2015 Adventure to Santa Experience at Cherry Hill Mall – NJ

Disclosure:  My family received a complimentary photo package in exchange for our review of the Adventure to Santa Experience.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Christmas is just two weeks away.  If you haven’t done so already, it is definitely time to plan a visit to see Santa with the kids.  Many of the local Santa visits at the malls require waiting in long lines with little to nothing available to keep the kids patient and entertained while they wait.  Although it was always one of my favorite traditions as a kid, I can still remember dreading the idea of standing still – and waiting and waiting and waiting.  Boy have times changed!

Last year, my family and I visited the DreamWorks DreamPlace Adventure to Santa Experience at Cherry Hill Mall in NJ for the first time – and we loved it.  This Shrek-themed interactive experience is pure fun for the kids from start to finish. Adults begin online at home on the Cherry Hill Mall website by registering for a time slot to visit.  The experience itself is free of charge; the option to purchase photos, a USB of your experience and other souvenirs is optional.  Photo packages start at $35 and up and reservations eliminate much of the wait time associated with the typical long lines at the mall and allow you to plan your day accordingly.

Upon arriving at the mall, I suggest parking near the entrance closest to Nordstorm, Seasons 52 and Bobby’s Burger Palace. The experience itself is located inside the mall right next to the Customer service desk.  The incredibly festive Shrek cottage will certainly catch your eye as you enter! You will not be able to miss its holiday grandeur.

Upon arriving at the experience, you check in at the reservation desk where your family will be greeted by some of Santa’s elf helpers and you will be given a cool family passport which will be used to interact within the experience. When we arrived for our visit last year, we waited in line approximately 15 minutes before being escorted into the experience.  This year – our wait was around 5 minutes or so – and my kids were entertained just looking around at all of the Shrek character figures around the experience as well as the constant changing photo screens all over Shrek’s cottage.  Since wait times can vary, I would suggest packing some snacks and items to keep your child entertained just in case you do have some down time.

When you arrive at the front of the line, you will be escorted through the doors of the house by an elf helper.  One other family joined ours as we entered.

Inside you will enjoy a short film featuring Shrek which is engaging and exciting for the kids as they get ready to make their way to Santa.

Kids make a pit stop at flight school where they will be able to play an interactive game on a screen as they learn how to maneuver their sleigh!

Once they complete flight school, everyone will head into another room, climb into a sleigh and enjoy a 15 minute 4D virtual sleigh ride – complete with Shrek, his friends and some cute little elves!

The final stop of the Adventure is the North Pole.  As children wait for Santa, they have the opportunity to play a cute interactive game where they create their very own personalized gingerbread men (or women).  It is such a cute way to keep them entertained until they head in to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.

As the kids are escorted in to see Santa, they will be greeted by Mrs. Claus and a sweet elf helper photographer.  Santa was so sweet with my children, taking time to listen to them, telling them a cute story and doing a wonderful job capturing the magic of Christmas – for both them and me.  I was extremely, extremely impressed with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  They obviously love what they do – and that made this experience even better than I anticipated.

Photo credit: Adventure to Santa Cherry Hill Mall

The elf helpers were lovely – and overall we had a great time!  It was well worth the 30 minute drive from Delaware County – and I would absolutely go back again.

During our visit last week I was informed that additional reservation times had been added to the schedule – but hurry and be sure to make yours before they fill up – as I am sure those additional reservations are going fast!  The Adventure to Santa Experience will be at the Cherry Hill Mall through December 24, 2015! Make your resevations HERE.  Merry Christmas!

Here’s a little sneak peek at what to expect…