If you’ve seen my stories- you’ll know we visited the beautiful Lapland UK yesterday night.
With this whole COVID pandemic we were uncertain we were going to visit LaplandUK in the end, but we made it.
Okay so really quick, LaplandUK is an original adaptation of the Father Christmas story and the secret world of the elves brought to life through a 4-hour immersive experience, as well as stories and interactive activities.
LaplandUK is located in Whitmoor Forest, Ascot in the county of Berkshire in the UK.
LaplandUK typically runs four sessions throughout the day; morning, midday, afternoon and twilight. We attended the twilight session; slots start from 4.30 pm so it’ll be after dark. The main difference is your picture quality; the experience is the same.
What is included in the price?
- A personalised invitation to every child in a beautiful presentation box by post (one per family)- luckily ours arrived yesterday afternoon
- Entry to LaplandUK
- Elf Passport for every child
- Complimentary face masks for over 11s and their adults
- All activities and performances including ice skating
- Lapland apron from Mother Clause
- A 30 cm Husky Soft Toy from Father Christmas (RRP £25)
- Parking at Whitmoor Forest
- Another 33 cm Rudolph Reindeer Soft Toy in a cloth drawstring bag at the end of your trip (RRP £25)
- One photo with Father Christmas for every child (RRP ££15)
We did not get a copy of the Lapland Times- so wasn’t sure of how the day was scheduled. The App wasn’t live so could get it on here either. We did, however, get updates via text message to let us know when our tour began.
What does the LaplandUK Tour entail?
The tour consists of 3 sections:
- A 90-minute interactive theatrical experience, in which the boys helped the elves build a wooden reindeer in the toy factory and decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas in her kitchen. The boys loved the show by the elves in the beginning. The colours, the songs, the set itself has been so thoughtfully designed. Also, the boys were given their LaplandUK aprons to take home.
- After this, we spent some time on the Elven Village square ice skating, visiting the Post Office, eating and Avery was busy chatting to the elves. It’s a good time to mention that ice skating must be booked in advance of your visit. Of course, Lapland being Lapland- we could not get onto the system. Lapland did, however, did send a link to book an hour before we arrived and there was plenty of slots available. The booking slots for ice skating is only 15 minutes, but we were on there for at least 30 minutes and not asked to come off. I think it’s more of a family in a family out the situation and if really busy a maximum of 15 minutes. I was so impressed with the boys skating, of course, they were using Skating Aids- but they were so fearless, and it’s great the Ice Rink wasn’t overcrowded. Also, the boys’ feet are small, so we opted for the training skates, these can be adjusted in length, and you buckle them over their shoes. Result!
- Finally, we made our way through the Elven forest to visit Father Christmas in his log cabin. Avery was beside himself that he got to see reindeers on the way. He was just so happy and saying hello to each one! Finally, we headed back into the snowy forest for a private audience with Father Christmas. We had at least 15 minutes with Father Christmas. When booking you are asked to provide information about your children, i.e. recent accomplishments, what they enjoy etc. This right here was brilliant- I have never seen Avery talk so much.
Having now visited, I can tell what exactly our money is used for. The set, the lighting, the costumes- they have erected a whole new world amid a forest. Everything has been thoughtfully designed, and it’s evident. To be honest with you, any child from 4 to 7 years old would love it. Although I must admit, my 2.5-year-old was able to do everything available, including skating.
Now, we’ve done a lot of experiences, both festive and just standard. I appreciate that given this is a Christmas event, it will naturally be inflated. As a family of four, we spent £300+ on this. I think £80 per child is ‘okay’, not necessarily value for money- you do not get more than what you bargained for. I do not think it should cost any more, even on peak days.
However, there are a couple of things that need to be addressed:
There is no denying we had a great time, there is no denying that it’s a quality production, but firstly I am not at all clear why adults and children’s fees are the same? The experience is for children- a paying adult must accompany the child(ren)- therefore as a minimum, the tickets should heavily be subsidised. As adults, we didn’t even receive a box of chocolates. No, common! No more than £40 should be charged for adults in my view. I would suggest one adult going with the child(ren) as it just doesn’t make sense to pay that price for multiple adults.
Secondly, £80 for a child’s event suggests it is luxury and therefore, everything from the operations, to customer service and quality has to be at the optimum. Consequently, you cannot give soft toys as the Christmas gift from Father Christmas- NO! That’s the same gift I am getting from a £12 grotto. Rather than giving two useless soft toys- the children could have been given the quality wooden toy they played with at the Toy shop. Another option is to give one soft toy alongside one of the beautifully illustrated Lapland storybooks.
Would we come back?
There is no denying we would love to visit again, one more time, once the two issues I have called out have been amended.
The important bits
Where is it?
Ascot, Berkshire
When is it open?
2 December 2020 – 10 January 2021
How much is it?
£85 – £130 pp
Under 1s FREE
Who is it suitable for?
All are welcome, I would recommend for 4 – 7-year-olds
How long is it?
3.5 – 4 hrs.
Other information
Baby Changing Facilities available
Plenty of Eateries
FREE parking
Pushchair was a bit difficult on the wood chippings
Other Things to do Nearby
Ascot Family Days, Ascot Racecourse
We visited on 2 December 2020; the above information is correct as of that date.
