Santa’s Winter Village, Noarlunga, slammed by disappointed families
Families have been left fuming after paying more than $130 to visit Santa’s Winter Village in Noarlunga – which has now been shutdown after online backlash.
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It promised to be a “truly unique white Christmas to remember” with a magical “Polar Express train ride on a snowy trail through an enchanted forest”, but has left families fuming instead.
Santa’s Winter Village tickets – at the former Masters Home Improvement warehouse in Noarlunga Centre – cost $38.50 for those aged 3 and above or $132 for a family of four.
But many have been left ‘shocked’ by the DIY decorations, metal-barrier maze, cardboard cubby houses and poorly dressed Santa.
The event space was leased from retail group Vicinity Centres who have since spoken with event organisers to discuss concerns around the event.
“We have arranged with the team at The Ice Skating Edge to close Santa’s Winter Village today, stop selling tickets to the event and arrange refunds for those who have been disappointed by the event,” Vicinity Centres regional manager Zoltan Heinrich said.
“We’ve listened to our customers and, we agree, Santa’s Winter Village does not meet the expectations of our customers, the broader community or our team at Colonnades and we apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience this has caused our customers.”
Customers who purchased tickets can arrange a refund via The Ice Skating Edge.
One mother took to Facebook to express her disgust after paying for her family of four to go to the event on Monday.
“Well, let’s put it simple (sic), do NOT waste your time or money on this event,” she wrote.
“I instantly felt a feeling of shock and disappointment as soon as we walked in and out (sic) experience just kept getting worse.
“The Santa they had was so poorly dressed and an actor that my 6-year-old began questioning if he was Santa.
“Not cool to take the sparkle and magic from her so young. I still feel a lump of disappointed for what we paid and what my family received.”
Another Facebook user said she paid $60 for herself and her four-year-old to attend the event for 30 minutes.
“It was a waste of money,” she wrote.
“It looked cheaply done, with rip off prices.
“I feel bad for the families that had two or more children and paid a lot more.”
Twitter user Tom Tanuki wrote winter village “looks like the Fyre Festival of kid’s Santa events”.
Fyre Festival was a luxury Bahamas music event in 2017 that descended into chaos after it was revealed to be an elaborate scam. Instead of the luxury villas and gourmet meals for which festival attendees paid hundreds of dollars, they received pre-packaged sandwiches and tents for accommodation.
A furious mum posted today about how a ticketed 'Santa's Winter Village' event in Noarlunga, South Australia is a scam, warning other parents away.
— Tom Tanuki (@tom_tanuki) December 16, 2020
She's right. Check her photos. It looks like the Fyre Festival of kid's Santa events. pic.twitter.com/6F4tHrZLsj
In an email to The Messenger, event organiser Lorraine Malone said the photos of large empty spaces in the 9000 sqm warehouse were just “large gaps” between attractions.
“I thought we are being Covid safe doing this,” she said.
“The kids have all been having a good time but apparently we were supposed to be entertaining the adults.
“They have putt putt golf, a maze, candy land, the polar express running on an ice track, tea cup ride, jumping castle and an ice hockey shooting gallery.
“On the ice there is a wonderful mini Christmas show and we have the penguin harmony choir singing some sessions. Apparently this is not enough for some people.”
Ms Malone said it cost just $16 to bring children in for ice skating and $11 extra to add the other attractions.
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