As the seasons begin to change in South Jersey, there are probably some mixed feelings about what the end of summer brings. The loss of beach days and our tans slowly fading, but the good news is that fall is just around the corner, which brings about its own kind of magic to the Jersey Shore.
Storybook Land is a local amusement park that is home to magic all year round. From different seasons with different décor, the park always has something up its sleeve to make the most of each season here, and fall is no different.
Beginning Sept. 19, Fall Into Fun starts at Storybook Land and offers a fun time for all ages and ticket values, with core memories to be made. The fall vibes come alive with 650 mums, 1,350 hay bales, 800 cornstalks and 12 bins full of pumpkins and gourds.
These fall preparations require a lot of work and planning, with fall flower orders placed in the spring for delivery in September. The team gradually starts getting ready in August, and after Labor Day, they begin decorating.
“We offer a fun, interactive hay maze, pumpkin decorating, and a hayride along with our rides and attractions. All our attractions are strictly non-scary and safe for small children,” said Jessica Panetta, co-owner of Storybook Land.
In addition to the décor and additional fall attractions, Storybook Land also offers Trick-or-Treat Weekends during the last two weekends of October. Children (and adults) are encouraged to come wearing their costumes and trick-or-treat at 12 stations all over the park. The snack bar joins in by offering delicious, festive food and beverage items like Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie Milkshakes, Hot Honey Chai (iced or hot), Apple Harvest Cold Brew, Harvest Salad, apple cider, and more.
In tune with the neighboring and friendly vibes that Storybook Land gives off every day, the fall décor is all locally sourced, ensuring that community vibes live true. The hay bales, cornstalks, and pumpkins all come from local farms, with deliveries coming throughout the season.
“The place instantly makes you feel happy. The decorations are so beautiful, comforting, and cozy. You can’t help but get into the Halloween and fall spirit when you visit,” Panetta said.
From pumpkin decorating, maze walking, hayride going, and treat eating, combined with the incredible rides and attractions there year-round, you have the perfect family outing fit for a fall bucket list check-off item.
The maze is one of the most popular attractions during Fall into Fun, and it promises the perfect amount of challenge for kids and adults. Not only is it beautifully decorated, but it’s also different every year. At the entrance, the kids are given a blank puzzle board with 12 numbered squares. As they find their way through the maze, they can look for 12 pumpkin mailboxes with corresponding numbers. Those mailboxes all contain a numbered sticker that goes on their puzzle board. If they find all 12 pumpkin boxes, they’ll have a photo to take home and display on the fridge.
“Knowing they’re getting a great value and experience, easy parking, the park is easy to navigate, and there are plenty of things to do. It’s a safe, family-friendly place, the perfect backdrop for fall activities,” Panetta said.
Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DLC Media, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.
