May 30, 1959 (as Santa's Village) May 27, 2011 (as Azoosment Park) Santa's Village Amusement & Water Park (2021)
Owner
Santa's Village LLC
Slogan
Discover exciting rides, slides, animal attractions and more at Santa’s Village Amusement & Water Park, the place for FUN. FAMILY. MEMORIES.
Operating season
Santa's Village Amusement & Water Park: May to August Santa's Village Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival: September to October Santa's Village Magical Christmas Drive-Thru Experience: November to December
Santa's Village Amusement & Water Park (formerly known and colloquially referred to as simply Santa's Village) is a theme park in East Dundee, Illinois. It was originally built by Glenn Holland, who also built two other Santa's Villages, in California; one located in San Bernardino County and the other in Santa Cruz County. The Illinois park, the third to be built, was intended to be the flagship of a chain of Santa's Villages across the country. However, parks planned for Richmond, Virginia, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, were never built, and the park in East Dundee became the last of its kind.
The park operated as Santa's Village from 1959 until 2006, when it closed. Five years later, after extensive rehabilitation, the park reopened under new ownership. Renamed Santa's Village Azoosment Park because of the shared focus on both rides and animals, the Azoosment Park has nearly twenty rides and attractions, and hundreds of exotic and farm animals in an interactive environment. For a short time in 1972 the park was named Worlds of Fun. To avert legal feuds with other parks with similar names, the name was changed again to Three Worlds of Santa's Village. In 2021, the park updated its name to Santa's Village Amusement & Water Park.
About the park
The buildings were modeled on what an average child might imagine Santa's Village would look like. When it opened, it was a very prominent theme park. Over the park's history more than 20 million people passed through the front gates.
Initially, admission to the park was free, and rides were purchased individually with colored coins which allowed riders a specific amount of time on the attractions. This model was eventually abandoned for a one-price admission policy with access to all rides, a model that continued until the end of the park's life.[citation needed]
History
1959–2006
The park opened on May 30, 1959.[1] One addition to the park, opened in 1963, was the "Polar Dome" which provided an ice skating and hockey venue under a forced-air supported dome. On November 28, 1966, a strong wind caused the "Polar Dome" to collapse. The dome was then replaced by a flat cedar roof, although the name of the venue was not changed.
During the 1960s, the park featured short Amphicar rides, which simply drove the riders about 100 feet (30m) to the edge of a small lake, then out about another 100 feet, circled a pier and returned.
Three Worlds (1972–2006)
In 1972, the park was purchased by the Medina Investors, who renamed it Worlds of Fun. However, to preclude involvement in trademark-infringing lawsuits with amusement parks employing the exact name, they renamed it again to the Three Worlds of Santa's Village.
Santa's World: this was the original area and focal point of the park. It was located north of the Polar Dome. It had attractions such as Santa's House, where visitors could get a picture with Santa, the North Pole, a live theater, Frog Hopper, Balloon Ride, Snowball Ride, Giant Slide, Convoy, Train, and the Dragon Coaster.
Old McDonald's Farm; this replaced the Reindeer Barn and consolidated all of the roaming animals to one spot in the park. It had attractions such as the Pony Ride, Petting Zoo, and Animal Pens where the animals were stored at night. The animals were sold before the park closed in 2006.
Coney Island: this was the southern area of the park and last to be developed. It had many attractions such as Tilt-a-whirl, The Yo-yo, Himalaya, Galleon Ship, Bumble bee, and the Magic Show. This area is now occupied by Paintball Explosion.
In 1983, the park owners added Racing Rapids Action Park to the north end of Santa's Village.[2]
Although the parks were connected, there were separate admission gates to either one. A combination ticket was available at either park that would permit visitors to enter both parks that day. Both parks had separate parking lots.
Water Park (1983–2006, 2021-current)
The water park Racing Rapids was the water park attached to the north side of Santa's Village AZoosment Park.[3] When it opened, it was one of the first in the Midwest and the largest in Illinois. It was closed with the park in 2006. The water park reopened for its full season in 2021 under the name "Santa Springs".
Closure (2006)
The unsuccessful launch of the "Typhoon" roller coaster, decreased attention to the aesthetics of the park, and a decline of patrons eventually prompted the corporation to sell. The sale did not proceed as smoothly as hoped and, with many setbacks and unmet deadlines, the park had to shut its doors.
In August 2006, the park announced its permanent closure. Most of the rides and fixtures were auctioned in October 2006.[4]
Reopening (2011)
Santa’s Village reopened on one side of the original property, while the other side was leased to Paintball Explosion, which opened on April 30, 2011. Paintball Explosion converted the existing Polar Dome ice rink into an indoor paintball field and built six outdoor fields within the park, reusing many of the existing outdoor structures.
On the other half of the original property, Santa's Village reopened on May 27. It features over 20 mechanical rides, a water park, and a petting zoo.
Polar Dome Reopening (2025)
The Polar Dome, initially used by Paintball Explosion for laser tag, was reopened on January 17, 2025, as an ice rink, alongside the Alpine Room Bar and Restaurant.
An SBF Visa family roller coaster. The coaster has four cars with four riders each. The front two cars are designed to look like pigs, while the back two cars are designed to look like cows.
Formerly known as Silver Slipper Pond (1959?) and Magic Pond.
Petting Zoo
2011
Formerly known as Reindeer Barn (1959–1971), Old McDonald's Farm (1972–2006).
Santa's House
1959
Where you can meet and take pictures with Santa.
