Santa’s Flight Academy

Taubman, a renowned real estate company specializing in world-class shopping destinations, aimed to enhance the cherished Santa photo experience at several of its premier malls. With a mission to create unforgettable holiday memories, they sought an innovative solution that would seamlessly integrate technology with tradition.

To bring this vision to life, Taubman partnered with Bluewater, leveraging their expertise in experiential technology and immersive activations. Together, they elevated Santa’s Flight Academy—an interactive holiday activation featured at ten prestigious shopping centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Since 2021, Bluewater has been instrumental in managing the program, overseeing installation, technical support, tear-down, and off-season storage to ensure its ongoing success.

One of the most exciting advancements came in 2022 with the introduction of Santa’s Magic Mirror. This interactive feature delighted visitors by mimicking their movements and transforming their reflections into whimsical on-screen characters. Bluewater played a critical role in bringing this innovation to life by designing and manufacturing the necessary technological hardware, supervising installation, auditing the technology package, and providing technical support.

Through seamless collaboration between service, operations, and software teams, Bluewater ensured that Santa’s Flight Academy operated flawlessly across all locations each season. Families and children were able to immerse themselves in a magical holiday experience, blending the nostalgia of tradition with technology.

As the holiday seasons continue, Bluewater and Taubman are already exploring ways to reimagine Santa’s Flight Academy for 2025. With a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, they aim to deliver even more enchantment and joy to families in the years to come.

Want to Experience the Magic of Santa’s Flight Academy?

Discover the holiday wonder for yourself! Visit Santa’s Flight Academy at one of these locations:

• Cherry Creek Shopping Center – Denver, CO
• Great Lakes Crossing Outlets – Auburn Hills, MI
• International Plaza – Tampa, FL
• The Mall at Green Hills – Nashville, TN
• The Mall of San Juan – San Juan, PR
• The Mall at Short Hills – Short Hills, NJ
• Sunvalley Mall – Concord, CA
• Twelve Oaks Mall – Novi, MI
• The Mall at University Town Center – Sarasota, FL
• Westfarms Mall – West Hartford, CT