FESTIVE CELEBRATION
Wintertime Wonderland go-to destination for holiday fun
COLONIE, N.Y. » As the holiday season marches on and Christmas gets closer, thousands of families are making their way to Wintertime Wonderland.
Labeled the Capital Region’s largest indoor Christmas event, Wintertime Wonderland is quickly becoming a destination for folks from near and far.
Set in the former K-mart store at 195 Troy Schenectady Rd. in Colonie, Wintertime Wonderland is a 50,000-square-foot, interactive walk-through attraction that’s open throughout the holiday season.
After a successful debut last year, Wintertime Wonderland founder and owner Bryant Luizzi decided to make Wintertime Wonderland bigger and better for 2021.
This year’s event features more characters, displays and activities — all meant to entertain.
A father of three, Luizzi was inspired to start this project while waiting in line for his kids to see Santa at a local mall. Looking around seeing unhappy children and parents, he realized the potential for an alternative experience that could provide amusement along to way to sitting on Santa’s lap.
Wintertime Wonderland’s dazzling decorated villages, frosty ice maze, Candy Cane Alley and more give families plenty to see and do leading up to their visit with Mr. Claus.
There are lots of other characters to meet at Wintertime Wonderland too, such as The Grinch and his real-life dog Max along with the gingerbread man, a snowman, Mrs. Claus the elves and the popular ice princesses.
“My main objective is to make people happy, especially the kids,” said Luizzi, who is constantly brainstorming ways to expand Wintertime Wonderland in the future.
This year he added rides, including an antique carousel from Coney Island and a train for youngsters.
The 2021 event has already welcomed at least three times as many visitors as it had by this time last year, and those attendees are traveling from all over.
In addition to many Capital Region residents, Wintertime Wonderland has drawn eventgoers from Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and other areas of New York state.
While operating Wintertime Wonderland is certainly a labor of love, it’s a rewarding one, said Luizzi, who owns a paving and sealcoating business as his full-time endeavor. “My favorite thing is just watching people go through, and watching the joy and entertainment they’re getting as they go through it — playing in the fake snow and interacting with the characters,” he said, “It’s awesome.”
General admission to Wintertime Wonderland is $10 per person, with certain days of free admission for veterans, active military, healthcare workers and first responders. A sensory-friendly evening is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 22.
A full schedule, as well as online ticket purchasing, can be found online at www.wintertimewonderland.com.
Wintertime Wonderland also offers photo packages, available for purchase.
More information about Wintertime Wonderland is available by calling (518) 901-4321.