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Original poster

lapland in the new forest - does anyone know anything about it?

69 replies

wannaBe · 18/10/2008 16:09

my mum wants to take mine and my sister's kids

here

It sounds fab from the website, but...

Having looked on google I have encountered posts on another forum that seem to state that they don't actually have planning permission yet and that this isn't due to go through until November.

But they are already taking bookings.

Does anyone know anything about this?

as it is the first year should we be cautious?

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piratecat · 18/10/2008 16:13

not sure. do you remember the threads last year about that xmas experience. I can't remember where it was tho. Seemed to cost quite a bit, and wasn't a great exp for the majority.

sounds a bit if no planning permission and they are taking money!!

Original poster
wannaBe · 18/10/2008 16:17

the one last year was in kent. And from what i've found even they only gained planning permission a week before it was due to open.

This is much cheaper than the kent one (although 30 quid a head still isn't cheap) but the one in kent is apparently between £55/75 per person .

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Chocolateteapot · 18/10/2008 18:24

They have applied for planning but the head of planning has said they are waiting for the results of "consultation with interested parties"

I suspect there is a good chance of it being passed as it is on a site where motor racing is held and it is being billed by the local paper as respite from the noise for local residents, which has been a long standing issue.

However it is by no means certain as they are very hot on turning things down if there is a threat to any trees, which I guess there might be.

mandygav · 30/11/2008 18:04

It is nothing like the photos.

It is basically a fairground with a few cheaply dressed elves.

The snow is sparse, if at all.

The day is basically one long queue. You queue to enter, queue to see Santa, queue to pick up your present, which is something you would win at a fair and then leave.

Very, very disappointing. I would never again put my children through this.

chocolateteapot · 30/11/2008 20:40

Hi Mandygav and welcome to Mumsnet . Sorry to hear your experience wasn't a good one.

I have decided against going this year after the fiasco with Lapland UK last year and am waiting to see how it pans out as time goes on and with more people through the door.

Do feel that people have to be very careful when reading reports about Lapland UK and Lapland New Forest as it became somewhat obvious last year that some of the reviews of Lapland UK were not fully impartial and I think there is a potential for disinformation to be spread through forums this year for both of the sites.

I would urge people reading reviews on various sites for both of them to have a look and see how long reviewers have been posting and if they are new posters and maybe have a think about how a forum could be used with a situation like this.

If I come across any reviews in our local paper or get any information from friends who go (not aware of anyone going at the moment) I'll post up some feedback

ExBat · 01/12/2008 09:18

"I would never again put my children through this."

Oh my god! I mean what a hardship

largeginandtonic · 01/12/2008 09:29

Oh no! Really?

My lovely sil and bil have already booked and paid for us all to go (6 children included) on Xmas eve. The kids have been looking at the website and getting very excited.

Please let it be ok [worried emoticon]

Original poster
wannaBe · 01/12/2008 09:56

there are reports in the local press that it's not

On the other thread there is talk that trading standards are investigating and apparently there are even rumours that it is going to be shut down. although obviously one can't believe everything one reads on the internet , I haven't seen a good word said about it, and someone on another forum did link to photo's they'd taken there which differed fastly from was was portrayed on the website.

Tbh I would be inclined too play it down to the kids, or even try to get your money back if poss. but if you can't get your money back then I would just tell the kids that things generally aren't the same in rl as they appear in books/the net etc so that the disappointment isn't too bad for them if it comes to that.

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largeginandtonic · 01/12/2008 10:10

Oh dear, i will phone her later and see if she can get her money back.

It will be a major day our for all of us, we are meeting grandparents there too. My sil and i will be 37/38 weeks pregnant and travelling from quite a way to go.

Not sure it is worth the risk. Very disappointing, hope she can get her money back.

Original poster
wannaBe · 01/12/2008 10:18

here are more comments and pictures as well

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ExBat · 01/12/2008 10:21

rofl

"i even heard yesterday that 2 guys had a fight over the last of icing sugar at the gingerbread hut, are british people just expecting too much these days for their money?

the toy shop was even being looted! has this country gone mad?"

