We partnered with HGTV’s Santa HQ and went to the Danbury Fair Mall in Connecticut to take a walk through the North Pole and visit Santa. We received compensation and free photos and we plan on making this a yearly tradition because it was so much fun!
We planned a night to visit HGTV’s Santa HQ to take our three grandchildren to the North Pole for real fun and to visit the REAL Santa! I first went to the website and picked a day and time that would fit our schedule. You also can pick Fast Pass (which I highly recommend) you pick your date, a 30-minute window of time to use Fast Pass, pre-pay online, pick your package by adding a family photo weeks/days in advance, and opt-in to receive text reminders about your Fast Pass window.
Planning and paying ahead makes everything run much smoother when you arrive. With the Fast Pass you spend less time in line.
This isn’t your average mall visit to Santa and his elves! The Santa HQ is an immersive, interactive holiday experience with the use of state-of-the-art digital technology that can be used on mobile apps, and you’ll have social-media-ready opportunities, and even augmented reality.
Santa’s helpers are there to help you along your journey. Don’t rush through, there’s a lot to do and you can easily make it an adventure.
When you first walk in, you will stop at the Naughty or Nice Meter: The kids stand next to an interactive board to find out which of Santa’s lists they made, Naughty or Nice! Next to the meter are the actual lists and you will see the child’s name pop up there!!
The kids got so excited when they saw their names ON the Nice list! There’s also an elf cut out for photo opps.
Next is the HGTV Santa HQ’s Elf Academy, we were in here a while with the Magic Mirror and creating ELf ID cards using the new Elf-ID app and a “selfie”.
Elf-ID: The kids chose one of four cards to customize (Hazel, Ruby, Jack and Strawberry). They take a selfie of their face through the application and they fill out special fields like favorite food and favorite reindeer. With all the information compiled, the Elf-ID app creates a custom Elf-ID card, which the guest can receive via email.
TIP: If you have more than one child, take your time with each child and make sure your email address is put in. I would also check that you have them all before leaving so if need be you can go back.
Magic Mirror: Kids transform into one of Santa’s elves and virtually try on various elf outfits. Once the kids finish choosing they stand in front of the Magic Mirror video screen and, through augmented reality, transform into Santa’s Elf and take a photo.
Tip: Parents or grandparents have the option to receive three photos by entering either their mobile number and/or email address.
Santa’s Observatory
Plan on driving Santa’s sleigh and then grab a tablet and enable the magical Elf-Ray Vision. Explore Santa’s Observatory through the use of tablets. Areas within Santa HQ trigger an augmented reality experience for guests.
Lastly, we got to talk to Santa and take photos!
Visit Danbury Fair Mall to secure a Fast Pass and pre-purchase a photo package today!
Princes’s favorite was making an Elf ID card!
Little prince’s favorite was getting to ask Santa what his favorite football team was!
Princess’s favorite was Seeing Santa!
HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving Drive:
- HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving is a program that encourages visitors to donate toys for underserved children during the holiday season. In past years, HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving has collected more than 66,000 toys benefiting local organizations such as Forgotten Angel Tree, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and Spark of Love Stuff a Bus.
Events:
Events, dates, and times are specific to each Santa HQ center. Below is a list of events several of the centers are hosting. Check with your center for more details.
- Sensory Santa: This sensory-friendly holiday event at Valley River Center allows families with all spectrums of special needs to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa, in a comforting environment prior to public hours. Accommodations are made to support the sensory, physical, and developmental needs of this special audience.
- Yappy Hour: Special event for you and your furry friend to get time with the “Big Guy.” Bring your dog or cat to participating centers for an exciting night of pet photos, cocktails and holiday cheer.
- Meet Santa’s Elves: Have fun with Jack & Strawberry, the official elves of Santa HQ. Kick-off the holiday festivities and enjoy caroling, photo opportunities, storytime, hot chocolate and much more.
HGTV’s Santa HQ connects shoppers and visitors to the HGTV brand experience on the local level in communities all across the United States. Santa HQ is presented at 15 of Macerich’s top properties, set in some of the most attractive and densely populated U.S. markets including: California, Arizona, Chicago, Metro New York, and the Washington, D.C. corridor.
