I found out about Lapland UK a few years ago and it sounded amazing. A friend had been and it looked like they had a fantastic time together. I knew I would want to take Ethan there to show him the magic of Christmas. The thing that worried me was the activities. Could Ethan understand them? Would he want to take part? Would people stare at us because of the amount of support Ethan would need to join in? Then I discovered the Lapland UK Superstar day.
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What Is A Lapland UK Superstar Day?
The Lapland Superstar Day is a day specially designed for families like ours. The day is designed especially for adults and children with additional needs. A day when all of my fears would be irrelevant. Lapland UK only holds one Superstar day a year and it is midweek. As Ethan doesn’t start school until April we thought it would be the perfect year to go. With Little E being under one, we also wouldn’t need to purchase a ticket for her.
Our Visit To The Lapland UK Superstar Day
After a horrendous journey courtesy of the M25. Thinking we wouldn’t make our appointed time, we finally arrived at the magical wood with thirty minutes to spare.
The entrance is a waiting area, a departure lounge of sorts. Here you will find a coffee shop and a check-in area.
It was very loud there, which for superstar day perhaps should be adjusted. Ethan soon settled down with Grandma and Grandpa colouring in.
I checked us in and was told we were part of the reindeer team. This actually turned out to be the perfect team for us as it was the smaller of the two groups that start the tour together.
At the start of the tour, we were taken into the wood and introduced to Albin and Eco. They are forest Elves and explained that they couldn’t go to Lapland but knew the magic that would take us through the special door.
With the forest elf magic working, we ventured into Lapland ready to help the Lapland elves with their toy-making.
The Toy Factory
Once in the toy factory, the elves asked the children to sit at the front to help them. Ethan clang to us and we stayed at the back of the room. I wasn’t expecting that we would do any more than that. I couldn’t get Ethan to sit at a workbench and decided it was best not to stress him out.
After the elves made their introductions they showed the children how to help them make a reindeer. The elves had spotted Ethan and brought a basket over for us. To my surprise, Ethan sat next to me on the bench and we started to make the reindeer.
Ethan even helped build the reindeer and we completed our first task without any problems.
The next task was to build a xylophone, it took a while but we built it as a family.
The elves then wanted us all to sing and Ethan had lots of fun making lots of noise.
The elves even got Little E involved with the music-making.
After a great experience in the toy factory, it was time to help Mother Christmas with her baking.
Mother Christmas’ Kitchen
Mother Christmas introduced herself and the elves before we started to decorate gingerbread men.
I couldn’t believe it when Ethan let me put the hat and apron on him without any fuss.
Little E got a bit restless so we showed her what her brother was doing.
After decorating our gingerbread man we put him in the bag to take him home. It was then time for a story and more singing.
This wasn’t the best order for Ethan as he had lost attention and didn’t want to go and sit back down. The elves spotted him and gave him an instrument so he could take part in the singing.
After our time in the kitchen, it was time to make our way to the elf village.
The Elf Village
It was now our free time and we made our way to the elf restaurant as Little E was ready for some food. We had two fish finger sandwiches, chips and two cans of coke which came to £20. The fish finger sandwich was a bigger piece of fish in a roll with rocket and dressings. There was also a generous serving of chips. It was expensive for what it was, but no more than a theme park. We shared this meal with all three of us.
I had pointed out the ice skating to Ethan before going into the restaurant. He said NO when I asked him if he wanted to do it. Whilst changing Little E I saw that Grandpa showed him the ice skating up close. I saw Ethan flap and jump, which is always a good thing. Well sometimes!
Seeing his reaction I knew it would be OK to try the ice. I have no idea how it would work as I haven’t been ice skating for over ten years! Thankfully we were allowed to walk on the ice without skates.
Ethan absolutely loved the ice skating and the longer we were on the ice the more confidence he got. Knowing that I was OK with Ethan, Darren and Grandpa took to the ice with skates.
Whilst we were on the ice a reindeer popped by to say hello.
Ethan absolutely loved ice skating it was horrible to tell him it was time to finish. We had been on the ice for easily an hour.
Before going to visit Father Christmas we took a look around the Elf village.
We even visited the Huskies.
Meeting Father Christmas
The last thing to do was visit the main man himself so we made our way to see Father Christmas.
Little E was fast asleep so she missed out on saying hello to Father Christmas. I feel terrible that she wasn’t in the photo but it had been a very long day for her and she had been fantastic all day.
It was time to say goodbye to the reindeer and their sleigh before collecting our photos and heading home.
On all the buildings there are elf-sized doors. Ethan avoided them all day, but he happily walked through the very last one.
Our Thoughts On The Lapland UK Superstar Day
It is a very expensive day out, I know that some tickets can be priced up to £80 per person. Would we pay £80 each to go, I would say no for returning next year. This is because we would then be paying for Little E and I feel she would need to be a little bit older to truly enjoy the experience. Also, Ethan doesn’t get excited about things yet, I think this is because of his lack of understanding. If we also experienced the excitement from him I probably would pay that ticket price.
