Hundreds slam Lapland park 'scam'

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45256000/jpg/_45256105_lapland_husky226.jpg

A newly-opened "winter wonderland" Lapland-style theme park has been described as a "joke" and "a scam" by hundreds of angry visitors.

Many people have demanded a refund of the £25 they paid to enter the Lapland New Forest, at Matchams Leisure Park on the Hampshire-Dorset border.

Several visitors have contacted the BBC saying the standard is extremely poor and does not resemble marketing photos.

Organiser Henry Mears said: "We don't believe we ripped anyone off."

He blamed "a few groups of professional troublemakers" for the allegations over the attraction which opened on Friday.

"Like all people they like to get into queues and just generate a bit of aggravation.

"What is not here that we haven't advertised?" he added.

More than 250 people have joined three Facebook groups about the park, with many demanding refunds.

Some said they had contacted the RSPCA about the animals on site.

The park's website shows pictures of snowy scenes, icicles and promises real log cabins, a nativity scene, husky dogs and other animals, as well as a "bustling" Christmas market.

The website says: "We can assure you of an absolutely magical scene... just look how real and cold the 'snow' appears to be."

But some visitors said that what they experienced was "disorganised chaos" and "hell".

They have complained that, once inside the park, they had to pay more to use the attractions.

Some also said that the animals looked unhappy and the facilities, including a broken ice rink, were poor.

Amanda Goodenough, of Blandford, Dorset, told the BBC she paid £150 for tickets for her family.

The park was "a complete misrepresentation, leaving my children heartbroken," she complained.

"The advertisement lends you to believe that this is a snow-covered Lapland village with Hollywood special effects and a bustling Christmas market with an ice rink.

"The website is totally misleading, including photographs which bear no relation to the reality which awaits you on entry."

'Chained' huskies

April Chantler, of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire, described the park as "hell".

"The huskies were chained up in a pen howling, yapping and generally looking thin and unhappy.

"The two reindeer were obviously not enjoying their surroundings and the 'log cabins' were a few green painted sheds with more or less nothing in them."

Grace Tyrrell, of Fareham, Hampshire, said there were many health and safety issues and that the toilets were "full to the seat" leaving her six-year-old daughter "disgusted".

"The entire day was a joke, and I know everyone else thought so," she said.

"The nativity scene was a picture on a painted wall which was viewed from a distance and which had everyone we met laughing."

Mr Mears, who organises the park's marketing and advertising, added he was "bemused" by the complaints.

"Sadly, the first two days were very, very wet and cold and not the most pleasant."

He said the ice rink was now open after "it had a problem" which was out of the park's hands.

Mr Mears added he was going to speak to his boss to see "what we are going to do about it", but could not promise anyone a refund.

Dorset County Council's trading standards team said it would start an investigation after receiving more than 50 complaints.

Funny story!  But...wouldn't the people standing in queue get suspicious about the peculiarly unfestive surroundings? 

As Lewis Black said of a small-game hunting preserve, "They turned a petting zoo into Auschwitz!"

Organiser Henry Mears said: "We don't believe we ripped anyone off."
:D

Come on, Harry, back to the loony bin with ya!

By the way.....  the park sounds despressing, to me.

Hundreds slam Lapland park 'scam'

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45256000/jpg/_45256105_lapland_husky226.jpg

A newly-opened "winter wonderland" Lapland-style theme park has been described as a "joke" and "a scam" by hundreds of angry visitors.

Many people have demanded a refund of the £25 they paid to enter the Lapland New Forest, at Matchams Leisure Park on the Hampshire-Dorset border.

Several visitors have contacted the BBC saying the standard is extremely poor and does not resemble marketing photos.

Organiser Henry Mears said: "We don't believe we ripped anyone off."

He blamed "a few groups of professional troublemakers" for the allegations over the attraction which opened on Friday.

"Like all people they like to get into queues and just generate a bit of aggravation.

"What is not here that we haven't advertised?" he added.

More than 250 people have joined three Facebook groups about the park, with many demanding refunds.

Some said they had contacted the RSPCA about the animals on site.

The park's website shows pictures of snowy scenes, icicles and promises real log cabins, a nativity scene, husky dogs and other animals, as well as a "bustling" Christmas market.

The website says: "We can assure you of an absolutely magical scene... just look how real and cold the 'snow' appears to be."

But some visitors said that what they experienced was "disorganised chaos" and "hell".

They have complained that, once inside the park, they had to pay more to use the attractions.

Some also said that the animals looked unhappy and the facilities, including a broken ice rink, were poor.

Amanda Goodenough, of Blandford, Dorset, told the BBC she paid £150 for tickets for her family.

The park was "a complete misrepresentation, leaving my children heartbroken," she complained.

"The advertisement lends you to believe that this is a snow-covered Lapland village with Hollywood special effects and a bustling Christmas market with an ice rink.

"The website is totally misleading, including photographs which bear no relation to the reality which awaits you on entry."

'Chained' huskies

April Chantler, of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire, described the park as "hell".

"The huskies were chained up in a pen howling, yapping and generally looking thin and unhappy.

"The two reindeer were obviously not enjoying their surroundings and the 'log cabins' were a few green painted sheds with more or less nothing in them."

Grace Tyrrell, of Fareham, Hampshire, said there were many health and safety issues and that the toilets were "full to the seat" leaving her six-year-old daughter "disgusted".

"The entire day was a joke, and I know everyone else thought so," she said.

"The nativity scene was a picture on a painted wall which was viewed from a distance and which had everyone we met laughing."

Mr Mears, who organises the park's marketing and advertising, added he was "bemused" by the complaints.

"Sadly, the first two days were very, very wet and cold and not the most pleasant."

He said the ice rink was now open after "it had a problem" which was out of the park's hands.

Mr Mears added he was going to speak to his boss to see "what we are going to do about it", but could not promise anyone a refund.

Dorset County Council's trading standards team said it would start an investigation after receiving more than 50 complaints.

Shouldn't the toilet be a hole in the ground?

I was reading through a discussion about this on the BBC parenting messageboard.

Someone said their friend went.  Whilst looking at the animals her husband asked the attendant what the big birds were.  The reply? "F***in' turkeys, what do you think?"  :o

I was reading through a discussion about this on the BBC parenting messageboard.

Someone said their friend went.  Whilst looking at the animals her husband asked the attendant what the big birds were.  The reply? "F***in' turkeys, what do you think?"   :o


ALBATROSS!

These guys could've used a consultant from the Disney corporation.
::)

The Lapland-style theme park criticised by visitors as "hell" and a "scam" has closed down permanently.

About time.

The Lapland-style theme park criticised by visitors as "hell" and a "scam" has closed down permanently.


I'm sure they could've made a go of it with a cultural development grant of some kind.  Her Majesty is going to be so disappointed!

A Lapland-style attraction in the West Midlands has been cancelled days after a similar event in the New Forest shut.

Yes another one, but this one was closed before even opening.