A winter treat. Centre parks, Lapland or Disneyland Paris?

[SantasENormaSnob]

Am contemplating one of these for my 30th next December.

Looking for something special that is wintery and christmassy iyswim. We have been to dlp before in the summer and enjoyed it.

Dc will be 11, 6 and 2.

Thanks

My sister went to Lapland just at the start of December for four days - had a blast, ice fishing, husky sled rides, meeting santa, seeing northern lights. Said it was wonderful.

We went to Center Parcs, Whinfell Forest on 20th Dec for a two night 'Winter Wonderland' break. The DC (6 and 4) had a pony ride to see Father Christmas and we went to see the Panto. Was lovely - snow on the ground and freezing cold. DD commented that it was "just like Lapland".

The whole place was very christmassy with lights in the trees etc. We had a lovely time!

Thanks

have heard nothing but positive about all 3 so it makes it hard to choose!

Has anyone been to Disneyland in December? Di& they have Xmas parades etc?

We have done CP every year just before Xmas for the past 9 years. Very xmasy.

We went to Disneyland Paris two years ago from 29th Dec until 2nd Jan. It was bone-chillingly cold, and not much respite from it either since it is nearly all outdoors. We had thermals etc, but still cold.

Definitely Lapland! I've been twice, once with a 15 month old, and it was fab. Planning to go again in another year or 2. I went once to Jukkasjarvi and stayed in the IceHotel. That was the childfree visit. We husky sledded, snowmobiled, did snowshoe hiking, ice abseiling, XC skiing, went out on a moose safari, ate the most fabulous wild food, and had a brilliant time. Activities we didn't do included ice carving, fishing, reindeer sleighing and watching a tribal concert in a traditional tent. We also didn't have time to make use of the thermal spa facilities. We saw the Northern Lights every night, which was fab. The whole of the Ice Hotel is a very special place.

The second time we were a group of families staying in a chalet in a ski resort called Levi. There was a free seperate snow playground in the village for very young children, good (if a little limited) skiing, huskies, snowmobiles, reindeer stuff (we had a field of them just outside our chalet,) and there was a brilliant swimming pool. The scenery could not have been more Christmassy! They have actually filmed a lot of Santa movies here, and there is a Santa's village on site throughout Dec.

The one thing you have to bear in mind is it is cold (between -5 and -25 degrees) at that time of year, and a bit dark. It's onlt light for about 3 hours a day, but all activities such as skiing are floodlit, and there is something magical about racing across a frozen river on a skidoo with the snow twinkling in your headlights. Plus it makes for a better opportunity to see the Northern Lights. I mention it though, just in case you get SAD. I love it, but Lapland is not a place for people who NEED daylight!

Ooooh thanks

I absolutely love the winter and cold, snowy weather so that would be a bonus!

Is it better to book a winter break now or in the summer? We always book well in advance for our summer hols but have never been away in winter before.

Disneyland paris hands down!!!

We booked a year in advance for each trip, but I know someone who is going next week and only booked the week before Christmas and got a great deal. They couldn't be too picky with the exact location though. I think if it is a special occasion I would be inclined to book well in advance.

Who did you book with/through for your trip to Lapland Backinthebox? (We are having similar discussions re DH's 40th next Dec.)

For the Ice Hotel we booked with Discover the World. We were organising a big family occasion over there too, and they were just fabulous for making arrangements and helping suggest things to make our stay that bit more special. They are well worth the money if you are happy to spend a little bit more. We went for 3 days and 4 nights, organised everything from accommodation and flights to excursions and restaurant bookings with them, and the total cost for everything was about £900 per person. Steep, and there are savings to be had by booking direct and arranging your own flights, but we had something special going on that we didn't want to mess up so got in the professionals.

For Levi we went with Neilsons, and I would say you get what you pay for. Food, flights, accommodation and ski passes were just over £400 per person for the week, and while it was a lovely holiday, I would book with someone else next time I go. Don't know who yet, though!

Thanks! I've read various less-than-positive reports of some of the Lapland operators, so it's really useful to have a postive recommendation, particularly for a special occasion. I hadn't heard of Discover the World - I will take a look and put the suggestion to DH! :)

If you are looking at Theme Parks don't rule out Europa Park - I took my DS5, well it was my 40th Birthday but he decided where to go.

He said it was just as much fun as Disneyland, and it really was. We stayed at the Hotel Colosseo, it was a roman themed hotel and was superb, heated outdoor swimming pool (in December yes!), beautiful spa and facilities, staff were far more incredible than even the Disney Hotel. It cost us half the price of Disney Hotel at Christmas and we ate all our food and drinks from Europa park vendors -the food in Europark is amazingly cheap and family friendly - you don't have to live on fast food if you don't want to. They had a birthday breakfast for me - candles, champagne and a giant EuroMaus family dressed in Christmas outfits singing Happy Birthday...

They are so family orientatated, and they think of every little detail. No queues for any rides. They have parades, a 3D cinema and a German Christmas Market, plus more adult orientated rides and a science centre that is free if you stay in their hotels.

It was uber-Christmassy too. The Santa was so realistic I nearly burst into tears!!!

Have also spent a birthday in Liseberg (pronounced Lisa-Berry) in Goteborg, Sweden. That is amazingly Christmassy - 5 million white lights, it is just gorgeous.

Am looking at Lapland next year, before DS grows out of the whole Santa thing, and I want to see the Northern lights desperately, so I too am looking at a Santa, Train Journey, Northern lights combo!!!Have found it very difficult to find anywhere with value for money appeal....

Hope you find what you are looking for!

Thanks binfull, I will definately look into that then.

I will let you know if I see any good deals for Lapland.