THERE’S nothing better at this time of year than having somewhere to take the children for a fun-filled festive family day out where you can all get into the spirit of Christmas.
And you will struggle to find a better seasonal extravaganza than Drayton Manor’s Magical Christmas.
Your youngsters will love to see all of their favourte Thomas the Tank Engine characters – from Thomas, Edward, James and Percy to Cranky the Crane and Bertie Bus – as well as going on the themed rides.
The great thing about the rides is there is an array of them so there will be something for each of them – the Troublesome Trucks roller coaster and Cranky’s ‘Drop and Bump’ ride are great for the daring ones and for those with not much confidence, there is Sodor’s Classic Cars and the Blue Mountain Engines. And there are another 12 adventures in between, including aeroplanes, helicopters, boats and fire engines.
As well as all that, there is also the train ride around the park on Thomas, Percy or James and – a favourite of my two daughters – the Thomas-themed soft play.area.
Drayton Manor and Thomas Land are, of course, great in the summer. What makes them equally as good, if not better, in the winter, are the extras you get which do really put the magic in the ‘Magical Christmas’ event.
There is ice skating which is suitable for all ages (extra charges apply), the chance for the kids to see Father Christmas and tell them what they want on the big day and the 4D cinema experience.
The screening of Polar Express sees you bumped around, experience smells and cold air and even get a tiny bit wet from water spray as you ride the famous winter railway to the North Pole.
Add to that a daily Christmas parade, daily festive shows, a daily firework display when the rides close at 6pm and, with the simulated snowfalls three times a day, the Christmas is white as well as magical at Thomas Land.
The only problem – and it’s a good one to have – is fitting it all in.
There is so much to do that the best advice offered when you go to Thomas Land is make sure you get there early, plan what you are going to do in what order and then have yourself a very magical Christmas experience.
