Priscilla the Pink Pig

There is a great holiday tradition here in Atlanta for little kids that began in 1953. The holiday rides that can be taken on Priscilla the Pink Pig.

Priscilla at one time strolled along the top of the Rich's building in Downtown Atlanta, suspended from at steel rail frame. Now the Pink Pig resides at a giant white tent on top of the parking deck near Macy's at Lenox Mall. The interior of the tent is decked out in pink stars and pink lights and a little store area full of pink pigs.

A ride for kids allows children and adults if you chose to take a stroll through a Christmas wonderland on Pricsilla that is full of pink. Rides are very reasonable at $3 or 2 rides for $5.50 and if you choose to ride twice you don't have to wait in line, you can just stay on the pig train. A portion of the proceeds for the ride benefit Children's Healthcare of a Atlanta, so all in all a win win for many, right?

My husband and I thought that we were doing good to meet up with a friend and her kids between 10:30 and 11am on Saturday morning. I mean the pig doesn't start running until 10am and it was cold how bad could the wait be? Plus I had three 3 year olds the were very very excited about riding the pink pig for the very first time.

So we got in line and the wait started, and we waited in side the mall for a little while the girls were excited and we had Starbucks, life was good. Then we got outside, it had been a while, but the girls were still doing good and were excited if maybe a little chilly. It was in the 30's a bit cool for Atlanta, but the Starbucks was still warm so things were fine. Then we got to see Priscilla, herself, waiting near the tent after about an hour.

The girls were happy to see Priscilla and any grumps were temporarily vanquished. Then there was a nice sign to pose by and a nice banner, but things were starting to go downhill.

There were some tight smiles here that were coaxed out of the photo participants, but by this time DH was crouched down trying to keep Boogie warm, and B Bug was clinging to be shivering and crying that she wanted her mommy. The line was not moving but the wind was and the opening of the tent could not come quick enough. However, the best thing about the tent was that it cut the wind, there was no heat or heaters to be seen, and people were huddling close for body heat, by this time we had been in line for about an hour and a half, but by now we were also getting on that pig!

Finally, finally after an hour and 45 minutes we made it to the front of the line, and it was time to ride the Pink Pig. Was it worth the wait for the parents, nope, with all the whining, crying, cold and wind. Was it worth the wait for the girls I am not entirely sure but they seemed to have a good time, all in all.

Or perhaps not...there seems to be mixed reviews here.


I would just say that if you "THINK" that you might want to visit and ride the Pink Pig, either go in the middle of the week, before school is out, or be there before the ride starts in the morning and be one of the first in line. Other then that expect a nice long wait and quiet a few instances of telling your children that you are almost to the front. Work on your acting skills and pray that they believe you. Good luck and Happy Holidays. Oh and I got the sticker that says "I rode the Pink Pig" :D