Themeparksandy1981
Member
can’t understand how it will work as it says it’s all lit up but the park only open to 5pm as it’s not pitch black to around 4pm.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
[2024 Event] Christmas Wonderland
- Thread starter Pete999films
- Start date
alfie8
Member
Wasn't it open until 8pm last year? The park at night is always the highlight for me so I agree with you I'm not sure how that will work. Maybe it's just the rides that close at 5pm but you can still stay to do the grotto and other stuff until later.
Ollie
Member
The latest times you can book the grotto for is 3:30pm.
Themeparksandy1981
Member
Hop aboard and enjoy a magical Christmas tale with Sir Topham Hatt as you journey along our sparkling festive light trail towards Rusty and Dusty’s Hot Chocolate Factory. With festive installations lighting up the night sky, this festive train ride will bring an extra Christmas glow to your visit.Train has no timeslotsIts a "when you are ready"
One ride per person as far as I know yes
You will then exit the train for
Ever wondered how the perfect hot chocolate is made? Rusty and Dusty reveal their secrets in their cosy factory, a delicious end to the Festive Light Train.
Warm little hands on a cup of sweet cocoa while getting creative with marshmallows and treats!
Access to Rusty and Dusty’s Hot Chocolate Factory is included in your Enchanted Christmas Grotto booking.
Now unless they enclosing the whole Thomas route it will only be available for 4pm onwards.
alfie8
Member
In that case it seems like the park have seriously reconsidered opening during later hours.
deathvalleydemon
Member
If the train is running all day as all the details on the website suggests, will it be different to last year when we went round and saw all the lights when it was dark? surely people will just wait until its dark so the lights are more visible? or are they not running the train when its dark? if they are, wont people just wait till then?
Themeparksandy1981
Member
I do wonder if they may enclose sections of the track so whatever time of day you will get to see the display lit up.
deathvalleydemon
Member
I hope they have the feature with the headphones like they did last year... this year seems like a downgrade compared to last from what I've read so far..
alfie8
Member
Maybe on paper it does but when you consider how many times the train wasn't working last year or just had overall downtime, Drayton have obviously figured this as a suitable replacement.
I think we will see a speaker system on the train to "tell a tale" over the headset idea
Ollie
Member
The Wishmas Express was off most of the time last year, which was really dissapointing. They’ve got 4 trains on the Thomas Track, so if one breaks down they have another 3 solutions, way better choice in my opinion. And with the earlier closing times, mostly everyone was gone by 6:30pm anyway, so waste of time, would of been nice for it to close at like 6-6:30pm but it’s all about money and what they can afford.Going to need to be a short tale on the Thomas track
Wilko
Member
Last year it catered for everyone (admittedly it appears it didn't work much, we got on it however without issue) . My kids are slightly too old for Thomas Land now and the Castle and Wishmas Express were brilliant. Now it's taking a trip on Thomas and Rusty and Dusty are involved. Only my opinion, but definitely a step backwards for me.
deathvalleydemon
Member
Seems like a step back to me too... and it closes earlier ???
Themeparksandy1981
Member
Can understand why it’s closing earlier as the only queues all day was for Santa and the train. Mrs Claus singing there wasn’t 1 person watching her sing.
deathvalleydemon
Member
the park have confirmed to me that it closes at 5pm every day for the christmas event
Last edited by a moderator:
Themeparksandy1981
Member
Did they reply to your other message?
deathvalleydemon
Member
they did!
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]
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]