Personally I think it may be with how very little people are optinging for elftoria. When we paid (due to little man insistence) there was only 2 or 3 people on each ride for the whole duration. I can imagine, there’s no point opening the rides if people arnt paying for it so they’ve probably decided to allow entry between 5-6 to entice people. This event for me however is a fail. It’s very similar to how I felt over the grotto which is a shame because our family love Drayton.
[2025 Event] Christmas Wonderland
- Thread starter Elise
- Start date
I watched the TPW vlog and have to say based on what they said, Vikings is definitely a mistake. £20 for an hour exclusivity. Definitely not worth it, with the add on elements looking small and cheap. Looks like Victoria went to Temu! As shaun said, they should have opened to all and £5 upcharge. I think grottos should only charge for children but many now see it as a way of increasing income.
Twinkle express and the walkthrough in the zoo look very good along with the lights in general. Charging for babies is not ethically right. Maybe they need to think of the ethics going forward.
Thinking of maybe going to see the night show and the zoo walkthrough for an hour or so. Want to do twinkle express but its the principles of charging for babies and then making them sit on parents laps that are stopping me.
Twinkle express and the walkthrough in the zoo look very good along with the lights in general. Charging for babies is not ethically right. Maybe they need to think of the ethics going forward.
Thinking of maybe going to see the night show and the zoo walkthrough for an hour or so. Want to do twinkle express but its the principles of charging for babies and then making them sit on parents laps that are stopping me.
Christmas Selection Boxes.
I was thinking about buying a tenners worth of those £1 things and handing them out to some of the staff, just as a small thankyou.
However, this year's boxes have Merlin plastered all over them! I can't hand those out in DM..... Can I?
Is there another option?
I was thinking about buying a tenners worth of those £1 things and handing them out to some of the staff, just as a small thankyou.
However, this year's boxes have Merlin plastered all over them! I can't hand those out in DM..... Can I?
Is there another option?
I believe Mars do a Christmas Chocolate selectionChristmas Selection Boxes.
I was thinking about buying a tenners worth of those £1 things and handing them out to some of the staff, just as a small thankyou.
However, this year's boxes have Merlin plastered all over them! I can't hand those out in DM..... Can I?
View attachment 7907
Is there another option?
What's worse about this it isn't even Merlin great attractions Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland Windsor
Photos from Sunday
I woke up this morning and it was pissing down with rain. :-( I stayed home :-(
The weather was the same last Saturday, and they closed early. We've all seen the disgruntled peeps on fB talking about it.
Will they install some weather protection? A few Gazebo's here, and a Marquee or two there....
Theme parks aren't designed to be open this time of year, so they could/should give us some shelter!
Cue the Rolling Stones during the afternoon watershow....
I can but hope!
The weather was the same last Saturday, and they closed early. We've all seen the disgruntled peeps on fB talking about it.
Will they install some weather protection? A few Gazebo's here, and a Marquee or two there....
Theme parks aren't designed to be open this time of year, so they could/should give us some shelter!
Cue the Rolling Stones during the afternoon watershow....
I can but hope!
Just checked the ride opening times for the whole event and they work best between 27th to 31st Dec. With just Adventure Cove closing at 4 with the rest of the park been 5.
Not sure if anyone's noticed this on The Twinkle Express, but I had a ride on it today with my friend. I swear I haven't heard those ceiling speakers ever work in that ride! This is the first time they must be using them for who knows how long! Much better than the headphones!
When we visited for an evening ride , most of the headphones was dead so they was only taking a few rows of people at a time.
How busy has the park been this weekend?
Was pretty quiet today. Bit busier than last week but all rides basically walk ons.
I hope it is working out for the park as having the rides open at Christmas is fantastic to see.
I hope it is working out for the park as having the rides open at Christmas is fantastic to see.
Not Very is the short answer!
I went Saturday and it wasn't busy. All the rides were walk on, and often stay on. It was almost the perfect day - ie enough peeps to generate a good atmosphere, but not too many so the queues were too long. The music was blaring out all day, usually on quiet days they almost mute the volume on music - Thankfully that didn't happen. The Christmas tunes were playing all day at full blast.
The only disappointment was Thor was broken. I spent some time waiting, then went on Jormungander (yes, I can say it!) and funnily enough that was the only time I had to wait for a ride all day!
The Weather also played ball - we had occasional showers at first, then mid afternon the sun came out (briefly) and no more rain for the rest of the day.
With regards to Elftoria. I was under the impression that the entire Vikings area was going to temporally turned into Elftoria. That isn't the case. Elftoria is just 3 tents. 2 in the unused area at the top end of Vikings, the third is a small marquee behind Loki that's used for the "Snowball Fight Arena"
Furthermore, contrary to the email I sent, and false info I was given, The Vikings entrance IS open - NO need to walk around to the main entrance.
Gold Rush was using the short Queue. I didn't even know it was a thing until yesterday. That's how quiet it was!
The Wave had issues all day - didn't get going until half past 12. I was waiting and The train got stuck between the station and the lift. First time I've ever seen that.
Popped into the Zoo and noticed that the large cats have a new enclosure - It's directly opposite their previous one. Didn't see them, but I'm glad that they have a new bigger home.
Anyways, yesterday was my 34th visit, and it's probably in my top 5 this year.
