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[2024 Event] Christmas Wonderland

The last 2 years the 1st picture was free.
Think they feel reducing the price which includes the Santa, Gift, hot chocolate for Adults not sure if the kids are included and the train ride.
 
Themeparksandy1981 said:
I see they added more Santa slots and extended the hours 10am to 6pm on weekends
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I read a comment on facebook that the accessible grotto is a shortened version of the normal grotto and its a case of in and out unlike the usual one from last year... I told my kids, ones 12 and has some social difficulties and he wasnt veey happy with that and asked if I could get our booking changed to the usual grotto. I emailed guest services and they have swapped us from the accessible grotto to the normal one so absolute top marks to them for that.
 
Visited yesterday for the event with my older two (12 & 10, so on the older side these days) & is think they've done a pretty good job.

The hot chocolate token on entry to the park was a welcome addition & a nice touch from the park. Is this standard for every visit over Christmas or were we just lucky yesterday? I know those doing the Grotto get a visit to the hot chocolate place with the addition of toppings, I assume this started after 3?

The park have done a great job from the main entrance down to the lake & the stage is looking brilliant, loving the extra 2 snow machines they've added to this area. The new lights & all the trees look brilliant. A few lights were off on some trees, garlands & telephone box, hopefully this will be rectified soon.

Was impressed with the Lory show advertising on the 4D cinema, doesn't look temporary & they've not cut corners with this. We didn't do the show as mine are a bit old. We'll see it next week when my 7yo joins us.

Disappointing that Frontier Falls doesn't open until 11 & closes at 4! Always loved the night rides at the end of the day on Accelerator so closing at 4 seems a bit early. Also sad that we can't get night rides on Gold Rush for the same reason. Hopefully the 6pm closes will mean that the area will now stay open until 5! Gold Rush was down the entire time we were there (11:45-4:30) but that can't be helped.

Thomas Land seems a little light on decorations this year, odd as it's usually packed with trees & garlands but still looks nice.

It was actually quite busy on park for the Christmas event yesterday, especially considering it was still November, that is a real good sign. They're probably cashing in on the poor offering from Alton Towers this year!

I can't comment on the Grotto as we won't be doing it. That part of the magic has sadly died in our house, with only the 7yo still a believer!

Overall a very positive experience, just feel it lacks an ending to the day. I do miss the short firework display they used to put on & even the old parade shows that used to start in Thomas Land & went round to the lake. I feel it needs an ending, even Mrs Claus last year was a better ending.
 
deathvalleydemon said:
I've not long ago read on facebook that you have to pay for the photo with santa this year, it was given free last year... can anyone confirm this? Shocking if true..
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So that pretty much confirms you have to pay for the photograph. I mean I dont mind as its a memory to keep but the fact its so expensive ontop of it being free last year and also adults having to pay to enter the grotto just screams of a cash grab to me..
 
deathvalleydemon said:
So that pretty much confirms you have to pay for the photograph. I mean I dont mind as its a memory to keep but the fact its so expensive ontop of it being free last year and also adults having to pay to enter the grotto just screams of a cash grab to me..
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You can take your own photos but can also pay for the upcharge photo :)
 
Elise said:
You can take your own photos but can also pay for the upcharge photo :)
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Oh I understand that, and like I said, I really dont mind paying for the photo but to go from it being free, to being £20-£30 so I've read is eyewatering. I just dont like how it seems to be paying more this year but getting less.

having said that, I can't wait to go :D
 
deathvalleydemon said:
Oh I understand that, and like I said, I really dont mind paying for the photo but to go from it being free, to being £20-£30 so I've read is eyewatering. I just dont like how it seems to be paying more this year but getting less.

having said that, I can't wait to go :D
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It's £12 for an individual photo print
The other prices are for packages such as two prints and a printed decoration :)
(Annual pass discount does not work unfortunately. I tried)
 
Elise said:
It's £12 for an individual photo print
The other prices are for packages such as two prints and a printed decoration :)
(Annual pass discount does not work unfortunately. I tried)
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Thats not too bad at all then really is it! I wonder if they'll add it digitally to the ride photos you can add to the tickets they give you as well as buying it too?
 
Elise said:
Christmas Wonderland - What's on video is now available :)
Join me and Sam for a festive day out and see what's happening during the event

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Looks brilliant, I’m going in the Viking Themed room on the 23rd and waking up on the 24th, so excited! There’s also a new story time with Frosty the Elf in the hotel this year, this year looks to have a lot of new additions!
 
Managed to get a pretty good day today considering the weather. All rides were open as advertised except from Gold Rush, Cranky and the train rides in Thomas Land.

We were frequently reminded by kitchen and ride staff that everybody who visited/booked for today would be receiving a return ticket. The park also closed at 4 instead of 6.

The main Christmas event was pretty good - the grotto, shows and hot chocolate parlour were all highlights of the day. The gift selection after the grotto wasn’t as good as last year, but definitely not bad. We ended up getting the book and some unicorn craft thing :ROFLMAO:.

I did Accelerator 5 times in total, mainly because it was one of the only bigger rides open without Gold Rush.

Overall it was actually a pretty decent day, and I’ll probably use the return ticket later on in the 2025 season.
 
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