By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
It’s a sure sign that Christmas has arrived at SkyPark at Santa’s Village when Gummdrop the concierge elf greets you as soon as you enter the park. He is quick to share tips with guests on where they should head first and makes sure every guest gets the full Christmas experience.
The story goes that hundreds of years ago, Santa Claus crash landed in the NorthWoods and his magic key was stolen by the trickster Jack Frost. Fortunately, Santa was found by Arrow, the guardian of the NorthWoods, and together they recovered the lost key. Santa was so enchanted by the NorthWoods and its inhabitants that he decided to establish a permanent residence there called Santa’s Village. Now, visitors come from all over the world to visit Santa, Arrow and all the creatures who call the NorthWoods home.
As guests walk from attraction to attraction at today’s park, they will encounter many of those creatures, including Arrow himself, who was spotted on a recent interacting with guests while accompanied by Freckles the elf.
In addition to the regular attractions – the Frozen Falls climbing tower; the NorthWoods Express train; Arrow’s Adventure pedal cars; the zipline; Royal games with Princess Evergreen’s archery range, the NorthWoods sharpshooter gallery and ax throwing – this year the new Adopt-a-Reindeer attraction is proving to be very popular.
Guests can purchase their young reindeer in the Sky Trading Company and then head to the barn next door where they will see a show telling them what is ahead for their reindeer. They have to be taught the determination to fly as they will eventually be pulling Santa’s sleigh. After watching the show, guests will choose the color collar they want for their reindeer and a charm with their little animal’s name.
Villager Linda White, who was assisting guests with their choices on Nov. 23, said that the building where Adopt-a-Reindeer is taking place was the barn where the live reindeer were kept in 1955.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Santa. On my visit to SkyPark, I tagged along with the extended Valencia family from Los Angeles – including Kayla, 11; Everly, 6; and Evan, 4 – as they took photos with the Jolly Old Elf. Because it was Evan’s birthday and that of his Uncle Phyll, Santa serenaded them with “Happy Birthday.”
The shows at SkyPark at Santa’s Village are not to be missed. I first went to the Wacko Show with magician extraordinaire Wacko. The parents standing next to me kept marveling at the tricks he did, wondering aloud, “How on earth did he do that?!”
When Wacko levitated a table, one young boy in the audience called out that he bet there were wires attached to it. Wacko called him up to run his hands over and under the table. Then he had Zack, visiting from Carlsbad, hold two ends of the tablecloth and help him levitate the table.
From the Wacko Show, I went to the Royal Encampment to experience Stories of the NorthWoods. There Tinsel the elf, Princess Sugar and King Celwyn (Santa’s younger brother), told how Jack Frost tried to spoil Christmas by giving Princess Sugar defective utensils that made the cookies she made tasteless. As they acted out the story, two little boys sat nearby spellbound.
Next up was the Kids Imagine Nation show, in the Sky Pavilion as was the Wacko Show. Aaron, Rachel (the Christmas Spirit Keeper) and Beatz the Robot kept the children (and their parents) entertained as they sang songs. Their goal: Fill the Christmas Spirit Meter so Santa will come. As Aaron led a Jingle Bells dance, the children – gathered up front by the stage – mimicked his movements.
My final stop was the Magic Tree Theater for the “An Elf’s Life for Me” puppet show. Enter Jack Frost, once again trying to ruin Christmas. But Princess Evi saves Christmas for the 99th time.
Be sure to save time to take a spin on the newly opened B-Rail. As you walk around the park, take a look up as folks pedal their way along the track. And don’t miss ice skating at Silver Bells Arena, cookie decorating and the daily tree lighting ceremony and parade of NorthWoods characters.
SkyPark at Santa’s Village is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas week and the week after they will also be open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park will be closed on Christmas Day and on New Year’s Day. The bike trails are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the days the park itself is open.
For more information, visit www.skyparksantasvillage.com.
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