One of the most tangibly magical experiences we have as children is visiting the North Pole at the local mall. It helps that we are easily impressed as youngsters, ready and eager to presume the irritated teenagers ushering us around are elves or that walking on red carpet is an accurate depiction of Santa’s workshop. The modest production values were not a huge hindrance; our imaginations as youngsters filled in all the gaps. However, while a little goes a long way, an authentically marvelous experience will leave an impression on a child forever. Santa’s Ice Palace in Fair Oaks Mall goes above and beyond in delivering a miraculously real encounter with St. Nick.
Inside the Ice Palace with Falling Snow. Photo courtesy of Fair Oaks Mall
“Our goal was to create an exciting holiday experience that would become an annual family tradition,” says Ed Cassidy, Marketing and Sponsorship Director of Fair Oaks Mall. A lofty goal like that calls for ambitious designs, and The Ice Palace features a wonder-inducing assortment of features. Families will enter a 30-foot dome of ice replete with falling snow and a 360-degree screen playing BBC Earth’s “Frozen Planet.”There are even polar bear paws imprinted onto ice for children to compare with their own hand prints.
Cassidy explains that the goal was to create a special experience for youngsters. “Light shows, showcases of arctic wildlife, sitting with the Ice Princess atop her Ice Throne, and interactive features all add to the excitement of finally turning the corner and seeing Santa,” he said.
Ice Palace at Fair Oaks. Photo courtesy of Fair Oaks Mall.
The Ice Palace is built in a short four days. Cassidy said that “Since it is such a complex, interactive design … there are numerous technical issues to implement and test during the four days required to build the palace.”
The work has paid off for Fair Oaks Mall, which enjoyed over 150,000 visitors to the attraction last year. Entering its third year, The Ice Palace is expected to draw even larger numbers. It is a North Pole where kids don’t need their imaginations to do all the work. Well-utilized resources and craftsmanship have been combined to create a wonderful holiday experience for the family. Give your kids an early gift this year.
Nov. 7- Dec. 24
11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax
(703) 359-8300
Free
Ice Princess at the Ice Throne. Photo courtesy of Fair Oaks Mall.