Santa HQ an Interactive Santa Experience at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago

Santa HQ

The Santa HQ opened on November 10th at Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont,Il in partnership with HGTV. My family and I were lucky enough to go check it out before it opened up to the general public. I have two daughters 5 & 6 yrs old, I have taken them to see Santa every year since they were born, the first two years of their lives they weren't really aware of Santa and his super powers but after that the "schnitzel" got real! I had to make sure the Santa they got to see next looked like the ones from christmas cards and christmas movies, as a mom it was my duty.

We once went to a chain pancake restaurant that has Santa visit during dining hours and he turned out to be a right grumpy old sod, my kids were upset and pretty scared thankfully they didn't remember this experience as I took it upon myself to make sure I would erase all memory of it. I decided this dude wasn't going to mar their idea of Santa and took them to a popular "Santa's Grotto" near where I live, this made them forget the evil ugly and very underfed Santa I have ever seen. Anyway back to Santa HQ! I took the girlies to see Santa at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, this year I have been on edge with a first grader and kids talk, so I was worried she would turn around and say he isn't real and spoil it for the younger one. We are all excited and the kiddos spot the HQ from far away and run towards it. We were greeted by the lovely staff there and the kids got to check on the "Naughty or Nice O'Meter" where they stood, they were on the nice list unfortunately, I protested but it didn't change, I do think they deserve coal and me cases of wine or beer for christmas, I'm not complaining either will do.

"Naughty or Nice O'Meter"

Once we were done checking out how nice some of us were (not!), we made our way to one of the Santa's observatory workshops where we used our downloaded free app "Elf Ray Vision" to experience it in amazing 2D and 3D interactive scenes, where you can watch elves in the workshop and presents flying around. You can also use the Elf Ray Vision at home by printing out the free interactive triggers on their website to enjoy and keep the kids occupied. The girls enjoyed taking "Elfie Selfies" to star in their very own holiday video which I am sharing with you lot, it's got us giggling away.

Unlike other Santa's visits this experience was more fun as we weren't waiting in line juggling to keep the kids entertained until they met the dude, they loved having my phone which is normally off limits and their dad's phone to enjoy the whole interactive aspect of the HQ. No smartphone no problem, they did have tablets available for the kids too if you had multiple kids and just one smartphone, so that no kid missed out on the fun.

Using the Elf Ray Vision App

Interactive Play 

Now to the Santa he was very cute and quite a sweetie, he made all kids feel very welcome and he most definitely looked the part and he wasn't in any rush to get rid of them either!
I also learnt that the Santa HQ is offering special photo opportunities for "furry" family members, no not your husbands or wives, you never know these days it is winter after all. Yes you can take your pets for a picture with Santa every Monday from November 27th through December 18th from 6-8 p.m. For every photo package purchased on pet nights, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will donate $10 to the Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control.

Santa at theHQ

Fashion Outlets of Chicago will be hosting a toy drive at Santa HQ too, from November 10th through December 20th benefitting Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Shoppers who donate a new, unwrapped toy valued at $5 or more will receive a complimentary general admission tickets to Brookfield Zoo valid through Dec 31st 2017.

Santa HQ Observatory

So if you are interested go make a reservation to skip the lines. After a really successful visit and me thinking my kids still believe in Santa and that he was the real deal my 5 year old announces "I know he clones himself into many Santas so that his clones can be at all the malls around the world to meet the children, the original one has many other important things to do." Oh dear!

https://santa-hq.com/
http://www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com/