Rate that Santa (experience)

screamer

Well, it is early, but they're all open for bookings, we only take our kids once a year, and they grow up so fast, so let's have a look at your recommendations for the best santas and the ones to avoid.

Best way is if we have a template
Name of Santa & year you went:
Location:
Age of Kids:
Value for Money/ Price:
Was Present good Quality/ Appropriate for age?

Good things:
Bad things:
Would you recommend:

screamer

Name of Santa & year you went: Believe 2014
Location: Fota Island, Cork

Age of Kids: 5

Value for Money: No

Present Quality/ Appropriate for age : Bad
Bracelet making set, too advanced for 5 year old


Rating: OK

Good: Promised a lot, looked impressive, based in the woods, nice set and the cottage was cute.
Bad: The waiting around was awful, bunched into themed marquees, staff didn't know what to do to entertain the kids when the place got packed. Snow was fake, pretty, but fake. Santa was sarcastic and no way about him with kids at all. (there were multiple santas there, I guess we got a grumpy one)
. No husky puppies either last year (there was in 2013) when it was "imagine".

Would you recommend: Only if you've not been on a "good santa experience" before, as it is expensive and disappointing if you have.

Cool idea. May I suggest adding the price to the criteria also, for those for whom that's a factor.

byhookorbycrook

Name of Santa & year you went: Rathwood 2014
Location: Rathwood, Co. Carlow
Age of Kids: 5/7
Value for Money: Yup
Present Quality/ Appropriate for age : Bad, Good, Very Good very good
Rating: Awful/ OK/ Good/ Very Good/ Excellent Excellent

Good:
Bad:

Would you recommend: Absolutely, my top Santa along with Causey Farm.

screamer

Name of Santa & year you went: Santas Magical Trail 2012
Location: Clanard Hotel Athy
Age of Kids: then 3
Value for Money/ Price: yes approx. 35 euro 2 adults 1 kid
Was Present good Quality/ Appropriate for age? Not great, hangman game, very cheapy plastic
Good things: run by volunteers, supports a charity every year. Hotel really well done for it, beautiful lights. Mostly Indoors (a plus for any asthmatic kid). Small groups. The snow room (fake snow, great fun).
Bad things: present a bit disappointing, pushy kids for the facepainting line very offputting and their even pushier parents. Santa wasn't wonderful though.
Would you recommend: Yes.

screamer

Name of Santa & year you went: Santa at the Discovery Park 2013
Location: Castlecomer Co Kilkenny
Age of Kids: 4
Value for Money/ Price: Yes, approx. 35 euro 2 ads 1 kid
Was Present good Quality/ Appropriate for age? yes, lovely hello kitty lego set very very nice, best present we've had at any Santa

Good things: Santa is great, lots of time for the kids, sings songs, tells stories asks them questions in a group, then presents given individually.
Lovely restaurant on site there too (Jarrow Café) so, you can make a day of it.

Bad things: It's a little small, the experience is not so all encompassing, but the Santa makes up for it. Train is not included in the price, and it's a bumpy ride and not much to see, but looks impressive.

Would you recommend: Yes, it's worth going especially for smaller kids.