Despite the trees budding and the tulips blooming, where else but East Dundee’s Santa’s Village would it be looking a lot like Christmas?
The amusement and water park will be opening its gates for the first time this season with special preview dates Sunday and May 11 for season ticket holders in advance of the 65-year-old venue’s official opening on Mother’s Day, May 12.
New this year at the park is The North Pole Expedition, which will be debuting sometime in early summer.
“The North Pole Expedition is a family-friendly attraction that travels both inside and outside of its building, taking guests on an exciting journey to the North Pole. Scenes include Candy Cane Gardens, The E.P.I.C. (Elf Percolating International Coffee) Bakery, North Pole Town Square and many other sites,” park spokeswoman Lindsay Kosanovich said.
“It’s an immersive scene that is a crucial part of the ride’s storyline. However, it doesn’t serve any actual bakery items,” she said.
The total layout for the North Pole Expedition, inside and outside, is about 10,000 square feet, Kosanovich said. The ride takes about three minutes, and requires two of Santa’s Helpers to operate.
Kosanovich said park management came up with the idea a few years ago.
“We felt a park with the name Santa’s Village needed a few more Christmas-themed attractions,” she said.
They acquired the ride in fall 2021 from a theme park on the East Coast. The complete restoration took almost three years.
“Our entire maintenance team, several engineers and a design team have dedicated countless hours to this project,” Kosanovich said. “Currently we are finalizing décor, theming and some of the more dynamic features.”
The North Pole Expedition joins a host of other newer attractions, including three added to the grounds in 2023.
“Pirates Revenge was a reimagining of the classic swinging ship that has been a staple attraction at the park since its opening in 1959,” Kosanovich said. “Next was a state-of-the-art family-friendly spinning coaster named The Farmer’s Fling. We also added a new body slide to Santa Springs Water Park named the Spearmint Twist.”
As for the opening dates, the first two are just for season pass holders so staff can assist them with activating their passes. It also gives them a chance to taste-test new menu items, meet the leadership team and check out most of the park’s attractions with smaller crowds.
With opening day for the general public being Mother’s Day, moms accompanied by a paid admission guest or a season pass holder will get in free. Park hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also new this year, Santa’s Village is going cash free and will only be accepting major credit cards, debit cards and Apple Pay, according to its website, santasvillagedundee.com. “Cash to card” kiosks will be set up to convert cash to prepaid Visa debit cards.
The amusement park is open weekends until June, when it’s switches to a Tuesday-through-Sunday schedule until Aug. 18. Weekend only hours in later August and continue through Oct. 27.
The Santa Springs Water Park open Memorial Day weekend, and its daily hours schedule runs from June 1 to Aug. 18. Weekend hours will be available through Labor Day.
Ticket prices vary by date and are less expensive if purchased online, the website says.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
