No Santa visit? The Blanchardstown centre has a magical Disney Christmas experience

Where dreams come true.

If December is whizzing past, and you feel bad you didn't get a chance to bring them to a Santa- or Chrismas experience this year, you need to stuff the family in the car and hear for the Blanchardstown Centre. The popular Dublin shopping centre has joined forces with Disney this year to create a truly magical Christmas experience for the entire family, inspired by the 2021 Disney Christmas campaign 'From Our Family to Yours'. Focusing on family togetherness and the power of storytelling., visitors will be mesmerised by the Gingerbread House that looks good enough to eat, with an open Santas Grotto, life-size storybooks and all-time favourite Disney character displays, set in a magical winter wonderland scene. Got kids who love Disney? Trust me, having been – this slightly unusual Christmas experience will blow their minds.

Elves are running the show

At our visit, my children were left mesmerized by the enormous gingerbread house, where they met some of Santa's elves – who, thank God, informed them they were indeed on the good list this year. The grotto is really a giant photo studio, where the entire family can enjoy a magical photo experience –and – if the children have made it onto the good list this year, Santa will magically appear in their photo! How cool is that?! As a parting gift, the elves will give you a beautiful Disney themed photo wallet – as a lasting memory of your fun family outing. Speaking about the partnership with the Blanchardstown Centre, Trish Long, Vice President & GM, Walt Disney Ireland said: "We are delighted to partner with Blanchardstown Centre this Christmas and to see our Magical Christmas Campaign ‘From Our Family to Yours’ come to life!’ Adding to this, a representative from Blanchardstown Centre said, “This partnership with Disney for Christmas 2021 brings even more joy to the centre for the festive period. We are delighted to bring the magic of Christmas and Disney to our visitors. Shop safely with us this Christmas with extended opening hours." The whole experience at Blanchardstown Centre, in partnership with Disney, is inspired by Disney’s new magical festive advert “The Stepdad”; a three-minute animated tale about family togetherness and the power of storytelling. The short film forms part of Disney’s festive retail campaign, ‘From Our Family To Yours’ in support of the Make-A-Wish foundation, and at the heart of this new story is a very special storybook – a precious item belonging to son Max from his birth father. The book celebrates how the power of storytelling can deepen family bonds, and the magic that reading together creates as stories from Disney and Pixar lift off from the pages igniting the family’s shared imagination and wonder. The Disney festive offering at Blanchardstown Centre is open until Christmas Eve, so if you are yet to cram in a Christmas experience this December, now you your chance! Bookings are not required and prices start at just €9.50 for a family photo, with offers available for additional photos, toys, and festive hats.