Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

[50shadesofknackered]

I really want to take dd1 to Hyde Park one Saturday in December, she is 5 and as I have never been I just wanted to know if it is as lovely as it sounds. Does anybody have any tips about going and at 5 will dd enjoy it?

[givemeaclue]

Yes she will. Take a lot of money, wrap up warm, don't bother queuing for Santa you will be waiting hours (it is free for Santa) so see Santa somewhere else. I took my dcs age 3 they had a great time

[50shadesofknackered]

Thanks giveme think I'm more excited than she is

[givemeaclue]

It's really good fun. Very festive

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

We've been twice, the website says it gets "Bigger and Better" each year.

There's lots of toilets (essential in cold weather and a little girl) lots of the ticket booths.
You buy tickets £1 each. IIRC its £4 /adult, £3 child for each ride (so for my 2 DC and DH £10 a ride. Not a cheap day out but the atmosphere is lovely and festive)

We went 2 years ago in a blizzard. Some of the rides were shut for a while but the managed to go on loads.
I pre-booked the Big Ferris Wheel but we couldn't see a flipping thing

[50shadesofknackered]

Oooo think I'll book the Ferris Wheel. I'm really looking forward to it now, dd will love it. Thanks

[Frontpaw]

Go early in the day and try to get done by lunchtime, or go during the week, then off to Hard Rock or somewhere close for lunch, it gets mobbed and if its wet, a bit soggy.

It is very very expensive, and in the evening quite cold and dark. We did the ferris wheel and its fun.

[Frontpaw]

Maybe tie in with Santa at Harrods or Selfridges?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Frontpaw from threads on here, Selfridges aren't doing a Santas Grotto this year

(So the Harrods one will be mega busy)

We take the DC to McD after (oh the shame) and walk along Regent Street to see the lights (and Hamleys of course)

[PeppermintLatte]

ah i love winter wonderland!

i'm going this year again, not taking my DD (3) oh the guilt! as it's an adults only girly weekend to london, but i will definitely take her next year.

it's so lovely and festive, i love the bavarian pubs that sell mulled wine with a shot of amaretto in. you can also get waffles packed with whipped cream and nutella, and lovely hog roast sandwiches and german hot dogs.

you and your DD will both have a fabulous time, but i would recommend going early in the day, as others have said, it gets packed.

[Frontpaw]

No santa at selfridges? What are they thinking??

[missmapp]

We've been twice, both times in December at about 6 ish with dcs , now 5 and 7, it was lovely and they had a great time but it was packed, and we had to hold onto hands v tight to ensure we didint lose one of them. We will go again, but maybe try earlier in the day to avoid the huge crowds- was lovely and festive in the dark though!!

Oh, and pre plan how to get home, both times we have been, the tube station was closed due to crowds and we had to find other ways back.