Discover the Festive Magic: Kingdom of Winter at Excel London – REVIEW

Let’s delve into the enchanting Kingdom of Winter that has recently opened its doors at Excel London, drawing comparisons with the well-established Winter Wonderland due to their striking similarities.

Firstly, the indoor setting is an absolute delight, especially considering the bone-chilling temperatures this winter. I dare say, this might be the coldest winter the UK has witnessed, making the indoor entertainment at Kingdom of Winter a much-appreciated respite. In comparison to the expansive Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, it’s notably smaller. This compact size is advantageous, particularly for those with young children—it minimizes the risk of losing them, and if that were to happen, locating them is considerably easier, in my opinion.

Dining at The Duck Shed was a highlight for me, where I savored an extraordinary duck wrap priced at £13. It’s worth noting that, as a friendly reminder, dining at these venues doesn’t come cheap. Be prepared to either embrace the cost upon arrival or opt for a pre-event meal – the choice is yours.

Similar to Winter Wonderland, there is an entry fee, starting at £5.50. While a recent free entry promotion on the M&S Sparks app may have concluded, snagging it during that time would have been fantastic.

My ride count tally reached around 17, with prices ranging from £3 to £5, mirroring the offerings at Winter Wonderland. Hence, the pricing structure remains comparable between the two winter wonderlands.

Now, let’s explore the head-to-head matchups:

Magical Ice Kingdom vs. Kingdom of Winter – Immersive Ice Trail:
Tickets for the Magical Ice Kingdom start from £7, escalating to £12.50. In contrast, tickets for the Ice Trail at Kingdom of Winter range from £4 to £6. While it’s a more budget-friendly option, it’s essential to note that Kingdom of Winter’s Ice Trail is comparatively smaller.

Zippos Circus vs. Circus Cortex:
While I can’t provide an exhaustive review of Circus Cortex due to an unexpected departure prompted by my daughter’s coughing fit, I can shed light on the price difference. Circus Cortex at Kingdom of Winter offers tickets at £7 or £10, with under-2s attending for free. In contrast, Zippos Circus at Winter Wonderland starts at £8.50, reaching up to £16.50. Both shows promise approximately 45 minutes of entertainment.

Ice Skating at Kingdom of Winter vs. Winter Wonderland:
Notably, ice skating at Kingdom of Winter is restricted for children under 4 years old. Prices start from £7, reaching up to £15. Although I missed capturing the hire price for skate aids, I’ll update this information soon. Winter Wonderland, on the other hand, starts ice skating at £8.50, going up to £16.50. Notably, they provide Penguin skate aids for £5, catering to kids as young as 3.

Amidst the winter wonder, Kingdom of Winter also offers festive face painting starting from £5 and carnival-style games for £5.

In the realm of food, anticipate delights such as churros, the exceptional hot chocolate from Hotel Chocolat (truly remarkable!), crepes, candy flops, Kingdom of Sweets, and a variety of other tempting treats.

I highlighted this in my TikTok video, and one aspect I wasn’t fond of was people attempting to sell me things. I simply want to enjoy quality time with my family without being pressured to sign up for charities or being pitched afternoon tea and makeover experiences. Honestly, that’s the only downside I have to mention.

Verdict:
Would I recommend Kingdom of Winter? Absolutely! Trying something new is always refreshing, and the indoor feature is a game-changer. Conveniently located near Custom House Station, it’s an accessible and enjoyable outing for the family.

Remember to check the website for parking information. Hurry, though—it’s only at Excel London until January 7, 2024, from 10 am to 8 pm, with final entry at 6:30 pm. For more glimpses, head to my TikTok for videos and pictures. Winter wonders await!