See Santa at Harrods! Book from 21/08

Melon78

Been up to Harrods this morning

Decided to drive up in the end, worked out quicker and cheaper than getting the train (and that was parking in the Harrods car park aswell!!).

Had a lovely morning, popped over to Starbucks first, into Harrods and up to the grotto (actually went in about 20 mins before our slot as they were quiet!). My DD adored Father Christmas, was so so excited by it all! Eldest was very shy at first.
As someone (sorry can't remember who its was) said, they get a lovely sticker/story book, badge and a large chocolate coin, they also kept taking pictures until they got a nice one (well they would wouldn't they ).

Althoguh the grotto itself was free, ended up being quite an expensive 'day' out. Lunch in 'planet harrods', photo of Father Christmas, teddy for DD and a toy each fo my DSs also got a bracelet for DDs 1st birthday and a bracelet for me for Christmas (both Links of London).....be warned lol.

Hope everyone else enjoys their visit.
x

susancs

bentleyjack wrote: »

Please can anyone who has been already tell me if I will be able to use a second set of tickets booked in my name for the same day & time? It says that they are not transferable & that you have to show id. Did anyone have to do this?

Thanks

When we went they just took the emails and checked people off a list on the computer screen and did not ask for id. I know when we booked it was restricted to so many tickets (seem to think it was 6) per person, so not sure how it would work if you had two different bookings in the same name/time and the total was over the restricted amount per person. I suppose you could have a family member with the same name eg. Dad and son or they might have realised and cancelled one of the bookings.

vikki_louise

Hi, has anyone been. Do you think it was worth it? Someone i know went and said they were really dissapointed, I've arranged for some families to visit and don't want them travelling a long way if its rubbish.

tincat

vikki_louise wrote: »

Hi, has anyone been. Do you think it was worth it? Someone i know went and said they were really dissapointed, I've arranged for some families to visit and don't want them travelling a long way if its rubbish.

If I was running the show, I could think of a lot of things to make it a bit better for the kids, but to be honest, mine loved it. In the queue there are characters who are very good at jollying up and getting the kids excited (I really feel for them as it must be a hard job), and we were about 20 minutes in line which wasn't a problem. The staff are also very friendly - and they really got in the spirit of things.

The Santa visit was good, and they were overjoyed when he gave them the book, badge & chocolate, as I had told them that they were just going to talk to him, and would not get anything then.

Afterwards we got 4 framed photos for £12.00 (will be christmas pressies for 2 x grannies & my ex h, and 1 for me) and spent a lot of time in the toy section. Even though I didn't buy them a toy (they knew they weren't going to get anything as they're waiting for Christmas) they had lots of fun seeing and playing with everything.

I was really pleased that they had the 'biscuit fur real dog' there for the kids to play with. My youngest has been begging for this toy (£150:eek:), but thankfully lost her enthusiasm for it when she saw how boring it could be. It does make cute movements, but not often enough and is too frustrating to stand in for the real dog her heart really longs for....

We then went to McD's afterwards, and then the train home they played with their sticker / story book, and McD toys.

They loved it and even though to an adult it looks quite pathetic, the kids will appreciate it.

All in all a nice day out, and not expensive at all as long as you don't impulse buy.

ETA : oh the highlight was in the pet department - they have the most adorable puppies at the moment. They also have some very nice cats - a snip at £900 each...

susancs

vikki_louise wrote: »

Hi, has anyone been. Do you think it was worth it? Someone i know went and said they were really dissapointed, I've arranged for some families to visit and don't want them travelling a long way if its rubbish.

We went with another family on the 8/11 and enjoyed it. The whole experience took about 30 minutes from entering the grotto area. When we queued we met Mrs Claus, Captian Hook, Snow White and the FairyGodmother, who each took time to joke with the children and tell them stories. At the end of the area there were several doors and we were led to one and had to knock 3 times to enter. The adults sat beside santa and the kids on the floor. Santa had a big book and he took the children's names and requests in it, asking them if they had been good etc.. He spent about 10- 15 minutes chatting with them and then they got a present of a badge, a santa sticker activity book and a large Harrods chocolate coin. A photo was taken and then you left and had to sign the visitors book. The photo was £10. I suppose it depends on your expectations as to whether you enjoy it or not and I must admit we enjoy most things, also we did not have to travel far to get there. We also combined the day with the Lord
Mayors Show before going, another quick visit to the Natural History in between and Lord Mayors Fireworks, so was a full day anyway. Depends on when your friends are coming and where they have to come from, but it would be best unless you live fairly local to do a day in London, maybe go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, see the Christmas lights, visit Hamleys, outdoor ice skating,see or revisit the sights, museums etc.

Juliepink26

Hi just wanted to say thank you to kazimojo69 for the tickets, just got back had a wonderfull day, the staff were fab, really friendly with the kids and santa was really funny took time to ask the children question, and gave them the sticker book cholate coin and badge, and got some wonderfull pictures. treated myself to some luxury cholates and a harrods christmas pudding!:D
Great day all round. xx

norm_diploom

helenhugs wrote: »

I had 6 tickets booked for this weekend but have 2 poorly children. i don't know if you need anything or if you could just say who you are. They were emailed to my old computer which no longer works at all so I am unable to provide the ticket info. It was for 2 adults 4 children at 4pm on the 22nd Nov if that helps anyone.
hugs
Helen

Hope they both feel better soon :xmassmile

mum26

I've just emailed Harrods to cancel 10 tickets for 23rd December at 12.30 (dp now has to work ) xx

norm_diploom

Well we went along today, braved the snow and the rain to get to Harrods. Spent a lovely few hours in the pet and toy depts, getting some pointers for Xmas presents, then some ice cream before seeing Santa at 4. Agree with all above who said that the helpers made the queue bearable even for a tired toddler - Mother Christmas was a particular highlight. They were chuffed with their sticker books, coins and badges too.


However, all of this was eclipsed by the fact that we saw Simon Cowell on the way out, and he was good enough to pose for a quick photo with the kids - guess what they talked about all the way home!!

Thank you again op, and all you lovely MSE'rs who contributed - we had a really lovely day!

saintscouple

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