Portable North Pole 2017 and Magic Pass Giveaway

December 15, 2017December 15, 2017 | Kidding Around Australia

Have you heard of the Portable North Pole 2017? Its a fun website and app that lets you create highly personalized video and phone messages that are delivered directly from Santa in just a few minutes to be viewed (or heard) on the web, your smartphone or tablet.

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The video and calls are personalised so that Santa greets children by name (or nickname if your child has a unique name) and shows their picture. Alegria and Isaac were in shock at first, and then loved it!

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“Mum, can we watch it again!!!!!!” “Do you think Santa will send us another message?” “How does Santa know my nickname?” (The answer to that one was … He sees you when you’re sleeping …)

Alegria had to watch the video 3 times, to let it all sink in! She couldn’t believe that Santa knew she was 7 years old and in school. She is very happy to know that Santa has picked out some great presents for her!

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Isaac is super excited that he is currently on the nice list and on track for some special presents from Santa. He loved seeing how the big book worked and is happy with the photo choice that Santa has included! Apparently, he really LOVES those shoes!!

If you would like to see Isaac’s video, head to our Facebook page!

HOW IT WORKS

By visiting www.portablenorthpole.com, I created personalised messages for both Alegria and Isaac. I had to use a nickname for Alegria and for Isaac had to change the pronunciation as it was the American pronunciation of eye-zik instead of eye-zac.

I then entered details such as name, age, class and uploaded a photograph. Depending on the video you choose, you can also add the gift your child is hoping for. It was quick and simple! I was then able to access it on my phone via the app ( I only let the kids in the special children’s area – which they think is fantastic) and download it in high definition onto my computer.

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It is also via that app that the kids were able to add different filters to their photos and I was able to record them watching their videos.

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Santa speaks in four different languages – English, French, Spanish and Italian and there are quite a few package options including free videos (which last for around a minute), options for groups so that kids, such as childcare and preschool groups, enjoy Santa’s greeting together and there are no limits – make as many as you want!

PACKAGES (AU$)

• FREE: 4 unique, customizable videos (Christmas videos for kids, grownups and groups, plus one for Birthdays)
• Single Premium Video ($4.49): Choose from among 6 Premium videos.
• Video Pass ($12.99): Unlimited Premium videos, Reaction Recorder (mobile app only), Christmas Eve and Birthday videos.
• Magic Pass ($17.99): Unlimited Premium videos and calls, Reaction Recorder (mobile apps only), HD video downloads and 5 weekly bedtime videos read by Santa leading up to the big day. Also includes Christmas Eve and Birthday videos.
• Upgrade from Video to Magic Pass ($5.99)

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Another great aspect is that Portable North Pole donates 5% of all online sales proceeds to children’s hospitals around the world. Since 2012, PNP has donated over $300,000.

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SPECIAL OFFER

For a limited time, Kidding Around Australia readers get 20% off Magic Pass. Simply go to this link (hyperlink: https://www.portablenorthpole.com/en/?openCart=PAS03&promocode=PNP7BLG20 ) create your account and the discount will be automatically applied.

COMPETITION TIME

To share the joy of Christmas, we have 2 x Magic Passes ($17.99) to giveaway to 2 of our readers. The Magic Pass is your all access pass to: Unlimited Premium videos and calls, Reaction Recorder (mobile apps only), HD video downloads and 5 weekly bedtime videos read by Santa leading up to the big day. Also includes Christmas Eve and Birthday videos.

To Enter: Fill out this form and tell us what PNP feature you are looking forward to sharing with your children!

We would love you to share this post with your friends!

Competition closes: 18/12/2017 at 8pm.

MORE INFORMATION

Simply visit www.portablenorthpole.com or download the mobile app on iOS and Android – Remember there are free clips available!

#PNPSanta portablenorthpole.com

Facebook.com/PNPSanta, Instagram.com/PNPSanta, Youtube.com/PNPSanta, Pinterest.com/PNPSanta, Twitter.com/PNPSanta, Twitter.com/PNPElf

Kidding Around … Santa’s Magical Kingdom, 2015

December 2, 2015December 2, 2015 | Kidding Around Australia

We were thrilled to be invited to the opening night of Santa’s Magical Kingdom in Melbourne!

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For us, it was a big drive to Caulfield which elicited a variety of different responses from each member of the family and I was wonder whether or not it would “jingle our bells”!! About 1.5 hours into the drive (to make matters worse we got stuck in peak hour traffic) Isaac declared it was time to go “home”, I was eyeing off a hotel and wanted to just pull in there and go to sleep, Tim wanted to smack his own head against the steering wheel and when Alegría paused between her 1000th and 1001st question of the journey our little girl (who only had her eyes on the prize) said “I WANT TO GO TO SANTA’S MAGICAL KINGDOM!”

There is so much to see and do in each three-hour session, so there was never a lull in the entertainment. With the limited number of tickets sold in each session it meant that the flow of people was effortless, minimal to no lines for each ride with plenty of space to move around in.

Inside the undercover dome, most activities were free. There are 6 amusement rides, the McCormick gingerbread man decorating area, Aeroplane Jelly craft area where the kids coloured in a Christmas bauble, letter writing with Mrs. Claus, a spectacular walk through snowland where the Snow Princess and Snow Maiden from Hans Christian Anderson are happy to pose for photographs.

