Where to visit Santa?

saggycaggy · 07-09-2016 10:22am #1

I figure it's never too early to ask about Santa here in the Christmas Forum!

So I think we have our last year of Santa for our eldest (she's 8, younger girl is 4) so I really want to big up xmas even more and go visit a really good Santa experience. If I could afford it i'd go to Lapland but way to dear!!!

We went to Tayto Park 2 years ago and loved it so thinking of going there again but wouldn't mind somewhere else.
I heard the Santa Cottage up in Rostrevor is very good as is Malahide Castle. We're based in Dublin but prepared to travel an hour or so!

Any other suggestions for a day out?

Thanks!

ifeelstupid · 09-09-2016 7:37pm

Jumping in here as well. Sorry Saggy, based in the west so I can't help you. Am looking to see if anyone has experience of Bunratty? Have done Alwee Caves before and it's great but trying to plan this years outing and considering a change.

beertons · 12-09-2016 12:29pm

We've booked the Santa Claus experience in Palmerstown House again. We went last year, brought my parents too, it was amazing. Mrs Claus reading all the kids a story, singing and dancing with a few elves. Think it cost 130 for 4 adults and 2 kids. It's also the closest place for us, so dead handy. We were thinking about Rathwood, but the kids wouldn't be up to the long drive home after.

MistyCheese · 12-09-2016 3:07pm

Thinking about Rathwood here too, daughter (nearly four) loves trains.

Did Fota experience last year. We won a comp but it would've cost about €50 for two adults and one child over 1. I'd recommend it for anyone close enough to or willing to travel to Cork, they put on a good show. It's another one we're considering.

Another possibility, the DSPCA in Rathfarnham. I like the idea of supporting the charity -great message for Christmastime- and if your children like animals then this could be a goer. But I think they only have a Santa on alternate years (due to budget) so do check before you go.

Glitzgirl · 12-09-2016 6:21pm

I have never done rathwood myself as I have heard mixed reviews about it. Although last year we did the santa magical trail with the clanard hotel and it was amazing ! The pictures were brilliant!

They offer a stay and dine experience. And everyone I have spoken to says it is amazing ! They got little christmas chocolates in their room and you can have dinner with Mrs Claus and the elves and you get to feed the animals in the morning ! I can't wait til my youngest gets a little bit older to book !!

uck51js9zml2yt · 12-09-2016 6:25pm

went here last year and we all enjoyed it. http://www.christmasisland.ie/christmas-island/

donegal_man · 12-09-2016 6:49pm

For anyone close enough to visit it Santa's Island at the Doagh Famine Village is pretty good. I know the "famine village" might not be the first place you would think to visit Santa but it's really more of a heritage site and the Santa Island is really well done. It's a bit out of the way even for people in Donegal but if anything that just adds to the sense of anticipation on the journey

Spanish Eyes · 13-09-2016 7:41pm

My little nephews absolutely LOVED the Palmerstown House experience, for anyone within striking distance.

byhookorbycrook · 13-09-2016 7:53pm

Causey farm is EXCELLENT!
Rathwood very good for smaller people.
Ailwee Caves supposed to be good too.

saggycaggy · 14-09-2016 8:44am

I think I'm toying between Causey Farm and Palmerstown House! Both look really good, I love the look of the train at Palmerstown House! Great suggestions thank you!

uck51js9zml2yt · 14-09-2016 10:08am

Booked Palmerstown house for an evening visit. It's filling up fast.

I'm going to have to stop coming onto boards...it costs me money every time.

Spanish Eyes · 14-09-2016 4:30pm

Mariana Tangy Skirt wrote: »

Booked Palmerstown house for an evening visit. It's filling up fast.

I'm going to have to stop coming onto boards...it costs me money every time.

Will be worth every penny. It's magical and very well thought out, that's what the nephews parents said, and the photos prove it. Eyes agog and all that.

Enjoy.

Lisha · 14-09-2016 4:33pm

Winterval gets great reviews, in Waterford

http://www.winterval.ie

saggycaggy · 15-09-2016 7:29am

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Will be worth every penny. It's magical and very well thought out, that's what the nephews parents said, and the photos prove it. Eyes agog and all that.

Enjoy.

How old is your nephew do you mind me asking?? I'm not so worried about my 4 year old as she'll love anywhere but 8 year olds can be harder to please!!

