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A ROSY-cheeked Fat Controller and his Knapford Station staff sing festive favourites as snow begins to fall…
This is the warm and wintry welcome Thomas the Tank Engine fans receive at Drayton Manor’s Magical Christmas.
Based at Thomas Land, which is fully festooned with decorations and fairy lights, our boys James, five, and Michael, three, didn’t know where to look first when we rocked up for a day of seasonal steam-engine fun.
But on spying Thomas himself, dressed for the big day in antlers and a red nose, they eagerly pulled us towards him and we all jumped aboard carriages Annie and Claribel. The Very Useful Engine then chugged us to the 15-acre zoo to meet Santa’s reindeer and other creatures.
This area is also home to a big adventure play area, Terence’s Driving School and the Discover Thomas exhibition – a miniature railway using models from the original TV series.
Even though the big thrill rides are closed for winter, all the attractions at Thomas Land are open for business.
First up was James and the Red Balloon, followed by Jeremy’s Jet Flying Academy, Flynn’s Fire Rescue, Captain’s Sea Adventure and the Blue Mountain Engines.
The lads enjoyed these gentle rides, but loved the livelier Toby’s Tram Express – a dizzying, spinning, tilting adventure. Best of all though was the Troublesome Trucks Runaway Rollercoaster, which rattles along the tracks at speed.
There’s also the park’s 4D cinema showing a 15-minute film Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas movie, should you feel the need to come in from the cold. With pre-booked tickets, you get an allotted time to meet Santa in the Castle of Dreams.
At 4.30pm the Imagination Parade goes from Thomas Land to the park’s lake where we enjoyed a fireworks display – a thrilling climax to a fun and festive day for our little Thomas fans. Drayton Manor Magical Christmas runs until December 31. ¬
PRE-booked tickets for Magical Christmas at Drayton Manor Park, Staffs, including a Father Christmas visit, are £28
(12+), £24 (aged 4-11) and
£16 (aged 2-3) on December
22, 23 and 24.
On all other Magical Christmas dates, tickets including a Father Christmas visit booked in advance are £26 (12+), £22 (aged 4-11) and £14 (aged
2-3). Under-2s go free. Book at draytonmanor. co.uk/magical-christmas