Lapland UK Review – Is It Worth The Money & What To Expect

Lapland UK is it worth the money. I freely admit that I am a little mad when it comes to creating our Christmas traditions, we paint ornaments every year, have an activity advent, play dress-up and take photos, get our tree from the same place etc. Like any parent, I want this magical time of year to be just that – Magical! We have found the perfect tradition, read all about our Lapland UK Review, including Lapland UK prices and tickets.  

Lapland UK delivers the most magical experience I have ever known, and it’s not just magical through the eyes of a small child but through our eyes as parents too. I appreciate if you are reading this you may be wondering if the price tag is worth it? Please read on as I explain exactly why it is for the whole family.

UPDATE – I am updating this post Charlie is now 9 (he was 4 in these photos). And he still remembers the first time we visited Lapland UK it is such a magical place. Is it worth the money? Well, we’ve been 4 times and still, nothing has come close to it. Lapland UK is moat definitely worth visiting. This year (2022) we are planning on visiting the real Lapland so will be able to compare. 

Lapland UK Review is it worth the money?

So with a hefty price tag you have to ask yourself is Lapland UK worth the money? In fact, it is a question which is googled frequently. In our minds, Lapland UK is worth the money! There are so many reasons. But to be honest you probably need to experience it yourself to decide if Lapland UK is it worth the money.

Lapland UK Prices & Lapland UK Tickets

Lapland UK prices are not cheap. Although you can opt for cheaper tickets if you are willing to go during the week. Lapland UK prices also get more expensive as you get closer to Christmas with many of the cheaper dates selling out first. For 2022 Lapland UK prices are the same for adults and children. Although children under 12 months are complimentary.

With Lapland UK prices starting at £59 per person on a Monday in November going up to £139 per person for weekends and some dates in December at the high price. So for a family of four Lapland UK prices varied between £236 and £556 which is a significant difference. The experience is the same no matter when you go. In 2022 you could buy Lapland UK tickets from Saturday 12th of November to 24th of December. 

The magic begins early at Lapland UK Review

Two weeks before the event you receive a letter explaining what to expect. It also contains a letter from Father Christmas and a little note for Christmas morning. We decided to leave the Charlie’s out the morning we were due to go as he’s not very good at the waiting game. He was very intrigued by it!

The invite letter

The letter definitely looks like the real thing with a special wax seal which he was fascinated with. It explains how Father Christmas is inviting the child to visit Lapland. To help the elves make all the toys ready in time for Christmas Eve. Queue, bouncing around the house like a mad thing shouting at the top of his voice. ‘I’ve got to go and help the elves, Father Christmas has written to me…’ Thankfully it’s only based about an hour away from us in Ascot so he didn’t need to wait long.

The organisation is spot on

Parking at Lapland UK

Your letter will explain to arrive half an hour early. I think this is partly to ensure you have enough time to find somewhere to park. There are people in the car park directing you to spaces. Make sure you do arrive early. We had to wait a few minutes to park. You are greeted upon arrival by a very friendly and helpful elf at reception, everything is explained and if you have ordered elf jingles in advance they are waiting for you. Alternatively, you can change some up at the currency exchange.

An Elf Passport

Each child (small folk) is given an elf passport to collect stamps from each activity, on the back it tells you the time you need to leave the elf village to see the big man. Considering they have a new set of ‘helpers’ every half an hour throughout the day it runs like clockwork. We did not run into another group all day. You are moved from one activity to another by a husky herder. Each ‘act’ as such is finely tuned and done so well that you are completely immersed in the experience. It’s like featuring in your very own theatrical production.

The attention to detail is immense

From the snow-laden pine trees to the suitcase wall that greets you with the character’s names on it. All the elf characters you meet throughout the day. Everything is set up to make you truly believe you have entered some magical lands. That unless by invite you would never know existed. Or be able to find it again. The pure number of elves around and people working to make this such a fantastic experience is huge. Nothing is overlooked. They say the fake snow is the same as they use in Hollywood. Monkey loved it and couldn’t help but want to touch it.