Saying that he did have an amazing day and he exceeded our expectations above and beyond. The superstar day was catered perfectly for our special children. I don’t think I could recreate Ethan’s ice-staking experience anywhere else, so never say never. We could be taking the magical trip sooner than we think.
The Toilets
The toilets in the elf village are of a very high standard and there were two disabled toilets, one in the men’s and one in the ladies. We find that sometimes we need both of us to change Ethan it would have been nice if there was a family room so that we could all go in to sort both of the children out. This would even help breastfeeding mothers.
I also couldn’t find a baby changing unit for Little E apart from a shelved area as you walked into the ladies. This left her a little exposed to the elements and passers by, as it was near the door and a window. I thought there may have been a unit in the disabled toilet but two of us couldn’t see one. Darren has just informed me there was one in the men’s toilet.
Father Christmas Photos
You have to pay for the photos with Father Christmas. I think the prices start at £15. We paid £30 for three prints and digital files. I think for the price of the tickets one photo should at least be included in that price.
Superstar day is only available mid-week. Ethan will be at school next year and with new rules, he may not be allowed to take a day off. I’m sure this is the case for lots of parents. If the day was offered on a weekend, even just a very early or late slot, I think it would make it more accessible to all.
The attention to detail in Lapland UK is amazing, Darren expected the village to be a bit bigger but I think he only really noticed that as being that it was superstar day we had a longer time there.
The staff are amazing and included Ethan in everything even if it looked like he wasn’t interested. I’m so glad that we went and Ethan experienced it. Our ice skating experience really was worth every penny.
We did return for the Lapland UK Superstar Day in 2015.
We love sharing our days out on our blog. Make sure you visit our Days Out and Experiences post to read all about them.
I’ve never heard of Lapland UK, but it looks a fantastic experience (if a rather expensive one!). The Superstar day is a brilliant idea.
Unfortunately I think all days like this are expensive. I’m so glad that we didn’t come away disappointed like you can hear about these type of events.
This sounds amazing…. we almost went this year, but choose winter wonderland instead, and now wish we choose here instead… there is always next year… I think its really good that they encouraged Ethan at all points, and well done Ethan for the brave ice skating…. #countrykids
I think you should go if it is something you have thought about doing for a while. I’m so glad we experienced it and we will be returning when Little E is older.
I’ve not heard of this place before, but hats off to them for offering a day like this. It annoys me no end that the draconian rules mean that children might miss out on experiences like this-I could rant about that one for ages! Judging by your photo’s you all had such a lovely time, that alone is worth more than anything I’d say 🙂 x
We did, I think the ice skating was the icing on the cake. We would really like Ethan to experience that again at some point in the future x
I’m glad you went and had fun! I wish the grown up tickets were less expensive too.
I agree, I think the kids tickets are priced right with getting the Husky as a gift etc. That’s why I think a photo should be included in the price for the adults.
This looks like a fabulous day, it’s great that Ethan got involved in the little activities put on. It’s great that the ‘Elves’ made sure that Ethan had everything he needed so that he could join in if he wanted to and helped him understand what was going on. Thanks for linking up with Country Kids.
I was really impressed with the elves, Ethan really was included and that makes such a different. Thanks for hosting x
I’ve never heard of Lapland UK before – it looks wonderful though and it sounds like the Superstar day was a perfect fit, especially with such attentive Elves – it’s just a shame it’s so expensive though, it’s just a tad beyond our family budget certainly!
It was perfect for him, I have wanted to take him for so long so had been saving. We do hope to return when Little E is older and can take part x
That sounds like an amazing day out although expensive but glad that the superstar day worked out so well for Ethan – as you say though it is a shame that it is only offered mid-week. The elves sounded like they were really looking out for Ethan and helping support him to do the activities and I love his big smile in so many of the photos and the way Little E was also included. It looks like it was a magical day for you all x
The elves really were wonderful with Ethan. It was more than I expected which made the day even better :0)
I hadn’t heard of Lapland UK either, but what a great idea to have a Superstars day, and it does sound like they took care of the children. I’m so glad that Ethan enjoyed the ice skating, that must have been wonderful for you all xx #CountryKids
The ice skating was amazing. I don’t think there is a way that I could recreate that experience for him anywhere else :0(
Wow this looks like an amazing day and Ethan did so so well with everything! Xx
He really did, I’m so proud of him x
That sounds like such a lovely day out. I am so glad the elves were so inclusive and attentive, and that they are organising Superstar days so all children have a chance to experience something like that. It does sound like, from what you described, that Ethan had a wonderful day and enjoyed himself 🙂
I think he did, I’m so glad we took him. He did vocalise Father Christmas today so he must have picked something up from his time there :0)
Wow! Lapland UK looks amazing, and so busy – I think you packed in a lot into your visit, and how wonderful that they set up a special Superstars day so you could relax and enjoy your time there and Ethan could experience Lapland UK in a way that worked for him. It sounds wonderful, although a bit pricey if you have to pay for four people (as we would), but it’s the kind of thing you’d do once and dine off the memories! I’m glad you went
xx