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Land of Oz was never much of an amusement park; there was only one real ride (a sort of ski lift-turned-hot air balloon) and there isnt much left from the original park. On December 28, 1975, a devastating fire swept through Oz, destroying a lot of the parks props that were in storage for the winter. Although MGM retains the rights to the movies look, Baums story and characters entered the public domain in 1956. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. See Inside North Carolina's Closed Land Of Oz Theme Park With This Unfortunately, the original Emerald City doesn't exist anymore, due to a fire that occurred in 1975 (see history below). Although Baums book (one of 14 Oz novels he penned before his death in 1919) was popular, it was MGMs 1939 movie adaptation, The Wizard of Oz, that catapulted the story of Dorothy Gale and her three lovable companions into the pop culture stratosphere. No matter if you're a kid or an adult, there's a land of fantasy and magic.The "Wizard of Oz" theme park at Beech Mountain in North Carolina will reopen during the month of September on the . The Beech trees looked very much like the Apple Trees in the Wizard of Oz. A cabin completely covered in coffee mugs, where visitors are welcome to leave one of their ownif they can find an empty nail. Of course, just down the path, you'll see your first glimpse of the Yellow Brick road, and it looks amazing and very movie like. The park occasionally opens in the summer for a few days. | Photo: Alexandra Charitan Land of Oz opens ticket sales for 'Wizard of Oz Festival' in - WRAL One hour from Blowing Rock. Reynoldsalong with Harry Robbins and Pentescut the ribbon on opening day, accompanied by her daughter, Carrie Fisher (seven years before Star Wars). A small museum showcased props and costumes from the film. After the park was closed much of it fell into disrepair. The park itself is regarded locally as a landmark and treasured historical place. Tickets for the event will go on sale in June. Several similar parks had been planned since Baums book debutedincluding one by Baum himselfand there were Oz-themed sections within the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair and at Cincinnatis Coney Island. You can (and should) ring the bell and be "greeted" by the Gate Keeper, who of course tells you the bell is broken and that you should knock! Expand. In 1976 there was a fire at the park which destroyed the amphitheatre and the museum was vandalized. I remember the fun we all had. For more information visit here. Then we realized where to go because we found a hand written sign with an arrow pointing us in the right direction. There is no indication as yet from those who manage the parks private tours if they will resume in 2021. Watauga High School in nearby Boone, N.C. had staged a production of The Wizard of Oz as its spring musical a few months earlier and the student actors appeared in character and in costume to greet visitors as they came off the ski lift. No, you don't need to read that sentence again, it really does say "a room decorated like Dorothy's".no other connection to the movie except for the hokey dolls sitting in a rocking chair in Dorothy's room, though I doubt Dorothy had a doll of herself. But the park is still there and some local people have worked to restore the remaining assets. Been Here? [6], The park has an annual Autumn of Oz event. "Wizard of Oz" fans can don their ruby slippers and follow the yellow brick road to Beech Mountain, North Carolina as the Land of Oz theme park officially opened ticket sales for its . 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To the person doing the painting.have you seen the movie? Land of Oz, 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC, Amusement Land of Oz 4 165 reviews #1 of 8 things to do in Beech Mountain Amusement & Theme Parks Visit website Call Email Write a review What people are saying " Magical Land of Oz " Sep 2022 The Land of Oz, and the Autumn at Oz event in the Fall, is a wonderful, magical experience. Wilderness Run Adventure Course and Mountain Coaster in Banner Elk NC. Was neat to see once you can walk through see characters from the wizard of oz movie take a light jacket, Way too many tickets sold. Tell me more. At the same time, many items were stolen from the park's museum, including Judy Garland's Dorothy dress. Props were vandalized, stolen, or left exposed to the elements. The Land of Oz is a privately-owned theme park in North Carolina that is open only on special occasions. Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will instantly auto-sync over Ready for navigation and good times! We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Western North Carolina isnt Kansas, but according to Tim Hollis book The Land of Oz, the Robbins family consulted with a Charlotte designer, Jack Pentes, who had been dreaming of creating an Oz-themed park for years. Land of Oz finally closed in 1980. With the aid of actress Debbie Reynolds, the park designers bid on items from the movie. You will receive your first newsletter soon. You are now ready to turn yourroad trip into an adventure! If you just show up, you might not be able to get in. Grover Robbins, who was well known as the "the passion" behind the Land of Oz, died of cancer just prior to the park opening in 1970. In 1970 The Land of Oz on top of Beech Mountain was the second most visited tourist park in the eastern United States, behind Disney World. Land of Oz (Beech Mountain) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Visit the Gale farm in Kansas, experience the twister, meet Glinda in Munchkinland, and follow the real yellow brick road to Emerald City where the Wizard grants everyones wishes right before your eyes! No, seriously, that's the end, and you find yourself questioning why you just spent $70 to stand in several different lines for over four hours in near freezing temperatures. Inside you'll find shops, food, the famous violet horse, and the final Autumn in Oz event show where you meet the wizard, and he gives the cast members their gifts. I would love to see this!! Once deposited at the park you waited in line to tour Dorothys house where she lived with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. This page was last edited on 17 June 2023, at 21:53. BEECH MOUNTAIN, N.C. (WTVD) -- A western North Carolina theme park based on the popular film "The Wizard of Oz" is set to reopen Fall of 2023. It was opened in 1970 by Grover Robbins, who had been successful with Tweetsie Railroad, and was fully operational until 1980. Much of the park's land is now a housing development, but what remains is located on private land, and is well-kept, using funds from the yearly special events. Follow the yellow brick road right to this theme park in North Carolina. Land of Ozs version of the Midwestern state includes a classic red barn, the white Gale farmhouse (more American Gothic here than ramshackle), Professor Marvels wagon, Baums Bazaar (a souvenir shop), and Gale Gable Pavilion, which is stocked with lemonade and fresh kettle corn. Much like Dorothyand thousands before meIve been thrust into the technicolor world of Oz. Land of Oz Theme Park - Beech Mountain, North Carolina - Atlas Obscura " Special experience for fans of Oz " Sep 2022 Somewhere over the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains, way up high, is a place where troubles melt away like lemon drops. See. The Robbins hired designer Jack Pentes of Charlotte to design a park. There are a plethora of things that will catch your attention when you are here. The park would reopen after repairs were made, but it never fully recovered. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. In 2010 more of the park's original characters returned, the Fountain of Youth had green water, and vendors and face painters were added to the event. This quickly grew in popularity as an annual public event, and by 2009 the festival had over 8,500 people attending. The best part of this tour is meeting and interacting with the staff! Get inspiring road trip stories, extraordinary destinations, and special offers sent right to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter. The Land of Oz was a theme park located in the resort town. But, I'm still hopeful. Once we arrived at the top, ready to venture into Oz, all you see are a few tents set up, selling things like BBQ and Apple Cider. We clicked our heels together, and recently returned from a visit to Autumn in Oz, and we'll tell you AND show you all about it. The leaves have just started to lose some of their luster on their way from bright green to deep golds and reds. Visitors then made their way to Dorothy's house, which was then the home of the property's owner, Alex Hufty Hays, and viewed a collection of original costumes and props from the 1939 movie. Land of Oz opened in 1970 with the intention of extending the ski resort to be a 'year-round' attraction by offering an attraction at the pinnacle of Beech Mountain. You won't miss your home when in Beech Mountain, hotels in Beech Mountain like 4 Seasons At Beech Mountain, Best Western Mountain Lodge At Banner Elk and