We were charged ‘ridiculous’ £135 to visit ‘rip off’ Santa’s grotto… the floating reindeer heads aren't worth it | The Sun
17th November 2023

FAMILIES have slammed a Santa's grotto after being charged £135 for the two-hour festive experience.

The parents have blasted the Christmas event as a "rip off" and claim parts of it – like the floating reindeer heads – aren't worth the money.



The outrage came after Greater Manchester's Reddish Vale Farm posted to Facebook advertising tickets to its festivities.

The Farmer Christmas Experience is described as a "magical journey" where youngsters get to visit the North Pole headquarters – after picking up their passports and meeting the elves.

Many have branded it the "best" experience their kids had ever had.

But some families were shocked to see they had to pay £45 per child's entry, and £16.50 for each adult, for the two-hour time slot.

Read more on UK news

HO HO GO

European Christmas market that spans an entire city – with a floating ice rink

SNOW WAY

Christmas market open for 55 days with ice skating path and toboggan run

They said some families wouldn't be able to afford such steep prices, meaning kids would be missing out on the festive joy.

One mum wrote on Facebook: "The price. What a joke.

"Kids missing out all over the place, such a shame."

One person suggested to a friend they head along, and she replied: "Have you seen the price they are trying to charge? It’s a joke."

Most read in The Sun

diddy bombshell

Sean Combs accused of rape & abuse by ex Cassie as rapper denies claims

WELFARE SHAKE-UP

Thousands of unemployed Brits to LOSE benefits under tough new plans

END OF AN ERA

Netflix axes FIVE series in most brutal TV cull yet – leaving fans devastated

SCRUM OF THE OTHER

Stuart Hogg splits from wife & enjoys spa with ‘world’s sexiest jockey’

Another said: "How are people even affording this?"

Then she shared that it would cost a whopping £135 for two adults, two children, and one baby.

However, other parents said the experience was more than worth it for the cost.

One mum wrote: "It may seem expensive but best Santa experience we've done.

"It lasts two hours, Build a Bear, decorate a gingerbread, drinks, dancing, and meet Santa with a gift."

She added: "To see the little ones smile is priceless."

Another parent said: "It’s soooooo worth it.

"By far the best Christmas place I have ever been to."

'PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING'

Manager Jordan Beckwith said this year's event is "bigger than ever" – and said it was already 90% sold out.

He told MEN: "The price has risen due to the cost of everything shooting up.

"We've also reduced the numbers in each session to enhance the experience and have added extras.

"It's in a much bigger space, we've got more special effects to make it a better experience and all the products are premium products.

"We could have gone for cheaper products – like the toys, teddies and sweets – but we want it to be the best and the proof is in the pudding, people come to us year after year."

The Sun has also approached Reddish Vale Farm for comment.

Families across the country have started slamming Christmas pop-ups as "rip-offs" in recent weeks.

Parents who visited Manchester's famous Christmas market this week branded it "rubbish", "expensive" and "unoriginal".

Marketgoers were raging after being asked to fork out £15 for a traditional hog roast roll, £9 for a simple sandwich and £5.50 for a small glass of festive mulled wine.

'RIP-OFF' UK MARKETS

The famous market runs from November 2 to December 24 every year and is the largest German Christmas market outside of Germany.

This means tourists can enjoy classics such as schnitzels, bratwursts and steins of beer.

But, disgruntled locals claim the markets have "gone downhill" and extortionate prices have killed the Christmas spirit they once offered.

Elsewhere, visitors say they were left horrified by a market's £8 sausage and a one-beer rule – but have found a way to beat the policy.

Locals slammed the festive fair in Birmingham for its expensive prices and alcohol crackdown.

Hundreds of Brummies flocked to enjoy the festive stalls at the Frankfurt Christmas Market located in Victoria Square.

People visiting the fair can snap up delicious traditional German food and drinks.

But, with the cost of living biting, many were left shocked by the prices of some of the items.



Source: Read Full Article