A blizzard of fun at Canal Walk this Festive Season

Activities and rides that are at once whimsical, wondrous and wild will be taking place in the transformed Centre Court, where everything will be snow-sprinkled and ice-crystalled, naturally. And this time there’ll be a sugar-rush too, with outsized candy and lollipops providing that seasonal sweetshop feel.

“If you can imagine a gorgeous theme park that has been frozen – frozen fun! – anddusted with magic, then you’re picturing exactly what we’ve been busily plotting,” says Camilla Lor, marketing manager for Canal Walk. “And it’s going to be the biggest and best yet.”

Canal Walk’s SnowPlay Park presented in association with MWEB,will have at its heart a fairytale ice palace, in the middle of which will be a cool 13m slide for the smallest festive frolickers. Next to this will be two snow-filled play areas, wherechildren will be able to enjoy all the delights of real snow, making snowballs and snowmen.

The high point, quite literally, of this wintery wonderscape will be the Ice Cream Swirl Ride, a 21m ice slide beautifully crafted to look like a giant, whorled cornet of the sort more often seen at the beach at this time of year.
But this year Canal Walk’s SnowPlay Park is actually going longer yet with a 24m Sugar Rush ride, a rollercoaster styled ride featuring breathtaking dips and rises, all decorated with outsized sweeties, candy canes and colour.
And yes, there really will be a gigantic snow globe: the magic Snow Globe will be in the centre of the SnowPlay Park, where folk can walk into to have their photo taken within flurries of fantastical snow.

“Together with MWEB we’re offering a truly special snow experience this year,” says Camilla. “Children are going to be delighted, and parents are going to feel like kids again, and isn’t that what the festive season is all about?” While the kids are having fun in the snow parents can enjoy free uncapped WiFiin the centrecourt area offered by Canal Walk and MWEB. From mid-December onwards, the walkways and courts in Canal Walk will be a MWEB WiFi Zone. Unlike traditional WiFi hotspots, a WiFi Zone means that customers won’t have to log into separate hotspots as they move from one area of the mall to another. After the end of January, shoppers will continue to have access to internet and get the first 30 minutes WiFi access for free.

“Most consumers carry their smartphone or tablet with them while visiting malls, so it is no surprise that access to quality, high-speed WiFi is in great demand in these spaces. A superb way of improving the shopping experience is to give people access to online stores, product and restaurant reviews. It also gives retailers and marketers a great way to educate shoppers about specials and upcoming events,” said MWEB WiFi, General Manager, Nathier Kasu.

“What better time of the year than December to offer shoppers easy access to quality internet? ‘This is the season to be giving, and what better gift to give than uncapped data for unlimited fun! Now you can take your uncapped broadband experience with you to Canal Walk says Kasu.

Of course, everyone’s favourite fella Santa Claus will be waiting to greet children alongside the SnowPlay Park, and to listen to their secret wishes. Kids can have their photos taken with Santa too, or post their letters to the North Pole in the special Santa Postbox.

Canal Walk’s SnowPlay Park will be open every day from 10am to 10pm, with sessions every hour on the hour until 9pm. Each session lasts 45 minutes.

Tickets cost R70, with a R30 special for snow play for tots under two, and R50 tickets for mini riders between two and five years. Those who simply want to wander through this jolly folly and experience the magic of the season pay just R20.
Book at Computicket.

And when everyone is happily tired out from all the snow fun, the popular Canal Walk Express will be running on the Upper Level. Tickets are R10 from train staff.

Of course, it’s the season for giving, and with Canal Walk’s gift-wrapping service you can give and then give again, because the small fee for each exquisite parcel goes straight back to the community, thanks to the charitable Canal Walk Foundation. This year funds raised will assist in buying Christmas gifts for the children at St Joseph’s Home. Bring all your Christmas goodies – particularly the oddly-shaped and awkward ones – to either the Pick ‘n Pay court or the Checkers court and the Canal Walk wrapping staff will wave their magic wands for you. This service will be available daily from 10am to 10pm between 13 December and 23 December and until 9pm on the 24 December.

The new Edgars flagship store with great new brands and the arrival of the international stores,Topshop, Topman, Dune, Lipsy and Jo Malone further enhances Canal Walk’s superlative shopping experience for all this season!

Canal Walk will also offer extended trading hours throughout the festive season.

For more information about Canal Walk’s festive programme, contact the Customer Service Desk on (021) 529 9699/ 98, or email .

Alternatively get updates online at Canal Walk’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/canalwalk – or on the website www.canalwalk.co.za

About MWEB

Since 1997, MWEB has been championing a free web in South Africa. It has led the industry from the start with the introduction of the Internet to South Africans to the launch of South Africa’s first Uncapped ADSL product. Today, MWEB provides Internet connectivity and solutions for home users, business owners and large corporates.

Dedicated to constantly driving change in the industry and deploying world class research and development teams, MWEB is focused on removing all barriers to Internet connectivity and services to positively impact its customers and broaden the South African Internet landscape.

MWEB is owned by MultiChoice South Africa Holdings Limited that has more than 30% Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment shareholders, and is a subsidiary of Naspers, a JSE-listed company.