A select number of people can still obtain tickets to Lapland UK, the luxuriousChristmasattraction cherished by celebrities includingElton John, The Beckhams and The Prince andPrincess of Wales- however, they will require significant financial resources.
Tickets for the holiday event, held in a forest covered in artificial snow known as Whitmoor Forest inAscot- and this year as well, in the brand's latest location, a festive-themed forest near Cheshire's elegant Capesthorne Hall, has been selling rapidly since it was first available in the spring.
The appeal of this luxurious outing, where kids explore an 'Enchanted Forest,' craft presents in a Toy Factory, and decorate gingerbread in Mother Christmas' kitchen before meeting Santa, has grown significantly — but so have the costs.
Even though there are still 12 weeks — or 84 days — remaining until Christmas Day, only a few spots are left for the 'magical' event, which employs Hollywood set designers to build an authentic winter atmosphere — but the cost may make parents cringe.
A four-hour Golden Experience tour, featuring a private guide, exclusive access to activities, lunch, and reserved seats for shows, charges £299 per person. This price applies even on a weekday in November, when most children are in school.
Eager to get closer to the 25th? It costs £399 per person, increasing to £599 per person for weekends and weekdays after December 12th.
Infants younger than one year old enter for free, but once a baby celebrates its first birthday, the fee increases to the regular ticket rate.
Add in a booking fee of £19.80, and postage and packaging of £5.80 and a luxury afternoon at this festive Ascot outpost cost around £2,400.
More affordable tickets can be found for those who book promptly in the spring, with December tours beginning at approximately £95 per person for the standard package, and early November weekdays starting from about £60.
Nevertheless, even when choosing the most affordable option, a family of four will still spend over £280, nearly twice the cost of a visit to a UK theme park.
And a visit to real Lapland? The most affordable round-trip day tour the Daily Mail discovered was to Pajala in Swedish Lapland with Newmarket Travel.
For £599 per adult and £555 per child, a family of four can have a day out featuring a husky sled ride, snowmobile adventure, and a reindeer sleigh journey for a total of £2,308, which includes flights and lunch.
Canterbury Travel offers a more upscale journey to Finnish Lapland in December, priced at £729 per adult and £649 per child – amounting to just over £2,756 for a family of four. This package includes various activities such as husky sled rides, snowmobiling, reindeer sleigh rides, a hot lunch, a gift from Santa, and flights and transfers.
The "Santapreneurs" running Lapland UK, Alison and Mike Battle, a former teacher and hedge fund manager respectively, initially launched the Ascot location 18 years back in 2007, upon noticing a need for a top-tier attraction filled with genuine holiday spirit.
The previous year, they had brought their young son to meet Santa Claus at a nearby place, only to have a disappointing experience when greeted by a Santa with a 'joke-shop' beard.
Following a meeting with the Forestry Commission, they launched the initial version of Lapland UK in Tunbridge Wells in 2007, selling 37,000 tickets during its first year.
What have people who have visited said about Lapland UK? Out of 640 reviews on TripAdvisor, 361 users rated the day as 'excellent', with one satisfied customer mentioning that her children were "completely amazed by the whole experience."
Another addition: "Everything was incredibly magical. My 10-year-old was left in awe, realizing she had met the actual Santa Claus who remembered her."
Some people were hesitant due to the cost, with one person commenting: "It was okay, we spent almost a thousand dollars for a family of five. Would I return? No. Why? It was overpriced for the experience we got."
Another warning: "A pleasant day, but don't buy into the hype and don't anticipate good value for money."
This year, there is a competitor to the UK attraction, as a Polar Express experience is also being introduced in Manchester.
A brand-new immersive event called Believe! The Polar Express Experience is set to create magical and captivating moments at the O2 Victoria Warehouse.
Families can enter the delightful realm of Hero Boy and Hero Girl's adventure to the North Pole.
A one-of-a-kind experience is available from November 14 until December 31, with ticket prices varying between £39.50 and £49.50.
Unlike the classic The Polar Express Train Ride, the brand new attraction will not include any moving locomotives.
Alternatively, travelers will engage in a journey through the Polar Express universe within a more interactive setting.
Josh Baker, an associate producer at Plus Live, one of the organizations managing the attraction, informs the Daily Mail that the experience will be 'unique'.
"I don't believe there are any other Christmas gatherings similar to this. It offers something for everyone," he states.
Josh mentions he is "especially thrilled about the set" and continues: "We've been putting in a lot of effort with Warner Brothers to develop a design that really makes an impression."
Guests will begin their journey in Hero Boy's bedroom and then enter a train compartment.
They will then set out on a trip through 'magical landscapes' such as the Caribou Forest, icy lakes.
Notable characters such as Hero Boy, Hero Girl, the Conductor, and Hobo will also be on board to greet you.
Additionally, visitors will also enjoy a spectacular Northern Lights show, concluding at the North Pole.
It was developed by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Rail Events Inc., and Plus Live Events.
The engaging experience will feature hot chocolate, a cookie, and guests will be given the famous golden ticket, similar to the movie.
Kids are invited to put on their favorite sleepwear and participate in the Sleepover Celebration.
Read more- What extraordinary marvels can be found within the UK's inaugural interactive Polar Express experience?
- What strategies is Lapland UK considering to extend its enchanting Christmas atmosphere outside of the Berkshire region?
- Is LaplandUK's exclusive offering now providing better value than a genuine Santa meeting in the Arctic Circle, or has the festive magic faded?
- Bewildered? An influencer shares the incredible expenses of taking the family to Winter Wonderland. Is it worth the extravagant cost?
- In what way does TUI UK&I's 2026 Lapland trip turn vacation aspirations into reality for families throughout the UK?
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