It's time for the the annual pilgrimage to Christmas markets - that are often overpriced, overcrowded and overly festive. And the juggernaut of all seasonal pop-ups is, of course, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland.
And I got the pleasure to attend the press night back in November where London's biggest Christmas market attracts influencers, celebrities and the ghosts of Love Island series past in their droves.
Although the backdrop of the big wheel and the Bavarian village mock-up might make you the crux of envy on social media feeds, does it actually live up to it's picture-perfect demeanor or is it just another overhyped festive themed fair?
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Well, I'm going to attempt to answer that question throughout. But what I will preface this with is that I have been to Winter Wonderland in the last 10 years as a normal customer and as press.
And the one thing that I always enjoy on the launch night is how much room there is to move. Like most Christmas markets, it can become so crowded it almost reckons itself as a pointless experience.
There's not much festive joy in waddling like a penguin to get to one stall to the next - especially now it costs to actually get into Winter Wonderland during 'peak' and 'standard' times (though this can be claimed back against pre-booked attractions).
Without the presence of hoards of crowds and the carefully curated social media posts from influencers, it was a great insight to see what Winter Wonderland truly had on offer.
It's safe to say the market has a lot, but a lot of the stalls are repeated. There's only so many 'personalised' bauble and churro stands one woman can take and, for me, there needs to be more differentiation - but the same goes for any Christmas market.
However, each year gets more impressive decoration wise. Let's just say Winter Wonderland is the opposite of Glasgow's Willy's Chocolate experience. Instead of 'meth oompa loompas', there are huge animatronics placed next to the ride, in-tune live singers and light displays that gives Blackpool Illuminations a run for its money.
And on the topic of money, Winter Wonderland is expensive - that should come as a shock to no one. it's central London and prime tourist season after all. After braving the below freezing temperature on the press night, the huge Bavarian hall called my name.
Instantly, I noticed something very different about this year and it made the steep cost of the food more glaringly obvious - quite literally.
It seems that robots have taken up space at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland as instead of just ordering at the counter, there has been a number of self-service machines installed.
In an age where humans are becoming increasingly replaced by AI, and for someone who longs for human connection, the hesitant swiping to choose my bratwurst sausage begun.
Prices start from £9 but easily rack up if you want more than just what I deem as a small sausage in a bog standard roll. Meal deals start from £17.50, which is steep for essentially a hotdog, chips and either mushrooms, sauerkraut or a pretzel.
My 'farmer' style sausage meal came to £18.50 as I added on onions - and the server did not hold back on heaping them on. But, just because there is self-service machines to be used, it still took a ridiculous 40 minutes to sit down with my food from time of ordering.
Instead of the order going through to the kitchen and getting a number, you have to queue to hand your receipt in and then continue to wait for your food. It just makes the machines a bit pointless - away with the robots!
It's the same situation with the bar, albeit it was a lot faster.
But instead of just talking to a human and shouting over the music like you'd usually do at a bar, you have to order on a screen, the sentient bar staff have to manually press a button to accept your order(I assume for ID purposes) and then you hand them your receipt before they can start making your drink.
Again, just time wasting and pointless. Do we really need robots to replace barmen? It looks like the answer is no. A £7.10 mulled wine later and the blood once again circulating around my hands, it was time to head for the rides.
I'm a big kid at heart so never will pass the chance to go on the Waltzers. Nothing makes me happier than asking a bum-bag wearing man in a hi-vis jacket to spin me faster while I try to defy g-force in undoubtedly the best fair ground ride to exist.
Despite wearing a hood for warmth, my hair did not fair well. It genuinely was quite the experience for both me and my tresses.
At £8 the ride is pricey, but it did go on for quite a while so it's worth it for a one off spin - though I hate to think how much it would cost if you've taken the family for a day out.
Onto something a bit more thrilling - the Wilde Maus XXL Coaster. But, before you get on, there's a fun-house type terrain you have to master.
It was fun at first but it did get tiresome when you had to wait on a wobbly bridge with children purposely rocking it. Am I now the Grinch?
After a bit of doing the most British thing possible, queuing and tutting, it was time for the ride - and what a blast. It was most definitely worth the wait. There's lots of twists and turns on the ride and so it's something you probably don't want to go on straight after gobbling a hotdog.
As the warmth of the mulled wine was wearing off, it was time for one more ride before it was home time for me. I went on the tame Snow Jet, which is essentially a ride where you zoom around in a circle as you go up and down 'slopes'. It was fun and a nice tame end to the evening.
For heating purposes, I grabbed some churros on the way out which were £8 or £10 with Nutella. Quite frankly you'd be insane to get plain churros so the chocolate sauce it was.
Again, expensive for what is deep fried dough sticks - but I was desperate for both sustenance and heat. Out of Winter Wonderland I went, leaving behind what makes for a festive limited edition to the London skyline.
So, what's the verdict?
Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland does feel like a rite of a passage for the festive season.
Although it does feel incredibly Christmassy, the prices are quite steep and I think this pressure to be 'seen' on social media at 'the' Christmas market can put pressure on singletons, couples and families.
Is it worth it? Yes, I do think Winter Wonderland is fun but nothing is worth putting extra financial stress on yourself at Christmas - which most of us are guilty of.
Winter Wonderland does spread joy and gets you in that festive mood, but just keep an eye on what you're spending...
Hyde Park is open until 5th January 2025, more information can be found here
