Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

[Lidlisthebusiness]

If you've been, was it worth it? We'd be travelling from Cornwall, and there's 8 of us. My husband has suggested it as he gets home from working abroad just before Christmas so we can pick him up and we've never been before.
I have 1 child that really enjoys rides, the others aren't really on to them.

If not Wonderland then what activities have you done that you would highly recommend?

God no it’s cheaper to go to bloody legoland for the day tbh it’s a rip
off and super busy and shit

If you aren't into rides there's no point going.
It's just a giant (and VERY expensive ) temporary fun fair.

its horrible and incredibly expensive
the food and the rides
not worth it especially for 8 of you - would be hundreds of pounds

last time i went, few years ago, it was alright during the day, queues were fine and atmostphere was nice. but then when we were leaving, around 5-6pm, it was starting to get really busy, with large queues and crowds.. so I would plan for that.

obviously it is also very expensive compared to other local fairs.

It has an ice rink, I quite liked that. DP and DD did the ice carving workshop but there isn’t much instruction, they just leave you with a block of ice and a chisel. We pay for the queue jump tickets for the ferris wheel because it’s frankly crap, takes about 7 minutes, and totally not worth a 30 minute wait.

We are fairly close to London so do it every few years. The views of London are nice. On balance “busy, expensive and shit” is about right 😂 There will be be far better ways to spend your money if you’re coming from so far away.

Ive never heard anyone say anything good about it.

Every year I see reviews on MN for wonderland getting worse due to the prices and queues. Years ago I used to work nearby so would sometimes go there during my lunch break. Back then you could just wander around. I think you now need to book a ticket PLUS then pay for rides and the extortionate food/drink prices.

You'd be better off walking along the southbank which also has similar, market type stalls or going to one of the other outdoor ice rinks.

Nope.

we went and while the rides are ok the experience itself is just busy and not fun.

Don't subject yourself to it. It's ridiculously overcrowded, literally shuffling forward with the crowd and stimupidly expensive, even compared to other things your expect to be expensive in London.

It's basically cheap market stalls and food stalls, with some fairground rides, all at 3 x times what you'd pay anywhere else.

I know it won't be everyone's thing but my favourite thing to do in London at Christmas is the carol services at St Martin's in the Field Trafalgar Square.

No it's shit
DH insisted on taking his kids a few years in a row and I have no idea why. It's expensive, crowded, you're financially pressured to commit to buying attraction tickets in advance which still have huge queues, food is shit, it often rains. There is nothing festive about it.

You have to ask why it's still so crowded because this is what "everyone" has been saying about it for years now.

A decade ago when it was free to go in I went with my then partner for a potter round and it was a bit naff but fine. I’d not pay to go, there is so much better festive stuff on in London

Absolutely NOT worth it. Certainly not worth a trek from Cornwall.

Rubbish and very expensive.

I have a 35 minute train ride to get into central London , if I’m up for something else then I might pop into Hyde Park , but that’s because pre booked off peak tickets are £1 each , and I really only go because I love the ice sculpture kingdom , themed on Neverland this year , which is about £11 each .

I fairly sure you would be disappointed to travel from Cornwall for it , but if you have plans to take in a show and I assume stay overnight then it can be a nice add on just for the ice kingdom , but please don’t book a journey around just that .

Definitely not worth it. I live in London and wouldn’t go.

God no. Save yourself the hassle by burning a bunch of £20 notes in your garden whilst throwing a polystyrene cup of tepid red wine over your front.

Invite your neighbours round to bump into you for additional effect.

Thanks for this! It made me laugh so much as it’s absolutely true!

Definitely not! Not all the way from Cornwall. I'm less than an hour from Hyde Park and I still wouldn't bother.

I think there is something called Lapland UK which I have heard is good. Maybe worth a look

If you want to go and empty your very full wallet of cash then feel free. If you want to do it properly could be £100/£150 plus each! £15 ish to go on a rollercoaster. For food £20, pints £9 ish etc etc. Go to London and just see the lights etc if you must.

Thieves paradise for pickpockets.

Im trying to settle baby to sleep and laughed out loud at that one hahahaaahaaaha

God no. Over priced funfair. There must be some lovely Christmas light experiences between London and Cornwall that would be 100times better.

No no no no and no. It was pretty shit in the first year and has deteriorated ever since.

Just walking around central London before Christmas is lovely - last year I was at an event near parliament and walked back to Leicester Square via st James's park and I think around Mayfair, just lovely Xmas decorations and a real buzz.