Santa Experiences Recommendations

mr_edge_to_you · 04-09-2019 1:21pm

Anyone been to the Ailwee Cave?

Memory101 · 04-09-2019 10:01pm

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 · 05-09-2019 11:22am

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 · 05-09-2019 11:43am

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 · 08-09-2019 3:08pm

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!!ðŸ˜” 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 · 08-09-2019 3:32pm

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

[Deleted User] · 28-10-2019 12:27pm

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 · 28-10-2019 12:30pm

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

This is a lovely Santa experience

Peatys · 28-10-2019 12:31pm

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

Peatys · 28-10-2019 12:31pm

iamwhoiam wrote: »

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

This is a lovely Santa experience

Jinx

laurah591 · 10-11-2019 3:51pm

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 · 11-11-2019 1:04am

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 · 11-11-2019 3:49pm

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 · 11-11-2019 5:22pm

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 · 11-11-2019 10:03pm

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 · 08-12-2019 11:33pm

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 · 09-12-2019 2:04pm

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 · 09-12-2019 2:53pm

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 · 09-12-2019 4:24pm

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 · 09-12-2019 4:44pm

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!

mr_edge_to_you · 09-12-2019 5:29pm

They do still have the nice cookies and mince pies!

Toots · 09-12-2019 5:34pm

The mulled apple juice was epic!

And we got a hot chocolate in the cafe that was probably a 50:50 hot chocolate to marshmallow mix

Sundew · 11-12-2019 8:08pm

laurah591 wrote: »

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

Laurah ah delighted to hear that you went and that it appealed to him. The fact he wants to go back says it all!

I think it’s a great Santa for that 10/older kid age group.

We are doing Bunratty this year, but I reckon we just might head back to Shannon again next year.

Santa Experiences Recommendations

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