Santa Experiences Recommendations

Peatys

Hi,

We normally go to Amber Springs for the Christmas Train and Village, but cant make it this year.
Any recommendations for north dublin?
Tattersals in Ratoath dont do it anymore unfortunately..

Kids are 3 & 4..

Cheers!
P.

Icsics

We went to the zoo last year. Kids loved it, nice Santa & gifts. Booked again this year (online)

Peatys

Icsics wrote: »

We went to the zoo last year. Kids loved it, nice Santa & gifts. Booked again this year (online)

Cheers, will have a look

rosiem

I have seen some ads already for booking for Santa looking for advice on what people recommend in Leinster area for an 18 month old ?

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Booking what? An 18 month old doesn’t understand/believe in Santa, so it’s whatever you prefer to do yourself.

rosiem

Booking a trip to Santa thought my question was obvious ? I was asking for advice on that not opinions on what my child believes or understands

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Ok, I was wondering. Causey farm outside Kells is fabulous but booking early is necessary

DvB

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy wrote: »

Ok, I was wondering. Causey farm outside Kells is fabulous but booking early is necessary

We did Causey farm last year for our two, and are doing it again this year as we loved it, we did the santa express at Palmerstown House for 2 years before that too and both are excellent, but at 18 months old I'm not sure if i'd be bothering with much more than the local grotto in your nearest shopping centre, Ours had zero interest at that age and were 3 or 4 before they showed any real interest or awareness about the whole santa thing.

Cakerbaker

We did powerscourt with ours as baby’s and will do it again this year. It’s not an experience, it’s just a visit to Santa but the setting is lovely and they get a little teddy as their gift which I prefer to some plastic toy that’ll probably break.

Caranica

My niece is 18 months and she loves photos and pictures of "ho ho ho", it's my nephew who's been showing them to her not my sister! Sister says Causey all the way.

Loughc

Any Santa Experiences Recommendations for 2019 can go in this thread

Also... can anyone help...

CheerLouth wrote: »

Did someone say that they have booked Causey Farm for Christmas? I'm debating it but it seems quite expensive - 80 quid for a family of four!

DvB

CheerLouth wrote: »

Did someone say that they have booked Causey Farm for Christmas? I'm debating it but it seems quite expensive - 80 quid for a family of four!

I booked it on opening day. We went last year (family of 4) and loved it, so when we asked the kids where to go this year they jumped on going again. It does seem a tad pricey but all these kind of things are a little on the pricy side, IIRC the gifts the kids received were of a decent quality too though.
Personally I thought it worth it as its an infrequent event & the 'santa' years are coming to an end soon for us so are trying to make the most of them.

TRS30

One of the ones we are doing this year is Christmas Island in Hidden Valley (Rathdrum). We went last year and was brilliant, you go on a train & a boat as well getting to see Santa (obviously!). Is not cheap (€16 for an adult and €22 for a child) and is a little far from North Dublin (doesn't take too long on M50/N11).

Also you cant beat Arnotts, have gone the last few years and is one my favourites.

DvB

CheerLouth wrote: »

My sister is the same with one of hers so she is pushing us big time. Ours are still quite little and we've never done an experience before. I'll give it some more thought!

To be fair, ours were 5 before we brought them to any of the christmas 'experience' events, up until then it was just Santas's grotto in the Blanchardstown SC. We felt they were a bit too young to appreciate them before then & one of them was freaked by the idea of meeting santa before then anyway & had refused to go in & see him, even in a family group.

CheerLouth

DvB wrote: »

To be fair, ours were 5 before we brought them to any of the christmas 'experience' events, up until then it was just Santas's grotto in the Blanchardstown SC. We felt they were a bit too young to appreciate them before then & one of them was freaked by the idea of meeting santa before then anyway & had refused to go in & see him, even in a family group.

Yes you see this is it. We normally just go to see the same Santa every year. He's just in the local toy shop but he is the real deal! Real beard, belly full of jelly chuckle, his suit is amazing! Plus he only lives down the road from us so we see him in the local pub quite often and the kids know him. I'm a bit worried that an "experience" would bring questions from our eldest about why the Santas aren't the same & I'm not ready yet to start explaining that Santa is a very busy man in the run up to Christmas so sometimes, he has to deploy stand ins!

TRS30

CheerLouth wrote: »

My sister is the same with one of hers so she is pushing us big time. Ours are still quite little and we've never done an experience before. I'll give it some more thought!

The first couple of years we brought ELF1 to see Santa she cried and wouldn't go near him let alone sit on his knee. Was only when she was 3 did she seem to enjoy it at all and then last year she loved it and was yapping away to all the ones we saw like an old one!

