Ding Dong the Witch is dead! The witch is dead! Ever since I saw there was an event called Autumn at Oz, I have been wanting to go and take Shelby. All I knew was there used to be a theme park called Land of Oz which was made after the Wizard of Oz movie along with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book and it shut down back in 1980. It was even right in my backyard (well almost) in Beech Mountain, NC.
Back in June the tickets went on sale and I grabbed them. I looked forward to the event in September. The Thursday before it was time for Autumn at Oz, I found the original movie Wizard of Oz so Shelby and I could watch it. It was Shelby’s first time watching and she loved it. I was hoping it wasn’t too scary for her and it wasn’t. The only part that seemed to scare her a little was the tornado part. I remember her asking me why there wasn’t any color in the beginning and I told her to wait and boy was she surprised.
Getting To The Park
It took us almost two hours to get to the park that morning but we made it. After parking we made our way up to check-in. There we provided our tickets and in return they gave us our wristbands.
They gave us the option to pay $12 per person to ride the ski lifts for a more scenic ride and we took it. It did not disappoint and not to mention it was Shelby’s first time riding a ski lift.
I did not realize that the ski resort turned into a mountain bike course outside of the winter season. That was pretty cool to see. The other ski lift was taking riders to the top. They even had lifts that were made for bicycles so people didn’t have to tote their bicycles to the top of the mountain. How neat! They had disc golf as well and we could see people were playing.
Park Entrance
Once at the top, we hopped off and made our way to the park entrance. Now we were getting super excited.
The first thing we came to was the fountain followed by the Land of Oz and history signs. Pretty neat to read about the history and that representatives from Disney were sent to see how a theme park was so popular with only one ride. It was very sad to read that the owners went bankrupt and the Emerald City Amphitheater was set on fire, not to mention the park was robbed the same night. Costumes and props were stolen. Those items have yet to be recovered.
After the fire, TriSouth of Atlanta purchased the park and began rebuilding a smaller version of Emerald City and the park reopened. A couple years later the park was beginning to look run down because it wasn’t well maintained or managed well. Due to the high cost to get the park back into shape, they closed it and 1980 was the last year the park ran full time. Land around the park was developed into what’s now known as Emerald Mountain. Beginning in 1988, there was a small reunion of original park employees being held at the park and it sparked such an interest that in July of 1991, Oz opened for a special one day event. That event was moved to the fall in 1993 and is now known as Autumn at Oz.
Moving along a windy path where there were more “did you know?” and history signs.
We made it to The Judy Garland Memorial Overlook and the view was great. It was hoped that Judy Garland would cut the opening day ribbon but she passed before the big day which this overlook was designed in her memory.
Farmhouse
Moving right along a downward windy slope and I started hearing people as we made our way closer, I could see the Professor Marvel wagon. It turns out we had just made it where they started putting shows on and we just witnessed the end. That’s ok though, they run them every 30 minutes. We made our way towards the barn to sit on the hay bales to wait for the next show to start. An announcer would come on telling us how much time was left before the next show.
Finally, the show started. Singing and dancing with the farm hands, then Dorothy appears with Toto. She then heads towards the house looking for Auntie Em. There she sings Over the Rainbow then realizes the lady would be back for Toto and decides to run away. That’s when she runs into Professor Marvel. Once he sees Auntie Em in the crystal ball, Dorothy runs back towards the barn and the show ends there.
Everyone was lining up to go into the farmhouse but we were getting thirsty so we headed over to the tents where they were selling lemonade, popcorn and candied nuts. We made our way back toward the farm house and sat on the bench while we ate and refreshed ourselves with lemonade.
While sitting on the bench, Dorothy with Toto came out for a character meet and greet plus offered everyone a chance to get a picture with her. This was so neat as we were right in front of her and were able to get ours done first.
Getting In The Cellar
We were able to get in line to move through the house. Wouldn’t you know it, we found Auntie Em inside telling us to hurry in the cellar as there was a tornado coming.
Once in the cellar, it was dark and they had black lights going. The walls were painted in glow paint for the black lights. There were some stairs but most were ramps. There was a TV showing a tornado and things flying around. Coming out of the cellar, we could see light. The house was a mess from the tornado.