ExBat · 01/12/2008 10:23

farking hell
www.babyandbump.com/christmas-forum/60499-new-forest-lapland-updated-reviews-16.html

ExBat · 01/12/2008 10:23

"In short: there was no elf to greet us as promised;"

largeginandtonic · 01/12/2008 10:35

So would you go then exbat?

debzz · 01/12/2008 16:33

we went to lapland on saturday 29th nov. paid £90.00 for three of us. not worth £10.00. save your cash its just one big rip off. no tunnel of light no special fxs. 2hrs to see father chritmas and then charged £10.00 for a photo, no mention of this until you actually view the photo. ice skating not even in the same area. had to get hand stamped to go through to fair where rides where between £1.50 and £2.00 ago. then we found the ice skating rink and were told it was £5.00 per session. however it wasnt even in use as the water on the rink wouldnt freeze. forget it one big let down and about £150.00 lighter.

Marina · 01/12/2008 16:36

The one in the New Forest this year isn't anything to do with Bedgebury last year. Bedgebury had its critics but was pretty enjoyable (we were there when a light dusting of real snow added to the magic and both dcs loved it)
This one sounds a blatant and disastrous rip-off

LDamon · 01/12/2008 20:39

Does anyone know how to contact these guys at lapland new forest now as their website is not working anymore

stepfordknife · 01/12/2008 21:49

Damon, Matchams Leisure Park, Hurn Road nr. Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2BT

Original poster
wannaBe · 01/12/2008 21:50

if you look at the forum I linked to above there are contact details further down.

It sounds from the fact that the company is no longer contactable that the place will be gone within a matter of days.

I think the quites of "christmas has been ruined for my children," etc are waaay ott but I do feel for people who've paid to go there and been ripped off - it's a bloody lot of money.

We came so close to going - my mum wanted to take my ds and my sister's kids but i put her off initially until the planning permission had been granted, and when we finally decided to go she didn't get round to booking the tickets - and when I looked on the site they'd all been sold out for the weekends.

Am glad now - it was obviously fate.

But horrible for people who've been conned, and tbh it sounds like a complete con - not just a rip off iykwim.

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stepfordknife · 01/12/2008 21:52

I've paid up too (for 19 December) - I am going to contact Black card to see if I can cancel the transaction. If not, I shall just write off £100 since I am not prepared to put my dc's through a miserable experience

bunny3 · 01/12/2008 21:54

Radio Solent has been on about this all day. Loads of people ringing in to say what a load of crap it is, what a ripoff. They sent a reporter down there but management wouldnt be interviewed. One of my close friends has bought tickets, she decided a fantastic day out would be more enjoyable than a load of presents for her dcs so blew her Xmas budget on this. they probably wont get money back.

Original poster
wannaBe · 01/12/2008 21:57

SK if you paid by credit card you should be able to receive a refund.

The company itself is obliged to give you a refund as you have been missold a product under the trade descriptions act.

Trading standards are apparently advising people to send letters by recorded delivery.

But I would speak to your credit card company as they may be in a better position to negotiate a refund.

Also if the company is shut down I imagine their customers will be the least of their worries...

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stepfordknife · 01/12/2008 22:08

Thank you for that advice wannabe - much appreciated. Will talk to credit card company tomorrow

debzz · 01/12/2008 22:15

lapland new forest the website is back up. the local news and trading standards are advising people to contact consumer watch on 08454 040506 but are saying if you paid by credit card and it was more than £100 the credit card company should refund your money. unfortunately mine only came to £ 90.00. will be contacting consumer watch tomorrow.

Original poster
wannaBe · 01/12/2008 22:21

contact details:

Lapland New Forest Ltd.
PO Box: 5285
Brighton, East Sussex,
BN52 6QX, UK.

Telephone: 01273 564 264 / 0753 511 2138

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