Global Winter Wonderland

I had the joy of traveling to San Diego this Thanksgiving to my dad's house. In San Diego this year, there is the Global Winter Wonderland located at SDCCU Stadium (which used to be Qualcomm Stadium...or Jack Murphy stadium). It is a Christmas event/fair that is only open at night and it has several lighted displays for "Holidays Around the World" and carnival rides, games and food.

 

I will be honest...this thing was kind of a let-down. The displays were cool and the rides were typical fair rides, but what really sucked was the price tag to enjoy this event. We looked online everywhere for discounted tickets but we didn't find any so my dad forked out a good price for all of us to go and we were only there for about 2 hours (because 1 1/2 hours was riding games/watching a show). If you are in San Diego and are looking for something to do...don't do this. There are several other Christmasy things to do around the area that aren't this expensive.

 

That being said, the lighted displays were arranged in sort of themed areas but not really themed. Yeah, the displays were lighted and one section was related to Christmas (The North Pole Section, dun) but it feels like this could be set up anywhere at anytime of the year and maybe it is. My niece (who is 6) enjoyed the lighted displays...but she could have gone on all the rides the entire night and could care less about the displays. They try to get the kids interested by having a Scavenger Hunt on the back of the Map, but after we couldn't even find the first item in the North Pole, see decided not to waste our time.

 

So enjoy the pictures of our Adventures through Global Winter Wonderland. And if anyone has been and has a completely different opinion of mine and loves this event...then I'm happy for you!

Here we are...Global Winter Wonderland.

Here's the map...in case you can't find your way in the blinding lights.

Mr and Mrs Claus welcome you. (No....there is no real Santa which was a disappointment because it advertised meeting Santa)

Mr Snowman named Olaph welcomes you...

On our first adventure, we head to the North Pole. It's only 72 outside...at night...in San Diego...yeah, global warming isn't a thing at all. Mr creepy Elf is ready to take your tickets

These creepy elves have beheaded a poor penguin and are ready to have a feast.

And these crazy clowns/elves are making toys. I think I'd rather have toys from Halloween Town than what these guys are making...

Look!! It's Esla's Castle! (yes...I spelled Esla, instead of Elsa...)

Here's their Giant Christmas Tree. If you take a close look at the kids at the bottom of the photo...they decided to go on the other side of the rope, which you are clearly not supposed to do, then they proceeded to go 'inside' the tree where all the electrical equipment is. Parenting at it's finest!

On our next adventure...we head to Europe where everyone knows that when you land a plane, you go directly over the hanger before the landing strip.

I feel like I'm in Vegas and walking along the Strip.

Where's Peter Pan? Dad decided to join in the marching band and play the drums.

The leaning tower of Pizza. (yes, I spelled pizza!) The guy in front almost has crazier hair than the President of the US...almost...

Moving down Europe we come to Paris. I still feel like I'm walking the Strip in Vegas.

And now our next adventure, we travel to Pixie Hollow meets Legend of Zelda...seriously?!?!?! These are supposed to look like fairies but they also look like characters from Zelda.

What do you call a group of fairies? A herd...or a Frollick...I guess they are like cattle in a way.

On the next leg of our Adventure...we head to Americas, which was the most confusing collection. But thank god this house isn't the real thing in San Diego....

A collection of Americas? What?!?!

This was also in Americas? I think someone got lazy and just placed some of these lighted sculptures wherever they wanted.

Best Zodiac sign EVER!!! All others weren't worth taking a picture of. Pisces is either so excited, pissed off, constipated...it doesn't matter....it's still the best!

After Americas confusing adventure, we head into the Wilds of Africa where we get eaten by a lion? a tiger? a leopard? a liger? who knows!?!?!

Africa ended up being a maze. I'm not sure if that means the continent itself is confusing, or they had extra "bush" lights that they decided to make people confused on where to go.

Ok...seriously....now the LUXOR!?!? Why is this Vegas Strip thing keep coming to my mind? And I'd like to mention that there was a Statue of Liberty too but I didn't take a picture of it.

Nearing the end of our Adventure, we head over to Asia...where I guess this is supposed to be Mt Fugi Q Highlands?

The little dragons out front are ready to great you...and then proceed to bite your head off.

But at least we made it to a Temple!

The Dragon was probably the most impressive display there. This thing was HUGE!

And then there's the Great Wall of China complete with Birds and trees and a zip-line and alpine slide behind this display.

On our way over to the last and most amazing Adventure of the night...we found a peacock all lit up.

Our last Adventure...Dinosaur World!!! Dinosaur World was again...another maze. But it had dinosaur displays that actually moved.

Way better than any Disney Animatronic ever made!

Time to check out the sites from above.

My niece and step-sister enjoying the views.

As you can imagine...it had the standard fair rides scattered throughout the parking lot.

But you can also see the area where all the light displays are located.

Time for some hurling action! My niece is way more of a daredevil than my boys so I got to enjoy riding all the rides with her and my step-sister.

Hurl and puke, hurl and puke, hurl and puuuuuke!

To quote the famous Robb Alvey, "weeeeeeeeeee!!!"

And for all those credit whores out there...yes they had "coasters"

But absolutely no adults were allowed to ride Dragon Wagon!

Swinging time baby!

Another Carnie Maze...I was not crazy about this Monkey Business.

Time for the Caterpillar Roller Coaster! Front row!

My niece loved it so much, she had to ride in the back for her next ride.

Let's check out the eats! You can eat Rudolph's Big Fat Sausage...yum?

At the end of the night...it's time for sweets and treats!

I see Camel Toe!

That's not our Dino!

But I prefer deep fried Oreos! Hell yes!

Santa and his creepy elf friends say, "Thank you for visiting this over-priced attraction!"

Sounds like a cool event but it's a shame it was overpriced.

But absolutely no adults were allowed to ride Dragon Wagon!

0/10 worst winter fair.

 

Cool pics! This place looks really nice.