Fort Ann, was in the process in early December of completing the purchase of the Magic Forest amusement park from Jack Gillette. The park has been owned and operated by the Gillette family for 55 years.
“Since 1963, my family has enjoyed seeing the smiling faces of children and their families,” said Gillette. “I’m happy to see the property continue under new ownership and I look forward to seeing future generations enjoy these new attractions at the expedition park.”
John Collins will serve as chief operating officer and general manager of Lake George Expedition Park. Collins is a former general manager of the Great Escape in Queensbury and is currently consulting for Santa’s Workshop in Wilmington, N.Y.
“I’m so excited to take part in this innovative venture and believe our guests will have a first-class experience that will be extremely unique to the region and state,” said Collins. “The location is ideal. Lake George is already an established destination and we are centrally situated between major cities like Montreal, Boston and New York.”
Dino Roar Valley will also open for business next year. Officials said the experience will transport visitors, young and old, to a prehistoric time when dinosaurs once roamed.
“Embark on an expedition of discovery; climb into a dinosaur nest; dig for hidden fossils, and stand next to possibly the world’s largest dinosaur ever discovered, The Titanosaurus,” said a company news release.
More details about the Dino Roar Valley experience will be released in early 2019, including information about the new park features, ticket prices, and tickets on sale date.
The dinosaur attraction is scheduled to be ready for Memorial Day weekend next year, and Collins said other changes will be phased in over the years to follow.
The vision for Lake George Expedition Park is to create a destination that will allow visitors to explore and immerse themselves into unique outdoor environments that transport them to other places through hands-on experiences and themed