Visiting Santa at the Magic Cave now comes at a cost, with David Jones refusing free visits

90 per cent of Advertiser readers think Santa visits should be free – and probably won’t be visiting The Magic Cave this year for that reason. Do you agree? Have your say.

Advertiser readers are “disgusted” in “money grabbing” David Jones for charging families to visit Santa Claus at the Magic Cave.

David Jones, host of the iconic cave, has imposed booking requirements to visit Saint Nic, refusing anyone who hadn’t booked online – and those online bookings come at a cost.

Prior to the pandemic, children could sit on Santa’s lap for free to run through their wishlist, with the optional, professional photographs coming at a cost.

But now to book, you must purchase a photo package ranging from $24.95 to $49.95.

Children can “wave” to Father Christmas for free, David Jones said, but only if capacity allowed in order to adhere to Covid-safe policies.

However, under state current government regulations businesses no longer to have capacity regulations.

“Disgusting, in times when families are struggling this has to happen, should be ashamed of themselves, taking the joy away from children at a cost,” Willow Breaze commented on Facebook.

Mark Martin called the department store “Xmas grinches” saying it’s “one more reason not to shop at David Jones”.

“Disgusting! Money grabbing at its finest,” Larissa Vater wrote.

It’s free here … Elves Jelena, Jemma, Olivia, Mia and Declan with Santa at Santaland in the Myer Centre. Picture Emma Brasier

Parents and their children have been showing up to the Magic Cave expecting at least a look inside but have been put off by the prohibitive cost.

Single mother Rebecca Edwards and son Jack, 15, who has special needs, came from Glenelg for the Magic Cave with the promise of seeing Santa but refused to pay a fee.

“It’s just disappointing because it’s money-making and it takes the magic away from the children,” Ms Edwards said.

Instead Ms Edwards booked her son in to sit on Santa’s lap for free at Santaland in the Myer Centre.

Another mother and son who travelled from Coromandel Valley said it affected families who couldn’t afford the extra cost during the festive season.

“It seems difficult to time and it might not work if you have a little kid and it might put off people if they don’t have a massive budget for Christmas,” said Kelly, the mother of Fraser, 3.

But interstate traveller Elise Apolloni, visiting from Canberra, said it was commonplace to pay to see Santa back home.

“Where we take our children to take a photograph with Santa there isn’t a free sitting option,” Ms Apolloni said.

But she did say the cost may be too high.

“I’m not sure if $25 is an appropriate amount of money and that is a lot of money to sit on someone’s lap,” she said.

Dean and Elise Apolloni with Leon, 1 and Nora, 3 at the Myer Centre. Picture: Emma Brasier

An Adelaide grandmother told ABC Radio that David Jones refused to acknowledge visiting Santa wasn’t free anymore.

“It’s misleading but my main thing is to let people know to just not turn up because they won’t get in, one without booking and two, unless you’re going to pay for it,” she said.

The Magic Cave has been an Adelaide Christmas staple since 1896 and opened on November 12 this year.

Covid-safe Santa at the Magic Cave in David Jones last year. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

David Jones’ Magic Cave isn’t the only North Pole with an entry fee.

Scene to Believe, the company operating out of Colonnades and Elizabeth Shopping Centres, is also charging to sit on Santa’s lap.

With walk-ins canned, visiting Father Christmas starts at $24.95.

However, on December 8, Santa will be coming to Brickworks Marketplace at Torrensville and though online bookings are required, they are free including a free digital professional photograph.

Myer Centre’s Santaland doesn’t even require a booking, with walk-ins welcomed – but it warned of wait times.

At Santaland you’re welcome to take your own pictures.

Professional photos are available for purchase starting at $12.95 for digital pictures – or $25.95 for print packages.