She told me she's asking Santa for a mobile for xmas.........I think he might be fresh out of mobiles by the time he gets to our house:p

iguana · 19-09-2016 9:35am

Does the Palmerstown Santa have a real beard? In some of the photos he does and in others he doesn't.

beertons · 19-09-2016 1:29pm

iguana wrote: »

Does the Palmerstown Santa have a real beard? In some of the photos he does and in others he doesn't.

The guy we saw did. I think there about 6 or 8 guys working at any one time, so it would depend on which room you are sent to. If in doubt, I'd politely ask for a more hairy guy.

iguana · 19-09-2016 9:35pm

beertons wrote: »

The guy we saw did. I think there about 6 or 8 guys working at any one time, so it would depend on which room you are sent to. If in doubt, I'd politely ask for a more hairy guy.

Thanks. I emailed them and they said they can't guarantee a Santa with a real beard, so I don't think I'll take the chance. It's a pity, I'd pay a bit more for a guarantee of a real beard. We see Santa at lots of parties and events over Christmas, so I always want our main Santa visit to be with 'the real Santa.'

Posy · 19-09-2016 10:11pm

iguana wrote: »

It's a pity, I'd pay a bit more for a guarantee of a real beard.

I love this forum.

Toto Wolfcastle · 19-09-2016 10:57pm

Speaking as a former child, I don't ever recall a real beard vs a fake beard being an issue. I think kids are just delighted to see Santa.

saggycaggy · 20-09-2016 7:48am

iguana wrote: »

Thanks. I emailed them and they said they can't guarantee a Santa with a real beard, so I don't think I'll take the chance. It's a pity, I'd pay a bit more for a guarantee of a real beard. We see Santa at lots of parties and events over Christmas, so I always want our main Santa visit to be with 'the real Santa.'

The Santa we saw in Powerscourt Townhouse Center a year or 2 ago had a real beard, he was brilliant. I'd go back again only we're looking for a whole day out this time!

iguana · 21-09-2016 3:34pm

Toto Wolfcastle wrote: »

Speaking as a former child, I don't ever recall a real beard vs a fake beard being an issue. I think kids are just delighted to see Santa.

I know but the Santa experiences are such a big expensive day out that I feel better about spending the money if I think we're seeing the real Santa!

saggycaggy wrote: »

The Santa we saw in Powerscourt Townhouse Center a year or 2 ago had a real beard, he was brilliant. I'd go back again only we're looking for a whole day out this time!

Yeah he looks great. We went to St Stephen's Green a couple of years ago and he's a great Santa too. But I love the idea of doing a whole experience and making a day out of it. It's just a pita when we don't know where my husband will be working in December.

It's probably against the general mood on this board but I wish the tickets didn't go on sale so early. It's just too hard to know how much travelling we'll want to do three months from now.

saggycaggy · 27-09-2016 11:39am

We ended up booking Tayto park for what looked like the last available slot!
It's mad how quickly these places are booked up.
The eldest girl is happy to go back there and I remember the last time we went we were able to buy an annual ticket with the cost of the Santa trip taken off it so I'm hoping that happens again as we don't live too far away! I hope you all get sorted.

beertons · 27-09-2016 2:45pm

^ that's a great incentive to go there.

Whispered · 27-09-2016 6:51pm

We went to Lullymore (lullywood? Can't remember the proper name). We weren't too worried as the little fella was just gone one and it was more for the day out. It was great. Santa had a real beard, was great with the baba, the gift was a nice one, train ride through the big included, small fairy walk.

We'll go back this year.

uck51js9zml2yt · 28-09-2016 8:29am

Whispered wrote: »

We went to Lullymore (lullywood? Can't remember the proper name). We weren't too worried as the little fella was just gone one and it was more for the day out. It was great. Santa had a real beard, was great with the baba, the gift was a nice one, train ride through the big included, small fairy walk.

We'll go back this year.

Not if you can't remember the name of the place

saggycaggy · 28-09-2016 9:15am

We're heading to Lullymore for Halloween -there's no booking required though and I think that might be the same for Christmas!

According to the website for Halloween and Christmas:
Not a pre-bookable event for families
Families can just arrive on the day!

beertons · 28-09-2016 9:38am

saggycaggy wrote: »

We're heading to Lullymore for Halloween -there's no booking required though and I think that might be the same for Christmas!

According to the website for Halloween and Christmas:
Not a pre-bookable event for families
Families can just arrive on the day!

