Feeling sad!!! Lapland U.K. - should I cancel the tickets???

SnappyCrab · 2025-03-31T20:01:14+00:00

So today I booked Lapland U.K. on a whim. We picked up the cheapest tickets we could find as we live locally. Our youngest will be 8 and absolutely loves all the magic, but our eldest will be 12. I’ve see loads of posts since booking about how it’s not good for older kids. We haven’t done many Christmas events for the last few year as money hasn’t allowed and I was so excited about surprising them with this, but now I feel like I’ve made the wrong call. 12 y/o is quite an innocent kid and doesn’t really believe now but still enjoys the magic (well, did last Christmas). So basically, I’m wondering if those who have been think I should cancel? YABU - this is not suitable for a 12 year old. YANBU - take them, they’ll both enjoy it.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 31/03/2025 21:05

Your 12 year old isn’t an only child, why cancel the fun for your 8 year old? They will enjoy it and I’m sure your 8 year old will find it extra magical.

xWren · 31/03/2025 21:06

I’ve just booked tickets for the first time, quite a splurge for me (I don’t usually spend that much).

I’ll have an 8 year-old and baby will be around 5 months.
Baby obviously won’t have a clue whats going on and it may well be chaotic but my 8 year old will love it.

I’d have loved it too at 12 years old.
If your 12 year old is still innocent, they’ll probably still love it?

Figgygal · 31/03/2025 21:08

If adults can enjoy it why cant a 12yo ?
My 13yo ds would still love it with his brother

Moonnstars · 31/03/2025 21:09

I would say it depends how willing your child is to play along with the story. I haven't been but looked into it in quite a lot of detail as wanted to take a 9 and 8 year old. I realised my 9 year old would have asked far too many questions (going through the portal to get to Lapland he would not have believed, especially as you don't return that way), also the fake snow, multiple queues and people coming out with the soft toys would make him realise there was more than one santa.
If you know your child is doing it for their sibling and will enjoy it for them then I think it's fine. If you are choosing it as you think they will enjoy it themselves then I would suggest choosing something more grown up for them (ice skating on a proper rink).

Christmas202 · 31/03/2025 21:18

My son and I flew to the North Pole earlier this month and crossed the arctic circle. We had a 10 minute talk with Santa and became elves. I’m not joking there was about 400 adults there without kids. It was an unforgettable experience. So I would say definitely do Lapland uk.

LuckysDadsHat · 31/03/2025 21:21

Don't forget on MN a lot of people will say their child stopped believing in father Christmas at 3 as they are sooooo smart and worked it out etc....

As an adult I was mesmerised by it last year. It was amazing and other than going to Lapland itself, this is the next best thing. Take them and tell the 12 year old to just let themselves go and enjoy it and be a child again.

parietal · 31/03/2025 21:22

even if you don't believe in Santa, Lapland is an incredible part of the world to visit and experience the cold and see the reindeer etc.

CremeBruhlee · 31/03/2025 21:27

We went with 8 and 10 year old this last year and they both loved it. 10 year old even more than 8 year old and she’s not a young 10. I had been worried mine would have enjoyed it younger and that we had left it too late but honestly it was the best age as they really appreciated the interaction and jokes and fun and could really get into the ice skating and other activities. I think it would be lost on really little ones. As parents we LOVED it. Best experience we have done, it really is amazing! xxx

Ablondiebutagoody · 31/03/2025 21:30

Will you get your money back if you cancel? If not, then just go. I'm sure the 12 year old will cope

TwoShades1 · 31/03/2025 21:31

We recently dragged 2 teens on a train ride that was definitely more for the youngest. They won’t admit it, but they actually enjoyed it. I say crack on, sounds like a great idea for a family day out.

Winter2020 · 31/03/2025 21:38

We went to see santa last year (at Malvern Winter Glow). It was lovely.

My oldest is 15, my youngest 7 years old with special needs. My eldest enjoyed our family day out too and knows it is mostly for his brother now he is older.

If your oldest feels they are too old for some of the activities ask them to take part for their younger sibling - and remind them how much they enjoyed these activities at their age.

KidsDoBetter · 31/03/2025 21:40

parietal · 31/03/2025 21:22

even if you don't believe in Santa, Lapland is an incredible part of the world to visit and experience the cold and see the reindeer etc.

