Winter wonderland hyde park worth it?

[Littlemousewithcloggson]

Having read lots of mixed reviews I'm still unsure about going. Please can anyone that has been, with children under 10, please give me your opinions. We would go on a Sunday, first thing, and would do the ice Kingdom, the circus and the wheel. Am I wasting my money?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I went 3 years/5 years/7 years ago.
My DC are 16 and 13.6 now.
They enjoyed it though it got bigger and busier over the years.
Last time the queues were horrendous even to get in, the rides were busy too.

We went on a Saturday though so your Sunday morning should be quieter but it comes alive in the dark.

You buy £1 tickets and the rides are £3-£4 ish each.
I think you're best to prebook the Wheel and Ice Kingdom

[Littlemousewithcloggson]

That's what we would do but it's non refundable so don't want to book until we are sure. Bit worried it's going to be a big disappointment to the DC although it sounds great

[LovelyFriend]

Its expensive but we love it - my DC were 3 & 7 last year. This year we have a special WW savings tin :) I'm usually fairly frugal, so it is hard for me to say fuck it and splash out, but that is what we do at WW

Your DC really won't be disappointed.

It's not usually too busy when we go - but it is usually bitterly cold so maybe that is the key to fewer/smaller queues.

[LovelyFriend]

Mind you I haven't done any of the pre-booked sessions - we just turn up, eat churros and go on the rides. Then I recover with a large German beer while the DC run around.

Might try and see the circus or Ice Kingdom this year.

[Freezingwinter]

It is very busy and I was freezing when I went! Wrap up warm, even if you go 'inside' you are still a little bit exposed iyswim! Rides are lots of fun, food and drink ridiculously expensive. I loved the little stalls with gifts.

[alleypalley]

I agree with LovelyFriend, it's expensive but we love it. We live a short bus ride away though so no extra travel costs.

My dd's are 11 & 5 this year and will get £20 worth of ride tickets each. We are actually going this Saturday as I'm having an op on my foot next week so will be on crutches for the rest of December. We'll be going early afternoon so hopefully not too too busy and will stay long enough for it to get dark so we get a bit of atmosphere then leave before it gets too busy. At least that's the plan.

We went to the Ice Kingdom a couple of years ago, loved it. The circus was good but not great. I am most looking forward to having a bratworst.

We've done ice-skating there before but are going to Somerset House this year.

[franksidebottom]

I've been once about 2 years ago, we went on the wheel and looked around the market. I took dd1 on a Monday it was a school training day. We enjoyed it but I personally wouldn't go again but I'm glad we've been.

[PseudoBadger]

The layout has changed this year to remove as many of the traditionally crowded pinch points as possible, and make it less alcohol focused. It only opened tonight so perhaps keep an eye on their FB over the weekend to see how crowded it gets with the new arrangements.