We were kindly invited to Luggwoods on Saturday to their press preview of their Santa Experience. Luggwoods is €19 per child and €13.50 per adult. Children under one go free. Hot chocolate included in all children's tickets. Family tickets also available! Photos are extra.. €10 for one and €15 for two.
Firstly... We loved it. I am just gushing to write every single thing about it down and tell you all everything but let me take a moment and start from the beginning.
Luggwoods is located 5 mins from The Square shopping centre in Tallaght. Very easy to get to. As soon as we turned into Luggwoods from the main road I gasped... I turned to my husband and said "oh wow.. It's so beautiful" and this is where our experience began. Driving up to the car park there were fairy lights everywhere and immediately I got butterflies. This is the warm feeling I expect from a Santa experience. I had it immediately, and we hadn't even gotten out of the car yet!!
The first place we went was a cabin where you wait for the train. Covered in fairy lights and totally Christmassy. A beautiful Christmas tree outside! Inside the cabin is an elf doing face painting (amazing to keep excited little ones occupied while you wait for your train) **Note*** Arrive early.. We had 4 little ones with us and had to wait for a few families that were late! (Annoying for the ones there early!!)
From the very start the staff were all in character and amazing with the kids!!!! An unbelievable elf and lumber jack came to board us onto our train! This elf was amazing.. So interactive, so animated and just perfect for the little world of Christmas our children had now entered... Even the walk to the train is Christmassy.. Fairy lights cover the little trail to the train!
The train ride was fantastic.. The elf and lumberjack were really enthusiastic and our kids were totally invested in the story and the whole experience. It was so lovely to see their little faces listening to every word and interacting! The train ride goes through a forest.. Where we got to see a fairy village... The grinch (we even sang his favourite song!) and the most breath taking view of Dublin!!
We went in the evening time and the view of Dublin literally took my breath away! It's a must see! This photo doesn't even do it justice!!
The cabin...
Getting off the train we were greeted by more amazing elves. And by one of my favourites of the day Mrs.Claus... EXACTLY what a Mrs Claus should be. Warm, inviting, exciting and most importantly amazing with the kids. Noa (3) was hanging on her every word. She was absolutely fantastic and a credit to luggwoods. We entered her living room and she told us all about the man himself and even gave him a call.
The wait before Santa again is cleverly filled with bits to keep the kids occupied. A real life elf on the shelf. A sleigh to have your picture taken on. An area for the elves to help you write your Santa letter or a snack and tea, coffee and hot chocolates!
Santa
One of my other favourites of the day was the most amazing Santa... Now I know that for my little ones they just see Santa's helpers. Santa is very busy in the North Pole so we see his helpers when we visit and they report back! But if I didn't know any better I would have thought this was the real Santa. He was picture perfect, real beard, glasses just fantastic! He was so patient with my kids and listened to every word. Noa was crying in our picture and he said to me it was no problem we would try till we got a picture I wanted! (I actually told him it was fine because I secretly love the crying pictures!!)
Again, after the Santa visit while waiting for everyone else (from your train) sees Santa there is another area with an elf disco, a colouring and chalk board area, a place to print your pictures and a ball pit for the smaller ones! And again another opportunity for a snack or beverage.
Luggwoods have used every single minute of the experience and made it magical. Even parts where there is a little wait (to see Santa or after etc) and made it part of the experience. The kids don't get one second to be bored. For the full hour and a half the kids were engaged and enjoying literally every minute.
Is it weird that I am already looking forward to returning next year for our Santa visit??!
For our family it would have been €78.50, Children under one go free so that's for two adults and 3 children! Milla is 5 weeks!!
€78.50-was is worth it?
Yes Yes Yes!! Loved every minute! Worth every cent!
If you visit one Santa Experience this year Luggwoods should be it!
We were kindly invited to a press preview in Luggwoods free of charge. But as always all thoughts and opinions are my own.
