Families who attended the opening day of Manchester's Winter Funland have criticised the event as an 'overpriced, overhyped funfair'.
Billed as a 'festive extravaganza', the event is running at the BEC Arena in Trafford Park from now until January 2.
The event made its comeback last year after the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and with Winter Wonderland not happening at EventCity, it's the only indoor winter wonderland-style event taking place locally this Christmas.
It features ice skating, a funfair and a circus, as well as stalls selling food and drink and families get a three-and-a-half hour slot to fit in as much as they can.
READ MORE: The ultimate guide to Christmas events for kids in Manchester
But some families who attended the opening sessions on Sunday - spending more than £100 on tickets - were less than impressed and have taken to the event's Facebook page to complain.
One dad, Wayne, who took his three children, aged 12, 10 and five along, told the Manchester Evening News: "It is basically an overhyped funfair, of which 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. Typical funfair treats like candyfloss were massively overpriced at £4 each.
"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. We lasted around an hour and 30 minutes before leaving massively disappointed after paying over £100."
The organiser of the event is Simon Goldman. He says this year's Winter Funland has been 'carefully advertised' for younger kids and has been 'upscaled' from last year to feature the ice rink and a circus. A separate Winter Funland is also running in Birmingham on a larger scale.
And mum Megan Hicks said her children, aged two, three, eight and 11, all loved Sunday's event.
"It was amazing fun for younger children," she told the M.E.N. "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."
But there have been numerous complaints left on social media by angry parents who feel they've wasted their money on the event, which costs £22.50 per person, or £85 for a family of four, plus booking fees.
"There are no rides for older children, mine are nine and 12 and not suitable for them," said one mum. "My nine-year-old went on a couple of rides, but their small rides more aimed at seven and under."
"I would not book for the Manchester one," said Shell Herring. "We went today with a seven-year-old and four-year-old. Overpriced and two small rooms with very few rides."
She too said the ice rink was 'very small' and 'extremely crowded', adding: "I would pay to go to an ice skating rink and miss out on Winter Funland altogether."
Sophie Makin described the event as 'shocking' and 'nothing like what’s been advertised' while Mason Mase said it was 'pure disappointment'.
"Nothing Christmassy about it," he said. "Just a fun fair inside apart from fun. All the rides are the same and it’s so expensive for food and drink."
And another mum Amber Robinson added: "We went today, nothing like the original one that used to be at EventCity. All small rides, my kids liked it, but I was disappointed and avoid pick and mix like the plague - cost a fortune.
"I wouldn’t go again the old one was amazing and this one was not as magical. Heard so many families complaining today about it."
Mr Goldman said: "Winter Funland is running once again two amazing Christmas events, one at Birmingham NEC and one at BEC, Manchester.
"The NEC at 2m sq feet, the UK’s largest single exhibition space, is able to hold much larger thrill rides which are suitable for older children, adults, as well as smaller family members.
"The BEC, as a smaller venue, has been advertised as suitable for families with under nines. It holds an amazing circus and ice rink which are proving very popular.
"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. Fun fair rides, the circus and ice rink are included in the entrance price."
It's not the first time that Winter Funland has been criticised. Last Christmas some families slammed it as a 's**t show' saying their 'kids had more fun sat in the car'.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
