It might be time to swap out those summer shorts for a Santa hat, as Santa's Village Amusement and Water Park in East Dundee welcomes the festive season early with a sprinkle of Christmas magic. Opening its doors on May 12, the park is set to delight visitors with a brand new attraction later this summer – "The North Pole Expedition." This latest addition promises to transport thrill-seekers straight to Santa's stomping grounds, as reported by NBC Chicago.
Before the general public can slide down Santa's chimney into the park, season ticket holders get an exclusive peek on preview dates, May 11 and the Sunday before. According to the Chicago Tribune, the ride takes passengers on a three-minute expedition through 10,000 square feet of holiday splendor, both indoors and outside, complete with scenes like Candy Cane Gardens and the E.P.I.C. Bakery – and it’s all a crucial part of the ride's storyline, without serving any actual bakery treats.
Lindsay Kosanovich, spokeswoman for the park, told the Chicago Tribune that the idea for the North Pole Expedition came about a few years ago, with the intention of stepping up the Christmas game at a park sharing Santa's name. After acquiring the ride in the fall of 2021 from a theme park on the East Coast, it took nearly three years and an army of maintenance staff, engineers, and designers to bring the vision to life.
Alongside the new ride, Santa's Village throws in a few more modern touches. This year marks the park's foray into cashless transactions, accepting only credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay. Cash-lovers, fear not as "cash to card" kiosks will be on hand to convert your bills into prepaid Visa debit cards, ensuring everyone can join the yuletide jubilee. In a move that's sure to please moms come opening day on Mother's Day, moms get in free when accompanied by a paid admission guest or a season pass holder. With park hours set from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., families can indulge in the pre-summer Christmas cheer all day long.
Corral the reindeers and mark your calendars for the Santa Springs Water Park opening on Memorial Day weekend, because Christmas cheer isn't just for winter. Those looking for a bargain will find ticket prices vary by date, with discounts available for those who purchase online at santasvillagedundee.com. And while you're there, don't miss out on other new rides like the Pirates Revenge, The Farmer’s Fling, and the Spearmint Twist slide – a testament to the park's commitment to keeping things fresh, festive, and fun for all ages.
