LaplandUK Christmas Experience Review
LaplandUK
19 November to 24 December 2016
Reviewed by Lee-Anne McCarthy
(Spoilers-Warning-Not for little folk)
The experience began so much earlier than the Saturday visit we planned. I was given the opportunity to update Father Christmas on the McCarthy family achievements ready for our visit. This system was easily accessed online. After booking in with LaplandUK we were sent the most beautiful wax sealed invitations from Father Christmas himself. These were sent to our home along with our confirmation so mums and dads could get in on the magical happenings and choose when the little folk could finally know they were visiting the magical enchanted forest and home of the man in red.
Upon arrival, we were guided by stewards into a parking bay in a beautiful woodland area. We chose to arrive half an hour before our departure. Having trawled the website on more than one occasion I knew the whole experience was an outdoor one so we opted for snow boots and walking boots. This was a good option as hard as they have tried to keep the pathways mud free in such a natural area it’s impossible to contain all mud.
We went straight into the reception area. The reception was a fantastic woodland reception mixing trees, snow, twinkly lights and wooden furniture to give a real warm woodland welcome. At check in we were greeted by elves with giant books and quill pens checking us all in. We waited just a few minutes to be seen. We were given our elf passports. These, the children would carry round throughout the experience and they would be stamped at each activity they participated in. This was a lovely keepsake for them. Throughout the experience any purchases on site had to be made either by card or elf jingles. These can be ordered prior to arrival or picked up when you arrive. 1 jingle was the equivalent of £1. We picked up some on arrival at the jingle exchange and we were delighted to find these beautiful coins were given to us in gorgeous red velvet type sacks. These little details really helped bring the magic to life.
Each tour started every half an hour. Every half an hour you would split into two groups; husky’s and the reindeers. Each would set off separately and be guided by their own tour guide. The travel master elf welcomed us in a fabulously theatrical way and then set us of to start our magical journey. The experience lasts about 3.5 hours.
We were first taken into a woodland theatre where elves Sage and Eco told us all about the magic of the elves. There we met our herders who would guide us to our activities and finally on to the village.
Our first stop was to Father Christmas Workshop. There 3 fantastic elves entertained our little folk with stories from the North Pole. They then enlisted the children’s help to ensure the toys would be made for the very big good list. First they helped stuff cuddly reindeer and then they went on to craft wooden teddy bears. As you looked around the workshop it was completely authentic. Every single detail had been carefully considered from the elf entrance door that little folk could use to the hanging toy making to do list.
Then it was on to meet Mother Christmas in her kitchen. Here the children sat and listened as they got to meet the baker elves. They then got to decorate tasty gingerbread men. They all donned their aprons and chef’s hats and iced to within an inch of their lives. We bought the gingerbread home and got to savour them with a cup of tea the next day. Mother Christmas then told a beautiful story that had the children all on the edge of their seats.
Following the activities, we were given around an hour and half to explore the elf village. In the clearing in the forest fantastic elf huts had been built housing shops, post office even a blacksmiths. Right in the centre of the village was a beautiful ice rink. The ice rink was our first stop. I am not brave enough to venture on the slippy stuff but our older children loved every second. How you spend your hour and a half in the elf village is up to you so should you wish to skate the whole time there really is no stopping you. The rink is manned by numerous elves who help out the wobbly and generally ensure everyone is skating the right way. There were plenty of penguin supports for tiny folk too.
Around the rink is where you find the rest of the village. Our 4 year old twins loved visiting the post office to write our letters to Father Christmas. We even got to post postcards, for a small charge, home to others so they knew we’d been to the North Pole.
As we wandered often elves and herders would pass by and entertain for a moment or two. There were juggling elves, elves with owls and hedgehogs and herders with beautiful husky dogs who all wanted to make friends. These little interactions made time whizz past so quickly.
There were a few shops on site like the Emporium, Pixie Mix’s Sweet Shop and Baubles. These provided some fantastic souvenirs at quite reasonable prices. There was a restaurant on site for hot meals as well as a number of outdoor snack time vendors. All were serving a lovely range of produce. Although the village was busy it wasn’t so busy that it was uncomfortable or you had to queue or wait for anything.
We set off on our journey to Lapland at 1.30 and began the final part of our tour to see Father Christmas at 4.30 as such the light of the day started to fade. As beautiful as the day was in the snow covered forest it became even more beautiful as the light faded and the twinkle of fairy lights in the tree paved our way. I would really recommend this time for families who want to experience Lapland both day and night.
We finished off our day checking in to Father Christmas special reception. There we got to see Father Christmas writing desk and elves busy keeping check of human comings and goings.
We weren’t waiting long when Ivy our special elf came to show us our way through the enchanted forest to visit the man himself Father Christmas. She was a treasure engaging cheerfully in conversation about how we’d enjoyed our day. She even put up with a 4 year old jabber away like he was trying to talk the head of a stamp.
The excitement of navigating the small winding snow and tree lined pathways made the atmosphere electric. I’m not sure who was most excited to finally see Father Christmas. Once inside his beautiful hut we were greeted by Father Christmas. He took real time to interact with all four children. Even our 12 year old was eating out Santa’s hand. Each of the children received a fantastic quality husky dog cuddly toy. Before we’d even left the site they’d all been named. As a family we were gifted a gorgeous story book that tells the untold story of Father Christmas. We plan to read it together on Christmas Eve and will remember with fondness our experience at LaplandUK.
We never felt rushed not at any point in the day. I’m under no illusion this experience is a highly organised, highly polished convey belt however not once was I made to feel like I was being shoved from one place to another. I and my family felt liked honoured guests there in the North Pole.
So here where it gets hard? Money. It is a very expensive experience. As a family of 6 the amount this experience costs is somewhat eyewatering. So, as I sit here writing I try to work out was it all worth it? The truth is LaplandUK really did exceed my every expectation. I was left positively glowing by everything my children and I got to experience. Would I have liked more for my money? Maybe. I’d have loved a little more time in the elf village or additions that could make it a longer experience. But then I wonder if that experience would be hindered by many more patrons if the whole set up was different. Queuing like you would find in your usual theme park. Would my experience have been half as good? So… For me on reflection this kind of experience is one worth saving up for. If you are lucky enough to have the disposable income then book, just do it. If however like me you have to be more cautious with your cash or have a tribe instead of the usual 2.4 children then a little saving account from January should do the trick.
We left LaplandUK truly in the Christmas spirit. My face ached from smiling. The glow of Christmas joy is still keeping me warm even days later. I know every time I look at the pictures we took however long it’s been I’ll still remember with love that day of fun, laughter and believing we had at LaplandUK 2016. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to top this Christmas experience.
Rating: 4.5/5
Tickets cost from £65.50pp. Ticket prices vary. All tickets include the following:
- Personalised invitation from Father Christmas to every child
- Parking at Whitmoor Forest
- Entry to LaplandUK
- Elf Passport for every child
- All activities (including ice skating)
- Beautiful gift for every child
- Souvenir photograph with Father Christmas for each family
- Thank you Christmas Morning card from Father Christmas
- Booking fees.
For more information or to book tickets visit www.laplanduk.co.uk.
LaplandUK, Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD
