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Attended the Autumn At Oz Festival this year and had a wonderful time. The event was much more organized for crowd flow and the weather was perfect. The park was very nicely decorated and the characters were all fun; loved watching the children enjoy themselves, I talked to a pretty "witch" in the line with me and her little girl, who was dressed as Dorothy -- they were first-time attenders and they seemed to be having a great time.
I wanted especially to go since the original Theme Park opened 40 years ago this year...
[Bill Carter, 10/04/2010]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
I am a huge fan of the Land of Oz theme park; I have been going since it re-opened in the 1990s. Yes, you may have to stand in a long line and the weather may not always be the best, but we should all be happy the park is still there for us to enjoy and that it has not been taken over by homes(well some of it has).
The actors are volunteers (they don't get paid) -- they should not have to rent costumes if they would have some made of their own. Some friends and I have land of oz costumes (I am the Scarecrow) that I made. I put less than $200 into those costumes. We went up to the park to take the pictures and had a great time at the Land of Oz.
[Billy Ferguson, 09/14/2009]- Beech Mountain, North Carolina - Land Of Oz
In response to tip by "S. Rhodes, 10/23/2008": No, it is not "Disney Land" quality, because it was NEVER meant to be Disneyland quality (it's one word, not two). The Land of Oz was meant to be more rustic and home like. If you look at Dorothy she was not a glamor girl, so the park that was lovingly created by Mr. Robbins and his team was to reflect the home and prairie qualities of Mr. Baum's books. You want Disney? Go to California or Florida and leave Beech Mt. alone!
I have visited the park every year for the last 5 or 6 years and have NEVER been disappointed because I knew going into it that there WOULD BE LINES. You're not going to be the only person there, shocking, I know! The party is meant for other like-minded people who love Oz, so put on your Ruby Slippers, shut your yap and ENJOY IT! I like being in the lines, talking to other people who remember the park in it's glory days, or have never been there and I can educate them on what the park used to be. I like people and I like making friends. Also, I bet the people who don't enjoy it go on Saturday, and are not ready for the weather that the mountain brings, am I right? Pack properly with cold weather clothing, rain gear, good shoes and get up there at 7AM on Sunday morning, trust me, you'll be a happier person for it!
NO, there are no fancy places to eat, just tents set up in the fields where people sell Oz related items and food, and guess what, that too reflects the down-to-Earth nature of OZ! Since the park doesn't have rides any more, it's only open TWO days a year, and the land is being sold off for homes WHY would they set up a permanent building? During the rest of the year people come to ski at Ski Beech which crosses the OZ property, and sadly vandals like to attack and destroy everything they can so it would be a waste. My husband and I have gone up several times to help the owner fix and paint things that skiers, hikers, and bored teens have destroyed!
Again, setting up a permanent structure would be financial suicide. AND, while I'm on the finances, yes, they take in quite a bit during the two day party, but you have to remember that the buses are about $20,000 per bus per day, plus what ever the people running the hay ride charge, there are building inspectors that have to be paid, water, power, food, actors, costume rental, police, advertising, security and about a dozen other things that I haven't even mentioned, so after everyone is paid what is left is usually a few thousand dollars that go right back into refurbishment of the park, NOT into the owners pocket!
I know I've rant and raved, but take it from someone who has loved the park since 1974, and would defend it to her death. Land Of OZ is a GREAT place, IF you know how to pack, when to go, what to expect, and DON'T TAKE YOURSELF SO SERIOUSLY! Yes, it's cheesy, but it's old fashioned memories, love and fun!
[Mrs. RBD, 05/24/2009] I have traveled to Banner Elk for the past three years for the Autumn at Oz Festival and am quite impressed with what the group of volunteers have done with the park. If it were not for the love of Oz that these volunteers display, there would be no Land of Oz to view once a year.
I fondly remember visiting the park as a child with my mom and my grandparents and feeling the magic that flowed in the mountain air. As a true Oz fan, I am very thankful for the opportunity once a year to revisit my youth and be surrounded by other Oz fans. At nine years of age, I remember being totally heartbroken when the Land of Oz closed.
I plan on vacationing the weekend in October every year and visit Oz. The group of people I drag with me every year gets bigger and bigger. Is it on the same amusement park level that Disney World is on? No, but it is not supposed to be. It costs a lot more than any of us know about to put this on every year. Charging only $15 per person probably barely covers the cost of operation for one weekend a year. It is normally hard to find worthy hard working volunteers also. My hat's off to the special people that put this on every year. Thank you!
[Crystal Newby, 03/24/2009]- Beech Mountain, North Carolina - Land of Oz
Land of Oz is not what it used to be. You would think that they could fix up the place, at fifteen dollars a head and about ten thousand people in two days! I believe it would be a much better place to visit if it was fixed up as close to the '70's look as it could be (a bigger scarecrow and tin man house, the Magic Moment stage, gift shop for Land of Oz items, and restaurant and a place for people to sell their stuff besides a tent).
[David, 02/14/2009]
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