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[2024 Event] Christmas Wonderland

Elise said:
I don't personally see an issue with the 5pm close.
When I did Lightopia at Alton Towers the other year at a later time, children were so cold they were all crying and screaming.
Yes it won't be that dark, but the temperature will be better

[Talking from experience based on observation. I do not have children]
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I dont either really but my 2 boys who both have SEN are not happy at all they dont like change, and also, we are going to be staying the night at christmas, I hope there will be things for them to do after it closes at 5pm...
 
I know in the hotel at Christmas last year there was entertainment :) I saw Rusty with Rudi the Reindeer last year (I wasn't staying, I was at the hotel for another event and ran into them) - cant really confirm any further specifics, but that much I do know.

Mini golf likely to also be open
 
I'm struggling to find much info on anything, we are booked in to the accessible grotto for example, but as the website says it accessible via the train, I'm assuming this isn't in the castle? Don't know if anyone else knows?

Just realised that from the past few years we've also lost the Ice Skating and the show inside the cinema building which my kids enjoyed. Shame really.
 
Wilko said:
I'm struggling to find much info on anything, we are booked in to the accessible grotto for example, but as the website says it accessible via the train, I'm assuming this isn't in the castle? Don't know if anyone else knows?

Just realised that from the past few years we've also lost the Ice Skating and the show inside the cinema building which my kids enjoyed. Shame really.
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Would like to update you on this, there will be one show outside and one show inside the Theatre, i’ve asked the entertainment team.
 
Elise said:
I don't personally see an issue with the 5pm close.
When I did Lightopia at Alton Towers the other year at a later time, children were so cold they were all crying and screaming.
Yes it won't be that dark, but the temperature will be better

[Talking from experience based on observation. I do not have children]
Click to expand...
Im in the same boat and have a 7 year old. We always visit for santa on xmas eve itself for it feels more magical. Due to this we have always had an earlier close on this day and it never feels like a "should stay open later". Its more than enough time and personally i think its better for children who are yonger i.e the weather , and also getting simple things like food , bath and bed done. Also from observation , last year when we did visit tue park during the later hours , we noticed it wasnt busy because most people stayed during the day amd left. When you weigh up running costs , over heads, staff pay etc against potential income , it probably doesnt make financial sense to stay open too late.
 
Surely there is a half way house though? Why not have a couple of later nights?

I get the point that younger kids may be crochetty if they are up after hours but parents know what their kids are like and should be removing them before this (or know what the consequences are likely to be)

Saying that they are closing earlier as it suits younger kids is a complete cop-out - no one is forcing anyone to stay until the end.

If they just are a bit more honest "look the figures just dont add up" then you don't have any more discussion about it and everyone knows where they stand.


----After thought----
We are all used to DMR being a theme park. We all go because its a theme park and that means rides and attractions. I think we have to change our mindset. This isn't a theme park event, rather its an event at a theme park. The point is to sell grotto and train rides and hot chocolate, rides and stuff are just something to differentiate this Santa offering from others and justify the entrance fee.
 
I agree with everyones comments, but to advertise a christmas light train "With festive installations lighting up the night sky, this festive train ride will bring an extra Christmas glow to your visit" that stops running just as its getting dark makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I mean they're doing the fireworks at night obviously, imagine if they did them in the day?.....
 
deathvalleydemon said:
I agree with everyones comments, but to advertise a christmas light train "With festive installations lighting up the night sky, this festive train ride will bring an extra Christmas glow to your visit" that stops running just as its getting dark makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I mean they're doing the fireworks at night obviously, imagine if they did them in the day?.....
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They kinda did for the coronation weekend last year and the 1st bank holiday in May this year and both times it wasn’t even dark.
 
I wonder if this will be used for the Santa’s experience at the zoo end
IMG_4843.jpeg
 
RustyShackleford said:
Surely there is a half way house though? Why not have a couple of later nights?

I get the point that younger kids may be crochetty if they are up after hours but parents know what their kids are like and should be removing them before this (or know what the consequences are likely to be)

Saying that they are closing earlier as it suits younger kids is a complete cop-out - no one is forcing anyone to stay until the end.

If they just are a bit more honest "look the figures just dont add up" then you don't have any more discussion about it and everyone knows where they stand.


----After thought----
We are all used to DMR being a theme park. We all go because its a theme park and that means rides and attractions. I think we have to change our mindset. This isn't a theme park event, rather its an event at a theme park. The point is to sell grotto and train rides and hot chocolate, rides and stuff are just something to differentiate this Santa offering from others and justify the entrance fee.
Click to expand...
Completely agree with this. My kids are older 12, 10 & 7. We loved last years late ride offering & I was personally a fan of Mrs Claus & we always stayed for her sing a long. Like many have said, 5pm is ridiculously early to close for an event that comes to life when the sun goes down. Why not run it the same operating hours but run 11-6? At least you're getting 1 hour later & like you said, if that's too late for your kids, go home. We'd personally appreciate the 8pm closes but I do also understand that it was empty most evenings by 7, so that doesn't make any financial sense!

Just another thing I don't understand (but I am happy with this one), why do they open at 10am for Christmas but 10:30 for the rest of the year? Never makes sense to me
 
The Vikings area isn't open for Christmas but you can enter from that entrance. Last year they used that entrance as the main entrance to the event (or at least they did on some occasions).

The event definitely starts at 10am
 
MPDarby said:
The Vikings area isn't open for Christmas but you can enter from that entrance. Last year they used that entrance as the main entrance to the event (or at least they did on some occasions).

The event definitely starts at 10am
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I meant for the main season I know hotel guests got into the hotel park before everyone else but wasn’t sure what rides were open as I only been there twice at opening for the pass holder event for the exclusive ride time for the new attractions last year and this year.
Vikings was open for Christmas in 2022
 
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