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[2023 Event] Christmas Wonderland

So, unknown to is after I booked our 3rd visit on our passes (booked tickets ast weekend) tye event has now changed it's timings! The event now runs from 11am-7:30pm, with rides shutting at 7pm. Whilst I understand the decision to do this, especially with the final hour being so quiet, it is frustrating when we booked our visit on the old 12-8pm timings & went to the park today at 3:30 to enjoy the evening with the plan on staying until 8pm! Thought it was quite naughty of them.

Still think the event is brilliant but we cannot book the grotto or Wishmas Express on any of the dates. Guess that's our bad for being indecisive earlier in the year when they released the dates

Just to note, some dates still state 12-8pm but most are now 11am-7:30
 
MPDarby said:
So, unknown to is after I booked our 3rd visit on our passes (booked tickets ast weekend) tye event has now changed it's timings! The event now runs from 11am-7:30pm, with rides shutting at 7pm. Whilst I understand the decision to do this, especially with the final hour being so quiet, it is frustrating when we booked our visit on the old 12-8pm timings & went to the park today at 3:30 to enjoy the evening with the plan on staying until 8pm! Thought it was quite naughty of them.

Still think the event is brilliant but we cannot book the grotto or Wishmas Express on any of the dates. Guess that's our bad for being indecisive earlier in the year when they released the dates

Just to note, some dates still state 12-8pm but most are now 11am-7:30
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Is there any dates available to book on the 27th to 31st Dec for the train. Santa slots only the 19th to 22nd Available.
 
MPDarby said:
So, unknown to is after I booked our 3rd visit on our passes (booked tickets ast weekend) tye event has now changed it's timings! The event now runs from 11am-7:30pm, with rides shutting at 7pm. Whilst I understand the decision to do this, especially with the final hour being so quiet, it is frustrating when we booked our visit on the old 12-8pm timings & went to the park today at 3:30 to enjoy the evening with the plan on staying until 8pm! Thought it was quite naughty of them.

Still think the event is brilliant but we cannot book the grotto or Wishmas Express on any of the dates. Guess that's our bad for being indecisive earlier in the year when they released the dates

Just to note, some dates still state 12-8pm but most are now 11am-7:30
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I wouldn’t have known the times had changed if I wasn't looking at the ride line up the morning before my visit, I think they should've at least posted something on social media to let people know.
Themeparksandy1981 said:
I thought the Grotto was excellent and back up to the Bryan’s level of experience
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The big tree has stopped working but they added more lights
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I loved the Wishmas express and was the highlight of the event.
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I really enjoyed the grotto and thought the man himself was brilliant as well.
 
Yes this is annoying I specifically booked based on the 8pm close too as I'm working to late so was relying on the evening openings.
 
Think been a Sunday 7pm is late enough with kids at school and most working the following day as only the train had a queue and that was only down to it breaking down twice.
We joined the queue at 6 for our slot as we only got on at 6:50. By the time we got off, went the toilet and walked back to the car it was 7.20 and my son was already a sleep by the time we got home.
 
It’s not a speaker just a dj booth with a themed booth taking over on the main stage. Felt so sorry for Mrs Claus yesterday as she was due to go on at 7pm but there was no one there.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
It’s not a speaker just a dj booth with a themed booth taking over on the main stage. Felt so sorry for Mrs Claus yesterday as she was due to go on at 7pm but there was no one there.
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That's because they shut the rides 30 minutes before the show starts! Keep the rides open until 7:30 & more people will stay. Also, bring back the proper ending of fireworks! The place would still be full come ride Close!
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
It’s not a speaker just a dj booth with a themed booth taking over on the main stage. Felt so sorry for Mrs Claus yesterday as she was due to go on at 7pm but there was no one there.
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Just feels really odd to put it in the grotto ^^' Felt a bit odd on the stage too but it worked there as a good decoration piece.

Oh dear :( Thats really unfortunate for her!
 
MPDarby said:
That's because they shut the rides 30 minutes before the show starts! Keep the rides open until 7:30 & more people will stay. Also, bring back the proper ending of fireworks! The place would still be full come ride Close!
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Or if they really don’t want to change the ride closing time just make the show be at 7…
 
They can change the showtimes and post it on social media / on the boards across the park.

I know they had a timing issue at the Vikings festival event where two shows clashed and in the end they did move one of the shows back a little. So it is possible for them to change showtimes (But I know how much hassle that can be at the same time)
I remember that one I was walking in late and found a show which should have already finished, still be going :D (So that was nice)

At least all the attendance figures / show interaction can be used for the planning in next years event to make it smoother for the next one.
 
I think the main thing wrong with this event has been the ride offerings. Like having non of the Vikings rides open when u have to walk though the area seems a strange choice. Like can understand if they only want young family rides open but why have the bounty open with its 1.2m restriction.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
The park was very busy today. The queue for Santa was crazy
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The tree had new lighting installed
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Can’t believe how they couldn’t be bothered to put much Christmas decorations in the train station this year
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Even the 4 trees that were in there wasn’t Even plugged in.
The snow storm at the end of each show was crazy
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I had 11:36 for Santa today and it was a really small queue. When you think about Theme Parks, Drayton never gets “theme park busy”.
 
Ollie said:
I had 11:36 for Santa today and it was a really small queue. When you think about Theme Parks, Drayton never gets “theme park busy”.
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U not been in the main summer season when a basic 1-2 min ride has a queue for a hour+.
For the Christmas Event that’s only got Thomas land and 4 family rides open the queues can get busy.
 
We are at the park today and I must admit I’m impressed with the hot chocolate. A massive improvement on last years offering. For anyone who’s interested , if you phone the hotel to book a room over the phone then they take payment the day before your arrival however if you book it over the internet then payment is taken instantly.
 

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