It's not just about Santa Claus this holiday season. This year, two popular movie characters have been added to the mix. Shrek and Donkey are the main attraction in Adventure to Santa, the minty new Christmas journey coming to Fashion Show, taking over the Great Hall near Nordstrom for the holidays. The dynamic duo, along with their friends from the four animated films, is taking kids of all ages on an animated journey to the North Pole to meet Santa.
This 2,000-square-foot holiday cottage from DreamWorks Animation brings together interactive technology, an adventure and the ultimate goal, meeting Saint Nick—but it’s that green ogre Shrek and his sidekick friends who are taking kids young and old on this flying expedition to the North Pole.
Las Vegas is one of eight cities nationwide to debut the snazzy new attraction. “Las Vegas is a city where over-the-top is expected,” says Janet LaFevre, senior marketing manager for Fashion Show and The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian & The Palazzo. “People come to experience things they typically can’t at home. Hosting Adventure to Santa is a perfect location to ignite interest on this interactive and first-of-its-kind partnership. With an average of 40 million tourists who visit our city annually, this is yet another new attraction that visitors and tourists alike will have an opportunity to experience on one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world—the Las Vegas Strip.”
Five rooms with interactive activities in each are part of the free exhibit, and the 15-minute experience starts with guests designing their own sleigh with leather seats, a red body with gold filigree and curved silver runners. Parker 3D worked with DreamWorks Animation to bring Adventure to Santa to reality, so expect a video-integrated experience. Shrek and his friends guide guests through the skies within the cottage to Santa’s workshop at the North Pole.
Visitors are treated to six different light shows, and thousands of animated twinkling LED lights, plus strobes, outfit the cottage. The technology makes this experience different for every guest. And at the end of the journey, guests will have their specially provided passports processed at the North Pole Customs Shop by one of Santa’s elves. They can also purchase a photo with Santa or a variety of other holiday gifts.
One of the coolest innovations is a new app that lets guests book their time in advance to avoid waiting in line. While the adventure takes nearly 15 minutes to complete, thanks to the multiple rooms coupled with the reservation system, the experience should be free flowing.
So is this an experience that anyone can enjoy? LaFevre replies with an emphatic yes. “Every age is welcome, although children who understand the movie, festiveness of the holiday and high-interactive experiences involved will receive the most out of this experience.”
Fashion Show, Nov. 14-Dec. 24, free. thefashionshow.com
