Face time with Phipps Santa sells out
Phipps Plaza's Santa is already sold out for the 2009 holiday season.
There’s bad news for procrastinating parents currently preoccupied with shopping for Halloween candy. Every single appointment for the legendary Phipps Plaza Santa Claus has already been booked.
In other words: Happy Columbus Day!
On the Santa Website, santaatphipps.com, a message has been posted for parents: “We are currently FULL. Please check back here often. If any appointments become available, we will post information here. With the system full, we can not longer meet any re-schedule requests.”
As Buzz readers will recall, Santa’s handlers irked some shoppers when they announced this fall that they would be charging a $15 service fee this year after 500 folks were either no shows or tried to take advantage of multiple bookings in 2008.
Santa’s stint at Phipps runs from Nov. 7 to Dec. 24. There was no immediate word Monday when shoppers could expect Santa scalpers to begin loitering in darkened corners of the mall and whispering to parents: “Need two?”
Did you act early and score reservations or are you one of the parents who didn’t book until Santa was sold out? AJC reporter Jennifer Brett wants to hear about your experiences for a story she’s working on about the Phipps Santa. Contact her at jbrett@ajc.com.
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73 comments Add your comment
Elliot Garcia
October 12th, 2009
1:16 pm
ahhh, the commercialism of Christmas…..
JATL
October 12th, 2009
1:17 pm
I really wish the AJC would publish all the metro area places that have Santas (and pics)with their time and dates for pictures and visits. We were INCREDIBLY disappointed with our Phipps Santa experience last year, so I didn’t make an appointment this year. I honestly don’t understand what all the hoopla is about with the Phipps Santa.He looks good, but so did the Perimeter Mall Santa the year before -and the scenery was much better there, PLUS you got your pictures right then. We couldn’t get our pix taken at Phipps a week before Christmas until 2 weeks after Christmas- what a load of BS!!!!! It’s also a complete rip off because you don’t even see a proof, you just have to “go with it” and if you wind up with horrible pics -too bad. The Phipps background scenery also looks like some tacky bourgeois Buckhead chick’s idea of great Christmas decorations. PLEASE give us some other area options!
LydiasDad
October 12th, 2009
1:20 pm
I don’t know why people to go to that Santa. He’s not even allowed to say “Christmas”. The ads don’t say it, and the display won’t say it. Pathetic. Why reward that nonsense? Stand up people!
Drew
October 12th, 2009
1:20 pm
That’s OK.
“Legendary”? The true legendary Santa that made the place a winter wonderland died a few years ago.
LydiasDad
October 12th, 2009
1:22 pm
How incredible is it that someone taking their kid to to see SANTA, might be offended by CHRISTMAS!!!
Darb
October 12th, 2009
1:24 pm
Good to be Jewish, no Christmas BS !!
Roekest
October 12th, 2009
1:27 pm
But JATL, the Phipps Santa is the only one that matters because that’s who the rich parents take their snotty, arrogant children to go see.
I’m buying a cheapo Santa outfit at a Goodwill Store. I’m going to hire a bum who doesn’t smell of too much booze to wear it. That’s the Santa I’m taking my kid to see. Merry Christianity Christmas PC police and rich, snotty Atlantans! Don’t forget to shop until you drop because that’s what Christmas is all about!
Kehli
October 12th, 2009
1:29 pm
I’m not putting my children on a strangers lap that could be or maybe on the sex offenders’ registry.
Where do these guys come from anyway?!
I tell my daughter who is 3 that there is no such thing as santa, and the picture of the fat white man is a only a mascot for christmas, just like the easter bunny is for easter.
ChopChop
October 12th, 2009
1:29 pm
Everyone complains about the commercialism of Christmas, yet it’s October and the Phipps Santa is already booked (at $15.00 a pop). Looks like all these parents paying to see Santa are the real idiots….and Phipps is laughing all the way to the bank.
Technically, ChopChop...
October 12th, 2009
1:35 pm
It is only $5 a pop since $10 of the “reservation fee” goes toward whatever the picture costs are.
Chief Wiggum
October 12th, 2009
1:39 pm
Oh noes!!! The Santa for the rich, time-starved snobs of Buckethead is sold out! I sort of expected to see special “Santa Valet Packages”, where the rushed parents are met at curbside, their car is valet parked, and it includes complimentary champagne, all for the bargain price of $149.99. Now tell me those Buckethead people wouldn’t do that.