You get a lot for your money at Lapland UK Review

Meeting the elves in the woods

When it’s time for your tour to begin the doors to reception are thrown open and you are invited into the enchanted forest. Here you learn all about woodland elves from two very colourful characters and the special ‘elf wave’. It resonated with Monkey as a few days later when we were in the car travelling somewhere he started talking about how an elf comes from a pine cone. It makes me wonder just how much of the day stays with him and you get that cosy mum feeling that sometimes not everything we do is ignored! You leave the magical forest through the magical door into the North Pole.

Visiting the toy factory

Our next stop is the toy factory where Charlie helped to make a reindeer and a wooden teddy bear. I was a little interested to see how they would manage from an organisational point of view. But each child is given a basket and needs to assemble the toy(s). Before delivering them to an elf who is waiting to take them away to be wrapped. Very little adult intervention was needed. Charlie (4.5 years) managed to do it all by himself. All the time the elves are entertaining you, singing songs and telling stories. The cabin is decorated in such a way that you feel like you really are in a toy factory. From the ceiling, there are suspended toys that rotate. The room is full of big benches and with tools and painted wooden teddies at the front.

Mother Christmas’ kitchen

Our busy herder arrives and leads us down along the snowy pathways to Mother Christmas’s kitchen. First, the children are asked to sit down where she tells the children a lovely story and they get to meet the other kitchen elves. The story of the golden bell continues and we hear from another elf who is yet to be given theirs from Father Christmas. The children are then invited to decorate gingerbread biscuits and gingerbread men. Donning a little apron and chef’s hat before covering a little gingerbread man in icing and sweets. I had to laugh when Monkey chose a very particular place to put his first one!

These three acts take about an hour and a half, so equivalent to a West End show. After this time you are free to catch your breath and explore the elven village until you are called to see Father Christmas about an hour and a half later.

Everything you could need and so much to do…

Lunch at the elf restaurant & food options

Our first stop in the snowy elf village was the restaurant, two adult meals and three hot drinks came to 26 elf jingles, which I think considering where you are is not badly priced. I opted for chicken and chips, while Hubby had meatballs and mash. Charlie ate both quite happily. They did have plenty of kids options it just he wanted some of each of ours. Even the restaurant was magically decorated with foliage and hanging candles. There were also a good number of high chairs. If you didn’t want a sit-down meal there is also a cafe and a hot dog stand serving bratwurst in the elf village on the opposite side of the ice rink.

Ice skating on the rink

After refuelling our next stop was ice staking. Now what tends to happen is that people come straight from seeing Mrs Christmas into ice skating, so you will get an influx of people every half an hour or so. Top tip – we got a little clever and missed the influx due to having eaten first. It meant we didn’t need to queue for skates. Having discovered Charlie was Bambi on ice the weekend before I was a little nervous. However the clever people at Lapland UK not only have penguins to help keep them upright but their skates slip over the little one’s shoes. They have two blades too which makes it a lot easier. By the time Charlie got onto the ice it was dark which made it appear even more magical with a beautifully lit tree full of fairy lights in the middle of a good-sized rink.

The post office 

One not to miss is the Post Office where Monkey wrote his very own letter to Father Christmas and got a special wax seal of his very own. I also had a wander around the bauble shop (alone), since I collect Christmas decorations from various places we visit, how could I not bring a couple of them home with me? You can also decorate your own bauble with the help of an elf. There’s also a sweet shop and gift shop. Monkey was excited by the choice of sweets available. Again I think it was well priced. He filled a large paper cup full to the brim and it came to 4 elf jingles, no more expensive than your local pick and mix.

