Maybe the Cherry Hill Mall, responding to a severe backlash and even threats of a boycott for charging as much as $50 for kids to see Santa this year, has been visited by three ghosts. Maybe its heart has grown three sizes. Or maybe it's just avoiding a PR problem.

In any case, it's getting in the Christmas spirit and reversing course on the policy.

The mall's made a big show of Christmas this year, bringing back "Dream Works' 'Adventure to Santa,'" which the mall calls an "immersive, interactive 17-20 minute attraction that takes families on a trip to the North Pole to see Santa."

But plenty of parents taking to the mall's Facebook page were plenty peeved that they could only get access to Santa by purchasing packages that ranged in price from $35 to $75 for up to five people take a virtual roller coaster ride to the North Pole.

The packages includes a private visit with Santa a personalized boarding pass keepsake and photos in various sizes. A single visit by an individual could cost as much as $50. Higher-priced packages included high-resolution photos and videos.

In a statement issued Monday, the mall said that in the "spirit of the holiday season, we want to keep things festive and bright."

So the mall has removed the photo purchase requirement — meaning visitors can see Santa for free, but they'll be skipping out on some of the extra goodies.

Most complaints on the mall Facebook page  were about children from lower income families not being able to afford a visit with Santa.

"You are effectively telling less fortunate children that Santa doesn't want to see them unless their parents can pay. Disgusting! I don't care that it's an 'attraction.' To the kids, it's just Santa, and he's rejecting them," Alison Potter Bramhall wrote.

And from Karen Wilson: "I've gone to Macy's Herald Square and they don't charge (and they could) but put the spirit of Christmas first. Disappointed Cherry Hill Mall. I don't even have young children anymore but you just lost my holiday shopping for leaving out the less financially gifted families."

Several Simon-owned malls in New Jersey including Menlo Park Mall and Rockaway Townsquare recently came under heavy criticism for their Santa Claus display: an "enchanted glacier" that looked like a cave made of snow. Mainstream and social media attention convinced Simon to change the displays back to a more "traditional" look.

—Dan Alexander contributed to this report

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM