Drive through Santa Land

By Todd Moning
FMCA.com editor

An east Texas theme park might be the closest you can get to driving your motorhome through a winter wonderland.

Motorhomes up to 36 feet long and 12 feet high can drive through Santa Land, a drive-through Christmas theme park in Lindale, Texas, just north of Tyler. More than 2 million lights illuminate Toy Lane, Santa's Village, a village of elves, and much more inside this 24-acre park.

"We advertise over 2 million lights," said Pat Palmer, whose family owns and operates Santa Land. "The first year, we knew how many strands we put up and then every year we've added so much. It's hard to tell now, but I'm sure we have more than 2 million."

The 2003 holiday season is the ninth for Santa Land. "We had seen a park like this in St. Louis, Mo.," Palmer said. "But ours was one of the first ones in Texas that was a complete drive-through. We already owned the land and a lot of the equipment … we had been in the oil business."

The cost for motorhomes or towed vehicles to drive through Santa Land is $15. Plenty of free parking is available.

Santa Land also offers trailer rides, $5 per person, for those who wish to experience the park in the open air. "It's a better way to see everything because you can see so much more," Palmer said.

The fulgent glory of Santa Land is apparent as visitors enter through a 20-foot-tall Christmas wreath decked with 11,000 green lights and 5,000 red lights.

Drive down Christmas Tree Lane, flanked by 16-foot-tall trees of brilliant colors. Cruise through a 250-foot tunnel of dancing lights. While exiting the tunnel, 12-foot-tall Toy Soldiers salute. "The tunnel is probably everyone's overall favorite," Palmer said.

Elsewhere in the park, Elfil Kinefel jumps his motorcycle over an 18-wheeler. Leo the Lion leaps through a fire ring. Elves ride the carousel in Elfland. A schoolhouse, a playground and a barbershop also are part of the Elfland village.

New displays for 2003 include Al the Gator, Kirk and His Kite, Scott Our Skier and Three Crosses. "Scott the skier jumps, flips in the air and lands on his behind. It looks so real," Palmer said.

Other Santa Land creations:

• a Texas twister
• Three Wise Men
• a Texas-size cowboy boot
• hummingbirds and butterflies
• a poinsettia patch.
• a Texas-size" tricycle, teddy bear and other toys

Before Thanksgiving, the drive through Santa Land takes about 30 minutes, Palmer said. "We don't start getting real busy until after Thanksgiving. Then it takes a little longer, especially on weekends. We encourage people to come early."

Palmer's favorite part of the park is Angel Land, a special area created for families of children who have passed away. "That's my heart," she said. "We had a son, 19, and he passed away in 1990. He used to hunt and fish on the property. We have 34 angels in Angel Land, including one of our son fishing. They're all are patterned after the Precious Moments characters to reveal the personalities of the children."

Many families requested angels, but Santa Land didn't have the space, so the Palmers created an Angel Tree. More than 175 lights — blue ones indicating boys and pink ones, girls — adorn the tree. Each light represents a child who has passed away.

Santa Land also has a 4,000-square-foot Igloo Gift Shop filled with holiday decorations and gift items, including gingerbread items in the Ginger Bread Kitchen.

Details
Santa Land is located on Interstate 20 (take exit 557), midway between Dallas and Shreveport, La. It's open daily from Nov. 1, 2003, to Jan. 4, 2004. Hours: 6 to 10 p.m.

Trailer rides depart on the hour. Before Thanksgiving, trailer rides run on weekends only. After thanksgiving they run nightly, until 9 p.m. Purchase tickets at the Igloo Gift Shop. Reservations are suggested for large groups (minimum 25).

More info: phone (903) 882-1518, e-mail santalandtexas@yahoo.com or visit the Web site below.

Santa Land
www.santalandtexas.com