The idea that Santa takes reservations is silly. Hey Buckethead, go stand in line like everybody else.
12Gauge
October 12th, 2009
1:40 pm
There are many fine, wonderful Santas all over metro Atlanta. One only has to look a little bit to find them. Notwithstanding the fact that Jesus was Jewish and his Followers were mostly Jewish, one can’t help but see the connection. There are many similarities between what is called Christianity & Judiasm and their respective Holy Days, Festivals & Beliefs.
Saint Nicholas is the representation of Nicholas of Myra, who accepted the ‘total package’ that Jesus spoke of. He began to fulfill the ‘mission’ in his whole life & actions. For a nowaday Santa to exhibit a small part of that Faith tells of the strength of his Faith.
Phipp’s Plaza with it’s commercialism in full bloom diminishes that Faith, but the Message, no matter how far it is buried, still exists.
If you are unhappy with the fact that “this” Santa is booked up, make your search elsewhere & have Faith, you can find an equally great Santa…..
12G
steffeneff
October 12th, 2009
1:44 pm
thats sad that they even take appts. much less charge for them! what about the old fashioned way to do it by standing in line, first come first served? its a good thing that there are plenty of other free santas to take the kids to!
Brittany
October 12th, 2009
1:45 pm
My parents took my brothers and I to Phipps to see Santa every year when we were young. It became a tradition in our family. We have stacks of pictures and stories to tell our kids about how we behaved / misbehaved in front of the crowd and Santa. Now that both of my parents are no longer with us, it was important for me to continue the tradition with my daughter for her first Christmas, no matter the cost. Sometimes creating new memories are more important than complaining about something as trivial as a reservation fee.
"Think about what you said DARB!"
October 12th, 2009
1:47 pm
Suppose someone said, “Good to be Christian, no Jewish BS.” You would claim his/she is anti-semitic.
I’m Jewish and Darb you don’t speak for me!
Greg
October 12th, 2009
1:48 pm
Nicely put, 12G.
Boy, there sure are some hateful comments posted here. It’s just a mall Santa, folks. Let’s try to be decent…
Joel
October 12th, 2009
1:49 pm
Enjoy this Christmas while it lasts… next year we will all be more concerned about putting food on the table then presents… have you seen the new “Stimulus Package” already making its way through Congress?? They are are calling it “help”… The Nobel Peace Prize is a nod for Obama giving away our sovergnity to the UN.,, Our Dollar, and soon, after that, our constitution will be eliminated from the planet… then we will all be standing in line…
Olive_the_other_reindeer
October 12th, 2009
1:49 pm
Publix grocery stores have Santa starting in November, check your local store for time and dates.
MB
October 12th, 2009
1:55 pm
Assuming they are using the same wonderful man as in the past, the Stone Mountain Santa is pretty special. He even has an actual workshop (he founded FODAC)! Is it a sad commentary that in a written piece on the popularity of a particular Christmas venue we see so much bashing, particularly on a whole neighborhood? If only we could have the goodness of Christmas all year.
The Hawk
October 12th, 2009
1:56 pm
Does this surprise anyone?
The Truth
October 12th, 2009
1:57 pm
You’ve got your facts wrong. He says Merry Christmas and God Bless and all the other Christmassy, Christiany things.
Well Put MB
October 12th, 2009
1:59 pm
Thanks for expressing some of my sentiments.
JDJ
October 12th, 2009
2:00 pm
Kehli! So you think your child will be molested in front of several hundred people waiting in line? I happen to know this particular “mascot” — he and his lovely wife live near us. He does quite a bit of charitible work for FREE, by the way. Too busy to molest children.
I want my kid's Santa to say "Merry Christmas"
October 12th, 2009
2:02 pm
I remind our young about the reason for the season. I live in Buckhead, but wanted planning on going to Phipps for anything.
Hmmn…… “Maybe I will take them to Stone Mountain, Stone Crest or South Dekalb to see Santa this year. I will check to see if they say, “Merry Christmas!” no happy holidays.
