Lapland New Forest (and Lapland West Midlands) Reviews & Discussion!

[fuzzybumx]

i viewd this forum awhile ago, while trying to find out about lapland new forest, i found you. a few were being cautious etc, i talked to family who had already booked, and decided to get tickets for my 2 gilrs, we are booked to go 23rd dec, parntner has even booked day off work!! now im totally worried, my just 2 yr old doesnt really know we are going but my 7yr old is so excited!!!! its not like we really hd the money to pay for it anyway, but you want your children to have a special christmas....

i have taken down the address given in east sussex and the henry mears name , but pease please if anyone has his number/ email address i would really appreciate it, i think we will be trying for a refund any go somwhere more local . any more usefull info etc please please let me have it. my other half rang half hour ago and said hed heard something on wave 105 wanted me to look into it! im shocked to hear all these experiences.

 

[Jacque_Schidt]

Well if it helps, Henry Mears runs a cafe in Coombe Road, Brighton called 'H's cafe. Couldn't find a telephone number though, sorry.

 

[Grandad JC]

We went yesterday. All reports too kind! The web site (currently unobtainable) made the following claims. Go to Trading Standards to create a letter.

LaplandNewForest claims (from web site)

Lapland new Forest - where dreams really do come true.

We want all our visitors to have an unhurried, enchanting and most special time …

Children are coming from all over England and other countries to see this wonderful event.

So if you do not want to be disappointed: reserve your "wow" in wonderland now.

The Lapland New Forest site has full disabled access.

Lapland New Forest will provide qualified First Aid care on site in case of any accident.

Enviroment
Care of the environment and it's animals is dear to Lapland New Forest.

Snow Business (the company making our snow & ice fx's) are committed to using eco-friendly products and machinery that have been produced by people earning a fair wage. They are the acknowledged experts on producing winter effects on sensitive sites and areas of special scientific interest (SSSI), developing an eco-friendly ground cover that biodegrades as a fertilizer. Snow Business also work as consultants for organisations such as English Heritage, advising them on safe techniques and location protection systems for their historic landmark buildings.

Clearing up Lapland New Forest is an integral part of the show. Santa leaves little trace ... it's the reindeer who leave the mince pie crumbs.

We really do wish that we could show you just how incredibly spectacular Lapland New Forest will look at night.

We are investing substantially in our theme park and it's many entertainments to make completely sure that you are totally satisfied with your visit.

We have deliberately under-priced the park (yes, we believe you'll agree that the experience could be priced higher) as we are as tired as any and everyone with not often receiving good service and value for money and in this sad time of mismanaged economy, gloomy broadcast recession and unending price increases et al - we are especially proud to be constructing a truly magical and affordable event that will not only employ many people, but will help warm 1000's of young and grown-up visitor's hearts for Christmas and the New Year 2009.

To allow you to take in the amazing attention to detail and enjoy the full magic of our Christmas theme park - tickets for each day are limited. We want all our visitors to have an unhurried, enchanting and most special time and we hope that you will stay with us for what we estimate to be 4-6 hour visit.

Public interest in what promises to be the ultimate Santa's Grotto is extremely high ... children are coming from all over England and other countries to see this wonderful event.

So if you do not want to be disappointed: reserve your "wow" in wonderland now.

 

[masonkai2004]

Me my partner and our 5 year old went to lapland new forest yesterday, we spent £90 pounds and were left shocked by our supposeledly great day out, this has to be the worst attraction we have ever come across, the place was about half the size of a football field with a few animals kept well out of reach and sight, santa was a 3 hour wait in the rain and cold we gave up, the so called ice rink was in a fun fair charged at £5 per person the whole place looked to be run by agency staff with no management anywhere to be found, our 5 year old went home 45 mins after arrival very very very dissapointed. There is a article out today on the echo website that this place is being looked into by trading standards. i would urge any one thinking to go not to. hope this helps thanks

 

[Raffsmum]

Please dont book tickets for this place!!!!!

I was just about to, then I found article on BBC website saying its really bad, nothing like the website and that the RSPCA had been called out to see the animals!! Apparantly the local Council are trying to get it shut down!

Thank god i found out as I just saved myself £120! I have now booked tickets to see santa at Poultons Park and its alot cheaper and you get a whole day out!!

 

[lousielou]

Gosh - I don't know what to say. I really feel for you all, expecially your little ones

Really hope you're all able to get your money back. Xx

 

[Raffsmum]

Please dont book tickets for this place!!!!!!!!!!!

I was just about to then found an article on BBC website saying how bad it was and that it is being investigated, it says it looks nothing like the website, a complete waste of money and apparantly RSPCA is looking into the state of the animals!!

I have just saved £120 and im booking tickets to see santa at Poultons Park instead which is alot cheaper and you get a whole day out!!

