Disclosure: This post was brought to you by HGTV. All opinions and experiences are my own.
We love to soak in every minute of the magical Christmas season. Some years, it’s hard to get everything on our list accomplished, especially now that the kids are in school and each has their own schedules I have to micromanage. The weekends are packed with parties and events, but thankfully that doesn’t stop us from being instantly transported to the North Pole at our local mall.
Part of the magic of the season is having the kids visit Santa. We made an appointment for at the Queens Center Mall. From the minute we stepped foot into the SantaHQ area, we were immediately part of the magic. The interactive world we stepped into was above and beyond any other Christmas experience we have participated in. The elves use the same technology our kids have grown accustomed to and even fit in some augmented reality into the walkthrough.
Naughty or Nice Meter
Upon walking into HGTV’s , visitor are greeted with a scrolling list of names on the Naughty and Nice lists. Kids can instantly see which list they made.
ELF Academy
Some of the fun things to do at HGTV’s SantaHQ is the , where families can transform into a virtual Elf through the Magic Mirror. Once inside the Magic Mirror they can try on elf outfits and create their very own Elf-ID card using an app.
Santa’s Observatory
When the family is done Elfin it up in the Elf Academy, they walk over to Santa’s Observatory where they use their Elf-Ray Vision to control Santa’s workshop.
SANTA!
After walking through the amazingly interactive experience of HGTV SantaHQ, you enter the final step to see the man himself- SANTA! Santa and his elves are waiting by the sleigh to put the finishing touches of your experience and take your photo to send you home with a keepsake. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to the amount and style of your pictures. All the information is on the !
Fast Pass and Holiday Giving Drive
When making reservations for your you will have a variety of options to choose from. The Fast Pass option allows you to choose a date and 30-minute window to use your Fast Pass, as well as add your photo options. Guests are also encouraged to share the holiday season with those less fortunate around them. This is a personal favorite of mine because I try to teach my kids about the true meaning of the season and ways we can brighten someone’s day. When we visit SantaHQ, we bring unopened toys to donate to the HGTV Holiday Giving Drive. These toys make their way to local organizations such as Forgotten Angel Tree, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and Spark of Love Stuff a Bus.
Special Events for SantaHQ
Each SantaHQ location has their own . Below is a list-
● 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.
With so much to see and do at SantaHQ, plus the ease of scheduling your visit, this is a must-see experience that can fit into most busy schedules!