Why did Macy's in New York start taking reservations for meeting Santa Claus?

[DodgerGirl]

Ever since it started in the 2010's I've never figured out when and why Macy's in New York started taking reservations to meet Santa Claus and to me if you are in New York this doesn't seem right for Macy's to do. Was this system created to save time for families to get their kids Santa Claus photos in a timely manner or was it created to save time waiting in line? When I first heard about Macy's taking reservations to meet Santa Claus I was surprised and shocked at this news. It used to be that when you took your kids Santa Claus photos at malls or at Macy's in New York there was no reservation system and once Macy's in New York started taking reservations for Santa Claus photos malls began doing this trend every year. All I can say is when Macy's in New York did debut reservations to meet Santa Claus people no longer started taking their kids to see Santa Claus while on New York trips. And what is so special about Macy's Santa Claus that even makes a reservation worth it to get a photo?. I think this system was created by Macy's to save money and Macy's in New York was trying to gain a bigger audience to their store

 

[Nayan]

You know you already asked this question before and got your answer, why ask it again?

 

[Dan Murphy]

You know you already asked this question before and got your answer, why ask it again?

Link?

 

[LuvOrlando]

You know you already asked this question before and got your answer, why ask it again?

Because the person "wants to" seems to be the correct answer, and so what?

Ever since it started in the 2010's I've never figured out when and why Macy's in New York started taking reservations to meet Santa Claus and to me if you are in New York this doesn't seem right for Macy's to do. Was this system created to save time for families to get their kids Santa Claus photos in a timely manner or was it created to save time waiting in line? When I first heard about Macy's taking reservations to meet Santa Claus I was surprised and shocked at this news. It used to be that when you took your kids Santa Claus photos at malls or at Macy's in New York there was no reservation system and once Macy's in New York started taking reservations for Santa Claus photos malls began doing this trend every year. All I can say is when Macy's in New York did debut reservations to meet Santa Claus people no longer started taking their kids to see Santa Claus while on New York trips. And what is so special about Macy's Santa Claus that even makes a reservation worth it to get a photo?. I think this system was created by Macy's to save money and Macy's in New York was trying to gain a bigger audience to their store

The last time we went was in the early 2000's when we took our young kids. At the time I don't think there were reservations and I just remember it being pure chaos. If I'm remembering properly Santa was all the way up on top of the oldest past of the store so families spiraled down all the escalators in line, this meant shoppers couldn't get around easily. As we were leaving I wanted to shop but the place was so crowded I literally couldn't reach a register. Macys in NYC is not gigantic so I imagine this is for crowd control particularly after ELF was embraced as a big hit starring NYC and what is obviously Macys Santa.

Went to look for an older video and this is the response I got from AIwe had tons of videos, not on our phones but they exist, OMGI suppose to AI if it isn't digital it isn't real

 

[RangerPooh]

But what you asked, but Bass Pro Shops does Santa reservations too. I think it’s intended to help disperse crowds at peak times/days.

 

[Nayan]

Link?

https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...ople-make-reservations-to-meet-santa.3903362/

 

[hardcorestitch]

But what you asked, but Bass Pro Shops does Santa reservations too. I think it’s intended to help disperse crowds at peak times/days.

That’s a similar reason why Disney has the character parades/meet and greets. All to keep the crowds at bay.

 

[mjkacmom]

Most tourist spots in NYC have timed tickets, some museums, all of the high viewing platforms, Statue of Liberty ferries, I think it’s great, lines are long as it is. As a mom of 5 young adult kids, I’m jealous that mall Santa’s now book times, we’d get to the mall an hour early so we could get out in under 2 hours. Heck, if you want to get into FAO you will line up for at least an hour this time of year, or see the tree.

 

[AppleDumpling]

This has been discussed before. Short answer is that Macy’s implemented a reservation system in 2017 to control the crowds.

NYC, in particular midtown Manhattan, is and always has been extremely crowded during the Thanksgiving to Christmas season due to high volume of tourists. With high demand and limited time to visit Santa, they want to create the best possible experience. It is comparable to making dining reservations at WDW. Reservations must be made online starting 6 days prior to your date of visit.

 

[Nayan]

Plus it's not just meet Santa anymore. The whole 8th floor gets transformed, which is an experience in itself!

https://mychristmasinnewyork.com/macys-santaland-nyc/

 

[Dan Murphy]

You know you already asked this question before and got your answer, why ask it again?

https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...ople-make-reservations-to-meet-santa.3903362/

Eh, no problem asking something again, especially after a three year time span. Some people, for many various reasons, forget things. I certainly am guilty of forgetting things, both short and long term. My forgetfulness might be connected to my 81 years. But I remember that I have forgotten things in my earlier years also. (now how do I remember that, ha?). But then other folks might have various impairments that might lend to forgetting things, like maybe after 3 years.

Now, just speaking for me, if my memory was as good as yours, and I knew where the earlier thread was located, I probably would have just posted the link, assuming that the replies to the earlier question and thread actually answered @DodgerGirl 's question here.

I think I would have just given DG the link to the earlier thread rather than a condescending reply. However, that's just me.
.

 

[Allison]

Crowd control and managing expectations. I really don't think it is all that deep.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

If people are not waiting in line for hours, they have more time to spend shopping in the store.

 

[PollyannaMom]

If people are not waiting in line for hours, they have more time to spend shopping in the store.

Exactly!

It's just like fast passes at Disney, where instead of waiting in lines, guests are "waiting" in shops and restaurants.

Plus, I expect there are fewer tired, cranky kids on Santa's lap this way, because they haven't been waiting in a long, boring line for their turns.

 

[MillauFr]

You can't expect families to wait in 30 minute lines. You need reservations to avoid having lines.

 

[Nayan]

All I can say is when Macy's in New York did debut reservations to meet Santa Claus people no longer started taking their kids to see Santa Claus while on New York trips.

And you know this as a fact how? You are so wrong, as the link I posted states over 200K people come each year to visit Santa. That is hardly 'no longer taking their kids to see Santa'.

 

[tvguy]

You know you already asked this question before and got your answer, why ask it again?

Because if they revived the thread from 3 years ago they would get flamed for reviving a ZOMBIE THREAD!!