A sure fire way of staving off the winter blues is with a visit to London’s Christmas fair – Winter Wonderland, the original which has spawned many now across the U.K. .
Debuting in 2007, this has continually seen some of Europe’s premier riding equipment, supported by a dazzling array of festival shopping, continental food stalls, and shows. Also popular is the ice rink, drawing thousands every year.
Nice brisk walk across this historic London park. Unseasonably mild weather this December, in contrast to last year.
This year this pre-Christmas Saturday looks like being a record day. Boasting a huge annual attendance, this fair can suffer from poor weather. Looking good today as we approach.
This year has the same roller coaster ride line-up as in 2013. However, it, as always, boasted amongst the best fairground coasters currently travelling here.
A fun ride this year sees the return of the Ice Mountain Spinning Coaster. A standard Reverchon Mouse, heavily themed and covered completely for its London visit.
Wonderland also boasts several of the Big-Hitter rides currently on the circuit, with the StarFlyer of James Mellors among these. This one always draws a crowd.
Certainly always one of the most impressive rides is the Zierer Star Shape ‘Air’ of Abie Danter.
And still quite rare travelling.
Also, the Power Tower 2 making a return visit here. Once the tallest transportable drop tower in Europe.
What makes this fair special for me is the general age and group demographic on the ground. There is therefore something for everyone. All made over with a Christmas theme. Thrills, fun and kiddie rides everywhere.
This new XXL, one of a vastly expanding type seen in Europe.
Even the traditional Pirate Ship gets a makeover.
Large crowds and wet weather previously gave the fair a different feel than in 2014.
A new attraction last year, the Alpine Thriller is a Pinfari similar to the Megablitz at Porthcawl.
Again more theming this year. And queues!
Across is the first of two Dodgem rides done up for the Winter theming. This newer set features fantastic Bertazzon Berlin cars. Superb stuff.
My personal favourite ride at the fair is the exceptionally kept Wilde Maus XXL, with the wet weather around it giving a peppy ride. And it’s always higher than I remember.
We need more Wild Mouse Coasters. Particularly when they’re this good.
Also featuring at the fair this year, as in past years, is Buwalda’s unique and softly themed ‘Christmas Coaster’, otherwise known as the Euro Coaster.
I find this coaster to be worth a ride, as it provides a very different ride to many others on the travelling circuit.
Last but definitely not least is the incredibly tidy Spinning Coaster, again from Buwalda of the Netherlands.
With Christmas almost upon us and just a few weeks to the early season 2015 park openings, this was a nice little trip to get in the last rides of the year.
Hopefully next year at Hyde Park will be better still.
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