As much as I used to love this place, this year they yanked away free parking (across the highway where we peasants would park an shuttle over), and worse yet, no more free parking for the disabled.

So I ask one of the managers, how to handle the scenario where my wife and I are gifting a trip to take two elderly ladies in wheelchairs probably tomorrow night (can't commit to the exact day because of their health and weather/rain is iffy), which is now needed because one must purchase a Rudolph parking ticket (in addition to handicap plates which we have) in advance for a specific date - regardless - disabled or not, even when there are plenty of handicap spots available.

Since we won't know until shortly before, I guess we have to purchase multiple days of parking so we don't risk it. I get it / they need to charge for this and that; but now charging parking for the disabled leaves a bad taste. It'd be not so bad if I could drop them off and then drive across the road and park and shuttle back (leaving them waiting for me), but man, I'm honestly trying to help others who would never come, enjoy this thing. I've already seen it all multiple times a year and don't mind going through the normal paid parking when I do so, but the elderly/disabled seem to have no place in their hearts.

Visiting Santa's Wonderland has been a big nope for years. In its early years, I loved paying by the car load and seeing the light displays. But it has grown to Disney proportions with everything costing something and then an added charge if you don't want to wait in line. No thanks.

We quit going a few years ago also. Too expensive and too dependent on weather.

Just went today for the first time since you used to just drive through for a carload price. It is ridiculously expensive by the time you buy tickets, pay parking, and pay for express tickets then have to pay for other activities like the petting zoo. We only went to be able to take our grandchild, unlikely to go back.

I'm sure they won't miss us, it was packed.

We took the grands when they were little. We enjoyed the musical performances but now avoid it like the plague. Entering is just a giant cluster we're not willing to endure.

It's not for locals anymore. We are not their target demographic. If we show it's just bycatch.

The entity will be by soon to tell you how wonderful it is and how much they deserve to get money from the city to help their business.

I was told by my son in Spring yesterday that someone is building a similar event location around Conroe, If so not only will there be price competition but also a closer venue for many Houston homeowners,

BTW, do they still get a lot of the HOT taxes?

Make the drive to Huntsville and go here instead:

https://www.thechristmasvillage.com/

Doesn't Central Park still have drive through lights? Also the big "Christmas Tree" , Santa and hot Cocoa? Our kids - now 30(!) loved that… wed go several times a week after supper. Ahhhh good times!

Y'all are doing it wrong. Buy tickets in July when they have their half price sale. Go opening week in the middle of the week. We went last Wednesday and damn near had the park to ourselves. No lines anywhere for anything. Walked straight into the hay ride for the lights. Parked right outside the gate maybe 30m after it opened and walked right in. Longest wait we had was for an ice cream cone because a family of 5 walked in right before us.

maroon barchetta said:

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The entity will be by soon to tell you how wonderful it is and how much they deserve to get money from the city to help their business.

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This thread would seem to reinforce that belief. Most of the posts add up to "it's not for locals anymore" with someone saying exactly that. Several have said they stopped going years ago. Well if it isn't for locals and locals don't go yet it's still growing then by definition it's bringing in lots of tourists and that's exactly what the HOT is designed for.

I suspect the handicap parking was probably being abused?

LOYAL AG said:

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maroon barchetta said:

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The entity will be by soon to tell you how wonderful it is and how much they deserve to get money from the city to help their business.

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This thread would seem to reinforce that belief. Most of the posts add up to "it's not for locals anymore" with someone saying exactly that. Several have said they stopped going years ago. Well if it isn't for locals and locals don't go yet it's still growing then by definition it's bringing in lots of tourists and that's exactly what the HOT is designed for.

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I thought HOT was to pay for CoCS pet projects like Macy's and ball fields that don't work out and Instagram props by the Taj Mah City Hall? And the Taj Mah City Hall?

Santa's wonderland?

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

And shipwreck to move across the street?

That's different. The medians killed Amico Nave.

LOL! Good things there are no medians on the side of the street they are on now. Whew!

I am confused on why the OP thinks he is entitled to free parking because he has some disabled people with him. Parking is parking. If it is their policy to charge for it either pay to park or don't go.

jac4 said:

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Santa's wonderland?

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

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"The beatings shall continue until morale improves"

LOYAL AG said:

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Y'all are doing it wrong. Buy tickets in July when they have their half price sale. Go opening week in the middle of the week. We went last Wednesday and damn near had the park to ourselves. No lines anywhere for anything. Walked straight into the hay ride for the lights. Parked right outside the gate maybe 30m after it opened and walked right in. Longest wait we had was for an ice cream cone because a family of 5 walked in right before us.

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Even if you don't go on opening week, just pick a random Tuesday when school is in session and the waits are not bad at all.

cslifer said:

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I am confused on why the OP thinks he is entitled to free parking because he has some disabled people with him. Parking is parking. If it is their policy to charge for it either pay to park or don't go.

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Yeah, pretty sure handicap parking is NOT free at most theme parks. I believe A&M charges for handicap parking as well on game days. Plus, unfortunately those handicap placards are abused by way too many people who don't need them.

We stopped going because it got so expensive for a family of 5 and the quality continues to go more corporate. It's not fun anymore.

We stopped going because it's just nickel and dime now for everything.

But if I'm having to pay for parking, why WOULDN'T the disabled pay for parking? They already get the best parking, why in your mind should it be free also?

This is for the locals now.

https://www.bvtreefarm.com/christmas

Maybe they're too close to the bypass!

So a lot of you that complain each Christmas about SW, do you take your kids other places like Disney, Sea World, Six Flags, Great Wolf, Kalahari, Schlitterbahn, Zoo's, Aquariums etc?

Everything is corporate, everything is a dollar trap, this just happens to be right here where we don't have to spend a couple thousand on plane tickets and another couple grand on rooms. We can simply get in our vehicle and drive a few miles and be there.

Our family enjoys going, we typically go on weeknights during school to avoid the larger crowds, and we always go Christmas eve.

SW is a local guy done good, and a treasure to our community IMHO. It's OK if you disagree.

FlyRod said:

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Maybe they're too close to the bypass!

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That ain't the bypass.

EliteElectric said:

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So a lot of you that complain each Christmas about SW, do you take your kids other places like Disney, Sea World, Six Flags, Great Wolf, Kalahari, Schlitterbahn, Zoo's, Aquariums etc?

Everything is corporate, everything is a dollar trap, this just happens to be right here where we don't have to spend a couple thousand on plane tickets and another couple grand on rooms. We can simply get in our vehicle and drive a few miles and be there.

Our family enjoys going, we typically go on weeknights during school to avoid the larger crowds, and we always go Christmas eve.

SW is a local guy done good, and a treasure to our community IMHO. It's OK if you disagree.

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Completely agree. Amazing what this has grown into and is great for CS.