Our Santa Experience is full of festive cheer!

Join Santa at his Sleigh Lodge on level 3 of the shopping centre for a magical festive adventure. After a short safety video, you’ll board our Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride for an exciting trial flight before Christmas Eve.

Led by our very own D.A.S.H., you’ll travel around the world and even into space! Hold on to your hats and antlers — this could be a bumpy ride!

After your adventure, children will have a few minutes to chat with Santa, and each child will receive a small gift.

With space for up to eight riders, it’s a wonderful experience to share with family this festive season.

THE SLEIGH RIDE

Put on your HD VR headset and enter Santa’s virtual launch bay, where your adventure begins. Enjoy a fully immersive 4D experience, with moving seats, two front fans and surround sound.

The sleigh tilts forwards, backwards and from side to side, matching the action of the 360-degree virtual adventure.

The sleigh accommodates up to eight riders, depending on the mix of adults and children.

TIMINGS

The complete Santa Experience lasts approximately 15 minutes, including a two-minute safety video, a three-minute Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride and time for the children to chat with Santa.

PRICES

£10 per person (minimum booking of two people)

All visitors must purchase a ticket to enter the Santa Experience.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Please arrive on time, as late entry may not be possible due to demand.

You’ll find the Santa Experience on level 3 of the shopping centre, near the green car park doors. Santa will welcome you and guide you through the safety video before you board his sleigh.

Riders wear a VR headset during the sleigh ride. Very young riders who cannot wear a headset can sit at the front and watch the adventure on a TV screen.

If you experience motion sickness, vertigo, seizures or epilepsy, please contact us before booking to discuss the ride’s suitability and viewing options.

After the ride, Santa will spend a few minutes chatting with the children and give each child a small gift.

There is no age limit, but every rider must be able to support themselves while the sleigh moves. Wheelchair users must transfer to the sleigh to take part in the full ride experience.

QUIETER RIDE REQUESTS

If you or someone in your group would benefit from a quieter ride, including autistic visitors and those with sensory sensitivities, please request this on your booking form. Let us know about any specific sensory needs so we can help make your visit more comfortable.

EVENING VISITS — ACCESS AFTER 6:30 P.M.

The Santa Experience will be open until 8 p.m. on selected dates. The main shopping centre closes at 6:30 p.m., so if your booking is after this time, please use one of the following access routes:

• By car: Drive into the centre’s car park and enter the shopping centre through the green doors on level 3. Santa’s Sleigh Lodge is just inside, next to these doors.
• On foot: Use either ground-floor pedestrian entrance to the car park: near Eye Hut on Smithford Way, or to the left of Bonmarché on Ironmonger Row.

Pedestrian access: Press the intercom and give security your booking details so they can open the doors for you. Take the lift to level 3, then carefully cross the car park to the green doors leading into the shopping centre. Santa’s Sleigh Lodge is just inside, next to these doors.

BOOKING CHANGES, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

If you need to change the date or time of your visit, please arrange this through the TicketSource website where you purchased your tickets. The shopping centre cannot make changes to bookings; all ticket changes must be handled through TicketSource.

Tickets are non-refundable, and cancellations are not permitted.

For more information, please contact vr@westorchards.co.uk