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Disney’s favourite princess and her charming entourage melted the hearts of shoppers who flocked to join in the festive celebrations at City Centre Bahrain as the mall launched its Winter Tale.
Inspired by Cinderella’s timeless story, the shopping destination’s Central Galleria has been transformed into an enchanting enclave featuring a golden horse-drawn carriage, a giant crystal-studded glass slipper and other magical touches to delight families.
Duaij Khalifa Al Rumaihi, senior mall manager, said: “The Winter Tales campaign is a truly immersive experience which we began at the mall last year with the story of the Nutcracker. Due to its immense success, we have selected another worldly story this year with the tale of Cinderella featuring a never-before-seen display that recreates the sights of the enchanting fairy-tale classic and rewarding guests with a truly inspirational way to spend the winter season.”
During the launch, children surrounded the stand covered in snow and twinkle lights to capture a glimpse of the pretty princess in blue and her Prince Charming as they danced. Her fairy godmother, dressed in white, waved to shoppers as the not-so-wicked step sisters made children laugh with their playful antics.
Modern Knowledge School student, Layal, four, couldn’t keep her eyes off of Cinderella and mimicked her every move. Her mother Aqeela, a banker, from Manama, said: “I first heard of the Winter Tale exhibit on the mall’s Instagram social media account and thought my daughter would enjoy it.
“She loves Cinderella. When I told her in the morning that we would get to see the princess, she insisted that I take her to the beauty salon first to get her hair done for the big event. She even wore her Cinderella costume to meet her!
“The mall management has done a great job with the stand. It’s something new and irresistible for children. It’s beautiful and my Layal and her three-year-old sister, Gena, have really enjoyed the experience.”
Cinderella also made the Venezuelan Cardenas family’s day as they are spending their first Christmas away from home.
Mum Desiree, from Hamala, said her daughter Amanda, four, and son, Thomas, three, loved every moment of the shopping trip and wanted to get their photographs taken with Cinderella. “It was beautiful and we had a lot of fun,” she said.
Families had their images snapped with the host of Disney characters while others enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere in the carriage. A virtual interactive storybook telling Cinderella’s classical tale was also placed in the exhibit. Children did not even need to flip pages but simply wave their hands over the book and the pages magically turned over on their own.
The fun runs for families until January 9 and features interactive activities and performances. Shoppers also have a chance to win an experience-of-a-lifetime with a trip for two adults and two children to the Walt Disney World in Orlando, US, with every BD50 spent at the mall.
And shoppers who purchase BD60 or more will be asked to guess the number of crystals on a giant shoe for a chance to win a shopping spree worth BD2,000. Those who purchase BD60 or more will also get a chance to instantly win prizes through a ‘scratch & win’ promotion hung on Cinderella’s chandelier.
The little ones can also engage in creative activities throughout the festivities at the arts and crafts stations dotted around the mall. During the campaign, the mall will host a series of competitions allowing shoppers to snap up gift cards.
Over the weekend visitors were entertained by a Cinderella Parade in which the show characters met with shoppers throughout the mall. There was also a ‘Does the Shoe Fit?’ competition giving women a chance to win pairs of shoes.
For more information visit www.Facebook.com/CityCentreBahrain or www.citycentrebahrain and visitors are encouraged to use the hashtag #greatmoments during the ‘Winter Tales’ events when posting on their social media accounts.