Make sure your kids are old for Halloween. My 2 were 2 &4 going there last year. Scared the crap out of them. They never want to go back.

iguana · 28-09-2016 9:40am

Whispered wrote: »

We went to Lullymore (lullywood? Can't remember the proper name). We weren't too worried as the little fella was just gone one and it was more for the day out. It was great. Santa had a real beard, was great with the baba, the gift was a nice one, train ride through the big included, small fairy walk.

We'll go back this year.

Did you go at a weekend? Were the queues long?

saggycaggy · 28-09-2016 10:54am

beertons wrote: »

Make sure your kids are old for Halloween. My 2 were 2 &4 going there last year. Scared the crap out of them. They never want to go back.

oh god! They're 4 and 8 and kinda scaredy cats like myself! Is it really that bad? Maybe we'll go early before it gets dark, we were thinking of going Sunday 30th. Thanks for the heads up!

Whispered · 28-09-2016 11:01am

Mariana Tangy Skirt wrote: »

Not if you can't remember the name of the place

Ah it's Lully-something. Be grand

Whispered · 28-09-2016 11:07am

iguana wrote: »

Did you go at a weekend? Were the queues long?

We went on a Saturday and probably later in the day than we should have. When we go this year we will go earlier and do the train and walk as it gets dusky then queue to see Santa.

When we were there the queues weren't that bad. If I remember correctly we were about 20/30 mins waiting in the little room. They take in a certain amount of people so I'd imagine that's pretty standard. While waiting to get into the room, kids were playing in the play centre.

I think there was more than one Santa (although kids wouldn't have a clue). At the back of the room there was an air hockey table and you could look down onto the play centre and elves so not too bad of a wait.

Now the food on offer left a lot to be desired but that's the only bad thing I could say. Even at that, the food would be popular with kids (chips, nuggets etc).

Actually I'll have a root through my pics later and find the exact date and time we went if you like.

beertons · 28-09-2016 11:48am

saggycaggy wrote: »

oh god! They're 4 and 8 and kinda scaredy cats like myself! Is it really that bad? Maybe we'll go early before it gets dark, we were thinking of going Sunday 30th. Thanks for the heads up!

We got in @1030 on Saturday morning. We were on the first train. We had to get off after not even a minute. I'd say we didn't go 40 feet.

average_runner · 01-10-2016 9:25pm

Did some stables in meath 3 year's ago, it was good, but never happened again.

Did Palmerstown house 2 years ago, santa and Mrs clause was good, venue was rubbish, cheap marquee with rubbish facilities in it. Terrible train too.

Rathwood last year, excellent I have to say. Train was class, staff excellent, Mr frost and Mrs clause were brilliant plus santa had the personal touch in knowing something about your kid. Presents were good also. This place sells out for a reason.
Heading back this year.

Santa clause in Johnstownew garden centre is good, he is free so no presents etc, but can get photo etc for free.

Lashes28 · 03-10-2016 7:33am

We have done slane castle two years in a row. They had the rooms set up differently but basically you get led through the castle by elves writing your letter,helping in the factory etc until you are brought to a huge sitting room with Mrs Claus in front of the fire reading stories,from there you get called into Santa.there are two Santa's on the go and both years both had real beards.

Whispered · 03-10-2016 1:34pm

Whispered wrote: »

We went on a Saturday and probably later in the day than we should have. When we go this year we will go earlier and do the train and walk as it gets dusky then queue to see Santa.

When we were there the queues weren't that bad. If I remember correctly we were about 20/30 mins waiting in the little room. They take in a certain amount of people so I'd imagine that's pretty standard. While waiting to get into the room, kids were playing in the play centre.

I think there was more than one Santa (although kids wouldn't have a clue). At the back of the room there was an air hockey table and you could look down onto the play centre and elves so not too bad of a wait.

Now the food on offer left a lot to be desired but that's the only bad thing I could say. Even at that, the food would be popular with kids (chips, nuggets etc).

Actually I'll have a root through my pics later and find the exact date and time we went if you like.

Sorry, it was a Monday. Monday 14th at about 5pm. I thought it was a sat because I knew it was a day out from my boys birthday.

Also just to mention, you don't get the gift off Santa himself, the elves give it to you on the way out. Santas room is pretty small. Just looking back at the pics and it has a wooden, decking type floor and curtains on the walls with fairy lights. Don't know if older kids would be all that impressed tbh. But the santa looked great and was brilliant with our 1 year old.

Where to visit Santa?

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