 

[AnthonyE1]

This was the headline from the BBC news website today

Hundreds slam Lapland park 'scam'

Go to the news website and you will see it under Dorset news

 

[libbifee]

It was on TV today on the BBC South Today, and i'm sure it'll be on tonight as well..

They had a number we can all ring for further advice on what to do to get our money back!

Consumer Direct on 08454 040506

They had done an interview over the phone with Henry Mears, the guy incharge of this massive joke! It's amazing how he blames the general public because we had to queue for things.. Well.. There was nothing else we could have done!!

What a cheek!!

 

[pancho villa]

I have registered on this forum just to back-up on some points.

This is event is 100% going ahead. A huge sum of money has been imputted into this project - enough to confirm they will not cancel the event.

I am looking to be attending with my team this year as Roaming Photographers and I am in constant contact with Directors of the event - I am assured the event is happening, and you will not loose your money.

I hope this settles some minds, and it will be a great day out I am sure. I have full trust in this event and I am spending over £300 a weekend to come down and work as a photographer - We are coming down for four weekends.

Did you go this weekend and take pictures?

 

[katiep]

I tried to post some links, but wasn't allowed as I am a new member- search for Matchams ''wonderland'' on BBC news and in google, also the Dorset for you county council page has a link on its homepage- it has recieved a huge amount of criticism.

Hang onto your money!

 

[Lottie's mum]

Hi All,
Please Please keep hold of you money!!!! We went yesterday.
We paid £60 for two tickets and were totally disappointed with it. They say that there is going to be a bustling Christmas market and lots of different things to do, with wonderful Christmas log cabins. Well it is nothing like that. There are plenty of hot food stalls, 3 mulled wine stalls. The log cabins are large garden sheds. A boy’s and girl’s toy shop (stuff you can get at Argos). A couple of sheds where you can write a letter to Santa decorate ginger bread men. The best of all “we” think they had two Santa’s as there were two queues leading to two different sheds!!!!!! There was something on BBC1 this morning about all the complaints and the trading standards are looking in to it. So once again please keep hold of your money.

 

[54321]

I have not been to this "attraction" and can not comment on whether it represents good value for money or not. However, as someone who owns and races a small pack of working siberian huskies I can comment on them! Please read and learn.

1) The huskies are chained because YOU CAN NOT LET A HUSKY OFF THE LEAD EVER, FULL STOP, PERIOD. This is because a husky has two major instincts - run and hunt. They are very good at both, and will go from nothing to scaling a six foot fence and running 50 miles at the drop of a hat or the lead. They will go from friendly doggie to efficient hunter and killer in 0.2 seconds.

Would you rather your kids saw the cute fluffy husky rip open and eat Santa's reindeer?????? I thought not.

2) I have never met these huskies but from the pictures shown they are not skinny or underweight! HUSKIES ARE LEAN, WELL MUSCLED WORKING DOGS. THEY ARE NOT LARGE/FAT FLUFFY HOLLYWOOD POWDER PUFFS. Those larger "huskies" you see in the movies are either malamuts ( a heavier set freight animal), mongrel cross breeds or poor OR FAT examples of a siberian husky. You have surely seen the documentary on Crufts and what happens when you breed for a show ring? Well, the huskies pictures are what happens when you don't breed for the American show ring.

3) HUSKIES DO HOWL: FOR FUN, OCCASIONALLY IF SAD, OFTEN IF HAPPY AND USUALLY JUST FOR THE SHEER HELL OF IT!!!! If you want quiet, subdued, you would never notice them dogs.... go look at a different breed!!!

4) SOME HUSKIES DO "TALK" OR "CHUNTER", OFTEN DESCRIBED AS MUSICAL, HERE BY SOMEONE AS "YAPPING". I have personally never heard a husky yap. Again, HUSKIES ARE NOT YOUR STANDARD PET POOCH.

5) I AM SURE THEY DID LOOK BORED AT TIMES. THEY ARE HIGHLY INTELLIGENT DOGS. THEY ARE MORE INTELLIGENT THAN MANY HUMANS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED... It has been said that you didn't get to touch them? They are living beings, why should they be mauled by hundreds of people and prodded by hundreds of children?????



PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE MADE NO EFFORT TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE HUSKIES OR THESE RIDICULOUS COMMENTS WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN MADE. Perhaps if people had engaged in talking to the people on the stall they would have found them to be like most husky owners, only too willing to share their love of the breed and explain a day in the life of a siberian husky.

Or perhaps they did and didn't like the answers they got back?

 

[oOKayOo]

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7758112.stm

 

[oOKayOo]

I have not been to this "attraction" and can not comment on whether it represents good value for money or not. However, as someone who owns and races a small pack of working siberian huskies I can comment on them! Please read and learn.

