[2025 Event] Christmas Wonderland
- Thread starter Elise
- Start date
Likely there starting on the boats first and other smaller components not scene by public
With the park been fully open as in areas the maintenance team will be just focusing on keeping the rides available for the Christmas event. Then come 1st Jan they usually get 2 full weeks off then they back stripping all the rides that will be open for the Feb half term event and the rest of the park for the start of the main season which is the 27th March.
Some rides are closed though so I imagine those are already being stripped back like Haunting and Wild West Shootout
Yesterday (13th) was almost Groundhog day! Arrived at the same time as last week, walked through Vikings and heard the exact two songs (Last Christmas and Let It Snow) as last week. Almost everything was the same as last week, the only major difference being Victoria was present. Saw her several times in the first half of the day. 
(Didn't talk to her as I'm far too socially awkward) :-(
Highlight of the day was riding the pirate ship during the first of the 2 end of say shows. Last week they were at 6 and 7 PM, this week they were at 5 and 7.
Watching the 5PM show whilst riding on the bounty was super cool. If you get the chance to do that then I highly recommend it. It was also educational - you can see the fountain spurting a fine spray which creats a wall of water that the projector on the island puts the image on. I did wonder how that works - now I know!
The only down side of the day was the Bar. 20 minutes to wait for a bottle of Magners? My arse! I wasn't waiting that long, so I went to the Pizza place and was served in less than 2 minutes!
Edit - I filmed the end of day show. Missed the start, but got most of it. The quality isn't great, sorry. :-(
(Didn't talk to her as I'm far too socially awkward) :-(Highlight of the day was riding the pirate ship during the first of the 2 end of say shows. Last week they were at 6 and 7 PM, this week they were at 5 and 7.
Watching the 5PM show whilst riding on the bounty was super cool. If you get the chance to do that then I highly recommend it. It was also educational - you can see the fountain spurting a fine spray which creats a wall of water that the projector on the island puts the image on. I did wonder how that works - now I know!
The only down side of the day was the Bar. 20 minutes to wait for a bottle of Magners? My arse! I wasn't waiting that long, so I went to the Pizza place and was served in less than 2 minutes!
Edit - I filmed the end of day show. Missed the start, but got most of it. The quality isn't great, sorry. :-(
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Elise
Administrator
We were around on the 13th tooYesterday (13th) was almost Groundhog day! Arrived at the same time as last week, walked through Vikings and heard the exact two songs (Last Christmas and Let It Snow) as last week. Almost everything was the same as last week, the only major difference being Victoria was present. Saw her several times in the first half of the day.
Highlight of the day was riding the pirate ship during the first of the 2 end of say shows. Last week they were at 6 and 7 PM, this week they were at 5 and 7.
Watching the 5PM show whilst riding on the bounty was super cool. If you get the chance to do that then I highly recommend it. It was also educational - you can see the fountain spurting a fine spray which creats a wall of water that the projector on the island puts the image on. I did wonder how that works - now I know!
The only down side of the day was the Bar. 20 minutes to wait for a bottle of Magners? My arse! I wasn't waiting that long, so I went to the Pizza place and was served in less than 2 minutes, and saw someone elses arse!
Edit - I filmed the end of day show. Missed the start, but got most of it. The quality isn't great, sorry. :-(
You might have spotted us in my green coat Filmed all of the stage shows which will be going up on the Channel over the coming days / weeks as well as a story from Mrs Claus in the Grotto. Nice to see that adults get a hot chocolate from the Grotto (But shame it wasn't advertised)
Did see the queue for the bar! We went into Safari and were then told they had a 20 minute wait when we went in (We were unlucky on times) so went to get some fries instead at Funky Fries (Which is oddly operating inside of Chicken Diner with no Chicken Diner options available - so bare in mind if going there)
Anyone wanting to attend Friday at least. Road is likely to close between the manor and the belfry as flooding is barely passable. Suggest planning to arrive through fazeley
As I write this, I'm sat in the hotel on the bed after spending the day at the park yesterday..and I have to say the idea of elftoria was amazing, but the execution of it was absolutely dreadful. Upon arrival at the viking entrance I was asked if I had booked onto elftoria and was then given a choice of a time slot even tho when booking it gives the idea that it is a 2 hour experience given that it states from 4 to 6pm... I was given a choice of 4.30 or 5.30.
I opted for 4.30 as we had other things planned.
We waited, and waited, and waited and waited and waited some more...we were told it was our turn and walked towards the teepee only to be told we had to wait..and wait and wait and wait some more. FINALLY it waa our turn to go in the tent. We were greeted by 2 elves Few jokes and a couple of pranks later it was time to go to the second tent for gingerbread decorating which lasted all of 5 mins...The best joke for me was the fact that this had cost me £60 in total...I mean I commend the park for trying something different but there is no way on earth this was worth £20pp
The rides are the rides, pretty much walk on all day, glad to finally get back on all day so no complaints there.
