Winter wonderland Hyde Park… Is it any good?

[Happyhouralways]

Considering a day out at winter wonderland, possibly between Christmas and New Year. Would be me, DH & 2 DC (age 11 and 9).

Looked at the booking page and I put things we’d like to do in the basket (a few rides, some coins for games, food and the ice sculptures) and it came to nearly £300, which is obviously fairly pricey for just a day out.
Would love to know what experiences people have had in the past. Is it expensive but worth it or big waste of money?

Thanks!

Very expensive

@EdgarsTale which market would you recommend? Been to the south bank quite a few times but don’t think I’ve done others in London

DD went last year with her BF, and made a long weekend out of it as it's some distance. They were both horribly disappointed with it, and both said it wasn't worth the money. Thankfully they'd booked other things and had a good weekend but this was the most expensive thing they did! Her comments were too crowded, too expensive and too tacky.

I've been a couple of times and after last year won't be going again. Expensive to the point of obscenity and just awful. No atmosphere, staff are awful and miserable

When some of the rides cost between £5- £8
it is not a surprise that £112 was spent
I went when my three dcs were younger. Each dc brought along a friend , so I had six dc. Each child had four rides. Over £100 was spent on rides and this was a long time ago. To make it worse the rides were extremely short because the queues were so long
Would not recommend

You'd have to pay me to go again :) It's so crowded that you can't really see or do anything, just have to be watching any kids you're with and all holding hands snaking through the crowds.

I would go see the Christmas lights on Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Oxford Street and the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. Then dinner and a show. That would be a fantastic day! Or you could do matinee first then lights and dinner as it'll be getting dark after the matinee.

Sorry to jump on thread but does anyone know if you can book on the gate at Winter Wonderland?

Been 3 times. First and second times were awful - so crowded couldn’t even see what the stalls were selling!!

rides are just fairground rides.

third time went to the circus which was more fun but still not worth the hassle.

the reason I went back is because it’s so hyped up I thought I should keep giving it a go. But never again!!

When DD was small we took her and her cousin & it was nice enough, but we spent so much money we decided not to go back. That must have been about 13 years ago? I hear it's much more expensive & tacky now. It also wrecks Hyde Park.

I've been a few times and these days it's just a big piss up tbh. Don't rate it. Plenty more cheaper local alternatives to get in the festive spirit

This!

Overpriced, overcrowded shite.

For that price I'd prefer taking the family to the continent, spending a bit more and making a few days out of it, instead of an afternoon.

There's usually some fairground rides in Leicester Square at Christmas. All the Christmas markets tend to be crap. I look but never buy.

For Chrismassy Feelz go to Hamleys or Liberty, or take a bus along Regent Street. Fortnum & Masons in Piccadilly usually have cracking window displays. Covent Garden is usually cute at Christmas, as is Seven Dials. A bit further out try Christmas at Kew for the lights and hot chocolate.

I promise I don't work for Visit London I'm actually a tubeworker!

We went three times ( skipping a year in between)

First year was ok , rides were £3 child £4 adult , no real queues
Plenty of clean toilets
Stalls to buy more tickets .
Free entry

Next year we booked the Ferris Wheel
There was a blizzard, a lot of the rides were closed
The Ferris wheel had plastic protective covers on each seat which you couldn't see out of.

Third visit was so busy
Lots of people with buggies and dogs .
Queues were so bad my DC only managed two rides then got fed up
Everywhere was muddy .
Couldn't get a refund on bought tickets so gave them to a bloke with his DC coming in.

Never bothered after that

Bluewater had a Winter Wonderland a few years back that was great (and we could drive there and get hot drinks in the M&S Cafe)