we were delayed going to lapland but i was over the moon that despite the weather we still managed to get our flight and go. i took my five year old niece and from the moment we stepped on board the flight the mood was lightened and the children were entertained. We arrived and the magic began we were busy all day seeing santa, elf school, decorating biscuits. The reindeer and husky rides were amazing. My niece had an excellent time despite the delays your trip will be what you make it. Everyone was welcoming and friendly and could not do enough for us the only downside was moaning adults who ruined it for themselves. When we went to the outdoor area we were told it was shutting but when i explained we had not been outside the lady radioed through and we were told we could go. Some people refused even though they were accomodating us. We had a wonderful time and i would like to thank first choice for a great day!

We flew out and back 11.12.10 me my husband and 5 year old daughter to the first choice search for santa day trip cost £1000 we all had a great day however you spend just mins with father christmas and that was the bit our daughter kept asking about he does look good compared to the normal ones more traditional the clothes provided were of really good quality and on the plane they give the children a gift bag which is nice we took 200 euros with us and only spent 75 mainly in the last 15 mins in the gift bit, so you dont really need to take much money which is not the impression we got when we read reviews all in all good quite expensive however a great experience i imagine the santa grotto day trip is more festive with elfs dressed up as you dont get that really on this one just finnish people in unusual clothes this one is more a wilderness day out you only actually spend 3hrs in the snow village the rest of the time is travelling long day

just returned from daytrip to lapland with first choice. There were 4 generations of us!!
Fab day, well organised, follow the elves advice on where to go first and there was very little queing,
Clothing supplied, clean and adequate
Buffet lunch nice and portions plentyful
The "MAN" himself was excellent, took all the letters my grandsons classmates had wrote and he spoke for few mins about them.
Grandson didn't want to leave.
didn't cost us anymore than what we had paid except for gifts and photo
Wish we hadn't listened to local photographers advice on taking disposable camera as pics very poor.

Travelled with our children 7 and 11 who both thought the day was fantastic. First choice staff were excellent, friendly and helpful. The whole place is magical especially when you venture outside. We were able to do pretty much all the activities within our time but we had no delays. I can imagine how even short delay could spoil the experience. The elfs at Santa park were great, very friendly and extremely helpful. We found Santa to be friendly enough, the kids thought he was great which is the main thing. The Aiport was busy with limited seating which was hard with two tired children but we managed for the hour we waited for the flight back. I would recommend the trip but also advise looking into stop over options to give you more time to enjoy the experience.

Just back from a magical day in Lapland.travelled in a party of 3 adults and a child of 6 and all had a wonderfull time.Flight out good with great fun had by all sing alongs and spotting Santa outside and take off was the best ever all "helping "the reindeer on the way.clothing provided was excellent and staff were so helpfull,yes half hour trip to the snow village but the scenery is so good who cares.we did all the activities and never had to que,lunch was a buffet and excellent as much as you could eat and plenty of hot drinks.Our visit to Santa was fine hot juice and bicys then a nice meeting with the main man who was not overpowering and allowed us to take as many photos as we wanted,nice change not to have a professional photo taken and then be charged for it!All the staff were kind and friendly .the trip home was good ,the airport was organised chaos so delayed us a bit,but the film and meal on flight were great(best in flight meal i've ever had)and we all returned home tired and happy.my advice dont take children under 6 as it is VERY cold and go out to enjoy !!

Where to begin!!,despite numerous phone calls to First Choice,(as it was touch and go as to getting to the airport due to the bad weather)i am still waiting on someone calling me back!.
Trip was delayed,but as it was out of our control this couldn't be helped.On arrival it was survival of the fittest,and join the scrum to get your ski suit (which you really need as it is very cold),then hearded on to a bus for another 30 minute journey deep into the forest.We were supposed to get lunch,but as we were running late this didn't materialise,so we weren't fed until 5 in the evening,bear in mind all we had to eat was the food on the plane(which took off at 7.10AM!),there is nothing to buy food wise on site that we were aware of.
Everything from then on in was rushed,and whilst magical,i couldn't help wondering what it would have been like if we had more time to enjoy it all.
The staff on site were very friendly and helpful,but the biggest let down was Santa!,we had to literally extract a conversation from him,and it was somewhat impersonal.We were advised that adults were also to receive a small gift(still waiting)and the gift received by the children,an elf which was emblazoned with free advertising for First Choice!!.
This could be so much better if time was taken to at least find out the childs name,and this relayed to Santa to make it a wee bit more personal and believeable.Sleigh rides and Husky rides were good,snowmobile was excellent(make sure you have your license),but overall it lacked a certain spark,that would have made it all click into place.it is a lot to cram into one day,if you can stay overnight