DB
October 12th, 2009
2:05 pm
We did the Phipps Santa for more years than I care to admit,starting 20 years ago, and even when the kids were ostensibly “too old” for Santa, they enjoyed the tradition, even so. The one year I thought I was going to be able to sneak by and forego the pleasure of standing in the line for tickets was the year that my SON asked me when we were going to Phipps?!?!? The evening was, for us, a fun family tradition — Drive into Phipps (a mall we seldom ever visit), see Santa, go out to dinner, drive around and enjoy the Christmas decorations, then come home and have hot chocolate by the fire and enjoy looking at the video tape from Year 1 onward (it MUST be seen in sequential order, no skipping!) This was with the former Santa, though — and I have to admit, when he died, that was that. We were done.
I can **so** see that scalping Santa tickets will be going on — someone check Craigslist!
@Chief Wiggum, the whole idea of the reservations was that, otherwise, the lines would be so damn long that those at the end probably wouldn’t get to see him. And if you have busy parents who are willing to spend a little money to be able to help them plan more efficiently, then who are you to complain? They aren’t asking YOU to pay for it. At least the Phipps folks are excellent at telling you when to be there, within 10 minutes or so. Ever see the tired kids who wait in line for an hour or more to see Santa? Not pretty.
Tax Person
October 12th, 2009
2:07 pm
The Mall at StoneCrest in Lithonia has a real nice Santa and the scenery is beautiful as well.
CDW
October 12th, 2009
2:10 pm
What is with all this hostility about folks who do not want to stand in line? Really? ALL of you enjoy the experience of standing in line with restless children SO much that you find a reservation system offensive? Good to know that you all have tons of spare time.
I don’t even have children, but if I did I’d be delighted to have the option of making a reservation that made my life easier, ESPECIALLY around the holidays. I don’t even like standing more than 3 people deep at the grocery store….
Mall Santa’s are a business. Christmas is a business. This is not news.
pj
October 12th, 2009
2:11 pm
Proofread the article!
I agree with JDJ!!!!
October 12th, 2009
2:12 pm
I’m pretty sure, the Santa has a back ground check, pre-screen, etc. It’s good to look out for the kids, but use a little common sense.
Also, try to be decent. It’s alot of angry people on this site. I think the issues were long before Santa sold out at Phipps.
Good Week All and try to be decent!
pj
October 12th, 2009
2:12 pm
Christmas in Winterville and in Crawford have Mr. AND Ms. Santa and everyone gets seen! No appt. necessary.
Black Girl
October 12th, 2009
2:12 pm
My kids always went to Greenbriar to take pictures with Black Santa. Never even considered Phipps.
44 year old and still enjoy the joy of Christmas
October 12th, 2009
2:25 pm
Great Story DB. We don’t have kids, but we do assist our brother & sister with their kids, along with a few anonymous families we adopt each year.
I’m agree with other comments. “Try to be decent.” I know times are hard, but it’s noting like the power of positive thinking, living, etc. It really works.
hehehe
October 12th, 2009
2:26 pm
And ppl wonder why I stopped celebrating holidays 23 years ago…and I am not missing a thing…wow…all of this hollabullish over mythical madness…too funny…and very sad…just plain wow.
Pandora
October 12th, 2009
2:33 pm
I honestly think this is a hoax! They are just trying to make people think that he is booked solid, when in all actuality he isn’t.
santashelper
October 12th, 2009
2:36 pm
if they do it again this year, big johns christmas tree lots will have a santa on location one day. we didn’t leave with pictures in hand- but for a small donation ($5), their photographer sent me 10 or so digital photos of my son and i went and printed up the ones i wanted. cool idea. got a coupon for my tree too. kinda cool.
If
October 12th, 2009
2:37 pm
Since my son was a little boy he always knew that there is no such thing as “Santa Claus”. I told him the real reason for the season. If he were to take pictures with this fictious Santa, it would have been an African-American Santa like they usually have at Stone Crest Mall. Actually Stone Crest Mall have African-American and Caucasian Santa Clauses.
David
October 12th, 2009
2:41 pm
Here’s a real Santa for you. He’s a personal friend of mine (not that any of you know me) and he’s first class.
http://www.santainatlanta.com/
Blue
October 12th, 2009
2:51 pm
Really people…I am just amazed at the harsh comments. I love the idea of a reservation because I HAVE taken my kids to other places and waited in line…which really takes away the “fun” of Christmas. There are many, many great Santas. I chose to go to Phipps because it is a family event for us, going somewhere we do not typically go, go to lunch after, etc. And for the record, Phipps Santa DOES wish Merry Christmas and talks about the meaning of Christmas being the birth of Jesus. Being judgemental about others choices certainly doesn’t seem to be in the spirit.
