Christmas day, the most anticipated holiday for children all over the world, is merely 90 days away. That means those Tiny (crazy) elves are getting ready for their debut, tinsel will soon be unpacked and holiday music will eventually be creeping into the background of every grocery store, department store and family vehicle on the road. That also means that the big guy himself, Mr. Santa Claus has officially finished his off-season and is back at work. Valley residents are especially lucky because The North Pole Experience (NPX), home to Santa Claus and his entire Christmas crew, is tucked away in a secret spot just outside of Flagstaff. It’s no surprise that parents across the Phoenix-land area are already planning family road trips to kick off the holiday season with their very own Christmas adventure at Santa’s magical workshop.
Since we stayed off the naughty list this year (much to my surprise), Santa agreed to answer our questions about NPX.
AFM: Is there anything new at NPX in 2015?
Santa Claus: This year at NPX we are down to the nitty gritty details! Santa and the elves have combed through every ounce of the experience to make it bigger and better than the year before. We have no doubt the surprises we have in place for 2015 will knock the socks off the families who come up to visit!
AFM: What is your favorite part of NPX?
Santa Claus: My favorite part of the North Pole Experience is the faces of the children in awe of the workshop. The lights, the sleigh, the elves singing and the inner workings of how we all together make it happen for Christmas.
AFM: How are the elves handling this year’s toy making?
Santa Claus: They are right on target and have already made almost 4 million toys this year! You can keep up with the elf toy production on our website always at northpoleexperience.com. When they aren't in the workshop, they are out flying around to get ideas about new toys they want to make. During their downtime, they are always updating the toys to the safety standards.
AFM: Are most moms and dads in the Valley naughty or nice?
Santa Claus: You know, moms and dads always tend to be real nice. The best part is they are always working on trying to be better.
AFM: What can kids do to quickly get on the nice list?
Santa Claus: I know kids get worried when it gets closer to Christmas. I have elves everywhere and when they see kids doing good things like being kind to others, helping complete chores around the house, working hard at school and working hard to do the right thing they flight right back to the North Pole and tell me and that gets you on the nice list right away. If you make a mistake, make sure you do everything you can to make it right. That really helps make up for it.
AFM: What is your favorite type of cookie?
Santa Claus: Chocolate chip and sugar cookies are my absolute favorite…but if Mrs. Claus is reading this, anything she makes is my favorite.
About NPX
The North Pole Experience is a Christmas adventure of a lifetime that takes families on a trolley ride through the magic portal to Santa’s massive workshop in the middle of the forest. Children and parents are then guided off the trolley where they knock for the elves. Once families enter Santa’s toy factory headquarters the real magic begins.
Santa’s North Pole Workshop, located in Flagstaff, AZ., is a complete, hands-on experience for children. Families work side-by-side with the elves, building toys and interacting with the workshop bustle. They receive access to Santa’s main factory floor with soaring toy slides and ceilings, attend Elf University, visit with Mrs. Claus and enjoy cookies and snowman soup in the bakery. Don’t forget Santa’s mailroom, his personal office, and his top-secret “Area 47″ Sleigh Hanger, featuring his famous sleigh, jam packed with some of the most advanced technology in the world, runway lights, radar systems and more. Families end the 90-minute workshop tour with a private family visit with Santa.
Adult tickets range from $38 - $55, children tickets are between $34 - $49 and children 0-17 months are free. Tickets are already selling out fast! For additional information, including purchasing your tickets, visit http://northpoleexperience.com
P.S. We’ll be reporting more on NPX next month, so stay tuned.
