It was Mr T’s 4th birthday earlier this month and we knew we the main thing he wanted was a trip to Thomasland. The last time we went was Mr Z’s 4th birthday which was in summer time so it’s the first time we went during the Drayton’s Magical Christmas event. I would say it’s definitely a good time to choose to visit Thomasland. Most of the other rides in Drayton Manor are closed for the winter season, but if your primary reason to visit is for Thomasland then that does not matter at all. However because of less being open in the park the tickets seem to cheaper so it works out very good value, we still used Tesco Vouchers as usual but without the vouchers it’s still quite good value, especially if you book online which also makes it much cheaper than buying at the gate.
Mr T and Mr R (age 4 and 2) are in full on Thomas obsession at the moment. Mr Z (5) used to be such a dedicated Thomas fan too. In the last year, he’s started toning it down a bit and now he seems to have mainly grown out of Thomas but once he gets to Thomas land he still enjoys it. It really is a great day out for children.
There are 15 rides and attractions in Thomasland, you can see the full list and details here.
It’s a good range suiting younger children, with some very mild rides like Lady’s Carousel going up to Rocking Bulstrode, The Troublesome Trucks Coaster and Diesels Locomotion Mayhem (pictured top left) being more exciting for the slightly more adventurous children.
There is also a new ride: Winston the Monorail which gives you a tour over the park. This is the only ride we had to queue for a little.
As a part of Christmas time at Thomas land they have made a Santa’s grotto in the magical castle. This was lovely and so well done. Our children actually don’t believe in Santa as we are Muslim but we still wanted to let them experience the Christmas events while we were there. There was a slight queue for this too although you are given a fixed time, but not too bad and there are some things to look at while you are in the queue like reindeer models and things which can be seen outside. Once you go into the grotto its a magical area looking beautiful with a huge pile of presents and then a door to go in and see Santa. My boys were quite shy but the Santa made a good effort with them and was very nice. Each of them was given a present bag from Santa including a golden ticket to come back to Thomasland next year, some chocolates, and a special bell. You then exit into a castle area which has been made into a little winter wonderland with a reindeer and sleigh for the children to sit in, lots of wintery displays for them to see and also some kings thrones which they can sit in.
I thought this was all done really nicely, and the boys loved exploring this area with all its shining lights and wintry details.
Another great feature is that they make it snow in the main area of Thomasland which gives a lovely winter atmosphere. This happens 3 times a day after the live shows near the enterance of the park near to the Thomas train and station. The boys dad actually thought it was real snow until I told him! (as we had been forcast rain and didn’t get it, he thought oh.. it’s just snowed instead!!)
The last time we went, in Summer, the boys really enjoyed the Spencer playground which is near to the zoo and you get there by travelling on the train. As it was more on the chilly side at this time of year we did not go over there but they still love playing on the sleeping James, pretending to get coal for him and using their imagination.
It’s a lovely day out, and if you have a Thomas fan I would say it’s definitely worth the journey as they would really enjoy it. All the queues for the rides are pretty short so it’s very manageable for younger children. Mr T has Autism and in some of the parks like Legoland we have to get an access pass as it’s difficult to cope with those queues but there really is no need here as you don’t have to wait anyway. They do have concession prices for carers and guests with disabilities, not applicable for us on this occasion as we just bought tickets through Tesco Clubcard but always useful to know.
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We went to Thomasland a few years ago and munchkin and her cousin loved it. But it was summer so we went on some of the bigger rides too. Will be taking Bee when she’s abit older x
Foz recently posted…Project 365 – Days 349 to 355
this looks amazing, Wilf would LOVE this x
Fritha Strickland recently posted…51/52
We love Thomasland. We go at least once a year, like you, with our Clubcard vouchers. We’re fortunate to live just 10 minutes away, so it’s nice and easy, and the kids adore it. I like being able to stroll round the zoo, as well as all of the rides, so it’s a really full day out. Glad you all had a great time x
The Reading Residence recently posted…A Great Shopping Experience
Looks great! Our boys were never huge Thomas fans (which always surprised me!) but what a fantastic place for a Thomas fan 🙂 #CountryKids
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…#CountryKids – a week of snow!
I remember seeing thomas when i was younger in cleethorpes and loved it. My 2 year old daughter has just got into thomas (she is getting thomas things for christmas!). I know she would love to go here! x
Keri-Anne recently posted…Pinning around: Pom pom bunnies
It is somewhere we never got to when Ethan was young enough to enjoy it. Looks like you had a great time!
Mummy of Two recently posted…Relaxing with the brood – A Guest Post
Oh how fabulous, it looks wonderful at Thomasland. POD has recently taken an interest in the programme, we must get to visit one day. Seems utterly brilliant and sounds like you had the best time 🙂
Charly Dove recently posted…Father Christmas in the Crystal Grotto
I can see from the photos that your boys had a great time at Thomasland, how great for Thomas and train fans alike. It sounds like there was lots of things to see and do – including a visit to Santa. Thanks for linking up and sharing your fun with Country Kids.
Coombe Mill – Fiona recently posted…Country Kids from Coombe Mill
They look to be having a fabulous time! It looks like a brilliant place! 🙂
Emma recently posted…Mincemeat…
My boy would love to go here – we only started taking him on days out this Summer as he wasn’t able to cope with full days out before then. This is definitely on the list for next Summer though !!
Swazi recently posted…Festive Five Father Christmases
Boys and trains! What a combo, Happy Birthday.
Also you may want to link p to the festive travel post linky I have here this week: http://www.chasingthedonkey.com/tips-for-christmas-abroad/
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey recently posted…Tips to survive Christmas abroad
Must try here with my nearly 4 year old. He has autism so good to know it worked well for you.
Love Thomas the Tank engine. This looks like a lovely day out!
Wow, it looks fab there!!
LauraCYMFT recently posted…What We Did Last Week #Week50
Happy Birthday to Mr T!
We love thomasland. They are great!
ET Speaks From Home recently posted…Silent Sunday
I don’t have children, but this looks fun! I remember playing with Thomas the train growing up haha. Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler this week 🙂
A Southern Gypsy recently posted…Dickens of a Christmas- #SundayTraveler
We love thomas land. We’re hoping to go over the next few weeks too.
brilliant place to make their dreams come alive, I wish we could go more often, we don’t live very far away, but its a bit expensive.
catherine recently posted…Blogger Gift Guide Challenge
Yay! Thanks for linking up. I have pinned this to my #SundayTraveler board, hope that’s okay.
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey recently posted…Tips to survive Christmas abroad #SundayTraveler
yup – thanks for pinning! 🙂
It’s a wonderful place to visit isn’t it
Mary @over40andamumtoone recently posted…Silent Sunday
My son would LOVE Thomas Land 🙂 Glad you had a good time there x
Kate @craftsonsea recently posted…#craftblogclub Secret Santa
Must be lots of fun when your boy actually wished it for his B’Day. Thanks for linking up to Sunday Traveler!
frankaboutcroatia recently posted…Advent in Zagreb, stylish… sort of
I did not know about Thomasland – I know one small boy who would LOVE that.
Laura recently posted…Squash, leek and lentil soup
We went to Thomasland earlier in the year and was a little disappointed – looks like they have made it look lovely and festive though!
kara recently posted…Aladdin at Bournemouth Pavilion
looks great, very festive
Don’t have kids yet but I sure would have loved this when I was one!
Jeff Johns recently posted…Paseo del Nino – Christmas in Cuenca, Ecuador #Sundaytraveler
looks fantastic
Looks like a great day out for little ones