Last night the holiday season officially began for me!
I attended the opening ceremony of DreamWorks DreamPlace Adventure to Santa hosted by Holly Madison and her daughter Rainbow at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas.
What a way to kick off the season!
The holiday jubilee was packed full of VIP families invited to get a first look at this Shrek-tacular experience.
Attendees snacked on festive sips and sweets from Carlo’s Bakery in Grand Canal Shoppes while they waited for the curtain to drop.
DreamWorks Adventure to Santa takes the idea of a mall visit to Santa flips it upside down, charges it up with technological wonders and creates an interactive, technological and fantastical experience like no other!
This takes Santa to the next level!
“Adventure to Santa turns the traditional mall holiday visit on its head with an interactive approach that draws on our signature brand of technology, storytelling and of course, humor,” said DreamWorks Animation’s Chief Global Brand Officer Michael Francis.”We are continually looking for new ways to bring our characters to life and Adventure to Santa will deliver an unparalleled experience which fans will absolutely love.”
“An experience with Santa at local shopping malls has been a long-standing tradition for many families. Thanks to DreamWorks and Santa Claus, this year we’re taking our youngest guests on an adventure to the North Pole. After the adventure, children will have more than just the traditional picture with Santa; they’ll have a story to tell for the rest of their lives. It’s the ultimate experience,” said Melinda Holland, SVP Business Development, GGP.
Packed with holiday fun and entertainment, Adventure to Santa is a 2,000-square-foot holiday cottage that combines the latest technology with magical storytelling from creative minds behind such hit franchises as Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon.
The front of the house is composed of digital displays that make up the house’s facade. Snow falls from the sky in intervals and favorite Shrek characters appear in the display opening windows and singing songs.
Upon entering the house you discover Santa has returned to the North Pole so you must make a journey to see him.
To begin the adventure each child builds a sleigh on a digital tablet in a steampunk inspired room full of pipes and nobs then the “expert builders” bring your sleigh to life and the entire group boards the sleigh for an immersive, eye-popping digital journey with Shrek and his friends as they guide children and their families to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus.
Once you have arrived at the North Pole the group enters another room where there are more digital tablets packed full of fun holiday games to play while you await a turn to see Santa and get a photo with him!
After you chat with Santa about everything on your list (I may or may not have whispered the words Alexander McQueen in his ear) you exit into a fantabulous gift shop area packed full of goodies from the Shrek the Halls Christmas Special (that would make perfect stocking stuffers) and you pick up your keepsake Santa photo!
The entire experience is amazing but one thing that really stood out for me was Santa’s jolly helpers that act as your guide through the journey. They took special care to include each child by name throughout the journey- they even got the shy ones to participate and really revved up the excitement level for the kids!
This 15-minute adventure is must-do for the entire family and does not require waiting in line! Before visiting Adventure to Santa, families can make appointments on on the Fashion Show’s website or through a specially designed DreamPlace App which lets you upload your child’s wish list so Santa will magically know what they would like to find under their tree and this list can be later be shared with family and friends to help in Holiday Shopping!