After a shocking 2022 in Stoke on Trent where Christmas spirit had moved on to pastures new this year sees that much needed Christmas spirit injected back into the city with the grand return of Winter Wonderland. Here’s our Winter Wonderland Stoke 2023 review! 

With a covered ice rink, numerous funfair rides for all the family, food and beverages including an undercover bar and not to forget a vintage Helter Skelter ride Winter Wonderland Stoke is bringing the festive fun back to the city.
Walking into Winter Wonderland Stoke was such a surreal feeling for me, last year this abandoned car park was just that, abandoned. No life, not atmosphere and not even a proper tree was erected in the city centre. Christmas spirit was at an all time low.
Fast forward to the first steps into the event and the smell of bratwurst lingered in the air, Christmas music was playing as opposed to the old dance numbers that were popular with old Winter Wonderland events and there was an atmosphere.

Crowds were queuing to get into the event but once inside everyone was spaced out and there wasn’t a big queue of any kind for any of the rides around the area. All rides were operating with zero downtime and this year had a much bigger selection of thrill rides compared to previous years.
The ice rink had a nice steady flow of guests on it but with me off on a trip to Europe next week I didn’t fancy my first ice skating experience to go horribly wrong and ruin my entire trip. I played on the side of caution and explored the rides and bar at my disposal.
A winter indoor bar provided a lovely cosy escape from the minus temperatures that befell opening night at Winter Wonderland Stoke and the prices were very reasonable indeed with 3 alcoholic drinks (including a double) coming in at £16. 

Compared to London that’s an absolute bargain as when I went Winter Wonderland Hyde Park I asked for a pint of cider to which the lady behind the bar said “That will be £12 please”.
That’s probably the closest I’ve ever come to fainting that’s for sure!
With the majority of the rides this year spinning is the theme of the day so what I will recommend is that you do it on an empty stomach and stay away from alcohol if you’re a little susceptible to feeling a bit queasy on rides.

The Superbowl was running like a dream this year and Oxygen the brand new KMG Speed ride that takes guests 118 feet up in the air had the comfiest restraints of any high octane thrill ride that I’ve ever experienced.
For someone who is scared of heights being 118 feet in the air is daunting but with such comfy and secure restraints I felt ever so much better. 
Staff were all so bubbly and friendly and not one ride that we went on had a miserable staff member which you get at MANY of the big Christmas events, all the staff were in full festive spirit and it made the event all the more Christmassy!

Is it just me or does everyone seem friendlier at Christmas time?
There was plenty to see and do and for £20 for Unlimited adult rides you just can’t go wrong. The event is open all day from 11am until 10pm and for £20 you can stay there all day and do as many rides as you like, it’s an absolute bargain! 
For children it’s £12.50 for unlimited rides and ice skating is charged separately with it being £12.50 for Adult skating and £10.50 for Child skating. 
Please note that if you’re booking online there is a booking fee so I’d just go to the ticket booth on the day and get the set prices sorted there and then. 

Weekends will naturally be very busy for Winter Wonderland Stoke so by all means brave it but weekdays will be much quieter and whilst there will be less atmosphere in the day you’ll be sure to get on more rides should that be the sole reason for your visit.
From letting me watch the team build up some of the rides this year to seeing it as just a construction site only a matter of days ago I feel as though I have a deeper appreciation of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make these events happen.
 
An incredible atmosphere has injected Stoke with that much needed Christmas spirit and with the event lasting until January it’s going to be amazing just going into town and then stopping by to soak up all that festive fun!
Get yourselves down to Winter Wonderland Stoke 2023 this season, welcome back!