A Christmas Village in New York City is being heavily criticized by parents who were disappointed with what was advertised as a “magical holiday attraction” but ended up being a “s*** show.”
Located on the rooftop of Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport, Disney’s The Santa Clauses’ Winter Wonderland promised families a festive experience complete with a synthetic skating rink, dining cabins, and a visit with Santa. Tickets were sold starting at $15 for general admission and $30 for a VIP ticket that included skate rentals, a fast pass entrance, hot chocolate, and entry to the “North Pole.”
However, several parents have taken to social media to express their frustration and disappointment at what they say was a “tourist trap” and a waste of money.
Kamilla Cohen, a stay-at-home mom of two, paid for two VIP tickets and described the experience as “frustrating.” She said there was no trace of Disney inside the attraction and questioned why the brand’s name was used if there were no Disney characters present.
Skinny Santa, tiny ice rink, watery hot cocoa: Parents unleash on Disney’s NYC Christmas village https://t.co/1dJ2fboKdN
— New York Post (@nypost) November 29, 2023
Cohen also mentioned a winter slide that she claims was shut down after several kids got hurt from the drop. She said her own daughter was in pain and refused to go on the slide again, which was very unlike her. According to Cohen, they later heard a little boy crying in pain, and upon investigation, they found out that his ankle was badly injured due to the slide.
Another parent, Jessica Teixeria, left a scathing review on Google, calling the attraction the “worst money spent in my life!” She warned others that it was a “tourist trap” and only recommended it for those who wanted to take photos for Instagram.
She also mentioned that the hot chocolate was not up to par, describing it as “more like warm water with a cocoa flavor,” and added that Santa never even showed up.
The disappointment didn’t end with the slide and the hot chocolate. Another parent, who was there at the same time as Cohen, said their daughter “sprained her ankles” on the slide and witnessed other kids getting hurt as well. They added that many children were complaining about the painful fall and advised against letting kids play on it.
Magic turns to mayhem at Disney’s Christmas Village in NYC! Parents are up in arms as safety nightmares transform joy into jeopardy. From a treacherous slide to a less-than-jolly Santa, this is one holiday horror story you need to read. Brave the details: https://t.co/vYaJP5rkTK.
— Patriot911 (@Patriot911News) November 29, 2023
The lack of Disney characters and the unexpected closure of the slide were not the only issues parents had. The skating rink, which was advertised as a central attraction, was described as “tiny and without ice” by Jessica Teixeria. She urged others not to waste their money on such an underwhelming experience.
Disney’s The Santa Clauses’ Winter Wonderland has been receiving negative reviews and complaints from parents, with many warning others not to fall for the attraction’s marketing. The disappointment and frustration from parents have sparked concerns about the safety and quality of the attraction, especially for children.
As of now, there has been no response or statement from the organizers of the Winter Wonderland. However, it is clear that the promised “magical holiday experience” has fallen far short of expectations for many families.