Someone who cares about the holidays
October 12th, 2009
2:52 pm
I was and am so excited that my wife was waiting up for the site to accept online appointments. We got our appointment for the exact day and time we needed. I think this is a great way to make sure we are seen and my son gets to experience the wonderful santa at Phipps.
How sad that there are people commenting about negatives issues associated with Christmas. It’s easy to see those who no longer see the wonderment in a child’s eyes when he or she visits Santa. But I think those people are just unhappy most of the time anyway.
PJ
October 12th, 2009
3:09 pm
If you don’t like the system, don’t go there. No one said this is the only Santa in town. We once went to a different mall Santa and it was not an experience – just a photo opp. My kids were tossed in & out of Santa’s lap before they could even talk to him, which was very upsetting for them. At Phipps, my kids get to have a conversation with a Santa who calls them by name and takes the time to hear what they want for Christmas. There is such a short window of time for them to believe in Santa and I think the experience is worth $5, as is not having to wait in a long line with my 5 & 3-year-old kids. And for those under the impression he can’t say Merry Christmas, I have him saying it on video for the last 4 years.
lisaj
October 12th, 2009
3:24 pm
All you people are crazy! Go to your church or local community center and I bet you can a picture with Santa at $5.00!!!! Then walk by all the CRAZY parents at the mall and laugh!
Thats what we do every year and the kids don’t mind. At Church our Santa look so real and the picture comes with a nice frame.
GBK
October 12th, 2009
3:36 pm
You may can get a picture with a Santa for $5 somewhere but I doubt that will happen without a super long wait! I am happy to pay $15 to not have to stand in line with a 3 year old. And does the Santa at your church or community center call your child by name and talk to them about every toy on their list? Is that Santa “miked” so that on the DVD you can hear even the shyest 2 year old whisper to Santa what they want him to bring them Christmas morning? The experience of the Phipps Santa is totally worth the $15 appointment fee and we will be making our appointment each year and continuing our tradition of seeing Santa, having lunch and riding the Pink Pig!
Michael
October 12th, 2009
3:38 pm
“And they’re all made out of ticky tacky and they’re all just the same.” — Malvina Reynolds, 1962.
Augie's Mom
October 12th, 2009
3:41 pm
Skip the malls and go to “Old World Santa” at historic Rhodes Hall in midtown. It’s the best Santa experience around and will always be our family tradition.
ATLien
October 12th, 2009
4:06 pm
I find it hard to believe that this is already sold out. I walked by there last year (on a Monday) and there was not single person in line waiting to see Santa. I remember they were taking appointments last year and thought it was strange since there wasn’t a wait even on an off shopping day. I smell hype.
I got my reservation
October 12th, 2009
4:18 pm
@ ATLien-there was no line because everyone who goes there has an appointment. That’s the point, not having to wait in a line. They started charging the registration fee because people reserved multiple slots so they could choose which time to go later on. As a working parent, it is nice to be able to schedule a time to be with the rest of my family for this experience on a weekday during my lunch hour.
JessW
October 12th, 2009
4:31 pm
We took my son to Phipps last year, having taken him to Lenox and Arbor Place before thinking because of the buzz around this Santa, he was going to be amazing. I logged on early, got my appointment, and went on a Tuesday evening to see this Santa. We got there for our “scheduled time” and waited for an HOUR!!! My 3 yr old son was agitated by the time we got to Santa, they took a quick pic before the tears and gave me no proof and no pics to take home…they would be mailed to me. What a crock. I will never take my son to Phipps ever again…The Lenox Mall Santa was better, nicer, and less of a wait. Not to mention, I got to take my pictures home with me right then and there.
Cyndi
October 12th, 2009
4:33 pm
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! No one can stop me from saying MERRY CHRISTMAS all day long.
USMC DAWG
October 12th, 2009
4:38 pm
Since Phipps is being so PC, when can people start booking their appointments with Hanukkah Harry? “On Herschel, on Harry on Schlomoe…”
A Observation
October 12th, 2009
4:53 pm
Joel – you’ll like the guy who would scream “FIRE” in a crowded theater when he saw someone flip open a lighter. Get a life…this is a blog about people being charged to make a reservation for a visit to see a Santa not a blog about your shortsighted and biased political beliefs. Grow UP and GET A LIFE!!!!