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Original poster

Santas grotto reviews?

13 replies

happyfrogger · 10/09/2013 06:56

We were late off the mark last year and missed out! Anyone got any reviews of Harrods vs selfridges vs Barnes wetland centre? Toss up between those. Like the wetland idea of being authentic and rustic, but who wouldn't want a morning shopping?? Smile

Any reviews of 'the Santa exoerience'?

OP posts:
JaneTennison · 10/09/2013 07:03

Late off the mark? Surey they are not even open yet, and can you prebook a grotto?

goes off muttering about September

FruOla · 10/09/2013 07:17

Maybe someone in the Christmas Topic can help you www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas?

Original poster
happyfrogger · 10/09/2013 20:53

Late off the mark last year much to my sadness - certainly not this year! Thanks for pointing in the Christmas threads section will go poke around there Smile

OP posts:
Guitargirl · 10/09/2013 20:57

We have experience of the Harrods one - this will be our 7th year! But not the others you have mentioned so nothing to compare it with. I quite fancy the more high-tech looking one at Westfield but we have the Harrods thing now as a tradition so will be keeping that going.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/09/2013 20:59

Harrods tickets go on sale TODAY according to their website.
Take THAT all you "Pah, it's only September people"

Shoofties over to Christmas Thread to spread the news and glad tidings....

Wiifitmama · 12/09/2013 21:00

So how do you book?

I a, green tier and should be able to book tomorrow but can't see any booking button on the website.

Guitargirl · 12/09/2013 21:09

You will be sent an email with a link to click on which takes you to a booking website separate from the usual Harrod site. I am green tier and received the email this morning. I think it said those with green who have used their Rewards card in the last year will receive the email first(?). It's confusing as the email I was sent a couple of weeks ago said I would be able to book BEFORE Sept 13th but it didn't actually say which day.

Also when I tried to log on yesterday to the Harrods website to check my tier it wouldn't send me a password reminder. I phoned their customer services and was told that my rewards card wasn't registered for an online account. On the website it says if you register your card after Sept 6th or something then you won't be able to book grotto tickets until Sep 18th. So I held off on registering and was sent the booking email this morning anyway.

So, if I were you, I would wait until tomorrow lunchtime and then if you haven't received the email by then maybe give them a call.

Wiifitmama · 12/09/2013 22:20

Thanks. So confusing! I have not used my rewards card in years! I fot it the first year they insisted on it for the grotto. The last two years we did not do the grotto but I want to this year.

I have not had any emails from them about it. I only found out about it on here.

Original poster
happyfrogger · 13/09/2013 08:23

I am also green and still haven't got an email. But called up anyway and they gave me the grotto number 0845 350 0015. They told me December was full but still managed to find me a place on 19 Dec, very happy!
woohoo! I did stay on hold for half an hour yesterday morning though - good grief - it must be good!

OP posts:
Wiifitmama · 13/09/2013 10:27

Thank you! I did have to wait on the phone for 20 minutes but got a booking for the 9th of December which I am happy with.

cheekycherryza · 13/09/2013 16:48

Travelling to Harrods will be way too far for us and can't afford to do a very big experience with Santa this year. Previously we have done the lakeside visit with Santa at their grotto. It's free and it's actually pretty good. Have yet to experience the blue water one but would love to hear if it's any good. Which other santa grotto experiences are recommended?

Original poster
happyfrogger · 13/09/2013 17:12

The nice thing about Harrods is that rather surprisingly it only cost £10 in a 'store credit' per booking (up to 10 in your party). Yes you can buy photos etc on top but you can still go and spend your £10 credit on lunch or massive amounts of chocolate. Not a bad deal I thought! Luckily we live v close too so easy to get there without expense. Will review after the event, am hoping for MAGIC (and maybe a real beard)

OP posts:
Wiifitmama · 13/09/2013 21:48

We used to go to the Harrods one every year. I thought it was fabulous. And it used to be totally free, but you had to queue forever as no timed slots. But they bout you water and biscuits in the queue end had entertainers! Then they introduced timed slots. It was less fun. Then they introduced the rewards card thing. The following year we were away at Xmas so decided it was time to drop the harrods trip. ME haven't been for the last two xmases now, but ds3 is 5 this year and I really want him to experience it at the magic age. We don't live far and I don't think it's expensive for four of us to go and we will spend the store credit on chocolate after so they will have a lovely experience. And their Sanatas are excellent! Never had a bad one.

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