Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park?

[Wigeon]

Anyone been? Is it a massive rip-off / tacky-fest, or is it actually really nice? Am worried that it will be less a snowy winter wonderland, and more a cold, damp field, being London in December...

I was there last week. I went with dp so no kids, but we're planning to take them back after Christmas. I thought it was just lovely, but I'm a as for all things Christmas. Very very expensive, but to wile away a few hours soaking up the atmosphere you can't beat it IMO. You're looking at a minimum 3 quid for the smaller rides and games, more like 4 or 5 for the bigger ones, and you won't get a decent feed for less than a fiver. The mulled wine was eye wateringly expensive though, as was any kind of drink, so we gave that a miss.

I've been 3 times (2012/2010/2008)

2010 was lovely because there was a blizzard but some of the rides were closed. We went in the wheel (pre-booked and prepaid) but because of the blizzard we couldn't see out and the windows were covered in condensation.

Last year we went the week before Christmas. It was so busy. There were queues to get in.
Massive queues for rides.
Mud everywhere (but there were plastic grid walkways down)
Lots of prams/pushchairs (watch your ankles)
And dogs. So many people had their dogs with them- something to be aware of if your DC don't like dogs.

In previous years there weren't huge queues for toilets or tickets but last year there were.

They have ice-skating, an ice-sculpture bit (but you have to pre-book IIRC).
Circus (pre-book)
Santa in a Grotto.

I wouldn't go again personally.
Tickets were £4 adult/ £3 child

We went last Sunday.. Two kids (9) and (5) and I the members of our extended family.
We didn't see any dogs.
It was busy, but bareable.
We saw Santa at Harrods, then met family and had coffee at the little cafe on the lake, then wandered around ww.
It was much better when in was light.. It gets super slow busy when it gets dark.
It was stupidly expensive. So the kids only had 3 rides each, which was a shame..
But they LOVED it.
Magic kingdom was painfully freezing and my family paid a lot to get bored and too cold, so walked out.
The little Santa's grotto was small but looked nice.
If you were to go, go as early as you can, before it gets dark.
It was do busy it took blooming ages to get anywhere as it's so horribly crowded.

Thanks very much for replies! So, not exactly a ringing endorsement and rather confirms my fears...

Any other experiences welcome!

I went last year; would never ever go again. I thought it was a horrible, commercial rip-off and not magical at all. All the rides were totally overpriced and I thought it was really tacky. We left after half an hour. I hope I'm not just being a scrooge, but I would never recommend it to anyone.
I would honestly rather go for a long wintery walk in our local park or woods followed by a hot chocolate if I wanted a 'Winter Wonderland' feel.
I have seen that there's a German Christmas Market on the South Bank...could be good combined with a wander through Borough Market and some ice skating?

just to let you know but we were on tube last night - about 5.30pm ish, coming home from covent garden on piccadilly line and tube driver anounced to passengers on stop just before hyde park corner that if passengers were going to the Winter Wonderland, the event had been closed to everyone other than VIP ticket holders as it was so busy.
Not sure if that meant for the night or just a temporary thing to ease congestion inside the event.

Didn't sound at all pleasant to be inside WW either way.

London was extremely busy last night. Tube was actually dangerous with numbers on platform and still people pushing down stairs to get on to the platform. This was central london not the outer stations.
I was actually worried for everyone's safety for first time ever and I have been using the tube for 40 years and my children are very used to busy London.

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good...

Just noticed (from seeing the "Latest Mumsnetter reviews on the right of the page here) that there are some reviews of Winterwonderland: here, all saying the same for this year, although people seem to have enjoyed it in previous years. If you've been, maybe you could also submit a review, to save other people the bad experience!

It's a fairground but one where the rides are 20 quid per family instead of 5-10 quid at a normal fair. Colleague went at the weekend, was wrongly charged 20 quid for two dodgems and went to query this at the ticket booth where the woman snarled at him "no refunds" and wouldnt sort it out. I wouldnt mind the extra cost if it felt magical and happy. But it doesn't. It's stressy, commercialised and grabby.

We went on Friday and had a lovely time. It wasn't busy and it put me in a very festive mood. Our two year old enjoyed it, too. Can imagine it would be hell on earth at a weekend, though.

If you're a Christmassy type of person and you can go mid-week, I think you'll enjoy it.

My DS was there today with his respite carers. A good day was had by all as far as I can tell

I think it's got bigger and bigger but not better in the last few years.

Last year the Underground was shut (not WW fault I know) but it meant a long trek and a wait around (we got the bus outside)

They should really space things out more I think, it would make queueing easier. Alt of the food stalls are samey but very busy, I didn't feel inspired to explore them.
(Though I have to say the Hog Roasts smelled lush and I'm a vegetarian )

Please see my review elsewhere on Mumsnet. We went on Saturday 1st Dec''13 - absolutely awful experience VERY dangerous we were expecting crowds but not the literal crushing and pushing of thousands of people. A big rip off which left us feeling very unfestive!!