You do realise this is the UK Lapland tho 🤔🤔

67oonkin · 01/04/2025 09:04

I bought tickets for Manchester yesterday and I am now cancelling my tickets. I got so caught up in all their ads and all the tiktok videos where it looks so magical. I then went on YouTube after I secured the tickets to get myself more excited and it's done the opposite. My son is 6 and loves Xmas but being 6 doesn't particularly loves queues and waiting. Someone has a full video of them going through and every station they hit a queue and sometimes the show has started before they get in. They don't invite the kids down to the front so unless you get front row the kids can't see over the adults. Same when they entered the toy shop. They were sat last and got the toy last and got very little time to finish. Then the ice rink looked like a puddle and after queuing they couldn't get a penguin for their kids to skate around with. Another video the Santa had a cockney accent and was literally reading out the book and not engaging with the kids. Honestly I felt so deflated after watching. I was down a full rabbit hole and realised when you look away from the influencers and paid ad type videos it wasn't all as glossy as it seemed. This was then backed up by trip advisor reviews. Thankfully you get 14 days to change your mind

LuckysDadsHat · 01/04/2025 10:07

67oonkin · 01/04/2025 09:04

I bought tickets for Manchester yesterday and I am now cancelling my tickets. I got so caught up in all their ads and all the tiktok videos where it looks so magical. I then went on YouTube after I secured the tickets to get myself more excited and it's done the opposite. My son is 6 and loves Xmas but being 6 doesn't particularly loves queues and waiting. Someone has a full video of them going through and every station they hit a queue and sometimes the show has started before they get in. They don't invite the kids down to the front so unless you get front row the kids can't see over the adults. Same when they entered the toy shop. They were sat last and got the toy last and got very little time to finish. Then the ice rink looked like a puddle and after queuing they couldn't get a penguin for their kids to skate around with. Another video the Santa had a cockney accent and was literally reading out the book and not engaging with the kids. Honestly I felt so deflated after watching. I was down a full rabbit hole and realised when you look away from the influencers and paid ad type videos it wasn't all as glossy as it seemed. This was then backed up by trip advisor reviews. Thankfully you get 14 days to change your mind

That isn't how we got it last year at all. And I'm as far from an influencer type as you could imagine. It was really magical, the kids were mesmerised. We didn't queue for anything at all.

67oonkin · 01/04/2025 10:35

LuckysDadsHat · 01/04/2025 10:07

That isn't how we got it last year at all. And I'm as far from an influencer type as you could imagine. It was really magical, the kids were mesmerised. We didn't queue for anything at all.

Show quote history

Glad you and yours had a great time. It's just a no for me now. We traditionally do a Fairmont weekend stay to see Santa and although more expensive I think we will stick with it. I'd rather those reviews/videos and blogs I read were wrong cause I definitely would rather people were having a magical time, especially the kids. Just not worth the risk for me

CoffeeTable22 · 01/04/2025 10:38

I've been considering this, but being honest I'd rather save my money and go to actual Lapland.

Senchild · 01/04/2025 10:40

Moonnstars · 31/03/2025 21:09

I would say it depends how willing your child is to play along with the story. I haven't been but looked into it in quite a lot of detail as wanted to take a 9 and 8 year old. I realised my 9 year old would have asked far too many questions (going through the portal to get to Lapland he would not have believed, especially as you don't return that way), also the fake snow, multiple queues and people coming out with the soft toys would make him realise there was more than one santa.
If you know your child is doing it for their sibling and will enjoy it for them then I think it's fine. If you are choosing it as you think they will enjoy it themselves then I would suggest choosing something more grown up for them (ice skating on a proper rink).

I’m 45 and honestly thought they only had one Santa there 😂😂😂

stayathomer · 01/04/2025 10:40

How many is loads of comments? If you assumed your 12 year old would love it they probably will! I know a family with an 11 and 13 yo that sent last year and the pictures were astounding and they all came back excited and thrilled! Definitely don’t cancel!!

edited to add sorry I thought you said Lapland but I still think if you at all thought your 12 yo would like it then go for it, we’re too quick to count older kids out of fun stuff because we’re assuming that they’ll find it boring or rubbish

MinPinSins · 01/04/2025 10:45

12 does seem a bit old for that kind of thing, but it seems a shame to cancel it for your 8 year old.

Is there any scope for reselling the a ticket close to the time? If so, I think the best bet would be asking your 12 year old on November if they want to play along, and if not they can be left with a friend/relative.

Thelnebriati · 01/04/2025 10:55

Give the 12yo a camera and ask if they'll help document the trip.

LuckysDadsHat · 01/04/2025 11:47

stayathomer · 01/04/2025 10:40

How many is loads of comments? If you assumed your 12 year old would love it they probably will! I know a family with an 11 and 13 yo that sent last year and the pictures were astounding and they all came back excited and thrilled! Definitely don’t cancel!!

edited to add sorry I thought you said Lapland but I still think if you at all thought your 12 yo would like it then go for it, we’re too quick to count older kids out of fun stuff because we’re assuming that they’ll find it boring or rubbish

Edited

You can't change the kids names after booking sadly so they wouldn't be able to sell the tickets. The names you book with are the ones that have to attend or they will be called "Tom" all day by everyone.