What our visitors said

Funland are proud of our Winter Wonderland experience and always seek to ensure our visitors are thrilled with this event. Please find some testimonials from previous visitors. You can also review our Trip Advisor page.

An Experience Your Children Will Always Remember

When we booked for our four year old son to go and see Santa at Funland in Hayling Island, we expected little in return for our money – five minutes in a dingy little room with a so-so-looking Kris Kringle, perhaps, a cheap present thrust at us, then back outside into the crisp winter air to seek amusement in the on-site theme park.

Oh us of little faith. We should have raised our expectations, because this experience was simply incredible.

When we arrived, because the queue was short, we were let in early. Plus point for great customer service. While we waited our turn, an elf by the name of Lenny entertained my son with an improvised story about how he inadvertently gave Rudolf his much-famed nose.

Not long afterwards, we were chaperoned upstairs, whereupon my son was greeted by one of Santa’s many helpers. Our little boy was given a magic key that glowed and asked to touch a glowing orb that electrified when he touched it with his hands – he was so excited.

Every time we thought it was over, we were guided to another area, where an expertly in-character member of staff worked overtime to make our son feel like the centre of attention (you are sent in as a family group – so there are no groups, which means you are treated very well).

Santa was very patient with our son, who was a little nervous but ended up enjoying the experience very much and had a photo taken with him. The present Santa gave him was of a very good quality – not cheap at all – and we never felt rushed, even though it was busy.

Although you have to pay for a photo with Santa, there is no hard-sell and you can put your picture in a keyring or a picture frame that is filled with glitter. There are some nice festive toys to choose from in the gift shop outside Santa’s grotto, but, again, there is no hard-sell.

Afterwards, a train takes you and your children on a little round trip and you are then guided back outside.

The whole experience felt homemade and authentic, not at all commercial, which we liked. The staff enjoyed playing their parts and did not seem to be merely going through the motions.

The theme park was open and rides were included in the price, so my son was able to go on the roller coaster and other attractions that excited him.

There is soft play area next to the Winter Wonderland, and this is also included in the price that you pay – so the whole thing is great value for money.

The adults get a free glass of mulled wine afterwards and mince pies are provided. There is a Wimpy on-site if you want something more substantial.

We are going again next year and would recommend visiting. This is a perfect experience for all the family and so much thought has gone into creating this event by the organisers.

GDW1975
Southampton
Wow wow wow

Thank you for a wonderful experience took my 4 grandchildren their, parents, my wife, stepdaughter and the mother in-law, so age group from 6-84. We all had a brilliant time, loved every moment of it, wow what excellent presents for the children, best Santa and elfes ever, so much effort put into it all, then finishing of on the rides. THANK YOU for a special winterwonderland. Looking to book A.S.A.P. for next year.

pompeyman657
Portsmouth
Winter wonderland

Really amazing!!! It’s our 4th visit and it keeps getting better.. went somewhere else last year and nothing compares to this experience. You have your own personal elf to escort you through the wonderland. The scenes are lovely… it’s interactive… and the gifts are top quality!
You then get a mince pie / mulled wine / squash and kids get unlimited access to indoor soft play and outside rides. The outside is a bit rundown but kids don’t notice and the staff and the wonderland makes up for it. There is also a wimpy and an arcade… a full days adventure… worth every penny!!!!!
We will be back next year !!!

Jamesandrae
Brilliant day out!

Lovely fun fair for wee ones and older kids.. and us adults! Several food out lets, fish and chips, Whimpy and a sandwich place baked spuds yum yum.. ice cream hot dogs chips nachos Whippys. The staff are amazing with the kids fun and very attentive to the children. Check out the winter wonderland! Its amazing and magical we have been for the last four years I highly recommend it for a brilliant day plus after you have seen Santa the kids get to go on rides on the fair. see you there!

tharris19
Havant
Winter Wonderland Simply Brilliant

So it was our first year with myself my wife our 6 month old and our 3 year old. On arrival we entered the building and was met straight away by a reindeer handing out sweets which my 3 year old absolutely loved … to the point of obsession and all she talks about now is the reindeer lol.. anyway … As we got to the front of the queue we were met by a friendly elf that escorted us all the way through the winter wonderland experience while telling us a whole story throughout and kept the kids amazed. When we arrived at Lennie’s Gingerbread house, I thought it was a great touch that on each of the gingerbread people the initials of the children was on them… awesome little touch,
When we got to Santa’s grotto he looked awesome and was so enthusiastic towards the kids and loved the fact we had a opportunity to purchase a photo of the occasion. Once the kids got the pressies, off we went again into the gift shop where you can purchase the photo (and other bits) in different formats. ( or not, its up to you and absolutely no pressure to do so)
Then its time for the train ride which the kids loved, once we got off we noticed a small discreet plaque regards the owners son and then you soon wonder how someones sadness through strength can then go on to give others so much joy.

110 % see you next year and thanks for a great time and sorry my daughter started stalking the reindeer throughout the building lol.

Glen_Jessica_Austin
Portsmouth
Funland Winter Wonderland just magic

2nd year visiting the Winter Wonderland with 23 month old grandson. Absolute magic for him and the same with watching other children’s reactions. You get escorted around by your “personal” elf which makes it special and controls the visitors so that it is stress free. Get to see all the Christmas displays and lights plus a visit to Father Christmas and a good value present plus a train ride and use of the soft play area afterwards. A drink and mince pie for the parents included.

Ian W
Fareham
Winter Wonderland

We went today to Hayling Island Winter Wonderland at the funfair. Our first time and we had such a fantastic time. The staff were great (the check in desk, the elf taking us round, the actors within it and the staff in the soft play area). The walkway was brilliant – lots of sparkly lights and winter scenes and interaction with elves and Mrs Claus. A lovely touch was within her “kitchen” she gave each of the children a gingerbread man with their initials on. Father Christmas brilliant too, very natural with the children. The train was fab too. Great value as afterwards you can go on soft play and the outside kids rides as often as you like. 5 star experience – will definitely do it next year!

Gavin G
Isaccs Nana

My daughter booked this on recommendation of friends, even though we had not heard much about it ourselves, and we were not disappointed! The Father Christmas experience was very well organised and was magical from start to finish! All the staff involved were pleasant and enthusiastic (even though they had doing this for 5weeks!), the “big man in red” was adorable and interacted perfectly with the whole group. His gifts were excellent. Included in the price was entry to the soft play and most of the funfair rides, mostly undercover. This was one of the best Pre-Christmas events we have been to. There was free parking just next door.

Isaccs Nana
PNKI

Another year of Winter wonderland which only gets better. The actual display is as good if not better than the more well known venues, part of the funfair is included in the price for the children and everyone gets a mince pie and drink. Staff are friendly and helpful with the elves being in character. This year they changed the system which created queues also a child had been ill, but the staff offered chocolate coins to keep us sweet. Well done Hayling Funfair staff you need more recognition for your wonderful winter wonderland.

PNKI
Alfie 888

A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who made our Grandson’s visit to ‘Funland’ to see Father Christmas such a great success. He had a lovely time, thanks to all the very friendly & efficient staff and of course Father Christmas himself! A very well organised attraction. Whilst we were wandering around we heard a lot of very good comments and all the children around us were having a good time. We were recommended to take him here as opposed to other venues and I am glad we did. Will be going back this Christmas but a word of warning – book early to avoid disappointment!!

Alfie 888
Jean J

My Family of four Grandchildren aged 2, 5, 6, and 9 together with all their parents, spent a lovely Christmas Eve morning visiting Hayling Funland and Winter Wonderland. Everyone came back enthused by the experience and all the parents were extremely impressed by the organisation, Santa, the Elves, the train and everything about the whole experience. Thank you Hayling Funland.

Jean J
Trip to Christmas Wonderland

I took my 2 year old little boy along to see Father Christmas at the Winter Wonderland and we were certainly not disappointed. The decor all throughout was fantastic and the Father Christmas was excellent, could find no fault at all. This was our first visit to Winter Wonderland and certainly won’t be our last.

ACChester
Portsmouth
Winter wonderland at funland

I took all my children and grandchildren, 18 of us in total, and we all had an amazing time, we were well impressed with the whole set up and Father Christmas didn’t rush us and took time to talk to all the children even though the queue was getting a bit busy, would definitely recommend and we will be doing it again this year.

Mandy B
Littlehampton
Winter wonderland ~ Fab!

We went to the Christmas winter wonderland with my nearly 2 year old and 8 month old. It was absolutely brilliant, well worth the money and outdid other ‘meet Santa’ places. It was truly magical, everyone was very welcoming and friendly. The displays were brilliant, Santa was great & friendly and spent time with the children…

MCrazyFool 35
Portsmouth