Reindeer injured child - Dealt with appallingly by Lapland After spending >£6.5k for 2 nights away, on what was due to be the most magical Christmas ever... We were let down massively by Santa's Lapland. Their response to the incident didn't help either! The night of arrival consisted of us attending our meal within the resort buffet; their wasn't much variety and the food was mediocre. Our kids had soggy nuggets and chips! We then had an early night ahead of our early get up on 23rd December, for our Lapland day experience... We travelled to the Lapland experience day and did a few of the activities, which were great. We then visited Santa, which the kids loved, and then went on a reindeer sleigh ride! THIS IS WHERE IT ALL WENT WRONG!!! We questioned why the reindeer, that was pulling the sleigh behind us, was so close to our sleigh, standing next to us instead of behind us, and we were told that it was no problem as they were harmless and the smallest should sit closest to the reindeer. So my 9 year old got in on the side of the reindeer, with me on the other side, and away we went. The reindeer looked in discomfort and within a couple of minutes of the sleigh ride it attempted to break out of its harness and in doing so managed to jump it's front legs into our sleigh and caught my 9 year old son in the face with it's hoof (These reindeers up close are very large animals, especially when on top of you in a sleigh.. and this isn't even through a 9 year olds eyes)! My son was hysterical and the sleigh ride was stopped, but only so they could put the reindeer back in its harness! My son and I got out of the sleigh and we were screamed at to get back in as it was 'unsafe' not to be in there! We were assured that the harness was re-applied and it was now safe in the sleigh. Although my son was shaken up and reluctant to do so, we felt we had no choice and got back in, but this time I sat next to the reindeer (to the sleigh ride workers dismay) and my son on the other side of me! Within a minute of restarting the exact same happened, but luckily I took the brunt of the hit this time! Other in sleighs behind us were also shouting for the sleigh to stop having witness what was happening. The sleigh ride was once again stopped with the reindeer being reapplied again to it's harness and finally a bit of safety with a worker walking along side it for the remaining minute of the ride! Once we got off the sleigh, word had spread as to what had happened, and a Lapland representative got the medic to check over my son and closed the sleigh ride down for the day. My son had a cut under his eye and was given a bag of ice. We were told they'd notified our resort who would be in touch with us to make it up to us! We spoke with a nice guy called Mich who said he couldn't do anything but Lapland UK would be in touch when we got home to discuss compensation - We really didn't want to discuss it any further whilst away anyway as it had already ruined our only full day at Lapland. We travelled home the next day and I was contacted a few days later - I was told that they had taken it upon themselves to log a complaint in my name and would be in touch! They did contact me and offered me £250 for my troubles... I kept calm and told them that I'd paid £6500 for a magical day away and I didn't get one, so I don't want the money and would have expected from a company of Lapland's size to have at least given us another chance of a magical time away! The spoke with management and upped their offer to £350! The whole experience with Santa's Lapland has made me wish we never booked with them... Someone decided that, due to LapLand UK clearly not conducting a proper risk review and as a result causing injury to a 9 year old child, which in turn ruined a very expensive 2 night (one full day) trip away, that I offering me £350 would justify what had happened... So turns out if I accept the offer that it only cost me £6,150 for a nightmare experience now! The third party vendor who run the reindeer rides, did offer us a snowmobiling experience (this was nothing to do with Lapland), which Mich (Resort Manager) told me I should accept and it would have no impact on what LapLand UK offered me... This unfortunately was a lie, as Lapland told me that their offer of £350 compensation was 'to match' what the vendor offered me! BOOK WITH ANOTHER COMPANY - SANTA'S LAPLAND CLEARLY ONLY CARE ABOUT THE MONEY AND NOT THE EXPERIENCE YOU GET!

An outstanding trip An outstanding trip, we all thoroughly enjoyed it. We would highly recommend doing this trip.

Just book! Anybody considering this, please just book. The whole experience was amazing from start to finish. I went as a single parent, just me and my daughter. The staff/reps are so helpful, so polite and so much fun for the kiddies. Lots of songs and dance. Very warming atmosphere. This was thee most beautiful place I've ever visited. We had the experiences of a lifetime and memories to cherish forever. Thank you all involved making this the most special Christmas for my daughter

Every part of the Santa's Magic trip… Every part of the Santa's Magic trip was excellent. From arrival at the airport to returning home, the holiday was well organised and every effort was made to make it special. I was concerned that the adults in our party may not have enough to do, but this was not the case. We did not book any additional activities and we were busy all the time - walking in the magical landscape and tobogganing when we were not at the Arctic Circle Centre. The reindeer sleigh ride and husky sled ride was fabulous. There were lots of very happy staff on hand to help and no where was too busy. Although this was an expensive trip, it was a quality experience. There were 7 of us in our party aged 65 to 3 and everyone came away with stories to tell. Fabulous.

Magical and Wonderful Trip We had the most amazing and magical time on the Santas Magic package in Saariselka. It was all so well organised from our plane trip and transfers, to the collection of our snow suits/gear, hotel and activity day. All the staff were just brilliant, helpful, fun and organised and always on hand. Hotel we stayed at was great (Gielas and ate at the Tunturi Hotel) and we enjoyed all the food. Saariselka is a stunning little resort and wish we had booked the 3 night stay to explore it more (next time!). The activity day went really well and was magical for our daughter and us!! Husky ride was just the best and of course seeing Santa and the snow! Thank you for a wonderful trip!