[2025 Event] Christmas Wonderland
- Thread starter Elise
- Start date
Well it can’t be any worst than last year.
I don’t see what was that bad about last year? The only letdown for me was the Wishmas Express not being on
Compared to previously it wasn't a patch. Wishmas express was waste of lights as too light. Hot chocolate factory was poor and castle of dreams was not as good.
Like for kids the price for the Santa experience was spot on as for the money they got to sing along with and play games with the elf’s and got to meet the big guy himself.
You also got to pick a present from the workshop which if you brought from the shop would have cost roughly £4 to £6 and the hot chocolate with the extras was worth £4-£5.
The problem was they were changing the same for adults which really upset a lot of parents when at the end you had to pay for the photo and only getting hot chocolate or a tea/coffee if u didn’t like Hot chocolate.
The light trail just used props from previous years and was my bare and you couldn’t hear the story.
Like with the lights now up all year around the park I do wonder what will be done for this Christmas.
You also got to pick a present from the workshop which if you brought from the shop would have cost roughly £4 to £6 and the hot chocolate with the extras was worth £4-£5.
The problem was they were changing the same for adults which really upset a lot of parents when at the end you had to pay for the photo and only getting hot chocolate or a tea/coffee if u didn’t like Hot chocolate.
The light trail just used props from previous years and was my bare and you couldn’t hear the story.
Like with the lights now up all year around the park I do wonder what will be done for this Christmas.
It’s been no where near as good as it was under the Bryan’s.
The 2021 season was there best under the looping group as they still did end the evening with a firework show.
The 2021 season was there best under the looping group as they still did end the evening with a firework show.
We went on Christmas eve and we found that the santa experience in the grotto was up to the usual standard. The sing along and games was disorganised and the elves/staff didn't interact very well. Got the feeling that they didn't want to be there. Shows were poor in comparison to previously on both the main stage and falls theatre.
Upon arrival, even though we were booked in with tickets, had to ask for the hot chocolate experience tokens. My seven year old loved the reindeer food experience. This was taken away and the whole experience wasn't great. Hot chocolate was very lacking, tables were not being cleaned. We had to clean a table to sit down and looked very grubby. The light trail on the train was barely visible and you could not hear the soundtrack.
Presents were very much geared up for boys in the grotto and were of a poundland standard. They told us that this year, the supplier substituted most of the girls presents with boys so there was very little and therefore for girls was more baby toys. You can only have so many colouring pens. The cost of £30 to do the grotto experience is quite steep given how it had been cutback from previous years. We did get the santa book to add to the other two we have at home.
I would say the only benefit was having frontier falls open. If we weren't passholders it would have been massively overpriced. I think if they increased the price for children and re-instated some previous attractions, it would be better value for money. Giving a £5 voucher for the gift shop would have been better value.
We have been every christmas since it re-opened after covid. I have to be honest, if they charge the same or more this year, we may have to break with our tradition of attending on christmas eve. Christmas eve was very quiet. The snow around the main stage was good. 2023 light experience was a million times better and worth the upcharge.
We are hoping that this year, they could open a bit more of the park such as dodgems as ice skating, and the park to frontier falls. Maybe asking too much for vikings to open also and some rides are temperature restricted. There have been a lot of down time with Accelerator being closed due to the temperature. It is noticable that the park is significantly reducing the quality of the events and the marketing is not up to the standard it was a couple of years ago.
2025 details
Summer may have only just started, but our Christmas countdown has officially begun at Drayton Manor and as a valued Annual Passholder, you’re getting first dibs on the festive fun at Drayton Manor!
From now until midday this Wednesday (28th July), you have exclusive presale access to book our limited-capacity Christmas experiences before they go on general sale.
NEW: Elftoria - £20
This festive season, something magical - and a little mischievous - is coming to Drayton Manor for the very first time! Get ready to laugh, play, and experience the enchantment of Elves Behaving Badly, straight from their whimsical homeland of Elftoria.
Santa’s Grotto – £10
Experience the magic of Christmas in our Enchanted Santa’s Grotto, where children can enjoy festive entertainment, meet Father Christmas, and receive a small gift to take home.
Twinkle Express – £5
What will you wish for this Christmas? Join Arthur the Elf on a magical journey to make your Christmas wishes come true.
NEW: Cinderella Pantomime – £5
Get ready for sparkle, laughter, and classic panto magic as Cinderella takes the stage at Drayton Manor this Christmas!
Plus, enjoy all your favourite Thomas Land rides, decked out for the season and ready to deliver even more festive cheer.
As always, entry to the theme park is completely free for Platinum, Diamond & Gold Annual Passholders - simply pay for the experiences you’d like to enjoy.
We can’t wait to welcome you for festive family fun!
Tickets on sale for passholders now, general sale from wednesday.
Looks better than 2024, but very expensive
www.draytonmanor.co.uk
It will cost from my calculation, £40 per person if I read it correctly
It looks a though buffalo, Thor etc will be open in Vikings for the Eltflora experience which is £20 per person and not included for passholders unless you pay extra
Christmas Wonderland is baack!
