Moomin World in Finland?

[RoseWrites]

My daughter loves The Moomins (read: I loved them as a child and have brainwashed her). I'd love to take her to Moomin World in Finland. The tickets don't look hideously expensive (£40 for 2 days). But I guess travel from the Uk, hotels, etc will whack the price up.

Has anyone been and knows if it's any good?

And if it is good, does anyone have any tips on the best way to get there and hotels etc?

If it helps, I'm in the North East.

Thanks!

I have no idea - but feel slightly emotional that there IS Moominland. And this will bump the thread.

Oh I LOVE moomins. Can I come?

I’m Swedish and have never been, but know a good few people who have and general opinion seems to be that it’s a nice thing to visit for younger children. Like, under 7? And of course the trip isn’t that long from here. I think it’s quite expensive once you’re in, food and so on, but you can bring a picnic. Sorry, but if a useless comment but it’ll serve as a bump for you!

Placemarking in case of Finnish holiday tips as we have it on a long list. It was the Moomins that lured me in. My children enjoyed her books a great deal, although the one with the flood and dark forest illustrations terrified DS2. They loved Tove Jansson’s Summer Book the most - I read it aloud to them and they were spellbound. I reread it myself every now and then because it’s so comforting and beautifully written (and translated).

I have been! As an adult, about 15 years ago. We were not passionate Moomin fans but thought it sounded like fun (and it was). I think kids would enjoy it.

We stayed in Turku as part of a longer trip (also went to Tampere and Helsinki). Public transport there is excellent throughout. Everything is done to a high standard. I can’t really comment on current prices but with caveats that I’ve not been to Finland for ten years or so, if you avoid alcohol or at most have a beer/glass of wine with a meal, we didn’t find eating out to be horrendous - it was in line with London prices. You could also keep the costs down at places like Vapiano. Hotels weren’t cheap but again, you could find deals (and load up at the buffet breakfast!) and there was a chain of self/service hotels we used which were a bit cheaper. This was pre-AirBnB though.

If I was going with kids in summer, I’d factor in lake or beach time - the former might require a few days’ car hire depending on how remote you want to go.

I’d fly to anywhere in southern Finland (Tampere or Helsinki depending on price) - or look into ferries from Stockholm to Turku if you fancy an adventure or exploring more of the Nordic countries.

You can fly Ryanair to Tampere quite cheaply, bus to city centre from the airport and Turku is about a 2 hour train ride. A lot of Finnish trains have play areas. There is also a Moomin museum in Tampere.

Nothing much to add, but I’d go in the summer as in winter it’s very dark quickly. I used to stay in a hotel and there was a shop that sold everything moomin.

I went with my partner around 4 years ago and loved it as a lifelong Moomin fan. We went in Feb and it was freezing but everything was open and we still had a great day there. We spent a couple of days in Helsinki and then spent one night in Turku for Moominland. I must say accommodation options in Turku were quite limited. It is not a cheap holiday but I don't think it is too alarming coming from UK prices, and the country is easy to get around. I vote go for it!

Yay! So good to hear its a fun trip and do able :) thanks so much for the advice, I can't wait to go now. I'll report back! X

Longtime lurker who has just joined to post here . We went to Moominworld about 7 years ago when my kids were about 4 and a young 7 . We absolutely loved it . It was truly magical and I will always treasure the photos of my kids cuddling the characters . I agree that it is more suited for younger children and fans of the Moomins .

It isn’t like legoland as there aren’t lots of rides etc , but Moomin plays , magical houses with tiny furniture etc . Outside and inside play areas .

I don’t remember the food being particularly exciting , think fast food and ice cream - which the kids loved .

There are some play areas but more like Moomin themed play parks . There is also a little beach at the end which isn’t part of the theme park but accessible . Although not sure you would be able to get back in , so best to leave it until the end .

The characters wander about and you can take photos with them . They interact and certainly then ,they were happy to give cuddles to the kids .

if you check on Tripadvisor you can get up to date reviews .

We stayed in an Air b’n’b just outside Helsinki city centre . We were there for a fortnight and set aside one day for this trip and had a quiet day and long lie on the following day .

We really had to get up at the crack of dawn , get a bus into town , then I think a train and another bus . I think we left about 6am and the journey was about three hours . It was a really long day and exhausting , but worthwhile .

There is a great shop there with tons of products , but you will know if you have bought anything before -they aren’t the cheapest .

Helsinki is a really beautiful place and I would definitely recommend visiting , if you can . Hope you have a fab time .

This thread has taken me back to my childhood - I adored the Moomin books.

I'm really going to have to reread them - have often thought about it 💖