It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Drayton Manor Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire as the family owned theme park is gearing up for a festive season to remember!
The hugely popular Magical Christmas event will be returning again, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. Officially launching on Saturday 19th November the event will be running on selected dates throughout the festive season[1], up until 31st December.
With spectacular decorations, festive music and fairy lights, visitors will be transported into a winter wonderland, as Europe’s only Thomas Land™ receives an extra special Christmas makeover. Those dreaming of a white Christmas will have their wish granted, as Thomas Land will be blanketed in a flurry of snow showers up to three times a day thanks to a special machine, and there will also be a 30 foot lightshow Christmas tree set to festive music that will play throughout the day. What’s more, the Apocalypse tower drop is going to be turned into a 54 metre high Christmas tree, complete with star on top!
Following the £2.5 million expansion of Thomas Land last year, there are now over 25 rides and attractions to enjoy including Captain’s Sea Adventure, Flynn’s Fire Engine and Toby’s Tram Express and also a new two-storey Sodor Airport complex complete with balconies, a café and VIP Thomas and Friends™ themed suits that are available for private hire.
Those looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Thomas Land can visit the 15-acre Zoo and spot the park’s resident reindeers Comet, Buzz and Star, who will be preparing to assist Father Christmas with his present delivery on Christmas Eve!
Alternatively, climb aboard The Polar Express for a stunning 15 minute movie experience in the 4D cinema, featuring out-of-this-world simulations for an enchanting adventure for all. What’s more, visitors can ride the Ben 10: Ultimate Mission Coaster[2] and have a go on the festive indoor Slide and Glide rink.
A visit to Drayton Manor’s Magical Christmas wouldn’t be complete without visiting the enchanted Castle of Dreams where children will be greeted by playful elves and taken to meet Father Christmas himself in his Grotto. Each child will receive a free gift and a golden ticket to return for the new season in 2017[3].
At the end of each day, there will be a dazzling fireworks display for the whole family to enjoy, guaranteed to get even the biggest scrooge in the festive spirit!
What’s more, as a way of saying thank you to the fantastic work they do, the park is offering free entry to both serving and non-serving members of the armed forces.
For an extra special getaway, the four-star Drayton Manor Hotel, set on the grounds of the park, has a selection of packages available over the Christmas period. For more information, please visit, Drayton Manor Hotel
Ticket prices for Drayton’s Magical Christmas, with a Father Christmas visit[4], start at just £22 for adults and £17 for children and 60+. Aged 2-3 will cost £12 with under 2’s going completely free. Prices without a Father Christmas visit start from £16 for adults and £11 for children and 60+, with ages 2-3 costing £6. These prices are available when pre booked online or through the call centre.
To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit Drayton Manor or call 0844 472 1950. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance. For regular updates and news about Drayton Manor Park join it on Twitter Drayton Manor Twitter and Facebook Drayton Manor Facebook.
[1] Drayton’s Magical Christmas will be open on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th November, Friday 25th – Monday 28th November, Friday 2nd December – Monday 5th December, Friday 9th – Monday 12th December, Thursday 15th – Friday 23rd December and Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31st December.
[2] Ben 10: Ultimate Mission closes when the weather is 5 degrees Celsius or lower.
[3] Golden Ticket terms and conditions. The Golden Ticket admits one free child during the 2017 season when accompanied by a paying adult.
[4] All Father Christmas visits need to be pre booked. A maximum of 6 people can visit Father Christmas within one time slot.
About Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor Park Ltd, opened to the public in 1950 by the Bryan family, is one of the UK’s most popular family attractions with over one million visitors a year. George and Vera Bryan OBE, converted 80 acres of derelict land, which once belonged to Sir Robert Peel; MP & PM to Queen Victoria and her family, into today’s wonderful multi award-winning family attraction, combining thrill rides with a conservation zoo plus catering and conference facilities.
Today, Drayton Manor Park, still family owned and run by second and third generation family members, covers 286 acres of beautiful woodland and countryside and features some of the wildest and scariest rides around. Rides include: Roller-Coasters – Shockwave, Ben 10: Ultimate Mission and G-force. Major rides: Maelstrom, Apocalypse and Storm Force 10, our wettest ride. It is home to the hugely popular Thomas Land™ featuring many named Thomas & Friends™ character rides for the children and adults alike. Thomas Land™ at Drayton Manor is the only one of its kind in Europe. The park’s 152 seat 4D Cinema, over 50 rides and attractions makes for a truly unforgettable day.
A four-star Hotel onsite featuring 150 rooms includes Thomas & Friends™ themed rooms all sleeping four to six guests, family rooms, executive rooms and presidential rooms. It also features two bars, two sublime restaurants and a relaxing lounge. Within Drayton Manor Park and hotel we have three large conference rooms for functions and exhibitions as well as an idyllic wedding facility for up to 400 guests.
The popular Grill Inn Steak Restaurant and bar is adjacent to the hotel, seats up to 150 guests and is open all year round.
About HIT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment is one of the world’s leading preschool entertainment companies, specializing in building powerful brands based on engaging stories. HIT Entertainment’s world-class portfolio includes Thomas & Friends®, Mike the Knight™, Fireman Sam®, Bob the Builder, Barney®, Angelina Ballerina®, Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®.
HIT Entertainment excels at creating and building globally successful brands which capture the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families. This is achieved through exceptional storytelling in multiple formats, enhanced by creating high quality character-based products and experiences with best-in-class partners. HIT Entertainment’s lines of business span television and home entertainment production, content distribution, digital media, publishing, consumer products and live events and attractions. HIT Entertainment is a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information visit HIT Entertainment
About Thomas & Friends™
Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son 70 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. Thomas & Friends makes tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS®, Sprout® and on Five’s Milkshake! and Nick Jr in the UK and on CCTV in China. Downloadable episodes are available through iTunes. For more information about the world of Thomas the Tank Engine™ and his friends, please visit Thomas and Friends.