DavyD_83

We've been ridiculous, in that we brought #1 to Santa when she was 3 months old, and then to the Causey experience when 15 months.

On the other extreme my brother hasn't ever brought his 3 year old to any Santa. It's up to yourselves really.

If you are looking for a Santa experience for timid kids, Airfield is great because it is a group visit with Santa. All the kids sit on carpet and get told a story by Santa beside an open fire and then he asks them all individually what they want for Christmas (without having to go up to him). Afterwards you can go up individually and get photos if wanted, but there is no pressure.

Loughc

Stolen from another thread, might be useful to someone looking for their next Santa Experience

washiskin wrote: »

Also, I saw the Christmas at Centre Parcs ad last night. It looks magical, if the ad is to be believed. Small print said children from €18 iirc but I presume that's to see Santy only. I suppose it would be a nice, but not necessarily cheaper, alternative to Lapland.

BlazingSaddler

After doing various Santa visits over the last 10 years I can safely say Causey Farm was by far the best. The other experience I'd recommend would be the Santa Train, however the tickets are like gold dust and will sell within seconds of going on sale.

Jude13

Whilst we are at it, does anyone know of a good Santa in Limerick around Chirstmas, or at a push Dublin city centre? also do you need to book these in advance?

TRS30

Jude13 wrote: »

Whilst we are at it, does anyone know of a good Santa in Limerick around Chirstmas, or at a push Dublin city centre? also do you need to book these in advance?

Jude13, replied in other thread.

average_runner

Have done a few Santas over the last few years.

1) Tattersals in Ratoath
2) Plamerstown House
3) Rathwood in Carlow for 2 years
4) Causey farm two years ago
5) Lapland last year
6) Lugwoods this year so no feedback yet.

They were all very good. Causey farm santa was top class.
Palmerstown house was my least fav.

Loughc

Seen this on Instagram it might be of some use.

Toots

I've just booked Causey Farm based on this thread We always did Amber Springs, I think we've been the last 6 years, but last year they changed it around and they pretty much ruined it. The village used to be down in the fields, but this year it looked to be a car park behind the conference centre or something. Not at all festive and all you could see on the train part was a brick wall.

kitten_k

We are the same Toots, always done Amber Springs but was so disappointing last year

TRS30

We were suppose to do it with the OH family this year however looks like it wouldn't happen now (brother in laws wife due early Dec) so not too disappointed by the sound of things.

Toots

Ah we were so disappointed going home from it. My husband and I tried to keep up the festive cheer for the kids (even though inside we were like, wtf they've destroyed it) but when we left my son said "I had fun but I preferred the old way they had it."

We noticed the christmas cheer even seemed a bit thin on the ground among the elves, too. I wonder will there be a drop off in repeat business for it this year.

TRS30

Toots wrote: »

Ah we were so disappointed going home from it. My husband and I tried to keep up the festive cheer for the kids (even though inside we were like, wtf they've destroyed it) but when we left my son said "I had fun but I preferred the old way they had it."

We noticed the christmas cheer even seemed a bit thin on the ground among the elves, too. I wonder will there be a drop off in repeat business for it this year.

Certainly sounds like people wouldn't be going back.

On a different note, your username makes me smile as Elf2 is big into Thomas the minute so runs round the house shouting 'Toot, Toot'

Carrie6OD

Toots wrote: »

Ah we were so disappointed going home from it. My husband and I tried to keep up the festive cheer for the kids (even though inside we were like, wtf they've destroyed it) but when we left my son said "I had fun but I preferred the old way they had it."

We noticed the christmas cheer even seemed a bit thin on the ground among the elves, too. I wonder will there be a drop off in repeat business for it this year.

I thought it was dreadful too. They gave my 4 year old son a baby rattle. Santa’s beard was hanging off. He asked them their names and my kids were like, don’t you know us? He didn’t play along and was just dreadful. All the “elves” were too cool for school and wouldn’t engage with the kids. Hotel was absolutely packed at all times. Uncomfortably so. i actually though I’d ruined Christmas for them after it. This year it’s absolutely imperative that I get a santa with a real beard!!

mr_edge_to_you

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy wrote: »

Ok, I was wondering. Causey farm outside Kells is fabulous but booking early is necessary

Causey is amazing. Definitely recommended.

copeyhagen

we took out oldest (6 now) at about 18 months to slane castle, place was lovely but it was a waste as he was too small. went back when he was nearly 4 and he loved it then.

mr_edge_to_you

Anyone been to the Ailwee Cave?

