Short Hills Mall Santa Events 2017: ‘Flight Academy,’ Dog Photos

SHORT HILLS, NJ — Here’s a reason to get out of the house during this holiday shopping season: Santa Claus. Starting Thursday, Nov. 9, The Mall At Short Hills will bring back its “Santa’s Flight Academy,” a souped-up holiday Santa experience featuring a gigantic, tech-savvy re-imagination of the North Pole.

The 2017 mall display – which runs until Christmas Eve – lets kids become a member of “Santa’s flight crew.” As part of their visit, children help Santa deliver presents to children around the world, don a virtual flight suit, navigate a flight course and inspect/power the sleigh before takeoff.

At the end of the adventure, each child will step inside the 22-foot-tall sleigh for an enchanted snowfall dance party before meeting and receiving a gift from Santa, mall spokespeople stated.

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As part of the 2017 display, the holiday set will showcase a sneak preview of the upcoming animated movie Ferdinand in partnership with 20th Century Fox. In theaters Friday, Dec. 15, the film tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart and proves “you can’t judge a bull by its cover.”

Santa’s Flight Academy will be available at The Mall at Short Hills from Thursday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 24. To help expedite the process, visitors are encouraged to create official flight crew badges online via the center’s website, or through the mobile app available for both Android and iPhone platforms. Badges can also be created onsite at Santa’s Flight Academy kiosks.

A variety of photo packages, each including a complimentary Lovepop card, will be available for purchase. Santa’s Express Lane passes, allowing families to reserve a time block and avoid lines, may be purchased online. For more information, visit shopshorthills.com/holidays.

SANTA PAWS (DOG PHOTOS)

In addition to the regular Santa’s Flight Academy event, the mall will hold its annual “Santa Paws” event from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12. During the annual event, dog photos will be offered at Santa’s Flight Academy located in Grand Court. A variety of photo packages will be available for purchase.

“Please note that dogs must be up-to-date on their vaccinations and must either be on a leash or carried in a lightweight, portable pet carrier with harness,” the mall stated.

Customers attending the Santa Paws event should enter at the lower level entrance between Macy’s and The Cheesecake Factory, on the JFK Parkway side of the shopping center, the mall stated.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photos: The Mall At Short Hills