'Adventure to Santa' returns to Oakbrook Center
That lovable ogre, Shrek, is about to take off on another adventure, and this time it looks like he's headed for the North Pole, by way of Oakbrook Center.
For the second straight year, the outdoor shopping mall in Oak Brook is partnering with DreamWorks Animation to bring the "Adventure to Santa" attraction to the center's lawn.
"We're building the house right now," said Suzanne Cook-Beres, senior marketing manager. "It's in our Village Green area, across from the Christkindlmarket."
The attraction features a blend of modern technology with old-fashioned storytelling intended to keep children engaged while waiting to meet the Jolly Old Elf.
"The house itself is very gingerbread-like," Cook-Beres said.
While the 2,000-square-foot cottage may appear to be made of the sugary confection, the house is actually covered in interactive LED screens that tell several stories with light shows. The stories involve a journey with Shrek to see Santa.
Inside, children can use digital tablets to customize their experience aboard a flying sleigh, accomplished with special photography effects, on the way to Santa's North Pole home.
"It's an incredible holiday experience," Cook-Beres said.
The adventure's debut in 2014 was so popular that reservations were gone in three days, she said.
She said the experience is not available anywhere else in the Chicago area. In fact, she said, Oakbrook Center is the only Midwest location.
The storylines are a bit different, she said, so anyone who attended last year will find a fresh experience this year.
While the attraction was free to attendees with reservations last year, this year the purchase of a photo package is required for entrance, wrote Lindsey Lucenta, senior account executive at LCWA, a Chicago public relations agency representing General Growth Properties, owners and managers of Oakbrook Center.
Cook-Beres said photo package prices range from $40 to $74 per family or group. Reservations are available at www.adventuretosanta.com.
A $5 discount is available for participants who book early and embark on the "Adventure" from Nov. 7 through Dec. 5.
If you go
What: Adventure to Santa
Where: Oakbrook Center, Route 83 and West 22nd Street, Oak Brook
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 7 through Nov. 28; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 29 through Dec. 11; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 12 through Dec. 20; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Dec. 21 through Dec. 23; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.
Cost: Photo packages, $40 to $74 per group
Info: www.adventuretosanta.com and www.oakbrookcenter.com