Every year since our boys were little, we have gone up to Flagstaff, AZ for the North Pole Experience (NPX) some time right after Thanksgiving or in the month of December. We stay at an Airbnb in town which we love to do as a family. Airbnb’s are the way to go to give everyone more privacy and space. Plus we have a full kitchen and dining space and usually more than one bathroom. Often times Airbnbs have little yards for the kids to run around in or a closet full of board games for entertainment.
This year, we went up to Flagstaff the day after Thanksgiving because that was the only availability left at NPX as they book up very quickly and early in the year. The North Pole Experience starts at The Little America Hotel where Santa’s elves are waiting to check you in for your scheduled time. When your time slot begins, they usher you outside where your magic trolley (coach bus) is waiting to take you far away. As you drive down the road, the trolley enters into a magic portal that places you right in front of Santa’s workshop. You exit the trolley and wait for more elves to let you in. While in the workshop, your children get to build and dress bears for homeless children, help the elves in one of the toy assembly lines, meet Mrs. Claus while having sweet treats and hot cocoa, dance with the elves, attend and graduate from elf school, and then they get a chance to write down their wish list for Santa.
Next is Santa time. The whole family gets to go into a room where Santa is waiting. He has them sit with him while he asks them if they have been good and what they would like. Then they get photos with Santa alone and then the parents can sit as well for photos. Santa then gives the kids a teddy bear and we all get back on the trolley to portal back to the hotel.
NPX is truly a magical experience for the whole family. The whole workshop is so well done down to every last detail. Every child is in awe and has the time of their life there. As an adult, you even get a little giddy with excitement. It’s hard not to. We all get to live in a moment full of magic. It’s priceless!