Comments on: Phipps Santa to charge naughty parents a fee this season

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:24:04 +0000

For what it’s worth – here in the UK they charge to visit Santa in his grotto. It’s usually £5 – £10 depending if you would like a photo or a present.

We travel all the way from the UK to visit the Phipps Santa every year (oh, okay and family too) and it’s well worth it.

By: Santa Tom

Santa Tom — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:28:26 +0000

Ihave read all of the posts on this blog and I am amzed at the people who can’t seem to get their arms around who is at fault here. First and foremost, it is absolutely not the fault of the Phipps Santa, he works for a photo company that runs the set and ownes the concession. It is also not the fault of the photo company, a locally owned, single site operation, not one of the mega photo companies that own most of the mall Santa concessions nationwide. It is the fault of the thoughtless, self centered people who double and triple booked appointments so that they could have it all their way. They are the folks to be mad at.
I am a Real Bearded Santa myself and I work all over the Atlanta Metropolitan area and I do not work in a mall. I knew Santa Ray personally and I know Santa Johnny personally and I will tell you that both are/were a class act. In the genre of Mall Santas, they are the cream of the crop, both good God fearing men who love Christmas and love children. I can not say enough good about either one of them.
I don’t, and won’t, work in a mall because there are very few like Phipps, that are locally owned small businesses. Most Malls are controlled by two national photo companies and I wouldn’t work for them on a bet, nor would I take my children to them. Not because of Santa, as their are many good Santas in the malls and a few poor to mediocre ones. The problem is the management, the photo company. They are totally profit driven and care little for the children or the Santa. I prefer to make home visits, I am a party Santa and this is an option that you should explore if you have small children, particularly a child who is afraid of Santa.
Please, never torture your child by making them stand in line for over an hour to see Santa, that is a sure way to really traumatize your child, they are tired and crying and you try to force them into Santas lap for a picture. It just isn’t right.

Santa Tom
www,atlantasrealsanta.com

By: Santa Has Bills To Pay - Business Opportunities Weblog

Santa Has Bills To Pay - Business Opportunities Weblog — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:12:47 +0000

[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Santa is getting savvy this season. [...]

By: Bronco

Bronco — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:52:09 +0000

There is no such person as Santa Claus, the Easter bunny doesn’t exist and Obama isn’t president, I have never met anyone who voted for him.

By: MP

MP — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:45:20 +0000

LG- keep trying! It took over an hour, but I finally got a confirmation! The experience is well worth it!

By: MP

MP — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:31:19 +0000

ATLANTA MOM- You are absolutely correct about this new Santa. My husband’s family has used the Phipps Santa for many years. I can’t bear to break the tradition, because the trip means so much to them. However, he is hardly the poster child for great personalities. For 2 straight years I’ve had to have the company edit inappropriate comments from the DVD. My 2 year old cried, and he made me feel horrible about it. He desperately needs a basic etiquette class.

I have no problem with paying. For those who have made comments about parents being too busy to spend time with their children, you are completely out of line. I would much rather take my children to ride the pink pig, have lunch at the Buckhead Diner & head back to the Buckhead Ritz to swim than stand in line for eternity. We go as a family & don’t do anything except spend time with the children the entire weekend. I love the appointments! Thank goodness there are lots of choices so everyone can be happy!

By: LG

LG — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:30:32 +0000

Is anyone else experiencing major difficulties with this website? I was on as soon as the appointment system opened, and it is taking forever!

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:51:20 +0000

We love Santa Johnny. He not only says “Merry Christmas,” but also said that our little girl was a gift from God, which she is. I don’t mind paying a fee for a Santa appointment. This way, maybe people won’t abuse the system. Merry Christmas, everyone!

By: therese

therese — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:48:49 +0000

If Richard Eldredge had done his homework he would have known that the Phipps Plaza Santa is not charging a reservation fee this year. The company that brings Santa to Phipps Plaza IS charging a fee thanks to those inconsiderate parents who believe only their time is valuable. He also included Santa’s picture so any children seeing the article would pay attention. Way to go Mr Eldredge. But, I think that you did know all this but that wouldn’t have made a very controvertial story. I guess Christmas isn’t controvertial enough already. Some people just can’t be happy unless they’re making someone else unhappy. Shame on you Richard Eldredge. I thank God that Phipps Plaza’s Santa holds the real meaning of Christmas in his heart. I pray that you find it.

By: Totally worth it

Totally worth it — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:36:01 +0000

It’s totally worth it. And it’s not like they are gobbling up all of it. In order to make sure people are not greedy (overbooking appts) I am happy to pay the fee to make sure that we get to see Santa. He is great. We love him.

Those of you saying you want to wait in line are clearly NUTS. I will gladly pay the fee to have my appt time set so that my kids are happy when they sit on Santa’s lap – not at their wits end for having waited 45 minutes.