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Of course, you can visit Santa in his special room (there is actually 4 Santa’s) and photo packages range in price from $25 upwards. You don’t have to get a photo though, you can visit him and he will give the kids a present – for free! Families can request to see the same Santa for continuity! The Santa we saw was fantastic although Alegría wanted to know what was in the other rooms ….

For a small fee ($5) you could play the carnival game or buy a gift from the merchandise stand.

Outside, was the HUGE euro slide, an older kid swinging ride and a partially enclosed ferris wheel.

If this wasn’t enough to fill your 3 hours, then a Christmas themed circus show (which is also included in the entry price) will have you entertained (or if you only want to watch a bit of it, all of the rides are still operational in this time!).

Georgina Says

Bring your real camera – the lighting is dim (so the lights twinkle) so the camera on your phone will struggle and there are plenty of photo opportunities!
Either bring your snacks with you or schedule your booking around eating times! There is a restaurant just outside Gate 23 (you will enter at Gate 22) so you could go there before or after your session. There is food available but it’s chips / popcorn / hotdogs etc.
There are ATM’s onsite but they have service fees so bring a small amount of cash with you.
If you chose to book the 6-9pm timeslot consider traffic and bedtimes! You want to enjoy it and not be stressed before you arrive!

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We have been asked if it was worth the entry price (between $35-$40 per tickets for everyone over 2 years old) and whilst that’s hard to define, since our visit Alegría has asked to go back to Santa’s Magical Kingdom probably every second day! She clearly had a great time and Isaac enjoyed it, so for us it would be worth it as a special Christmas treat and is something you could budget for throughout the year.

MORE INFORMATION

Website: http://www.santasmagicalkingdom.com.au/

We were given tickets to Santa’s Magical Kingdom for the purpose of this review. As always, our opinion is honest and unbiased.

Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.

Competition Time … Santa’s Magical Kingdom

October 18, 2015October 19, 2015 | Kidding Around Australia

We have been eagerly awaiting Santa’s Magical Kingdom’s return to the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne this year, as it promises to be bigger and better than ever! We are also excited that our friends in Sydney are also able to join in the magic of Christmas this year when it opens for the first time at Sydney Olympic Park.

If you are new to the world of Santa’s Magical Kingdom – it is a festive family-friendly event with tickets selling out in Melbourne for the past 3 years!

The event includes:

• A magical Christmas walk-through wonderland

• Snowland with the all new Snow Castle

• A free gift, when you meet Santa

• A brand new International Christmas Show Spectacular

• Roving Christmas characters

• Meet the Original Snow Queen and Snow Maiden from Hans Christian Anderson

• Gingerbread Land, where you can decorate your own gingerbread man

• Interactive Letter Writing area with Mrs Claus

• Amusement Rides & Games, including laughing clowns, a Carousel, Santa’s Sleigh Ride, the Giant Ferris Wheel and one of the Largest Super Slides in the country!

WE HAVE AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR TWO LUCKY FAMILIES!

We have one family pass to Santa’s Magical Kingdom in Melbourne (on Saturday 21st of November at 10am) and another family pass to Santa’s Magical Kingdom in Sydney (on Saturday 12 December, 6pm – 9pm)!

For your chance to win:

“Like” Kidding Around Australia on FACEBOOK ;
“Like” Santa’s Magical Kingdom in your city – MELBOURNE or SYDNEY ;
Leave a comment on this post (this will save you time when filling out the form – you won’t have to come back!)
Click on your city’s link below!

ENTER HERE FOR MELBOURNE

https://gleam.io/DB4Rp/santas-magical-kingdom-melbourne

ENTER HERE FOR SYDNEY

https://gleam.io/mBxtc/santas-magical-kingdom-Sydney

Competition closes at midnight on the 1st of November, 2015. Good Luck!

Terms and Conditions:

Open to residents of Victoria and New South Wales, Australia only. By entering this competition, you agree to subscribe to the Kidding Around Australia mailing list, if you are not already subscribed. Your privacy is protected and you can unsubscribe at any time. By entering this competition, you are also agreeing to all other terms and conditions.

This is a game of skill not a game of chance. Entries not filling in all the required fields and answering the question will be deemed invalid. The winner will be chosen by originality and creative merit, by a non involved party. The Judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The winner will be drawn 02/11/15 9am AEST and announced on this website. The winner will also be contacted via email. The Prize is a family pass (4) tickets to Santa’s Magical Kingdom in Melbourne (on 21/11/15 at 10am) and Sydney (12/12/15 at 6pm).

One entry per household. Prizes are not transferable, changeable or redeemable for cash. Kidding Around Australia will not be held responsible for any loss, injury or damage that occurs in connection with the prize or the winners participation in the promotion.

MORE INFORMATION

DATES: Melbourne 21/11/2015 – 24/12/2015 and Sydney 12/12/2015 – 24/12/2015

TICKETS: On sale now, via Ticketmaster or through the booking office, 1300 307 740.

WEBSITE: www.santasmagicalkingdom.com.au

FACEBOOK: Santa’s Magical Kingdom – Melbourne and Santa’s Magical Kingdom – Sydney