We got a sneaky preview of the Centre MK display whilst it was being put up – a black curtain was put up around the area but we just headed up to the mezzanine in John Lewis for a birds-eye view. (By the way it’s quite lovely up there. Nice place for a coffee – much quieter than the 2nd floor café!) Anyway we wanted to see it in detail and what’s on offer for children. The white bubble domes are a grotto experience, there’s a train, a carousel and craft stalls. All of those you pay for. There are a few more animatronics to see compared to last year. We saw people taking selfies. Obviously quiet during term-time weekdays in November – and cheaper too. If you’re thinking of doing the grotto (craft experience, meet Santa, gift) it does get more expensive as time goes on – £6.50 now rising to £7.50 during school hours in Dec or £8.50 during peak times and weekends and the days leading up to Christmas. Plus £1 booking fee online. Train (longer ride than last year) and carousel both £2 per person. For more details have a look at the Centre MK website.
I took my kids on Sunday. ..The santa was awful and made fun of my youngest child’s speech. He called my kids ..trouble,double trouble and treble trouble. On leaving the grotto my 6 yr old asked if that really was the real santa and my 8 yr old answered no way would santa speak like that. I have emailed a complaint but as yet it has been ignored. Very dissapointed. Do not bring your kids to this so called santa.
Hi Michelle, thanks for commenting. I’d be interested to hear how Centre MK respond to your complaint. Let me know if you don’t hear anything in the next week, Laura