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- Beech Mountain, North Carolina - Land of Oz - See Museum First
We visited the Park [for the annual weekend it's open] for the first time. I have memories as a child of visiting the park with my parents. We arrived around 11:00 on Sunday. After an approximately hour wait, we loaded a bus to the top of the mountain (A yearly regular told us the bus line would move much faster than the tractor/hay ride line). Really didn't know what to expect but took my 10-year old daughter and husband along.
The only familiar part of the trip to me was Dorothy's house. All of the characters were in really great costumes. Everyone seemed to be very nice, even though the lines continued to be very long at the top of the mountain as well.
I wish I had seen this website before going so I would have known to visit the museum before entering Dorothy's house. Once we entered the house we were in one continuous long line. We really enjoyed ourselves but not so sure I could make it a yearly event.
[Tracie M, 10/23/2008]Land of Oz:- Address:
- 2669 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC
- Directions:
- Hwy 184 takes you to the town of Beech Mountain. A winding two-lane road just to the left of the Chamber of Commerce building -- Beech Mountain Pkwy -- takes you up to a sign that says, "Emerald Mountain." Through that gate, it's another half-mile, past a bunch of ski lifts.
- Hours:
- Usually Fridays in June and the last two summer weekends in Sept. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 800-514-3849
- Admission:
- Varies $30-$50
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
- Beech Mountain, North Carolina - Land of Oz - Annual Tour
Oh my! We had heard such great things about this place from all types of people. So, we packed up our 3 children ages 2 years to 8 years old. What a mess! We waited in line for 2 hours to catch the Hay Ride up the mountain. The ride was fun and the view was awesome!
Once we got up the mountain, again, we were unloaded to simply stand in line the entire trip around the "Yellow Brick Road." So many people! We were like cattle being pushed, literally, through the exhibit. And not much of an exhibit at all. With so many people shoved into such a small area, you couldn't even see anything.
And the place was far, far, far from Disney Land's quality. Very cheesy and nothing much to see at all. Folks were mainly there to get photos with the characters which, by the way, were dressed in very amazing costumes. So, if you enjoy great views while standing in long lines to get your photo taken with Dorothy. Then I say go for it. As for me, we will never go again and make sure we spread the story about what a waste of time and money this adventure was.
[S. Rhodes, 10/23/2008] - Beech Mountain, North Carolina - Land of Oz
Third trip to the festival with my wife and our three children. Not quite as enjoyable for mom and dad this time around, since there was inclement weather, but the kids still had a blast. They look forward to it every October.
The biggest change I've seen year to year, since 2004, is at the Oz museum. They seem to add new artifacts/memorabilia to it yearly. Otherwise, everything about the "park" remains the same. The characters, the yellow brick road, Dorothy's home, were all sensational as usual.
To those who want to complain: just be thankful that the Emerald Mountain residents are kind enough to open their "backyard" to the public one weekend out of the year. They give you an opportunity to visit the remains of what once upon a time was a grand and magical mountaintop theme park. Many of us who were blessed to see it 30 years ago, through our own eyes as children, can attest to that. As for my family and I, come next October, I guess we'll be "Off to see the Wizard" once more.
[Troy, 11/11/2006] - Beech Mountain, North Carolina - Land of Oz
We took our grandsons (2 and 5) to visit Oz and were impressed with the scenery and characters. It puzzles me why this attraction is open only two days a year. There were thousands waiting in line in very poor weather conditions (windy, cloudy, chilly low 50s, and misting rain). We certainly would have opted to go when the weather was better. It's bound to be a money maker if open from late spring through early fall. We probably won't revisit unless the days are extended so we can plan around nice weather.
[Sue Choate, 10/08/2006] - Beech Mountain, North Carolina - Land of Oz - Disappointment
Attended this event and it was the most unorganized thing I have ever been to. We waited in the cold from about 8 AM only to have them allow people who had just arrived to board the bus ahead of us. When we tried to inquire about this we were told to "go home" by someone working the event. Very few signs or directions were provided for parking or how to get from here to there. When asking the people we were told were in charge they did not seem to know anything. The biggest problem was down at the bottom of the mountain and getting to the Oz part. I would not come back! It is so sad as this event has so much potential.
[Dean Wolfe, 10/07/2006]
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Flying Monkey Army! Tell everyone the Land of Oz is nothing like Disney Land!