Your Ultimate Guide to the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff, AZ

It’s that time again! When the magic of the holidays fills the air with all things Christmas.  And it’s time to embark on a winter journey like no other as we delve into the enchanting realm of the North Pole Experience. So if you’re wondering if the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff, AZ, is worth it for your family, here is our complete guide to a fan favorite. 

What is the North Pole Experience? 

You might be wondering, “What exactly is the North Pole Experience” The North Pole Experience is a holiday experience that transports you through a magic portal to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole, where you’ll discover the many rooms of his infamous workshop, including special visits by Santa, Mrs. Claus, his elves, and more. The North Pole Experience runs throughout November and December up to Christmas. 

Where is the North Pole Experience located?

Nestled in Flagstaff, Arizona, The North Pole Experience beckons visitors of all ages to step into Santa’s world of holiday wonder. The journey begins at the Little America Hotel, the beginning and ending point of the entire experience. 

How long is the North Pole Experience?

The entire North Pole Experience lasts about an hour and a half in total from beginning to end. During this time, you’ll be taken to Santa’s workshop on the special ‘Santa trolleys’ (buses), tour the workshops, enjoy a variety of festive activities, meet Santa’s elves, and even have a one-on-one encounter with Santa himself. The trolleys then return you to Little America Hotel to finish the journey.

North Pole Experience Tickets and Prices

Offering a range of options to suit different preferences, the North Pole Experience tickets include access to the workshop activities, personal encounters with Santa and the elves, and donuts and hot cocoa with Mrs. Clause. It also includes a special gift from Santa to each child. 

Prices vary by daytime/nighttime, child/adult, and November/December. Here are the ticket prices: 

November Dates: 

• Daytime (7:50 am – 3:40 pm): Adult $58; Child $52
• Nighttime (3:50 pm – 9:00 pm): Adult $66; Child $59

December Dates: 

• Daytime (7:50 am – 3:40 pm): Adult $68; Child $62
• Nighttime (3:50 pm – 9:00 pm): Adult $76; Child $69

*kids under 2 are free

You can purchase tickets online here

What to Expect at Santa’s Workshop

Stepping into Santa’s Workshop during the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff, Arizona, is an experience like no other. From the moment you enter Little America Hotel, you are immersed into the holiday spirit. Elves greet you at each station and help you through the whole process.

The bus ride to the workshop is only about 5 minutes long, and from there you’ll step into the massive workshop area. Each room has a new activity for the kids to experience and lasts around 10-15 minutes. Expect a lot of standing and walking through each room (for the adults), but the kids have many rooms where they sit for the activity. When they’ve gone though each different room, they end with a personal visit to Santa with their family. Then you are taken back to the hotel via the bus. 

TIP: Remember that Flagstaff is quite cold during the winter months, so dress warmly. It was in the mid 30’s when we attended. 

Do you have to wear pajamas to the North Pole Experience?

When planning your visit to the North Pole Experience, you might be wondering, “Do you have to wear pajamas?” And though it’s not a requirement for your special day, wearing cozy and festive pajamas adds so much fun to this magical experience. We bought holiday family PJs last year when we attended the Polar Express and really wanted to wear them again this year for the North Pole Experience. Donning pajamas adds an extra layer of fun and festive spirit to your adventure – and it’s always fun to see other families dressed in theirs too!. So, get ready to showcase your most festive sleepwear and make your journey to the North Pole Experience a truly whimsical and memorable one!

North Pole Experience Tips 

Here are a few tips for your North Pole Experience:

1. If you have younger kids, opt for the daytime visit. Because of the colder and darker weather at night, it is best to stick to a day experience. Plus days are cheaper than nights. We did a 3:45 experience, and it was perfect!
2. Bring water with you. You’re not allowed to bring outside food or beverages into the workshop, but water is allowed. 
3. If you have kids under 2 or even 3, I would wait until they are a bit older. Many of the activities are geared toward older kids. But if you do have toddlers or babies, bring a carrier instead of a stroller. It’s just easier for getting on and off the bus and for the entire experience.
4. Don’t forget your matching family PJs. It really does make it so much more fun!
5. Don’t buy a souvenir BEFORE the experience. Each child receives a very beary gift from Santa (hint, hint) that is the perfect souvenir for North Pole Experience. 

The North Pole Experience vs the Polar Express

When it comes to festive holiday adventures, the choice between The North Pole Experience and the Polar Express can be a delightful dilemma. Since we’ve done both experiences, I have had many people ask me which one is better. 

The North Pole Experience (in Flagstaff) offers an immersive journey to Santa’s workshop, where families can engage in interactive activities and experience the magic of the season up close. On the other hand, the Polar Express (in Williams), is known for its iconic train ride, taking you on a magical journey to the North Pole, complete with caroling, hot cocoa, and a meeting with Santa himself. 

Both experiences have their unique charm, catering to different preferences. When I asked my daughter (who is 6, almost 7), she said she liked the North Pole Experience better. My husband also agreed. But for me, I actually enjoyed the Polar Express better, so it just goes to show that it’s totally a personal decision.

The Polar Express is better for younger kids since it’s riding a train and not a lot of walking. But I think the North Pole Experience is catered more towards older kids, hence a better fit for them. Truthfully, you can’t go wrong with either when it comes to holiday fun!

You can read our full Polar Express Review here

Where to Stay in Flagstaff

Choosing the right place to stay in Flagstaff for your North Pole Experience adventure can enhance the magic of your holiday getaway. From cozy cabins to family-friendly hotels, Flagstaff offers various accommodation options to suit different preferences. Many visitors opt to stay at Little America Hotel where the event is hosted. You can also package your tickets together with the hotel stay, which makes it convenient. 

But if you’re on a budget and want to save money, there are definitely cheaper options available. We personally like staying at Comfort Inn when we travel, nice facilities that won’t break the bank with breakfast included. We’ve also RV camped in Flagstaff at the KOA there which was so much fun too! 

And since Flagstaff is only a 2 ½ hour drive from Phoenix, for this trip, we left around 10am that same day and arrived around 12:30 pm for a quick lunch before our 3:45 experience time. We then drove back the same night, so if you don’t want to stay overnight and you live close enough to do so, that is also an option. 

Is the North Pole Experience Worth It?

I end most all of my reviews with the question, is it worth it? And keep in mind that this question is completely subjective! If you’re a family that loves getting out and finding new Christmas activities, then YES, it’s worth it. My daughter is totally into the Santa phase right now, so for her it was so magical. She loved every part of it!

And take in consideration that it’s one of those activities that occurs only once a year, so it really is a special one. You can see how much work they put into the North Pole Experience with all the little details sprinkled throughout the workshop – it’s really quite spectacular. 

So to answer the question for us, “Yes, the North Pole Experience is worth it!”

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