Much-loved LaplandUK Christmas experience reveals plans for second destination
THE popular LaplandUK has reveals plans to open a second site after the success of its Berkshire location.
Having first opened in 2007, the attraction often sells out months in advance.
And the attraction has revealed plans to open another destination in the UK for next Christmas.
The new Cheshire location would be similar to the one in Berkshire, which welcomes 170,000 people a year.
Mike Battle, co-founder of LaplandUK with his wife Alison, said they had already rejected a number of offers from larger American companies.
He told the Times: “We’ve been courted by numerous large entertainment companies, but the creative and spiritual control of the business didn’t feel completely safe.
“I wanted to keep hold of that.”
Little-else is known about the potential site, but each yeah it takes around 50 days to build, and 30 days to take down.
Suggestions of a second site in Cheshire were mentioned back in 2015.
Mr Battle told local media at the time that they had been “inundated with requests to open a second location”.
Tickets often go on sale in February or March, and nearly always sell out.
Families who visit are greeted by an ‘Elf Passport’ before travelling to the festive world for the 4.5 hour experience.
Starting with a 90-minute show, kids can build toys at the toy factory, decorate gingerbread with ‘Mother Christmas’ and meet reindeer and huskies.
Ending the experience is meeting Father Christmas.
Along with the immersive experience, there is an ice skating rink, sweet shop, restaurant, cafes and post office.
Tickets for 2024 have already sold out, and while the 2025 ticket date is yet to be announced, earlier this year it was on March 18.
Even celebs have been spotted at LaplandUK over the years.
Holly Willoughby, Elton John and the Beckhams have all visited the Christmas event before.
The Sun’s Caroline Iggulden recently visited LaplandUK and compared the story-telling to Disney.
She said: “It is the fine details which really set this woodland wonderland apart.
“From the miniature doorways, just for ‘small folk’ to use, to the beautifully fashioned individualised costumes worn by all the elves- and the big man himself-details are styled to perfection.
“Elves even have a customised greeting for their young visitors, a simple ‘hello’ won’t do, instead they put their thumb up to their nose and waggle their fingers.
What celebrities have visited LaplandUK?
2023 – David Tennant, Stacey Soloman, Rochelle Humes, Abbey Clancy
2022 – Colleen Rooney, Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, Martin McCutcheon, Tom Hardy
2021 – Antony Joshua
2020 – The Beckhams, Joe Wicks
“The experience and storytelling is more akin to something you might expect from a Disney park, rather than a traditional visit to Santa.
“Even my eleven year old who I worried might be cynical declared ‘this is sick’.”