Selected dates between 22nd November - 31st DecemberSummer may have only just started, but our Christmas countdown has officially begun at Drayton Manor and as a valued Annual Passholder, you’re getting first dibs on the festive fun at Drayton Manor!
From now until midday this Wednesday (28th July), you have exclusive presale access to book our limited-capacity Christmas experiences before they go on general sale.
NEW: Elftoria - £20
This festive season, something magical - and a little mischievous - is coming to Drayton Manor for the very first time! Get ready to laugh, play, and experience the enchantment of Elves Behaving Badly, straight from their whimsical homeland of Elftoria.
Santa’s Grotto – £10
Experience the magic of Christmas in our Enchanted Santa’s Grotto, where children can enjoy festive entertainment, meet Father Christmas, and receive a small gift to take home.
Twinkle Express – £5
What will you wish for this Christmas? Join Arthur the Elf on a magical journey to make your Christmas wishes come true.
NEW: Cinderella Pantomime – £5
Get ready for sparkle, laughter, and classic panto magic as Cinderella takes the stage at Drayton Manor this Christmas!
Plus, enjoy all your favourite Thomas Land rides, decked out for the season and ready to deliver even more festive cheer.
As always, entry to the theme park is completely free for Platinum, Diamond & Gold Annual Passholders - simply pay for the experiences you’d like to enjoy.
We can’t wait to welcome you for festive family fun!
Tickets on sale for passholders now, general sale from wednesday.
Looks better than 2024, but very expensive
Christmas Wonderland: Visit Santa's Grotto
Make unforgettable memories at Drayton Manor’s ALL NEW Christmas Wonderland in the Midlands. Enjoy Santa’s Grotto & the fun Hot Chocolate Experience.
It will cost from my calculation, £40 per person if I read it correctly
It looks a though buffalo, Thor etc will be open in Vikings for the Eltflora experience which is £20 per person and not included for passholders unless you pay extra
Last edited:
Annual pass still have to pay those hefty price??2025 details
Christmas Wonderland is baack!
Selected dates between 22nd November - 31st December
Summer may have only just started, but our Christmas countdown has officially begun at Drayton Manor and as a valued Annual Passholder, you’re getting first dibs on the festive fun at Drayton Manor!
From now until midday this Wednesday (28th July), you have exclusive presale access to book our limited-capacity Christmas experiences before they go on general sale.
NEW: Elftoria - £20
This festive season, something magical - and a little mischievous - is coming to Drayton Manor for the very first time! Get ready to laugh, play, and experience the enchantment of Elves Behaving Badly, straight from their whimsical homeland of Elftoria.
Santa’s Grotto – £10
Experience the magic of Christmas in our Enchanted Santa’s Grotto, where children can enjoy festive entertainment, meet Father Christmas, and receive a small gift to take home.
Twinkle Express – £5
What will you wish for this Christmas? Join Arthur the Elf on a magical journey to make your Christmas wishes come true.
NEW: Cinderella Pantomime – £5
Get ready for sparkle, laughter, and classic panto magic as Cinderella takes the stage at Drayton Manor this Christmas!
Plus, enjoy all your favourite Thomas Land rides, decked out for the season and ready to deliver even more festive cheer.
As always, entry to the theme park is completely free for Platinum, Diamond & Gold Annual Passholders - simply pay for the experiences you’d like to enjoy.
We can’t wait to welcome you for festive family fun!
Tickets on sale for passholders now, general sale from wednesday.
Looks better than 2024, but very expensive
Christmas Wonderland: Visit Santa's Grotto
Make unforgettable memories at Drayton Manor’s ALL NEW Christmas Wonderland in the Midlands. Enjoy Santa’s Grotto & the fun Hot Chocolate Experience.
It will cost from my calculation, £40 per person if I read it correctly
It looks a though buffalo, Thor etc will be open in Vikings for the Eltflora experience which is £20 per person and not included for passholders unless you pay extra
To do it all, it will cost us £120. We always go on christmas eve, last year event was poor and although this looks better, it is very expensive. If we weren't passholders then I think it may be £60 plus on top based on previous years. There is more compared to previously but I can not justify that cost. Therefore we would not do it all.
I think they need to re-look at this as they are pricing people out of the event. Think we will have to consider ending our tradition this year, maybe start something new elsewhere. Hopefully someone at the Manor will see this and take it on board. Poor ticket sales will help.
It sounds to me like they are struggling which would be the only possible reason to upscale everything. It’s sad and disappointing and honestly seems to be out of touch especially with the financial climate. I’m hoping someone sees this and realises what a bad idea it will be. Families who are already paying x amount to gain entry into the park arnt going to want to pay double the price to add experiences on. I’m sorry to hear your thinking about going else where too. I would however love to hear any ideas or positive reviews you may have hear off else where x
I will directly message you with something's we have done in the past so not to clogg up with non Drayton manor things
Anything they do price or upcharge wise will be complained about, unless it was free.
Generally I think Drayton is reasonably priced at the moment
I do think if you’re buying winter wonderland tickets then they should have a few things included in the price , not just entry to the park. People who are buying entry to park then all the up charges will be paying a small fortune. For myself I am a lone parent and so I have one wage to cover all costs for both me and my son and our place of residence etc. all of the up charges unfortunately mean this option is no longer viable.