Larger-than-life reimagination of the North Pole paired with state-of-the-art technology enables children to partner with Santa’s Elves to prepare his sleigh for its journey around the world
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., 2016-Nov-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — To rediscover the magic and tradition of the holiday season, Taubman will debut “Santa’s Flight Academy,” a one-of-a-kind, immersive holiday experience that combines a giant reimagination of the North Pole with state-of-the-art technology to enable children to become a member of Santa’s flight crew. Partnering with an elf – either Sleigh Mechanic George, Flight Director Sparkle or Reindeer Caretaker Flash – each child will help ready Santa’s sleigh so he can deliver presents to children around the world.
“We’re thrilled to offer Santa’s Flight Academy to give children a truly immersive holiday experience,” said William Taubman, chief operating officer, Taubman Centers, Inc. “The holidays are a time for creating special memories, and we are confident children will be delighted with this new adventure and the encounter will become a tradition for years to come.”
Upon entering Santa’s Flight Academy, each child ‘Cadet’ will present his or her official flight crew badge and will be immediately recognized by name. From there, several of Santa’s onsite helpers will guide children through the experience of being fitted for a virtual flight suit, helping inspect and power Santa’s sleigh before takeoff, and other tasks to ensure that every present will be carefully delivered.
At the end of the adventure, each child will step inside a 22-foot-tall sleigh for an enchanted snowfall dance party before meeting Santa. Children will also receive a special gift from Santa to personally thank them for heroically saving the day.
Santa’s Flight Academy will be available exclusively at the following 12 Taubman shopping centers from Friday, November 11, through Saturday, December 24:
- Cherry Creek Shopping Center (Denver)
- Dolphin Mall (Miami, Fla.)
- Fair Oaks Mall (Fairfax, Va.)
- Great Lakes Crossing Outlets (Auburn Hills, Mich.)
- International Plaza (Tampa, Fla.)
- The Mall at Green Hills (Nashville)
- The Mall of San Juan (Puerto Rico)
- The Mall at Short Hills (Short Hills, N.J.)
- The Mall at University Town Center (Sarasota, Fla.)
- Sunvalley Shopping Center (Concord, Calif.)
- Twelve Oaks Mall (Novi, Mich.)
- Westfarms (Hartford, Conn.)
Due to the unprecedented nature of the experience and anticipated high demand, visitors are encouraged to pre-register children for a Santa’s Flight Academy entrance badge online via each shopping center’s website or through the mobile app available for both Android and iPhone platforms. Registration will also be available onsite at Santa’s Flight Academy kiosks located in each shopping center.
A variety of photo packages, in addition to intricate and magical 3D pop-up paper holiday cards by Lovepop, will be available for purchase. Santa’s Express Lane passes and photo packages may be purchased online in advance of the visit. For more information on a specific location, please contact each shopping center or visit the center’s website.
ABOUT TAUBMAN
Taubman Centers, Inc. (NYSE: TCO) is an S&P MidCap 400 Real Estate Investment Trust engaged in the ownership, management and/or leasing of 26 regional, super-regional and outlet shopping centers in the U.S. and Asia. Taubman’s U.S.-owned properties are the most productive in the publicly held U.S. regional mall industry. Founded in 1950, Taubman is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Taubman Asia, founded in 2005, is headquartered in Hong Kong. www.taubman.com.
For ease of use, references in this press release to “Taubman Centers,” “company,” “Taubman” or an operating platform mean Taubman Centers, Inc. and/or one or more of a number of separate, affiliated entities. Business is actually conducted by an affiliated entity rather than Taubman Centers, Inc. itself or the named operating platform.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “will”, “may”, “could”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believes”, “intends”, “should”, “plans”, “estimates”, “approximate”, “guidance” and similar expressions in this press release that predict or indicate future events and trends and that do not report historical matters. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Actual results may differ materially from those expected because of various risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in market rental rates; unscheduled closings or bankruptcies of tenants; relationships with anchor tenants; trends in the retail industry; the liquidity of real estate investments; the company’s ability to comply with debt covenants; the availability and terms of financings; changes in market rates of interest and foreign exchange rates for foreign currencies; changes in value of investments in foreign entities; the ability to hedge interest rate and currency risk; risks related to acquiring, developing, expanding, leasing and managing properties; changes in value of investments in foreign entities; risks related to joint venture properties; insurance costs and coverage; security breaches that could impact the company’s information technology, infrastructure or personal data; the loss of key management personnel; terrorist activities; maintaining the company’s status as a real estate investment trust; changes in the laws of states, localities, and foreign jurisdictions that may increase taxes on the company’s operations; and changes in global, national, regional and/or local economic and geopolitical climates. You should review the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including “Risk Factors” in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports, for a discussion of such risks and uncertainties.
Contact:
Maria Mainville
Director, Strategic Communications, Taubman
248-258-7469
mmainville@taubman.com
Amy Grundman
Manager, Strategic Communications, Taubman
248-258-7681
agrundman@taubman.com
Source: Taubman Centers, Inc.