SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The holiday season is here and Bass Pro Shops has set up ‘Santa’s Wonderland’ inside the store where kids can participate in Christmas-related activities free of charge.

Guests can play in the 5,600-square-foot wonderland comprising Lionel and Bachmann old-time model trains, live and animated elves, a Red Ryder laser arcade, a soft-gun Nerf range and Fisher Price remote control cars.

While the kids are there they can also write and mail a letter to Santa.

Also, Santa will be on-hand to hear what the little ones hope to see under the tree Christmas morning.

All guests who visit the wonderland will receive a complimentary 4x6 photo with Santa, according to www.bassproshops.com, the store’s official Web site.

The wonderland began November 9 and runs through Christmas Eve.

“I wanna … get a pony,” 3-year-old Mason Knight said when asked what she hopes Santa brings her this year.

Other children who visited ‘Santa’s Wonderland’ said they hope to unwrap Xbox, Wii and Nintendo DS video games; Star Wars games; a scooter; Barbies; a tree house, a Harley Davidson bicycle; and bunk beds Christmas morning.

“I want a D-Rex Dinosaur,” 7-year-old Matthew Pritchett said  was the No. 1 item on his wish list.

Kids at Bass Pro Shops’ ‘Santa’s Wonderland’ weren’t the only ones who discussed their hopeful Christmas gifts, parents spilled the beans over what they hope to get this year.

“I want a new car,” Debbie Lanier said as she waited in line with her kids to see Santa. “I think my husband knows that’s all I want this year.”

Another parent joked, “I just want my kids learn to mind. That would be the best gift of all.”

Other parents said they would like to get Wii Fit—a workout video game for the Nintendo Wii—, a green washer and dryer, a new tennis racket, a Coach purse, pearl earrings and a Big Green Egg barbeque grill.

“Something that sparkles,” Liz Chappell said for what she hopes to get from her children.

 “We have a tradition on this so I hope it doesn’t get broken this year.”

Tricia Stubblefield said she was “thrilled” about holiday activities at the store.

“It’s just a great idea,” Stubblefield said. “Who would have thought this store would do something like this.

“These are great activities for the kids.”

The Williams family made the drive from Pensacola, Fla., to visit Bass Pro Shops for the first time.

“How nice to get a free picture with Santa,” Barbara, the mom, said. “These are $15 at the mall.”

Her sons, Conner, 12, Calvin, 9, and Cody, 4, moved from one activity to the next as dad, Chuck, tried to keep up.

“It was worth the drive and more,” Chuck said.

Bass Pro Shops will also have ‘build a bobber’ ornament crafts Saturday and Sunday in the village.

“Bass Pro is celebrating Christmas because we want our customers to remember when Christmas was special and important in their lives,” Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris  said in a press release. “We still believe in that special magic of Christmas and would like to invite our customers to bring the kids and grandkids and make memories that last a lifetime.”

Bass Pro Shops will have its second annual, first for the new Spanish Fort store, Great Turkey Campout beginning at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.  Customers are encouraged to bring a tent and camp out to be among the first to enter the store for the Black Friday sales.

From 5 to 8 p.m. the store will serve coffee, smores and hot chocolate around a fire pit. Campers will have the chance to win gift cards every half hour. Campers will also have the chance to win a $5,000 Shell gasoline card and a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card at the campout, the site said.