Families can also visit the Caring Bunny – a unique event in a subdued environment tailored to special needs children

The Bunny Photo Experience begins Friday, March 17 and runs through Saturday, April 15 on the lower level Elevator Court. Kids will have the chance to visit with the Bunny and purchase a treasured snapshot of the fun occasion.

Families will be able to save time and avoid the line with Bunny by Appointment, an online reservation amenity at http://simon.noerrbunny.com.

The sponsors for the 2017 Bunny Photo Experience are The Gymboree Corporation – including its Gymboree and Crazy 8 children’s clothing brands and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.  Come visit the Simon Easter Photo Experience and receive a fun-filled activity sheet, a custom Sing holiday headband, and watch highlights from the movie.

“We love to hold family-friendly events and we always look forward to watching children interact with the Bunny at Easter,” said Elizabeth DiDuca, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Lehigh Valley Mall.

Lehigh Valley Mall’s Caring Bunny™ event will offer families that have children with special needs a subdued environment to participate in the Bunny Photo Experience. Caring Bunny, the largest program of its kind, has been developed by Simon and is guided by AbilityPath.org, a national online resource hub and special needs community. Over 90 Simon® properties will host the Caring Bunny this season. Promotional assistance for Caring Bunny has been provided by Autism Speaks.

On Sunday, March 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., many steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for children’s cherished visit with the Bunny. The subdued environment is likely to include (specific elements or aesthetics may vary):

• Turning off in-mall music, stopping escalators located near the photo set, dimming the lights and shutting down fountains for the duration of the event.
• Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called.
• Special activities geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit

Furry friends can also meet the Easter Bunny at Lehigh Valley Mall’s Pet Photo Night with the Easter Bunny on April 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

To learn more about Lehigh Valley Mall’s Easter events and to register for Caring Bunny and Pet Photo Night please visit www.simon.com/mall/lehigh-valley-mall

About Lehigh Valley Mall

Featuring over 150 stores and restaurants, Lehigh Valley Mall is the premier shopping destination in the greater Lehigh Valley. Lehigh Valley Mall is located off Macarthur Road in Whitehall, PA, and is situated in an area that is a popular recreation destination, home to outstanding colleges and universities, and headquarters for major businesses, all of whom enjoy proximity to the mall’s mix of shops, services, and anchors. For more information on Lehigh Valley Mall, visit www.simon.com/mall/lehigh-valley-mall.

About AbilityPath.org
AbilityPath.org is an online hub and special needs community for parents and professionals to learn, connect and live a more balanced life. The website combines social networking features with expert content from AbilityPath.org’s team of educators, parents, therapists and medical professionals.AbilityPath.org was created by Community Gatepath, a nonprofit with over 90 years of experience serving families and children with special needs by fostering hope, dignity and independence. AbilityPath.org may also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
 
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $500 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 100 cities across North America. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 40 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.

About Gymboree
Gymboree has a 30-year rich heritage in dressing children, newborn to 12 years old. Gymboree offers colorful, head-to-toe clothing and accessory collections – quality clothes that let kids be kids.

About Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.