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Original poster

Bedgebury is holding a Christmas 'Lapland UK' Experience

733 replies

TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 28/08/2007 22:05

... covering a part of the forest with fake snow, Christmas village, Raymond Briggs 'The Snowman' ride, Father Christmas visit, mulled wine to fortify parents, reindeer, husky dogs, trumpeters and all sorts. I'm soooo excited. Er, for my children, obviously...

It's quite expensive though (I just paid £167 for a family of 5). Here is the link. And here is the itinery.

And it's selling out quite quickly.

OP posts:
LilyLoo · 04/12/2007 10:22

Have a great day Foxy

MrsPuddleduck · 04/12/2007 10:43

Went yesterday with DS1 (4) DS2 (20months) Nephew (4) and Niece (20 months). They all thoroughly enjoyed it (as did most of the other children there from what I could see).

The "transporter" was a dome with a big screen showing "The Snowman". The children where completely entranced and absolutely loved the snow that came down.

The village centre looks really pretty and the elves are fantastic and taking their jobs v seriously (iykwim). Also Santa was very believable (although we did have to wait a while to see him).

The huskies are lovely and the lady who handles them is fantastic with the children. Their fur is sooooo soft and all our children loved petting them. The dogs are really tame btw.

So OK the workshop was a bit naff from an adults point of view and the toy was a bit dull - but none of the children seemed to care and loved singing with the elves.

I admit that it was not worth the £100 we paid but all in all was not that bad.

They have definitely got their act together and we were told that times had been cut down to prevent children having to wait too long.

I don't think anyone would be too disappointed!

LilyLoo · 04/12/2007 13:05

Seems like they have taken some of the comments on board which can only be a good thing.

FluffyMummy123 · 04/12/2007 13:18

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Original poster
TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 04/12/2007 13:52

If you didn't get tickets for Lapland, hated it or are still concerned at the elf welfare, you could try the Reindeer Centre at Ashford.

Tickets 9.50 per child and 4.50 per adult. Children get a present from FC. Also lots of other farm animals to meet and indoor play barn.

I picked up a leaflet for this earlier, among the animals pictured above the line "See the animals waiting for Christmas" are some turkeys. ROFL!!!

OP posts:
MrsPuddleduck · 04/12/2007 14:16

You may laugh icod - you had to see it to believe it - talk about "getting into the role" - I almost believed that I had graduated from 'Elf School' by the time I left!

FioFio · 04/12/2007 14:19

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LilyLoo · 04/12/2007 17:06

Well got feedback from my email today saying they had recieved emails and were collating them all so they could send a detailed response in the New year.
Funnily enough they said they were sorry i had not had a positive experience on the opening week We don't go until this Saturday ! But were looking at 'compensatory measures' so would be worth contacting them for any of you who have been and were dissapointed.
It said they were addressing things over the five weeks and with it being the first event of it's kind in the UK they would inevitably have teething problems.
So would suggest anybody who dissapointed to email and i am slightly that they have obviously had to blanket email so many people over the first weekend!
Here's hoping some of the points have been addressed for us still to go!
For wwhat it's worth my neighbours ds who went yesterday is here at the moment and has spent the last half an hour telling us all about Santa, the reindeers, the huskies, decorating gingerbread and making a dog ?
No mention of the elves or the transporter though But i would say it was worth the money for him!
Awaiting Foxy's rundown with baited breath

foxythesnowman · 04/12/2007 21:09

Bloody lovely!

foxythesnowman · 04/12/2007 21:55

I got an email today saying we should go and be pleasantly surprised.

We were.

All the criticisms are true. The 'transporter' is truely pants. They could have improved it greatly. It won't fool anyone. Its a really bad start, but it gets better. The atmosphere in there was grim, and a lot of unhappy, shocked parents.

The snowy square was lovely. You got the sense of people 'milling about'. Rudolf was very cuddly. The elves were great at their job. They were attentive to the children, helpful and put a lot of energy into their work.

We were handed a schedule when we got there (with 13 other families) but we didn't have to wait for the activities. We had a 20 minute wait for Santa, but instead of crowding into the sweaty tee-pee we waited outside and explored a bit, which was lovely. There was colouring paper in there, but no crayons.

The food wasn't cheap but it was of good quality. We had a picnic in the car beforehand, but no one complained when we snacked on our own food.

The snow didn't fool my 4 yo. But it didn't matter. none of this stuff mattered (6, 4, 3 and 4m). The kids loved it.

The puzzles were age appropriate. The book we got will be coming out on Christmas eve.

One mum complained that there was too much of a wait for the activities. But its not a theme park. In between activities we walked, explored, hung out. I kind of got it then. We had a great day.

We had 2 extra adults with us, which pushed the price up and they get nothing for it. Its a very expensive entrance fee. For our family of 6 it was OK. It was overpriced, but these things are. And we came away with somethings. Even the baby got a pressie. We weren't rushed through by Santa.

Overall, they did 80% of it well.

Original poster
TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 04/12/2007 23:10

And did the elves look happy and well-fed? Cod won't sleep 'til she knows.

