Supposedly Father Frost’s forest-bound home, this low-budget theme park for Russian kids is a festival of kitsch. costumed staff somehow manage to keep a remarkably straight face as they play along with the farcical premise. Visits start with a forest stroll through the Tropa Skazok , where an assortment of folktale characters make you answer riddles and play little games. The 'comrehensive' ticket also includes visits to Dom Deda Moroza (Grandfather Frost's Home).
This large wooden house attempts a ‘fairy-tale atmosphere’, but the reality stumbles somewhere between museum and silly glitz-fest where guests must endure over-lengthy tours of all 12 rooms. Gasp at DM’s Liberace-style wardrobe! Observe the pyramid of seven, progressively smaller pillows on his bed (one for each day of the week)! Dutifully admire the presents he’s received (shouldn’t he be giving?). Finally, a fanfare announces the arrival of Ded Moroz himself, very tall, red-clad and as luxuriantly white-whiskered as you’d hope. He proceeds to hand out presents and hugs to kids; adult males receive nothing more than a nutcracker handshake, while lucky ladies get a very beardy smooch.
The ‘estate’ also has a hotel, a children’s camp, a reasonably priced café and a small but expanding zoo (costs extra). It’s 12km west of Veliky Ustyug, R200 by taxi. At 1.50pm you could head back to town on bus 122 (R45).
