Santa's Enchanted Forest — Attraction in Hialeah Gardens

So, let me start off by, I'm sorry if I write a lot, but my experience last night was HORRIBLE! First of all let's start off by to get into the park it's a lot of traffic and very unorganized, it took us about 20 minutes just to get into the park and find parking. Then when we were getting on a train with the white Uhaul van in front of the train, it was an older man and when we asked him how long of a walk is it from here to the entrance he said it would take 20 minutes and if we ride in the train it would take only 10 minutes. So we decided to take the train, he said it was $1.50 per person so it was five of us, so the total was $7.50. He gave us a blue and white wrist band that says Saturday on them and he told us that with these wrist bands we can use when we leave and that we don't have to pay again for the train with these wrist bands, and when we left the park and got on the train and showed the wrist band the lady said that those aren't the right wrist bands and we had to pay again $7.50 just so that we can get a ride to our car. The lines to get your tickets to enter the park were very unorganized and EXTREMLEY LONG, the only good thing was that we saw where it said CASH ONLY and that line was a little shorter. The tickets for five adults was $190. Then we all had to use the bathroom and for the women's bathroom they have four trailers with two stalls in them and there was a line for that and they were only letting one person into each bathroom. Plus let's not forget that those were the only bathrooms they had through out the whole park and they are located at the beggining more towards the middle of the entrance so we missed the whole beginning of the park to stop and take pictures because of the bathroom being so far. We were also starving because we waited to get there to eat and three corns with just garlic butter on it and a little bit of salt was $25 and it doesn't include the drinks. Then we saw the Himalaya ride and that's the ride that we all really wanted to ride so we got in line at 8pm and got off the ride at 10pm, that wasn't the worse part, the worse part was that, that ride is so intense that my fiance and I got hurt. His ribs are bruised up and my right arm is as well. We only got to ride that ONE ride and we left home from how bad the pain was. So in total we spent $236.00 just to eat three corns, ride the train to and from the entrance and to ride just ONE ride!! Please don't waste your time and DON'T...

[REVIEW IS FOR TROPICAL PARK LOCATION]

I can't remember what other place in south Florida where you can truly get the Christmas spirit along with fun rides and yummy carnival food. Santa's Enchanted forest has it all.

We (family, loved one, friends) go every year, it's like a tradition and thank the heavens for the season pass ( if you have lot s of friends that want to go at different times is a must, or like me i took one day just to take pics and no rides). Although the ride selection hasn't vary as much since the very first time we visited, is always a joy ride to go to this park at the most wonderful time of the year.

Here are my Pros + and Cons - of Santa's Enchanted Forest:

+Many Attractions +Many Rides for all ages ++A whole Christmas park in the middle of always summer Florida it's a site to bee seen +Food, Food, Foooooooood +Free Parking +Save money by buying online or getting the season pass early +A lot of things to do in the park, between the usual carnival games, to the rides and the shows that happen throughout the day (mini circus, magic shows...etc) +A lot of beautiful art by local artists +Beautiful Christmas trees all around, including a huge one on your way to the attractions. +Petting Zoo +Local shops offer discounts to visit

+- Cart train is no longer free ( i think a dollar per person but don't quote me on this) +- Food quality is questionable in some places, so its a hit or miss in most cases +-When it's packed, it's better to stay away, some people can ruin your experience, so avoid the big dates

-Prices keep increasing but nothing new seem to be added to justify it. -Ticket prices for one day visit are expensive ( if you have the slight idea that you'll need to go twice, get the season pass)

I have very fond memories of this park, and keep making new ones every year. See you soon Santa's...

This place!!! 😂🤣😂 Reminds me of “Seattle Center” in WA State in its hey day. One of my favorite places as a city kid.

I had a GREAT time here last weekend! I mean GREAT! It wasn’t too crowded (not like I’m sure it will be mid-Dec.). First off, the lights & displays are FIRST RATE & a little magical at night (true, I’m a romantic & a sucker for lights & all things holiday)… the atmosphere was electric.

Also, the staff was super cool. Especially Keisha a ride operator… she mos def had jokes. 😂. And the rides were fun. However, it was a little concerning when the ferris wheel ride lost power while I was ON it but it cycled down fine & getting off wasn’t an issue (just really dark).

Anyway, I recommend this fair esp w families because all the rides are included in admission price, so you’re not “nickled & dimed” for every ride ticket which adds up. (Also $10. off admission if u buy tickets at Walgreens…).

That said, food is expensive but (I personally didn’t & wouldn’t eat a meal here for many reasons) the snacks & desserts are good. I paid $16. for an Oreo milkshake & it was “bussin” (as my 17 yr old would say). I enjoyed the too loud music & even went on some rides (ill advised for my back, but u only live once!).

If you like a fair & aren’t afraid of tons of germs (it’s kinda gritty), then you, too, will have a great time! Just have breakfast or dinner before you arrive & bring hand sanitizer. And, oh yeah, brush your hair & wear a decent outfit or u will be caught like me, w unbrushed hair, no makeup & garden clogs because you didn’t realize you were going to “picture taking heaven.” 😂😂😂. Have FUN!

And, lastly, I wrote a “book” here (i.e., a GR wealth of information…) if you found this review helpful, please give a 👍 or follow. ...