WINTER BLUNDERLAND
We spent £100 on tickets for a Christmas market but it was just an overhyped funfair…. candyfloss cost £4
FAMILIES have slammed an ";overhyped" Christmas market after just an hour-and-a-half at the "festive extravaganza" cost one group over £100.
Winter Funland, in Manchester, has been blasted by customers as "overpriced", with just one portion of candyfloss setting them back £4.
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Billed as a "fabulously-festive treat" with "unlimited rides, an ice-rink and a circus show" in its advertising, Winter Funland has met with harsh criticism from visitors.
One dad, Wayne, took his three children, aged 12, 10 and five, to the attraction and walked away disappointed.
He told : "It is basically an overhyped funfair...I've seen better at Heaton Park.
"On the website it states more suitable for under nines, but I would say it's more for ages up to six.
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"Typical funfair treats like candyfloss were massively overpriced at £4 each."
Since Manchester's Winter Wonderland is not running this year, Winter Funland is the only wonderland-style event in the area this Christmas.
Wayne continued: "The ice skating rink is tiny to have a comfortable skate on it. I'd say no more than five kids supervised by adults could fit on it. Staff apart from ride operators were nowhere to be seen.
"For a supposedly Christmas-themed event, other than the foyer, there was nothing Christmas-themed about it.
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"We lasted around an hour and 30 minutes before leaving massively disappointed after paying over £100."
The entrance fee costs £22.50 per person, or £85 for a family of four, plus booking fees.
Other parents have complained about the attraction on social media.
One mum wrote: "There are no rides for older children, mine are nine and 12 and not suitable for them.
"My nine-year-old went on a couple of rides, but they are small rides more aimed at seven and under."
Another fumed that the event was too expensive, saying: "We went today with a seven-year-old and four-year-old. Overpriced and two small rooms with very few rides."
However, some customers said their experience was "amazing fun".
Megan Hicks said her children, aged two, three, eight and 11, all loved the event, which runs until January 2.
She said: "It was amazing fun for younger children. Although my 11-year-old also enjoyed it. The circus show was amazing.
"As soon as we left my two-year-old said he wanted to come back. It’s all about the kids having fun and mine loved it."
Simon Goldman, the organiser of Winter Funland, was quick to defend the festive fun on offer.
He said pointed out that the Manchester venue is much smaller than the firm's other event, currently running at the NEC in Birmingham, but that it was the only location available.
However, he maintained that it was proving "very popular".
Mr Goldman said: "We realise that families who have previously attended Winter Funland at EventCity will see a difference in the size of event delivered.
"EventCity is currently being demolished to make way for a water park, there is simply no other venue currently in Manchester to hold a large scale winter wonderland under cover in a warm environment for young families."
He added: "We have our mischievous elves at both venues, as well as costume characters sprinkling Christmas cheer and mischief amongst our visitors.
"With the cost of living crisis Winter Funland works out at around 80p per ride which is super value. We would advise all visitors to arrive early to maximise their session.
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"Fun fair rides, the circus and ice rink are included in the entrance price."
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