We had a lovely few hours at the Winter Funland’s VIP evening at the NEC Birmingham. Winter Funland is the UK’s largest indoor fairground and boasts festive fun for the whole family. With it being the first time the event has come to Birmingham, we really didn’t know what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised at how much there is to do for children. We loved how the rides and attractions are included in the entrance cost (listed below).
What’s included at Winter Funland?
Ice-skating rink (4 years+)
Full-sized fairground
Traditional circus
Motorbike show
Mini crazy golf
Inflatables
Craft area
How much is admission?
🎟 £23.50 each or £89 for a whole family excluding booking fees. Under 3s are free.
When is it on?
📆 Thursday 9th December 2021 until Sunday 2nd January 2022.
If you have children aged between 4-11 that can take advantage of all of the rides and attractions within the 4 hours, Winter Funland is definitely worth it. Especially, considering at a normal Christmas funfair they charge anything between (£3-£5) per person per ride. The fact that all the rides and shows are included in the price is great!
Some rides that are at Winter Funland at the NEC in Birmingham (2021) include:
Teacups
Dodgems
Waltzers
Toy train
Train ride
Ghost train
Sizzler
Spritzer
Funhouse
Mini chairs
Race O Rama
Flying balloons
Children’s coaster
Flying elephants
Children’s sizzler
Also be sure to keep an eye out for the cheeky polar bear and penguin, the elf on his bubble-making tricycle, and the three camels!
The things you do have to pay for are your food, drink, any merchandise, arcade games and games on the side stalls (e.g., hook-a-duck, ring toss). Santa’s grotto is an additional £10 per family, excluding booking fee (pre-booking a time slot is required). The food and drink prices are quite expensive which is to be expected - burgers and hotdogs were around £7 each and hot drinks around £3 each. Car parking is £5 (refundable if travelling by train). So you may end up spending a little more than planned.
Be sure to take cash if you’d like a go on the stall games, mini arcade, slush machines or would like a pick n’ mix as these are cash only and they charge £2.75 for cash withdraws at the ATM.
We were a little disappointed with the lack of consideration of others. A few times before children had gotten off the smaller rides, there were parents skipping the queue and putting their children on even when the person operating the ride was helping children off. We did find this super annoying and it did happen more than once, unfortunately. This is not the fault of Winter Funland by any means but maybe queues for toddler rides could be better managed next year.
Although wearing a face covering is mandatory, there weren’t many people wearing one, including the staff managing the rides. And personally knowing a few people who attended the event who had a positive covid test the following day was a bit off-putting. We would have preferred to see a no mask, no entry policy (unless exempt). I know since we attended the event a few weeks ago, a lot of other people have also mentioned the lack of mask-wearing. The NEC does have a policy in place where you have to show your covid pass or negative lateral flow before entry, but I don’t think this is enough, unfortunately. Especially, with the number of people in such a small space.
Despite this, we would definitely go back if the event returned next year. I think there’s so much scope for Winter Funland to be even bigger with even more rides catering for children of all ages, as well as more food and dining options.
If you attended Winter Funland at the NEC Birmingham, how was your visit? Did you have a great time? Please do let me know in the comments ⬇️
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets but all views expressed are my own.
Information correct at time of posting 20/12/2021.