***Please note: information in this post is accurate as of the time of publication. Given the ever-changing pandemic situation, please be sure to check their website or call ahead for the most up-to-date information.***
Do you need a little Christmas? I mean like, right this very minute?
If you follow our blog, you know that we don’t usually start writing about the holiday season until at least the week of Thanksgiving. But this year I think we’re all in a hurry.
So I’m taking a cue from this wonderful series I’ve been following to get my home and heart ready for the holidays, Apartment Therapy’s 20 Day Holiday Cure (Sign up here! It’s FREE!).
Because yesterday’s assignment was to start decorating. Yup, official permission to haul out the holly (or whatever it is you like to decorate with this time of year).
I’m taking that a step further and declaring it holiday season on the blog!
In all honesty, I’m not totally sure what that means for Pandemic Holiday 2020. Typically, we put together an exhaustive list of all kinds of wonderful holiday happenings. This year, I was wondering if we’d even find one festive activity to blog about.
As luck would have it, a friend of mine posted pics of her adorable sons getting their (socially distant) picture taken with Santa at Cabela’s in East Hartford and I pounced on her casually dropped a hint that I would really, really like to put those on the blog.
Well, wonderful soul that she is, she not only sent me the pics, but provided me with an OAAM-worthy account of the whole thing! (Thanks, Jodi! By the way, you’re hired 😉 ).
You may remember Tiffany’s outing there last year. We were so excited to have discovered so much FREE holiday fun during a time of year when it seems like the wallet is perpetually open.
Of course, things are definitely looking a little different there this year. But sounds like the holiday spirit remains intact!
Jodi writes:
I was so excited to find out Cabela’s was having Santa Claus again this year for the kids to enjoy! This year it looks a little different, but the experience is still great & safe for the kiddos. Santa is there November 7th– December 24th.
You can make a reservation on their website. They allow 5 reservations per 15 minutes and you are able to make a reservation up to one week in advance.
When you arrive, Santa is on the 1st floor near Fishing & Gaming. On the ground there are circles so you are socially distanced from other families. They do a contactless temperature check of all people in your party. Everyone is wearing a mask, but when you take your contactless picture with Santa you can take it off.
When it is your turn you and the kids or just the kids sit in front of Santa for the photo–there is plexiglass between you and Santa. Santa also wears a face shield (but in the picture you can’t even tell!). You are given one FREE 4×6 photo! And if you have a Cabela’s card you get a discount on the (completely optional) purchase of a photo package.
In between each family, staff members clean the plexiglass and the seat where each group sits in front of Santa.
When you leave there is a “goody bag” for each child. Inside the bag is an ornament, candy canes, a paper to write a letter to Santa & hot cocoa!
The employees said mornings on the weekend are busier, but by the afternoon it’s not as busy.
We went on a Tuesday night and there was one family in front of us and no one behind us. It was fast, safe and most of all the kids loved it!
Thanks for sharing, Jodi! That sounds like the perfect holiday pick-me-up!
You can also find Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Bridgeport (and other locations nationwide).
Now, off you go to get your little snappy, happy ever after 🙂
Cheers!
Santa’s (Socially Distant) Wonderland at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops
Cabela’s East Hartford
475 East Hartford Blvd. North
East Hartford, CT 06118
Phone: (860) 290-6200
Bass Pro Shops Bridgeport
1 Bass Pro Dr
Bridgeport, CT 06608
Phone: (203) 362 – 4200
Hours (2020):
Santa is there November 7th to December 24th
REGULAR STORE HOURS (Cabella’s)
| Day of the Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | Open until 9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
REGULAR STORE HOURS (Bass Pro Shops)
| Day of the Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | Open until 9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Please make a reservation to see Santa HERE.
Pricing (2020):
FREE!
Families who visit Santa receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo, as well as a free shareable video when you provide your email address. Additional photo packages are also available for purchase and print instantly at the store.
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