Memory101

kitten_k wrote: »

We are the same Toots, always done Amber Springs but was so disappointing last year

Agreed. So disappointing.......the train ride is now essentially along a service passageway around the back of the hotel and into the old driving range. So much less atmosphere than when the santa village was down in the little wooded area.
Even if they will lose business i cant imagine it'll matter to them.....that area is now a housing estate developed by the same family so much more lucrative I'm sure!

Toots

Ah, I was wondering what had happened to the area. My husband reckoned it was going to have an estate built on it so I must tell him he was right.

Irishphotodesk

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

Anyone been to the Ailwee Cave?

Yes, .... Mainly for ourselves, we had twins 7months old at the time.

It's pricey but a good experience, Mrs Claus elves ... Mulled wine, hot chocolate, face painting, kids got age appropriate toys, Santa tells a story to a group of kids/families then all the kids are called up separately ... Pressure given and photo taken (parents optional ...can't confirm that because given our kids ages they were in carriers.
We also got storybook from santa about him visiting the ailwee caves ... If you know the area there are loads of local landmarks in the book, so it makes the book more special, my in-laws moved to the area and have been going for 3 or 4 generations, so we (the adults) could relate to the kids storybook quite well.

I would recommend it, you are escorted down into the cave to meet santa ... It is definitely a different experience to what we have had so far, we are doing rathwood this year.

weetiepie

average_runner wrote: »

Have done a few Santas over the last few years.

1) Tattersals in Ratoath
2) Plamerstown House
3) Rathwood in Carlow for 2 years
4) Causey farm two years ago
5) Lapland last year
6) Lugwoods this year so no feedback yet.

They were all very good. Causey farm santa was top class.
Palmerstown house was my least fav.

Was thinking of booking palmerstown this year!!😔 but if your saying it was your least favourite I'm a bit reluctant. Have a 3,6,and 8 year old..so you would recommend causey farm instead? Any recommendations as to where to stay?

mirrorwall14

We’ve done causey year before last and Palmerstown last year. Oddly enough my husband and I totally disagree on which was better. I thought causey was head and shoulders above palmerstown in every way but he disagrees. He feels causey was far too long and they didn’t get an individual meeting with Santa. I feel that was more than made up for by Santa arriving down the chimney. And the individual visit in Palmerstown was awful in my opinion. Multiple Santa’s in different rooms on the same landing with a serious lack of guidance as to what was happening and hideous hospital style screens around the whole area.

So we’re torn. Possibly neither this year. I do have a 1 year old so causey isn’t ideal with a sling. I’ve heard good things about rathwood. Or maybe we just do an individual Santa tbh

Hello

I'll be traveling to Ireland for Christmas with two kids. I'd love to give them a great santa experience.

The santa experience at Raphoe, Donegal looks wonderful but as I will be based in Tipperary, it's just too far away.

Are there any comparable Santa experiences elsewhere, with real steam trains in a nice wooded setting?

Thanks,

iamwhoiam

https://santatrain.ie/santa?gclid=CjwKCAjwo9rtBRAdEiwA_WXcFl1T-_sr621jzhysv7IARk5a0ThEqO-lRHnTiUq1Wuge3RWxdpwjeBoCLXEQAvD_BwE


This is a lovely Santa experience

Peatys

santatrain.ie would be about 1.5hr drive?
We have it booked since September and places were filling up even then..

Peatys

iamwhoiam wrote: »

https://santatrain.ie/santa?gclid=CjwKCAjwo9rtBRAdEiwA_WXcFl1T-_sr621jzhysv7IARk5a0ThEqO-lRHnTiUq1Wuge3RWxdpwjeBoCLXEQAvD_BwE


This is a lovely Santa experience

Jinx

laurah591

Hi all,
Can anyone recommend a fun santa or indeed xmas experience for an Inbetweener...10 year old (so to speak)? we did causey farm last year and he was a little too old for it (at 9 the magic wasnt there. Anyways, we have a new baby this year and would like to do something that my oldest will enjoy and remember.

Any recommendations welcome? We tried to book Irish Rails Santa train but unfortunately sold out within an hour.
Many Thanks

Lord Spence

laurah591 wrote: »

Hi all,
Can anyone recommend a fun santa or indeed xmas experience for an Inbetweener...10 year old (so to speak)? we did causey farm last year and he was a little too old for it (at 9 the magic wasnt there. Anyways, we have a new baby this year and would like to do something that my oldest will enjoy and remember.

