Santa's Workshop

Last year we took Max on the train to the North Pole and that was fun, but this year we did the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff. It was actually a lot of fun and the company does a really good job of creating the experience of being at Santa's workshop. Since Max is super shy we had to participate in all of the activities with him and he's on our laps all the time for everything, so that's why we are in every picture.

We started at a hotel and then they bused you to the North Pole. You had to take the bus because the bus is allowed through the portal that nobody else can get through. Once through the portal you arrived at Santa's workshop in the north pole.

We first entered a room with toys on display. These toys are Santa's favorite toys from years past. This was kind of neat to see. Then we went to another room where the head elf explained it was Santa's original workshop. Max loved seeing the train that went above our heads.

The head elf then lead us into the toy making room where each kid got to help make a teddy bear and then test out a toy to make sure it works.  Max had fun shooting the rocket, but he made me dress the teddy bear for him.

We headed to the present wrapping room where each kid got to put toy materials on the conveyor belt that gets taken away to make the toys.

We then ended up in Mrs. Claus's bakery where all the kids got a cookie and hot chocolate while being entertained by Mrs. Claus's helpers.

We headed to Elf University where the kids got to sing the Elf song they learned. Following Elf University we went to the mail room where all the letters to Santa arrive. In this room each kid got to write their Xmas list to Santa and then hand deliver it to him. I helped Max write his list. He knew exactly what he wanted on the list.

We traveled through the room where Santa's sleigh lives and Max saw the reindeer on the roof. We also got to see the control panel and see how the buses get through the portal all while we waited our turn to see Santa.

They did an excellent job with Santa. It was nice that you got to meet him privately and this helped Max a lot. He didn't have many people staring at him when he goes to meet Santa. I was us, Santa, and two elves. Since Max is so shy he wouldn't see Santa alone. We had to go with him, but at least he gave Santa his wish list that we wrote and told Santa what he really wants for Xmas.

Following Santa, we headed back to the bus to get through the portal and back to Flagstaff. We then drove home. Max had such a good time. It was such a good experience that we plan to do it again next year.