Meeting the puppets and Huskies

There are lots of people wandering around to keep the children entertained (if the ice skating, post office and sweet shop isn’t enough!). Charlie met a snowy owl called hoot and a little hedgehog. He also got a chance to meet some of Husky dogs close up and was rather taken with a grey one in particular. Just before 5.30 pm which was our time slot to see Father Christmas, we noticed a queue forming on one side of the elf village. Guessing this was where we should head, we waited patiently for a few minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authentic Father Christmas at Lapland UK Review

Unlike other ‘grottos’ (this is an insult as Lapland UK is nowhere near a ‘ santa’s grotto’!) you don’t just walk into a room as someone else walks out… Instead once an elf had checked your passport you are led up beautiful snowy paths through the forest. It winds and it turns going over a little bridge where you can see elf houses before reaching the reindeer. Here Charlie got the option to make some reindeer food. At the end of the trail is a log cabin where you wait to be called.

Walking to Father Christmases cabin

Collected by another elf we went back out into the forest, how they don’t get lost up and down the little paths I have no idea! It really felt like you were in the heart of a forest before coming upon another little cabin. Charlie’s face as the door opened and he walked in was a picture. Father Christmas definitely looked like I imagined he would and he greeted Charlie warmly and asked him to sit.

From Charlie’s nervous demeanour I could see he truly believed and their little faces when he couldn’t be found on the good list spoke a thousand words. Of course, he was on the super nice list so all was well. You provide some personal details at the time of booking so Santa Claus will know all about you before your visit.

Photos were taken but it didn’t interfere with the conversation or experience. You get one free with your ticket and can pay extra for additional photos, we paid 5 elf jingles to be able to download ours. The fact that they know so much about your little one really adds to the story. The boys left cradling soft toys a husky each which has not left their side since often accompanying us on the school run. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone keeps to the story & the elves are amazing

At the time of booking you can add magical extras, we opted to buy a wooden teddy like the one which Monkey made in toy factory. I picked it up from departures yet the lady behind the counter referred to it as sprouts for Christmas dinner even though Charlie was not in earshot. Its these little touches which really make the difference.

Everyone we came into contact with from checking in, to those performing in the scenes, to those working in the shops were very passionate about keeping the story alive. Everyone was ‘happy’ there was not a bad word muttered and all the characters were fantastic with the children, posing for photos and having little conversations with them. Monkey loved being the centre of attention and made the whole experience even more magical.

I am looking forward to Christmas Day

I can not wait for th big day and on Christmas morning when we place the thank you note from Father Christmas. Which they provide regardless of if you buy any extras, under the tree with his little wooden teddy. It will make our little adventure complete and the perfect Christmas gift. We had such a wonderful time and in my mind, it is worth paying for.

Lapland UK Reviews – Conclusions

Lapland UK is it worth the money? Most definitely yes for us it encapsulates the magic of Christmas. So there are my reasons, we would do it all over again in an instant. Yes, it is more expensive than your average Father Christmas experience but what you get is worth every single penny. The attention to detail, the roles that everyone lovingly plays and the sheer amount of work that goes into creating such a magical experience. For those of you who don’t know, I am married to a purchasing man. This means everything we spend money on is utterly scrutinised. I knew he would be a tough cookie to please. Yet even he was totally mesmerised by it and actually said to me that it was the best Father Christmas experience we had ever been to, and for once he was right!

Lapland UK Review – Key Questions

We have had several different questions over the years about our Lapland UK review so I thought I would list them here. If I haven’t covered everything then feel free to leave me a question in the comments below and I will come back to you.

Where is LaplandUK?

Is located in Ascot in Berkshire, the amazing place is well hidden. So that if you have little ones they will not notice you have arrived until you are in the car park. Which is clever and appreciated and helps to keep the magic alive. You can use the address Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD in the sat nav which will take you right to the entrance.

What age is best for LaplandUK?

I would suggest age four and upwards. You want young children to remember the experience and be independent enough to get involved in th activities. In the toy factory and in Mrs Christmas’s kitchen your child is invited to sit at the front on their own. With seating around the outside for parents. They are really flexible so if younger children would prefer for you to sit with them then you can.

I also personally think that it is just as brilliant for adults (big folk). There is something truly special about watching your children believe and I would challenge even the most grumpy teenager not to raise a smile.

How long is the LaplandUK experience?