Any recommendations welcome? We tried to book Irish Rails Santa train but unfortunately sold out within an hour.
Many Thanks

In the same boat suggestions welcome

Sundew

Laurah what about helping Santa fly to Lapland?
Santa makes a few limited appearances at Atlantic Air Adventures, beside Shannon Airport in December.
I brought my 4 year old to see Santa there last year, and whilst it didn’t have all the bells and whistles of other attractions, the amount of time Santa gave her on the flight deck was amazing. I think she had nearly 20 mins with him. She was too young to help Santa fly the plane ( simulator) but she had a really interesting and fun experience. She also got to dress up and check the museum out.
There were a lot of 10 year olds around enjoying the aviation memorabilia and you have to be over 7 to do the flight simulator experience.
Then down the road is Bunratty!
https://atlanticairadventures.com/courses/visit-captain-santa-claus-at-the-flight-deck/

miamee

My friend was in a similar boat last year with her kids, one of them was just gone 11 (no doubt she doesn't believe any more but hasn't made the declaration yet ) and almost 10 at the time. They went to see Santa in Arnotts as apparently he's the most 'real' looking of them. It's a long time since I have been to see Santa so that is a second hand recommendation

Loughc

I've merged a few threads together so hopefully there'll be a few more recommendations if you read back from page one

Hope it helps.

laurah591

Sundew wrote: »

Laurah what about helping Santa fly to Lapland?
Santa makes a few limited appearances at Atlantic Air Adventures, beside Shannon Airport in December.
I brought my 4 year old to see Santa there last year, and whilst it didn’t have all the bells and whistles of other attractions, the amount of time Santa gave her on the flight deck was amazing. I think she had nearly 20 mins with him. She was too young to help Santa fly the plane ( simulator) but she had a really interesting and fun experience. She also got to dress up and check the museum out.
There were a lot of 10 year olds around enjoying the aviation memorabilia and you have to be over 7 to do the flight simulator experience.
Then down the road is Bunratty!
https://atlanticairadventures.com/courses/visit-captain-santa-claus-at-the-flight-deck/

Thanks for this recommendation Sundew, we booked and were down there today and had a really brilliant time For any Inbetweeners highly recommended and the team there were great with the kids My lil lad who doesn't easily excite has already said he'd like to go back there next year.
thanks again
L

Toots

Just wanted to pop back and say thanks so much to all who recommended Causey Farm. We were there on Saturday night and my kids had an absolute ball (so did the husband and I) It was so well run, and everyone was so festive and friendly. The live animals were great, and even though it bucketed rain the whole time we were there, it didn't dampen the atmosphere.

Also loved that they took photos of you with Santa using their camera and your phone, so you weren't forced to buy the "official" photos. We actually did buy them, but it was nice to have the option to just use our own, especially if money is tight. Also they took card payment, which was great. The one thing that always bothered me about Amber Springs was it was €10 cash for the picture, and I'd always have to try and remember to bring a tenner with me.

mr_edge_to_you

Toots wrote: »

Just wanted to pop back and say thanks so much to all who recommended Causey Farm. We were there on Saturday night and my kids had an absolute ball (so did the husband and I) It was so well run, and everyone was so festive and friendly. The live animals were great, and even though it bucketed rain the whole time we were there, it didn't dampen the atmosphere.

Also loved that they took photos of you with Santa using their camera and your phone, so you weren't forced to buy the "official" photos. We actually did buy them, but it was nice to have the option to just use our own, especially if money is tight. Also they took card payment, which was great. The one thing that always bothered me about Amber Springs was it was €10 cash for the picture, and I'd always have to try and remember to bring a tenner with me.

We were at Causey on Fri night. Fair to say that everyone had a ball. It was our 6th visit in 8 years. I'm sure we'll probably be back next year.

Their Farmaphobia Halloween event is great fun too, not for kids though!!!!

BlazingSaddler

Toots wrote: »

Just wanted to pop back and say thanks so much to all who recommended Causey Farm. We were there on Saturday night and my kids had an absolute ball (so did the husband and I) It was so well run, and everyone was so festive and friendly. The live animals were great, and even though it bucketed rain the whole time we were there, it didn't dampen the atmosphere.

Also loved that they took photos of you with Santa using their camera and your phone, so you weren't forced to buy the "official" photos. We actually did buy them, but it was nice to have the option to just use our own, especially if money is tight. Also they took card payment, which was great. The one thing that always bothered me about Amber Springs was it was €10 cash for the picture, and I'd always have to try and remember to bring a tenner with me.

Glad you enjoyed it, we’re going back for the first time in 3 years tomorrow. Does Santa still come down the chimney?

mr_edge_to_you

BlazingSaddler wrote: »

Glad you enjoyed it, we’re going back for the first time in 3 years tomorrow. Does Santa still come down the chimney?

Sure that'd be telling!