Ligonier, Pennsylvania - Storybook Forest

Definitely a "best bang for your buck" -- especially if you have a wide age range of children, as it is part of three other "theme areas" in that same park. Be sure to visit the physical fitness area with the giant rope ladder. A couple dozen people at a time can climb without interfering with each other. Locally purchased Pepsi cans and widely distributed coupons, as well as "one price carload" days can save a lot on the admission price. The "Mr Rogers" area is a must for anyone who grew up watching him on PBS; former members of the show are often there -- check ads for appearances. Food is a notch better than might be expected, too. [Bill, 02/16/2005]

The forest has been renovated with a new puppet theater. The rest of the park is pretty good too. You must ride the Rollo Coaster if you don't like roller coasters. Best value park in the east . [mike greiner, 03/03/2004]

[RA: Storybook Forest is part of a larger amusement park complex that includes Olde Idlewild, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make Believe, and the Soak Zone.]

I just returned from a fun day at Idlewild Park in W PA. A unique highlight was the still-alive-and-kicking Story Book Forest. Story Book Forest's structures are still in very good shape, no peeling paint or cracked statues. Real actors dress up as Goldilocks, The Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe, Little Red Riding Hood, Mother Goose & give out goodies like lollipops or crackers. There are Candian geese waddling everywhere (don't go near - they're nasty) & lots of chipmunks scampering about. The sword in the stone is still there. My 3-year old was a bit frightened of the huge jack-in-the-box ("Pop Goes the Weasel') and my husband and I noted with alarm that Jack Be Nimble's statue was getting scorched in the crotch by the candle's flame as he lept! Even poor Jack & Jill -- Jack is prostrate on the ground and looks DOA.

A low point was the tacky gift shop full of toys you're forced to walk thru as you exit. Idlewild Park is the 3rd-oldest still operating amusement park in the country and is great fun -- less crowded (no long lines!), smaller, woodsier (thus cooler), much less expensive ($17 in 2000) than the Disney Worlds and 6 Flags of this world. [Lori M. Sampson, 06/11/2000]

A walk through the woods on a paved path leads past fiberglass and concrete sculptures of your favorite storybook characters. Meet the Three Little Pigs and their respective homes, Cinderella, the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe, Jack Sprat, Hansel and Gretl, all the creepy ones. Even try to pull the sword from the stone and become the next King of England!!! Emphasis here is on Grimm's, NOT Disney. Storybook Forest has all the makings of a place that will give you nightmares as an adult. About 40 miles south of Pittsburgh, near Latrobe, where they make Rolling Rock Beer. [Katie White, 05/22/1997]

[RA: One of our favorite fairy tale worlds. We'll post our photo of the Old Woman in the Shoe pulling the Sword out of the Stone sometime...]