Covid-19 Updates | Cast Experience Upgrades

Dear NPX Cast Member,
As a valued member of the North Pole Experience family, we hope this update has reached you while healthy and safe during these challenging times. Thank you, again, for your commitment to delivering a one-of-a kind magical Christmas Experience to so many parents and children.
With all the great input and feedback from our cast from the 2019 season, and with Covid-19 becoming a part of all of our lives in 2020 and beyond we owe you a great commitment. 
As we bring you up-to-speed on the key things we are doing to protect the safety of our cast members and guests we will also discuss how we plan to upgrade the overall Cast Experience in 2020.

Cast Experience Upgrades in 2020 (We listened!)

• NEW: We have blocked a  firm “20-minute cast break interval” into the experience in 2020, and new Independent “Timing Breaks” so that Cast Breaks are not affected. You will have a guaranteed 20-minute break during your shift.
• NEW: Daily Shift “Food & Refreshments”:  The chicken noodle soups, chilis, etc. were very popular in 2019 (thank you Amy!). We will be providing hot meals, complimentary, during every shift in 2020. 
• NEW:  All Workshop Rooms will be outfitted with workshop themed & hidden “Cast Refreshment Stations”. All cast members will have a defined, easily accessible location to keep water bottles, snacks, tissues, mints, etc.  
• NEW:  Medical Grade - Multi-layered Disinfection Protocols (learn more below)
• NEW: Professional Cleaning Services in 2020:  The Workshop will be professionally deep cleaned before and after every shift by a professional firm.   We want you to spend your energy and strength on the guests, not cleaning before and after shifts.
• Updated scheduling with fewer doubles and fewer close to open shifts.
• Reimagined offstage area for cast members to really relax while on breaks.
• Upgraded timing systems to make the flow of the workshop better for both our cast and guests.

Our Response to COVID and protecting our Cast and Guests
Safety Operational Upgrades | COVID Response | Advanced Health & Safety Protocols

Reduced Guest Capacity & Social Distancing Protocols in 2020:

• In response to COVID-19 and CDC recommendations and guidelines, we have re-imagined and are implementing the following:
  • Reduced Guest Capacity per Tour in 2020:  We have reduced our tour capacity from 55 guests to 38 guests maximum in 2020 to allow for social distancing on bus operations, as well as the Workshop and Hotel Check-in.
  • ​​Workshop Rooms and Prop Movement to allow for social distancing throughout the workshop.

​
Advanced Medical Grade Disinfection Systems | Ventilation Upgrades
We are implementing a complete, multi-layered, disinfection strategy for our guests and cast members comfort and safety. These protocols include state-of-the-art cleaning and medical-grade disinfection systems throughout the entire NPX Experience. To include, NPX Check-in, NPX Trolley Buses, and all NPX Cast and showrooms throughout Santa's Workshop.
 Our multi-layered disinfection and safety systems in every NPX space include:

• Touch-free hand sanitizing stations throughout the NPX Experience, in every Workshop room, pre-boarding of the Trolleys and at the Little America Hotel.
• Medical grade Electro-static mist and dry disinfection technology using EPA and CDC recommended disinfectants that are safe and kill up to 99.9% of viral pathogens Electro-static adheres to surfaces for maximum disinfection. (Pre-opening, During Cast/Workshop Breaks, and at closing each night).  Non-toxic, child-safe, pet-safe, food surfaces safe.
• UV-C Hospital Grade Disinfection. UV-C light sterilization protocols before opening and after closing in all NPX Workshop rooms.
• Complete Workshop and Bus Integration of 90 Day OmniShield™ Surface Protection. The OmniShield™ is a patented, EPA-registered nanotechnology anti-static applied coating to modify surfaces, providing hospital-grade disinfection coating and continuous antimicrobial protection for up to 90 days.
  • Non-toxic, child-safe, pet-safe, food surfaces safe.
  • Omni-Shield will also be implemented and utilized on cast uniforms for added protection for both our guests and cast members.
• Trolley Bus Safety: Our trolleys are newer state-of-the-art MCI j4500 buses. Each bus has high quality air filtration systems, added to complete electrostatic disinfection multiple times a day, including pre-opening, during breaks and at closing.
• Upgraded Fresh Air Ventilation at the Workshop: All NPX Workshop rooms will now have 2 separate ventilation protocols and will not recycle air at all.    
  • Fresh Air Ventilation Protocol #1: Due to Flagstaff’s colder temperatures, cold fresh air will be drawn and continuously throughout the experience and ducked into every room. Fresh air intake additionally has UV light duct air disinfection.
  • ​Exhaust Ventilation Protocol #2: Exhaust ventilation has been added to every room at the Workshop to continuously draw and exhaust air out of the room, through a UV light disinfection duct system and to the outside.
• Disinfection Breaks during operations where each room can be Electro-Statically disinfected which removes 99.9% of airborne and surface viral/bacterial exposure.
• We are working on and testing additional safety protocols and will bring you up to speed in future updates.

While these are some interesting and challenging times we are currently living in, we want you to know that we have taken on a much-elevated approach to reassure and make it clear that your safety is our #1 Priority.  

We truly appreciate the commitment you have shown to NPX, our guests, and our mission. 
We look forward to hearing your input and feedback on all the safety and Cast Experience upgrades we are making.  We are excited to see you again for a Magical Season 12 in 2020.


Blessings,

The NPX Management Team :)