1) The huskies are chained because YOU CAN NOT LET A HUSKY OFF THE LEAD EVER, FULL STOP, PERIOD. This is because a husky has two major instincts - run and hunt. They are very good at both, and will go from nothing to scaling a six foot fence and running 50 miles at the drop of a hat or the lead. They will go from friendly doggie to efficient hunter and killer in 0.2 seconds.

Would you rather your kids saw the cute fluffy husky rip open and eat Santa's reindeer?????? I thought not.

2) I have never met these huskies but from the pictures shown they are not skinny or underweight! HUSKIES ARE LEAN, WELL MUSCLED WORKING DOGS. THEY ARE NOT LARGE/FAT FLUFFY HOLLYWOOD POWDER PUFFS. Those larger "huskies" you see in the movies are either malamuts ( a heavier set freight animal), mongrel cross breeds or poor OR FAT examples of a siberian husky. You have surely seen the documentary on Crufts and what happens when you breed for a show ring? Well, the huskies pictures are what happens when you don't breed for the American show ring.

3) HUSKIES DO HOWL: FOR FUN, OCCASIONALLY IF SAD, OFTEN IF HAPPY AND USUALLY JUST FOR THE SHEER HELL OF IT!!!! If you want quiet, subdued, you would never notice them dogs.... go look at a different breed!!!

4) SOME HUSKIES DO "TALK" OR "CHUNTER", OFTEN DESCRIBED AS MUSICAL, HERE BY SOMEONE AS "YAPPING". I have personally never heard a husky yap. Again, HUSKIES ARE NOT YOUR STANDARD PET POOCH.

5) I AM SURE THEY DID LOOK BORED AT TIMES. THEY ARE HIGHLY INTELLIGENT DOGS. THEY ARE MORE INTELLIGENT THAN MANY HUMANS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED... It has been said that you didn't get to touch them? They are living beings, why should they be mauled by hundreds of people and prodded by hundreds of children?????



PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE MADE NO EFFORT TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE HUSKIES OR THESE RIDICULOUS COMMENTS WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN MADE. Perhaps if people had engaged in talking to the people on the stall they would have found them to be like most husky owners, only too willing to share their love of the breed and explain a day in the life of a siberian husky.

Or perhaps they did and didn't like the answers they got back?

People may have been worried about them but the whole point of this is the actual park itself.

 

[polo_princess]

Sorry why are the comments ridiculous when the majority of people are clearly concerned for the welfare of the animals and not the fact that they didnt get to "pet" them?

 

[Bigdadda]

If anyone wants to post contact details on the forum I have no objects (saves having to email or PM).

These are the details that have been posted so far:
Name & Registered Office:
LAPLAND NEW FOREST LIMITED
UNIT 1, WILD PARK HOUSE,
HOME FARM ROAD
BRIGHTON
EAST SUSSEX
UNITED KINGDOM
BN1 9HT

Hi - many thanks for this address, as like the rest of you I want to complain and attempt to get a refund too!! Can I ask where did you get this address from? When I phoned trading standards this afternoon they would only give me a PO Box Number, PO BOX 5285. They also said that I would not be able to send registered post to a PO BOX, but I would need the address. Royal Mail are not able to give me an address for the PO BOX number without a
corresponding post code?!

And for other reading this - don't go, save your money and your children's dreams! When we went yesterday, having waited 2 hours to see Father Christmas, he promised my 6 year son that he would get a Lego Sat Wars "Death Star"......................£300!!!!!! Now we've got to explain to our son why that won't happen!

Many thanks

 

[StirCrazy]

If anyone wants to post contact details on the forum I have no objects (saves having to email or PM).

These are the details that have been posted so far:
Name & Registered Office:
LAPLAND NEW FOREST LIMITED
UNIT 1, WILD PARK HOUSE,
HOME FARM ROAD
BRIGHTON
EAST SUSSEX
UNITED KINGDOM
BN1 9HT

Hi - many thanks for this address, as like the rest of you I want to complain and attempt to get a refund too!! Can I ask where did you get this address from? When I phoned trading standards this afternoon they would only give me a PO Box Number, PO BOX 5285. They also said that I would not be able to send registered post to a PO BOX, but I would need the address. Royal Mail are not able to give me an address for the PO BOX number without a
corresponding post code?!

And for other reading this - don't go, save your money and your children's dreams! When we went yesterday, having waited 2 hours to see Father Christmas, he promised my 6 year son that he would get a Lego Sat Wars "Death Star"......................£300!!!!!! Now we've got to explain to our son why that won't happen!

Many thanks

It's the address registered at Companies House as the office of Lapland New Forest Limited.

type 'Lapland New Forest Limited' in here:
https://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ae225fb1bf854d906cfa6362ccaeb435/wcframe?name=accessCompanyInfo

 

[oOKayOo]

On ITV at 6:00 its going to be on the news apparently

 

[oOKayOo]

And this is in the Local Echo

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/video/localvideo/62728/read/