Feeling in the festive spirit and want to take the family on a different kind of holiday adventure? They’re celebrating Christmas at FlyOver Canada by taking us on a virtual journey across the country with Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, culminating in a flight to Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole.

We attended a special media event late last week and I put together a short video with some highlights and my thoughts… including a s’more encounter with Buddy. And another Buddy.

Christmas at FlyOver Canada

After spending the previous week drinking winter beer in Stanley Park, we indulged in some more family-friendly entertainment at Canada Place. FlyOver Canada has been running its 4D motion ride for a little over three years now, first opening in the summer of 2013.

For every day of the holiday season until January 2 (except December 25), you’ll have the opportunity to “experience a magical twist on the Ultimate Flying Ride.” Santa comes along for the ride and you’re tasked with spotting his lost elves as you soar from coast to coast. The admission and pre-boarding areas have also been similarly themed to reflect the Christmas spirit.

As I mention in the video below, the FlyOver Canada experience is similar to motion rides like Back to the Future at Universal Studios. Instead of being seated in a “car,” there are two long rows of seats that are subsequently pushed forward to allow your feet to dangle freely. The seats move and you’ll be hit with simulated wind and water spray as you watch the giant curved screen. It’s really quite spectacular. I just wish there was some indication as to where we were as we made our way across the country.

During our night with FlyOver Canada, we got to enjoy s’mores, chimney cakes, hot apple cider, Glühwein (German mulled wine) and some live entertainment too. Is this video a vlog? Should I do more of these? Am I a vlogger now?

General admission tickets to Christmas at FlyOver Canada are about $20, plus a 10% discount if you buy online ahead of time. The ride itself lasts about 8 or 9 minutes, but you’ll want to allot about half an hour in total for the pre-show.

Christmas at FlyOver Canada

Since we were already down by Canada Place, we thought we’d pop by the Vancouver Christmas Market at their new location in Jack Poole plaza. This is a huge improvement over the old location with lots of room for new vendors, a carousel, and a sizable covered eating area. The pork hocks smelled amazing.

Christmas at FlyOver Canada

We might not get very much snow in the city (thank goodness for that!), but Vancouver certainly has no shortage of holiday festivities the whole family can enjoy. Where should we go next? We’re thinking about Bright Nights in Stanley Park, Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge, or the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden. It’s certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Disclosure: We were invited to a special media night with FlyOver Canada, including the ride itself and some refreshments. All opinions are my own.