Don't know where to start!!! Booked day trip with First Choice, party of 7 with three kids. Flight was delayed for 3 hours on a 12 hour day trip, very reluctant to go but advised would not be allowed to re-book or claim a refund. Got there a whole "magical - once in a lifetime" experience was ruined. Rushed around to miss majority of the main attractions & Santa was the most miserable man we have met...even so a 3 year old commented!!! DO NOT book with First Choice is my only advise

Just getten back from Lapland Finland on a day trip with Thomas Cook, 12-12-09, we were all very excited after reading it up on the internet our 5 year old daughter was so looking forward to seeing SANTA which she had a max time of 2 min with that was after fighting our way to the front of the bundle of other families, after that we had a 2 min ride around a circle on a raindeer then on to a hill to have a go on the sledge, following this we went on the huskies which was around a little circle twice,our meal was a shambles with no choice. but i must say SANTA villiage was magical. i would have liked to be warned lapland is in one area where you stood and waited your turn for attractions like a conveyor belt. VERY OVER PRICED AND OVER RATED and would NOT RECOMMEND to a friend

Just back from Lapland with First Choice, stayed in Rovaniemi, had a lovely time and the place is truly magical if you love snow and the festive feeling, leave grumbles behind and enter into the spirit! We went as a couple, really no kids needed if you're still young at heart! We had no problems with the food at all and ate in some nice places. The first day at the Winter Wonderland was enjoyable and there was time to try everything. Get to lunch early is my advice, as we did; to avoid queuing, then you can get back to the fun! The Saturday trips were a little disappointing with more time needed at Santa Village, less at Santa Park, when we left Santa Park though it started snowing which was truly magical. Be aware that if you book on the extra excursions they are shorter than you think and also in the dark which was not pointed out when we booked before going away. This we found took the excitement away a little but again it was still a great experience. We did the snow Mobiles & Husky Trail Blazer, the husky ride was very short and be aware that you don't actually get to meet the husky pups or see the dogs other than attached to the sleighs. We found, by chance, the husky park when we went to Santa Village, it is just by the entrance and this is well worth a visit to meet the pups. Shame they don't make people aware this is here. The Gala night was enjoyable, however went on a bit simply for the fact everyone had to meet a special person. There was a nice surprise in the middle though and again the fact it snowed was great too! Our Elf Wooly Mittens was excellent and always in good festive cheer 
Overall we really enjoyed it and made the most of our time, defiantly worth the experience but would not go on an arranged holiday again, prefer to do our own choice of things at our own pace.

5th December 2009 day trip, 5 in party 2 adults 3 children, did outside activities first, no queues but rides were too short, went for lunch dissapointing food, stood for ONE AND A HALF HOURS around 2 artificial xmas trees totally bare no baubles or lights on them to see Santa for 2 mins. Decorated a ginger biscuit went on the small train, bought a few gifts at ridiculous prices and that was all we had time to do. Totally shocking, never again with First Choice

Disappointed and upset is an understatement having taken my 7 year-old son on this Lapland day-trip on 7th Dec 2008. Having watched the videos and read the brochure I was looking forward to a very magical day. Then I was dumped at Santa Park. The previous reviews are a mirror image of my experience. From the draughty tunnel the brochure calls a "cosy changing room" to the sloppy lasagne which is described as "Santas favourite food" eaten on plastic plates at dirty tables. The whole day was a disgrace and a complete rip-off. When asking my son "what did you ask Santa for", his reply was "he didn't ask me" I was fit to cry. On my return I wrote a letter of complaint and the response I received was also a disgrace. The fact that I had not complained there and then made it impossible for them to do anything. My response to that remains was I really going to do that in front of my child and there wasn't enough time!

In the brochure they make it sound so great but its not at all like that. You are dropped outside a tunnel you go inside and make your way down a very steep hill. You put your outside jackets and bags into a cloakroom. You are advised to leave everything but your camera but you need money,( a lot of it) gloves and hat. You then head down an other steep hill into a shopping area where an ice bar is and ice gallery which costs you £10 each. The stuff is well over priced tat!
You then head into a resturant and out the other side. Where you find a small train which is free suitable for the younger children ( the only magical bit) A post office and a small craft room. Also a long que for santa himself. you have only a few mintutes and have your picture taken. The picture costs £25.
Next door to that elf school This was good fun. After class finishes they take all the kids outside to give tham all a diploma at a cost of £10 each. Then they go into Mrs Claus and decorate a cookie (a table with icing on it and they are left on there own to get on with it)
You then head into a bunker to put on the thermal suits and boots.
Once dressed you make you way up a very large steep hill made of rubble (not the safest of surfaces) out into the snow. Make your way along a path for the rest of the attrations if thats what you want to call it. And wait for hours for a very short rides.
Back inside you go for a bite to eat.
And home you go feeling full of the magic of Christmas.
In our case MAD with regreat at spending close to £1800 for a day trip