this article makes me feel like Charlie Brown

egpitt22

You know, in a "where is the true spirit of Christmas, everything has become so commercial" Charlie Brown kind of way.

Ross Park Mall on Monday will reveal a new, $250,000 holiday display that features iPads loaded with holiday-themed gifts, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

But gone is the ride-along train for children that's been part of the mall's holiday display for about seven years, according to mall spokesman Michael Gianoutsos. 

“We've made this big investment and we hope the community likes it. We certainly are excited about it,” mall Manager Lisa Earl told the Trib. She said the mall has been trying to get a new décor package for years. The old display is 14 years old, she said. 

The “experiential” display will include a sleigh on which Santa Claus will sit, stations with iPads with holiday-themed game apps for children, and a towering Christmas tree in the center court, the mall said. The new configuration could not accommodate the train, Earl told the Trib. 

The new holiday display will be revealed on Monday, and will remain in place until the first week of January. Santa arrives Nov. 8.

http://acrossross.com/index.php/news/111-business-news/205-holiday-train-out-ipads-in-at-ross-park-mall

seriously??  iPads??

ryanthegirl

Dislike x 1000. 

Hmm I wonder what the kids will ask for once they get on Santa's lap? Do you think it'll be an iPad?

I'm not a big "anti commercialization of Christmas" person - but I find this so distasteful and tacky. Half of the excitement of going to see Santa is waiting in line and watching all the other kids and the train and the elves (if the display has them) - now kids will just have their head buried in an electronic device until it's their turn. Where's the anticipation? The excitement?

I really don't like this.

lala5507

My kids love that darn train!!!  Now they get to play a video game?!?!  Seriously, that is so wrong.    My oldest daughter got her head stuck in the picket fence waiting for the train when she was about 20 months old  (which make for a great holiday memory)  - that train has a special place in my heart.  :P

Bring back the train!

BethieB

ryanthegirl said:

 

I'm not a big "anti commercialization of Christmas" person - but I find this so distasteful and tacky.

This exactly. What a crock of crap! I'll go out to Robbinson and not Ross Park then.

Meghan&Rich

WHAT?!?  I am not happy about this....not happy at all.  I get that things change, but the train is a tradition that should not be messed with!

egpitt22

I know, it's absurd!!  We ended up skipping the mall last year and did lunch with Santa at our community center.  I think it was like, $8/kid and that included games, arts & crafts, a full lunch, and as many pictures as you wanted to get with Santa.  And live reindeer!  It was really fun, so I think we'll just stick with that again this year.

sarahandtim

Emmy, when is that coming up? Sounds like it's worth a stop!

egpitt22

sarahandtim said:

Emmy, when is that coming up? Sounds like it's worth a stop!

it's on 12/15 this year, from 11:30am-1:30pm.  price is $10/kid this year (If i remember correctly, they don't charge for adults) 

it's on page 44 of the ross record (they have some other cute events, too!):

http://www.ross.pa.us/parks/forms/Ross-Fall_FINAL.pdf

MaryM

Holy crap. This is so sad! Ipads?! This is what the world is coming to? at first I though it was a joke! I personally will take a train in a mall any day at Christmas time.

Jcubed2003

BOOOOOO! My guy is going to be sad that the train is gone. That is how we waited for our pictures to be printed at the Picture People and how Dad entertained him on a night I needed to myself. Ooof.

lilly25

egpitt22 said:

sarahandtim said:

Emmy, when is that coming up? Sounds like it's worth a stop!

it's on 12/15 this year, from 11:30am-1:30pm.  price is $10/kid this year (If i remember correctly, they don't charge for adults) 

it's on page 44 of the ross record (they have some other cute events, too!):

http://www.ross.pa.us/parks/forms/Ross-Fall_FINAL.pdf

live reindeer? Where is that? That is sweet!

Bummer about the train. That is like a tradition!

waltsgirl102503

I do not like this at all.   My first thought was "can you imagine how many germs are going to be all over those iPads?"  No thank you.   I am sure the train has germs, too, but it's not as concentrated as iPads.  

egpitt22

lilly25 said:

egpitt22 said:

sarahandtim said:

Emmy, when is that coming up? Sounds like it's worth a stop!

it's on 12/15 this year, from 11:30am-1:30pm.  price is $10/kid this year (If i remember correctly, they don't charge for adults) 

it's on page 44 of the ross record (they have some other cute events, too!):

http://www.ross.pa.us/parks/forms/Ross-Fall_FINAL.pdf

live reindeer? Where is that? That is sweet!

Bummer about the train. That is like a tradition!

it's at the ross township community center!  Liam couldn't have cared less about anything else last year, he was content to sit outside & watch the reindeer!!

sarahandtim

egpitt22 said:

sarahandtim said:

Emmy, when is that coming up? Sounds like it's worth a stop!

it's on 12/15 this year, from 11:30am-1:30pm.  price is $10/kid this year (If i remember correctly, they don't charge for adults) 

it's on page 44 of the ross record (they have some other cute events, too!):

http://www.ross.pa.us/parks/forms/Ross-Fall_FINAL.pdf


I did see that! I have musical auditions that day so I wrote it off in my head already. Definitely next year though!