Anyone been to Lapland in the New Forest?

[stressed2007]

Just seen this advertised - has anyone been and is it any good?

www.laplandnewforest.co.uk

thanks

I'm not sure they actually have planning permission yet do they ?

They have sold out for every weekend up to xmas - hope they have planning permission!

Are you local? Have you read about it in paper?

Well there you go, I thought Lapland was much further north? Learn something everyday

This is the article I read (my local paper). They may well have planning permission now.

Have just found a post from another forum posted on 4th November saying that they spoke to the planning dept and planning has been granted.

Think this is the first year they've done it. I'm local too and it's not been that well advertised, so I'm surprised they've sold out so quickly.

Ive heard it has bad reviews, not been myself. We went to Lapland UK. Must say, we loved it!!!!
I found this TV clip, its for the day we went, but were not on it (
www.kenttv.com/programmes.php?PID=1822&Title=Lapland+UK+2008+at+Bewl+Water
Lapland newforest, peoples complaints were it was tacky, and you had to pay for all the extras, like food, ice skating, rides, so take lots of extra money.
Apparently the Huskies looked like they needed a good meal.
Lapland UK, we only paid for entrance, everything including dinner was included, kids got a cuddly toy and book, we got wine. Loved the entrance tunnel and kids enjoyed the ice skating.

found this at the bottom of their website for Lapland new forest

*Images and videos currently displayed on this website and our other advertising campaigns are for illustrative purposes only. We are certain the live show will far exceed these representations.

These images seem to be from the real Lapland, I cant see how they can "Far Exceed" these.

I just read the link for this.....and I have to say something.

it is being set up at matchams, which is about a 10min drive from my house.

it is NOT in the new forest, as that is about a 20min drive from my house....altho it is in a foresty area.

no idea if it is good or not, I just felt the need to moan about the wrongness of the naming.....

oh, and I am not having a dig at the OP.....the article says it too!

Matchams does count as the new forest here

Love the freaked out looking baby in that photo on the Lapland site!

Don't go. It's a complete scam. We've just returned feeling utterly conned and dissappointed. Absolutely nothing like it purports to be. Turns out to be an extension of the fairground and run by the same. Took us 10 mintues to get round and the content was laughable - only we didn't laugh because it cost us £125 for 5 of us. The nativity scene was a painted board in the middle of a gravelled field propped up on some kind of scaffolding. The 'elves' were dressed in shabby costumes and didn't look like the sort who would endear themselves to children. In fact, they looked more like they hadn't showered for a week and would ask you to shout if you wanted to go faster (if you know what I'm saying!). There was a pen containing howling huskies, a couple of chained reindeer, and a couple of other animals. We didn't even hang around to see what 'tat' Father Xmas was handing out. We met several people in the car park who felt exactly the same and were completely disgusted. Don't waste your time or money.

Hi Mammabling 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 as I'm sure Psychomum and Flame will do.

I was reading about this today, they have had so many complaints to Trading Standards. People very upset at the money they had spent and the state the place was in.