Getting outside was a treat because there was a witch waiting for us all. Shelby decided to take a picture with the witch and as I was taking the picture, Shelby had her back to the witch. Well, the witch took her broom and tickled Shelby’s head. It was hilarious!
Munchkin Land
Walking down the stairs we could see where the house was sitting on the old witch and the ruby slippers. We were on our way towards the yellow brick road. How exciting this has been and keeps getting better.
Our first stop was with Glenda the Good Witch. While we were waiting in line to see her, we witnessed the magic of Glenda the Good Witch and it made my heart sing to see. Shelby made it up there to have her picture taken with Glenda and was able to talk with her for a little bit. There were bubbles blowing and Glenda saw everyone off by singing, “We’re off to see the Wizard” as we skipped up the yellow brick road.
Next stop was at Munchkin Land where it was decorated to appear that way and we saw five munchkins.
Scarecrow, Tin Man & Lion
Scarecrow was next! What a joyous time we had meeting and greeting with Scarecrow. He was nice and giggly which brightened everyone’s smile. We snapped a few pictures as well.
Next was Tin Man! He was a hoot to talk to and Shelby loved it. We got some pictures with him as well.
Let’s not forget the Lion. He was such a scaredy cat but we were able to talk to him for a few and get a picture.
I didn’t know until we were hanging out with Lion that they run a show down the yellow brick road with Dorothy going to each character. It’s just like in the movie where she runs into each one and they do the skit live but without each character following her though. They had to stay at their stations so we all could meet and greet with them. We were able to watch the one with Lion and it was hilarious and so on point.
Heading on we came across this gorgeous pond. Flowers were wrapped around it and it had a fountain in the middle. The water was a bluish green color.
Witches Castle
We came to what appeared to be a house shaped bridge. Going through, it seemed a little darker and on the other side was the Haunted Forest where we found the guard and flying monkey stationed. They were guarding the entrance to the Witches Castle. We made it to the witch and her mystical ball.
Leaving the Witches Castle, we found a face in the tree which was pretty cool.
Skipping along on the yellow brick road until we came across another face in the tree and Glenda the Good Witch again.
Rainbow Observation Deck
Back to the yellow brick road until we came to the Emerald City Land of Oz Entrance Gate where we found a bell to ring. When it was rung, the doors opened asking if we couldn’t see the sign. While walking in, the guy let us know that the observation deck was to our right and Emerald City was towards our left.
We purchased Over the Rainbow Observation Deck tickets so we headed to the tent to get in line. Now, once we got to go up, keep in mind it was a hike up a lot of stairs. We all were out of breath when we reached the deck but the view…I’m telling you…it was amazing! Coming back down wasn’t so bad.
Emerald City
Going into Emerald City, there was a gift shop where you could purchase memorabilia. Inside was also a white horse with lights changing color and it was showing the color on the horse just like in the movie where the horse changes color.
Coming out of the gift shop, there was seating where people were eating and relaxing. Down the stairs on the main level were food vendors. We tried out the funnel cake and fried Oreos. They were good!
We made our way into the theater where the last show was put on. They realized Oz the Wizard was merely a man hiding behind the curtains. He then comes out and gives everyone what they wanted. Dorothy then clicked her heels and disappeared. Once the show was over, they offered meet and greet with the characters.
Leaving Emerald City, we ran into characters again. Shelby waved bye to all of them. It started to look like rain so we decided to take the bus back instead of the lift. We were so glad we did because as we started to leave in the bus, the rain hit.
Near The End
At the drop off point, it was still raining but we headed to shelter and the bathroom. When we came out the rain had stopped and the sun was coming back out. We headed to the gift shop and little museum they had inside which was the next floor up from the bathroom.
We left the gift shop and went into the field, also known as the Fair which was right in front where there were other vendors. We looked around and Shelby found face painting so we paid for Shelby to get her face painted. She loved it and I did too!
On our way out, I noticed they had pony rides behind where the bathrooms were outside. We didn’t partake but maybe next year.
In closing, we had a wonderful time and I tell you if you haven’t been to Autumn at Oz, then go. I felt like a kid again and the characters were on point. Shelby loved every minute and she now wants to be Dorothy for Halloween. We arrived there just before 11 am and didn’t leave until almost 4 pm. This weekend is the last event until next year so click here and get your tickets.
Until next year Land of Oz, we will see you then!