The tour which is the immersive theatre bit takes around 90 minutes. This includes the check-in, learning about elves in the woodland, entering Lapland through the doorway, the toy factory and decorating gingerbread with Mother Chrstmas. After which you are free to explore the elf village for around two hours before visiting the big man himself. I would allow 4 hours for the whole LaplandUK experience. 

What does the Lapland UK ticket include?

You get a lot included with your Lapland UK ticket and only need to spend money on food and souvenirs. Even your Father Christmas photo is included in the Lapland UK ticket price. This means for your money you get a personalised invite, elf passport, and jingle bell, to meet the elves, make toys in the toy factory, and decorate gingerbread with icing and sweets to take home (or eat). Go ice skating, meet the huskies, visit the reindeer, see Father Christmas and receive a gift. 

What is the best time to visit LaplandUK?

We have been fortunate to visit several times. And I like to get an early afternoon slot so that by the time you come out of Mother Christmas’s kitchen it is dark. I think this really adds to th magic and with cameras being so good you don’t need to worry about not getting the pictures. Plus there are lots of twinkly lights so you should still be okay for photos. 

The last time we visited was in 2019 pre the pandemic we visited on Christmas Eve. I was a little nervous as somehow visiting then meant that there was a lot riding on it being extra special. Lapland UK did not let us down and it was just as magical as ever. It was by far our best ever Christmas Eve and will really take some beating. 

Do you have to book ice skating at LaplandUK?

No. You are free to try ice skating at whatever time you arrive at the elf village. Before you go on to meet Father Christmas. People do tend to flock to the ice rink as soon as they come out of Mother Christmas’s. But we found that if you hang back a little then you can get the rink almost to yourself. There seems to be around half an hour between you arriving in the village, and the group behind you.

When can you book for LaplandUK?

Booking takes place online and is very straightforward. Their website is easy to navigate and their customer service is fantastic. Our invites were sent to the wrong address (completely my fault) and they got us a second set out within 24 hours!

Booking will normally pen in the Springtime! Yes, it is super early. IN 2022 it was the 21st of March. It is very popular and certain dates can sell out straight away. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for announcements of when tickets are going on sale. Or sign up for their newsletter.

Can you buy Elf jiggles on LaplandUK?

Yes, you can either select these during the booking process. Or add these at a later date under the magical extras section of your booking before you arrive. You will get several reminders to fill in your kid’s details and order any extras. With the warning of when the last date is that you can do this. 

The booking process is very straightforward. Their website is easy to navigate and their customer service is fantastic. Our invites were sent to the wrong address (completely my fault) and they got us a second set out within 24 hours!

Does LaplandUK have parking?

They do have free parking with several different parking areas. All are appropriately named so it is easy for you to find your car. It can get busy but there have been parking attendants on hand to point you in the right direction. I think this helps to ensure everyone attending certain time slots parks together to ease parking. 

What do you wear to LaplandUK?

A reasonable amount of the magical experience takes place outside. So it is worth wearing something warm. We have traditionally taken our coats. Plus of course the obligatory Christmas jumper. You are also on your feet for a long time so comfortable shoes are a must.

Are there reindeer at LaplandUK?

Yes! As you walk up to see Father Christmas you will pass an area where there are reindeer. Here you can make some reindeer food to take home with you. There is also an ironmonger to explore and the chance to buy a reindeer Christmas decoration. The fence has little name tags attached to it of all the different reindeer used to pull Father Christmas’s sleigh.

Are there huskies at LaplandUK?

Yes! In the elf village, you will see a couple of huskies being led about by elves. This gives you an opportunity to meet them and stroke them. The Huskies are swapped around so that they get a chance to rest. They have a special area which you can also see as you enter the village. 

I hope you have enjoyed our Lapland UK Review please share it with your friends and family. Especially if you know they are planning a visit. If you are still not sure if Lapland UK is it worth the money. Read all about our second time with the magic through the eyes of a five-year-old when we visited the following year. And also if you are thinking of staying close by then you may find this useful – Hotels near Lapland UK. Have you visited? How would you answer the question – Lapland UK is it worth the money?

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