Water park
Ride
Year Opened
Description
Lighthouse Harbor
10,000 sq. ft. splash zone with an 8 in. deep wading pool, zero-depth entry, and a two story play structure. Kids can enjoy 9 water slides, 2 giant tipping buckets, and a 50 ft. four-lane racer slide.
Caribbean Curl
Open top red and green 300-foot long body slide.
Peppermist Twist
Red and white enclosed 300-foot long body slide.
Spearmint Twist
Green and white 300-foot long body slide
Coconut Competition
2025
Four lane mat racer slide
Other venues
Venue
Year opened
Description
Aviary
1959
Formerly known as Christmas Around the World Post Office
Birthday Party
Frozen North Pole
1959
Frozen Pole of ice located by Santa's House. Originally located in the North Pole Plaza
Midway Games
Food and beverages
Venue
Year opened
Description
Picnic Area
Formerly known as Reindeer Glen Picnic Grove.
Arctic Circle Ice Cream Shop
2011
Formerly known as Mrs. Claus's Candy Kitchen (1959–?).
Picnic Pavilion
Ginger Bread Cafe
2011
Formerly known as The Gingerbread House (1959–?).
Reindeer Ridge / Beer Garden
Formerly known as Wee Puppet Theater/Hoffbrau House
Backyard BBW
Formerly known as Wee Puppet Theater/Hoffbrau House
Motion Simulator by Wisdom Industries. A rocket ship that simulated a space mission.
Bumble Bee ride
Bumper Cars
Had two types of Bumper Cars. In the 1970s, it was designed to resemble a racetrack and was known as the Dundee Zizzler 500 Raceway.
Burro Ride
1959
Children could ride on a live burro through the forest.
Candy Cane Coaster
1964
1966
Candy Cane Slide
Circular slide.
Cannon Ball
1986
Roller Coaster replaced by the Dragon Coaster.
Chapel of the Little Shepard
1959
A small all faith chapel that reflected on children's bible stories through small exhibits.
Cinderella's Pumpkin Coach
1959
A life-size coach that guests could ride in that was pulled by miniature white ponies. The turn-a-round area contained a static display of Prince Charming's Castle.
Christmas Around the World Post Office
1959
A large building that housed many exhibits and services such as an actual post office, letter writing to Santa, exhibit windows of the celebrations of Christmas around the world, a souvenir counter, guest services, and rest rooms. Offices were located on the second floor.
The Christmas Tree ride
1959
1992
A giant whirling tree teacup ride where guests could ride in a Christmas ornament that would go up and down with the pull of a lever. Replaced by the Balloon Ride.
Circus Wagon
Trolley Ride
The Doll House
1959
Doll shop with dolls from around the world.
The Easter Bunny's Hut
1959
Large egg shaped house where kids could take pictures with the Easter Bunny.
A Powered roller coaster by Zamperla. Also known as Dracor, the Dragon Coaster (1986–1994). Now located at Vertical Endeavors in Warrenville, Illinois.
A family coaster by Wisdom Rides. Relocated from Go Bonkers Now in Arlington Heights, Illinois at Rexo Coaster (2000-2010). Opening at Joyland Amusement Park in Lubbock, Texas in 2017[10]
English Rotor
Spinning Rotor Ride
Fire Truck Ride
197?
2006
Trolley pulled by a fire truck. Riders use working fire hoses to put out fires along the route.
An actual working bakery that featured gingerbread cookies and baked goods. Large windows allowed guests to watch as "Pixies" made the sweet treats. The Gingerbread House was also home to the "Good Witch" and the "Lollipop Lady". Right behind the outside fireplace, children could accompany the "Lollipop Lady" and pick a sucker from the lollipop tree.
Great Wheel
1995
2006
Ferris Wheel bought by Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort.
Hampton Ride
2006
The Himalaya
2006
Igloo
1959
A small concrete igloo that originally served small ice cream novelties.
Kiddie Kars
2006
Jack in the Box
1959
A snow cone stand that looked like its name.
Lil' Stinger
2006
The Magic Train
1959
1961
A small train ride around a fairy tale themed area. Removed for Antique Cars.
Merry-Go-Round
1966
2006
Mill Wheel Workshop
1959
An artisan's shop that also sold manufactured toys.
Mrs. Claus’ Candy Kitchen
1959
A large building that was a candy shop that sold hand-dip chocolates and hard candies. Mrs. Claus was on hand each day to supervise.
Old Engine 99
1964
1966
Paddle Boats
Paddle boats in the pond
Pixie Pantry
1959
The Park's largest eating facility that served sit down meals cafeteria style in the main section and hamburgers, hotdogs, and typical fast food through a walk-up window.
Pixie Press
Trained animals working a printing press. Children could subscribe to the news print and have it delivered to their homes.
Polar Dome
1963
2006
Ice Skating Rink. Originally had a forced-air dome roof that measured 87 feet from the ice surface. The dome was replaced by a flat roof in 1966 after a storm damaged it.
Pony Carts
1966
1987
Replaced by the Convoy Ride.
Reindeer Barn
1959
Santa's reindeer actually lived in the barn. There were eight stalls and at the north end of the barn, "Inky" the reindeer, along with his friends "Peck" the chicken and "Hunt" the duck printed the Park's official newspaper, The Pixie Press.
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In popular culture
In the movie The Christmas Chronicles 2, Santa possibly references the amusement park when introducing the main characters to the real Santa's Village.
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