Smoketree Lodge By Vri Resort offer some of the best places to stay in the city. For something that has been featured in news outlets such as Huffington Post and others, I expected the attraction to be a sight worth seeing. I remember the old ski lift chairs that took you above the park. 402 Want to. It was opened in 1970 by Grover Robbins, who had been successful with Tweetsie Railroad, and was fully operational until 1980. Contact Cindy in advance if you wish to do so. They had purchased the only surviving narrow-gauge engine of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad, know locally as Tweetsie, in the 1950s and built an amusement park in Blowing Rock. Well, at least real ones What remains of the Land of Oz North Carolina Theme Park, is located at the pinnacle of Beech Mountain NC, near the top of the ski slopes. Much of adulthood is spent discovering that childhood dreams are unrealisticbut theres real joy to be found in cultivating knowledge, empathy, courage, and close friendships. America's Original Wizard of Oz Park located on Beech Mountain in North Carolina Robbins determined to develop year round attractions that would keep the ski employees around and the potential real estate buyers interested. I finally reach the emerald gates that spell out OZthe bell is out of order, so I knockand make my way into the Emerald City. Our first stop in Oz was at the Fountain of Youth, where we were mentally transformed from adults into children again. Its opening day in 1970 attracted 4,000 visitors. We won't flood your inbox. Some have claimed this to be a legend, but the jacket was displayed as such by the museum, and several people involved in the film have verified it as factual. 2021 Land Of Oz Autumn Festival: How To Buy Tickets Follow NC 184/Beech Mountain Parkway into the town of Beech Mtn. However, 40 years ago, Beech Mountain, the highest incorporated town east of the Rockies, was best known for its unusual theme park, The Land of Oz. While there, you'll experience performances in Kansas, visit the petting zoo, ride ponies, see special museum exhibits, visit Emerald City, and purchase Oz collectibles! Much of it is still there and you can even spend the night in Dorothy's house! The premier winter ski resort in North Carolina. The 3-pronged attack was skiing, golf and, for the children, a theme park. The park saw thousands of visitors each . Alexandra is the features editor at Roadtrippers Magazine. Because this event has gotten so popular, you need to order tickets ahead of time. Today, The Land of Oz is available for personal tours, birthday parties and private functions. You can also get married there or have a party at the park. Oz did in fact have a yellow brick road, and a munchkin land and some good photo-ops. They closed the park in 1980. 28604 Burton Snowboards Learn to Ride Center (6-12 yrs) 2022, Ski & Ride School Hourly Lessons (Age 4 and Older). For an extra fee, visitors to this years festival could visit a small makeshift museum near the parking area, which houses a few notable pieces including costumes worn by the munchkins, a Winkie Guard spear, and the Emerald City gatekeepers cape. Larry Deane is co-owner of Blue Ridge Mountain Life. The park opened for the 1976 season. BEECH MOUNTAIN, N.C. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Many landlords around Watauga Lake rent their lake houses to Beech skiers long after the summer lake visitors and fall leaf watchers are gone. Beech Mountain lies just across the North Carolina border and is known most for its ski resort. The risks are just too great with a slippery road. Tickets to Autumn at Oz, the parks most popular event, usually go on sale in June. On December 28th, 1975, a fire was set at Emerald City, causing significant damage. United States North Carolina . Land of Oz Theme Park - Beech Mountain NC - Blue Ridge Mountain Life But, there's a festival every autumn at the Land of Oz. For Land of Oz information, call800-514-3849or visitwww.landofoznc.com/. This one-of-a-kind event immerses you into the magical Land of Oz on the site of the original 1970s theme park where the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. General Inquiries info@landofoznc.com Ticketing Support (844) 307-7469 support@showpass.com Media Inquiries landofozpr@gmail.com ThehistoricLand of Ozawaits. Much like the wizard himself, the Emerald City is a bit of a sham. Autumn at Oz Festival Refund and Exchange Policy. Along with his wife Jenn, they combined these passions to create Blue Ridge Mountain Life, a travel guide to these stunning mountains they are fortunate to call home.