As a parent there will always be places that are really close to our hearts. That will remind us of our children and the happy times we spent with them. It can be somewhere like a local park, or baby club. Somewhere daft like a garden centre or for me a place I have visited more times than I can count, Thomas Land at Drayton Manor Park. I have written a few posts on our trips there. And the first ever YouTube video we did was a day trip when we visited again last year.
So with the arrival of the all new (eek!) Thomas Land expansion I thought I would use all my experience with the joy that is Drayton Manor by offering a few tips for a day out there. Whilst showing off some photos from the amazing new selection of rides that have taken over a whole new corner of the theme park.
1) Best Time to Visit Thomas and his Friends
As soon as you get into Drayton Manor you will see Thomas Land and the temptation to run in and scream "PERCY!!!" is a bit too much...but I found that it is much quieter in there late afternoon. Either a lot of the children have gone home or are having naps in their buggy. But? If the temptation to go on the rides is too much why not try the old faithfuls like Harold's Helicopters whilst the newer rides like Flynn's Fire Rescue calm down.
2) It's Not Just About the Rides!
A few times a day The Fat Controller comes out to do a show and this is a great little treat for your tots in between rides. Dancing on top of the main train station, this is a perfect stop off from leaving the older rides and walking through to the new ones like Captain's Sea Adventure above or my girls new favourite Flynn's Fire Rescue below. Pack a rain mac. You may (will) get wet! Also don't worry about buggies. There are lots of places to pop them whilst you try and soak each other.
3) Venture Out and About
Thomas Land is AMAZING for your tots but it's also great to venture out and about to the rest of the park. We always love to go on the carousel. There's a 4D cinema showing kid friendly films and lots of daft things to explire like pretending to catch a real life shark. Oh and of course Donuts...
mmmmmm...donuts.
4) There's More to Thomas than Thomas Land
If you take a stroll through the zoo you will not only stumble across some amazing dinosaurs but also a fantastic playground which my children literally spend hours on (oh and in the soft play situated on the side of Thomas Land). For this year there is the addition of a few new picnic tables which made me extremely happy as I hid wolfing down an ice cream whilst the other half watched the kids. Also round the corner from there is hidden Terence's Driving School. Next hop on Thomas himself to get a life back to the main park. This station is always less busy and you also get to pass ostriches and flamingos! Result.
5) Food Glorious Food!
There are stacks of places to eat throughout Drayton Manor. If you are thinking of taking a picnic like I generally do, there are loads of spots for you to sit and have your dinner. It might be on a bench overlooking the lake, or in the Thomas themed playground. But one of the new features in the expansion is a lovely large cafe. Which not only sells sandwiches. But cake. And proper nice cake at that (see above). So I would say pack a picnic but make sure you shove a few quid in your purse for a slice of rainbow heaven.
To take a look at the new rides or what Thomas Land has to offer visit their website here. If you are off work with a little one you may want to consider the Toddler Day Pass which is £20 for you and your tot! Have a look at prices here.
Check out our day in the vlog below!
We were sent the tickets to review Thomas Land. BUT WE LOVE IT!
I wish I'd live in the UK. So many theme parks Matthew would love like Thomas and Peppa.
ReplyDeleteIt really is an amazing place to visit! x
DeleteGreat tips! I took my boys there last year before E started school and it was fab. No doubt we'll be visiting again at some point x
ReplyDeleteOh you must pop along and see all the new rides! x
DeleteLooks amazing. I really want to go now!
ReplyDeleteWe shall have to all go together in the summer! x
DeleteI have two men in my life who would enjoy this very much, didn't really know Thomas Land was a thing!!! xx
ReplyDeleteIt is SUCH an amazing place! We shall all have to go one day x
DeleteI love Thomas Land - had many a great day. Looking forward to taking my youngest soon xx
ReplyDeleteDefo well worth a visit. Especially with the new rides! x
DeleteBrilliant tips, I agree with them all! Glad you had a fab day, we loved it, too :) x
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. We had so much fun! x
DeleteTrying to work out whether to take the Thomas mad 4 year old as he doesn't like rides. Is there enough else to do there that doesn't involve whizzing around in circles? It's a long trip up from the south coast for him to not go on anything. The 2 year old would be in her element however!
ReplyDeleteOh yes! There is the zoo and a playground and also a love soft play. A lot of the rides are a lot tamer than the ones in this video! x
DeleteI need to get us here - looks mega. As long as we can still call the Fat Controller the Fat Controller? x
ReplyDeleteI think he may be back to the Fat Controller now! x
DeleteOh this looks amazing! Love that you can now have cake too, obvs! Brilliant tips x
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the tips and the cake was an amazing Mummy treat! x
DeleteIt looks lovely! We went a couple of times when the kids were little and I think I loved it more than they did - it all seemed so perfect and happy. Maybe I need to go back with my niece and nephew!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a really lovely place! Defo take the little ones now they would love it! x
DeleteWe went last year as Js nursery leavers trip, we loved it despite all the rain. We only did Thomas land as the time was so tight, but we would love to go back with all the family, looks so much fun, especially as they have more rides. #countrykids
ReplyDeleteOh yes defo worth a trip with the whole family! x
DeleteGreat tips and that cake looks fab! We love it there too, fab isn't it.
ReplyDeleteIt really is such a great place! Bet you pop there often being a local! x
DeleteThe new rides at Thomas Land look like the perfect extras for regular visitors to enjoy as well as new visitors too. You've got some great tips too, it's so easy to get sidetracked to not explore everything else around as well. The kids look like they really enjoy exploring all of the different areas as well. Thanks for linking up with me on Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteThey really had the best day and so did my hub that managed to squeeze in a few of the more scary rides! x
DeleteThis place looks awesome! Think we might have to take Boo when she gets a bit bigger =D
ReplyDeleteOh you really should! It is such an amazing place to visit. She will love it! x
DeleteI'm going to pin this post, as we're actually visiting in June and hitting it about lunch time. My partner and I don't 'do' theme parks, so this is purely for our 2 year old little boy, so Thomas Land is good. :) Really looking forward to going.
ReplyDeleteCaroline.x
notesfromcaroline.com
Thanks for pinning it! It really is a fantastic time. He will love it! x
DeleteWe've never been, but reading posts about it I wish we had made it when we lived in the UK. The new areas do sound fab, and this is a great collection of tips. #CountryKids
ReplyDeleteHello just wondered if the shop is reasonable? Taking my 3 year old for a birthday surprise and want to get him a hoodie to wear but wondering weather to buy it before or wait for the shop? Thank you great tips! :-)
ReplyDelete