OP posts:
LilyLoo · 05/12/2007 09:15

glad you enjoyed it Foxy
Spoke to my neighbour yesterday who basically said the same ! Her reccomendation was 'to see it through your childs eyes' as their are many improvemnets that you would make as an adult. Have seen the santa photo he looks great. She agreed with you all that he is the best part by far!
Looking forward to Sat now hope the weather improves though!
Is it very muddy ?

foxythesnowman · 05/12/2007 10:29

No, not muddy. The paths are bark covered. We did some crouching down to see it from the children's perspective (everyone else thought we were barking!).

It is a lovely day to spend with your children. Go in pre-warned so there aren't any shocks, and you'll have a really nice day.

Marina · 05/12/2007 10:45

Thanks for the report foxy and glad you had a lovely day on the whole

flustered · 05/12/2007 22:04

We bought our tickets for Lapland UK at the beginning of September. We received our invitation, built up our 5 year old and out of the blue today received a phone call from Lapland UK saying that it was cancelled tomorrow due to high winds. All they offered us was a refund, no replacement tickets (all booked up apparently). We are all so dissappointed. I cannot believe there was no warning that it could be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions

Chigley1 · 05/12/2007 22:30

Flustered - We had a phone call today offering us other days or a refund(we were due to go last Sunday). They seemed to have plenty of space available, we were offered a choice of about 10 days. None of them were weekends so we took a refund.

It does mention adverse weather in the Terms and Conditions, but this is very small print, they should make more of it.

It would be nice if we were offered priority next year, but I doubt that will happen.

I am still waiting for an explanation as to why no-one bothered to call and tell us our day was cancelled!!

flustered · 05/12/2007 22:42

Thanks Chigley,
I am going to e-mail them to ask for priority next year. I asked for an alternative date this year but they were adamant there were none. What is annoying me most is that I am always careful not to promise my child and then not deliver. I am annoyed at their flippant attitude towards childrens feelings. A follow up letter from Santa saying he was dissappointed she couldn't come would be a start!!

Chigley1 · 05/12/2007 23:09

Strange about the alternative date thing, it seems to me that they were totally unprepared for this eventuality. You would expect such a seemingly slick operation to have contingency plans for the UK weather!

foxythesnowman · 06/12/2007 10:06

To be honest, if you are after value for money its probably not a bad thing. But this doesn't compensate for the children's disappointment. Next year will probably better, but that is if there is one. It might be at a different location if the rumours are true that planning permission won't be granted at Bedgebury again. I really feel for you. A friend of mine was also booked in for today and told her children about it yesterday morning - part of the excitement is the anticipation. And booking in for another Santa at this late stage is nearly impossible I'd imagine.

I've emailed them several times and only got a response on the day I went, too little too late.

My friend was also under the impression that it was closed permanently, but she could have got it wrong and misunderstood the 'no alternative days' message.

I'm so sorry for you and your childrens disappointment, but if its any comfort, its a pretty pricey 3.5 hours.

FioFio · 06/12/2007 16:47

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rah425 · 06/12/2007 21:01

WARNING A) check out reviews before you pay out they are not that good apparently does not live up to its website. But mostly this was our experience picture this the letter arrives from Santa down the chimney telling son 1 age 5 and Son 2 age 3 that Santa needs their help "he needs some special helpers to come to his secret toy factory deep in the forest" , imagine the delight and awe that they have been specially chosen, imagine the excitement as the big day looms closer. the preparation getting the torches ready the stories told about Santa beforehand, And their father takes a special unpaid day off work, to take them to this magical secret place. Then imagine how totally crushed and heartbroken they are to be told a few hours beforehand that Father Christmas has had to cancel because its raining. What makes me so angry and disgusted is that lapland uk has gone into this with no contingency plan, They should have held tickets back for this likelyhood, its Britain for god sake, its winter it rains. You can't break a childs heart like that. My 5 year old is now scared the weather will be bad on Christmas Eve and so santa won't come at all. And this will probably be the last year he really believes with all his heart, They have literally ruined a dream come true. It even says on the website in questions that rain is not an issue. We've been told our money will be refunded but that doesn't make up for a little boy sobbing his heart out because he's been let down by Santa of all people

rah425 · 06/12/2007 21:11

Sorry was so angry didn't read other peoples comments properly so last message a bit out of place, understand the health and safety issue, but not the lack of a contingency plan, that is what has made me so furious

Chigley1 · 06/12/2007 21:40

I completely understand the need to shut the forest if there are high winds, and last Sunday that was the case. There is a paragraph in the terms and conditions (very small print!) about this.

However, I am furious that no-one even attempted to contact us to tell us the day was cancelled. Nor did they put a message on their website or change their answer phone recording. They still have no explanation for this.

We have taken a refund.

foxythesnowman · 06/12/2007 21:46

Oh Rah, your poor DC! That's really sad about being scared FC won't come on Christmas even if its raining. Perhaps Santa could leave a note with a wee bag of chocolate coins or something to say sorry for today, but he will be there on Christmas Eve? I hope you write to them and tell them.

muzzy543 · 06/12/2007 22:07

Rah, I agree with you 100%. I'm sorry this happened to you and feel quite tearful, I know our little boy would have been devastated too.

The moral to others going - don't tell them til the evening before and you've checked the weather forcast! Too late I know, for you. .

(getting obsessed with this thread, must stop reading - went on first day!)