The santa visit was brilliant, but what I dont understand is I asked if I could use my hot chocolate token in the viking area to be told no..can only be used in sodor cafe or fun foods..why? why does it matter? I asked if I could have a hot chocolate if I paid for it and was told yes..
hotel room was great as always, clean, well presented, friendly prompt staff who cannot do enough for you, no complaints..however, all along the ground floor corridor was the very very strong smell of someone smoking marijuna...not something you expect at a family park let alone in the hotel, I informed the hotel reception about this who said they would investigate.
all in all, a thouroughly enjoyable weekend, and it didnt rain!
I opted for 4.30 as we had other things planned.
We waited, and waited, and waited and waited and waited some more...we were told it was our turn and walked towards the teepee only to be told we had to wait..and wait and wait and wait some more. FINALLY it waa our turn to go in the tent. We were greeted by 2 elves Few jokes and a couple of pranks later it was time to go to the second tent for gingerbread decorating which lasted all of 5 mins...The best joke for me was the fact that this had cost me £60 in total...I mean I commend the park for trying something different but there is no way on earth this was worth £20pp
The rides are the rides, pretty much walk on all day, glad to finally get back on all day so no complaints there.
The santa visit was brilliant, but what I dont understand is I asked if I could use my hot chocolate token in the viking area to be told no..can only be used in sodor cafe or fun foods..why? why does it matter? I asked if I could have a hot chocolate if I paid for it and was told yes..
hotel room was great as always, clean, well presented, friendly prompt staff who cannot do enough for you, no complaints..however, all along the ground floor corridor was the very very strong smell of someone smoking marijuna...not something you expect at a family park let alone in the hotel, I informed the hotel reception about this who said they would investigate.
all in all, a thouroughly enjoyable weekend, and it didnt rain!
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I think they really got to really look at there pricing and opening times of rides for next year.
Like with the park open to 8pm which is a good thing there isn’t the ride options to keep guests there to 8pm.
Even the extra charges like I would have had to pay £60 each for my wife, mum and mother in law to get in and do everything then £40 each for me and my 2 kids so today would have cost me £300.
I do think they should bring back the wristband for the event as my Mother in law won’t go on any rides and my mum will only go on a couple in Thomas land with my son while I ride the Wave, Air race and Maelstrom with my daughter and wife.
Like with the park open to 8pm which is a good thing there isn’t the ride options to keep guests there to 8pm.
Even the extra charges like I would have had to pay £60 each for my wife, mum and mother in law to get in and do everything then £40 each for me and my 2 kids so today would have cost me £300.
I do think they should bring back the wristband for the event as my Mother in law won’t go on any rides and my mum will only go on a couple in Thomas land with my son while I ride the Wave, Air race and Maelstrom with my daughter and wife.
Thinking about going later. What rides are open late when it is 20:00 close?
Ride Availability
Plan your visit and find out all you need to know about Drayton Manor's ride availabilities with our guide here.
The ride opening times are on this page. Not sure on reliability of information - aka disclaimer lol
@Themeparksandy1981 I agree fully with you I think its very expensive if you want to do everything and take family who are not passholders. We are thinking of just doing the post Christmas event as it is more affordable, but I have noticed most venues Christmas has seen more than inflationary events. I agree wristband or similar would be good.
I hope that the parks assessment of what worked will see the elftoria event dropped in favour of more open park. Not seen any positive reviews of Elftoria.
Hope you all have a great Christmas!
I think the problem with Elftoria, it feels like a very last minute pop up event. What’s on offer is very cheap in contrast to what is being charged. In my opinion, the gingerbread decorating should have been kept as part of the grotto experience like they did at Mrs kindly’s a few years back. The panto was good considering the price and the train was good. Elftoria for us was a complete miss. For me , the park have been putting on events that seem to have little thought behind them. I’d rather see a reduced event offering in favour of more thought through and detailed event that targets its audience properly.Ride Availability
Plan your visit and find out all you need to know about Drayton Manor's ride availabilities with our guide here.www.draytonmanor.co.uk
The ride opening times are on this page. Not sure on reliability of information - aka disclaimer lol
@Themeparksandy1981 I agree fully with you I think its very expensive if you want to do everything and take family who are not passholders. We are thinking of just doing the post Christmas event as it is more affordable, but I have noticed most venues Christmas has seen more than inflationary events. I agree wristband or similar would be good.
I hope that the parks assessment of what worked will see the elftoria event dropped in favour of more open park. Not seen any positive reviews of Elftoria.
Hope you all have a great Christmas!
I like the idea of elftoria, but no way on earth was that worth £20pp.. few jokes from 2 elves and decorate a gingerbread man? why does an adult need to pay £20 for that? just screams cash grab to me...
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The Twicmas event looks better than the Magical Christmas event
27th – 31st December & 2nd - 4th January
The rides may close at 5pm but with a couple of rides closing at 4pm the rest our open to 5pm.
27th – 31st December & 2nd - 4th January
The rides may close at 5pm but with a couple of rides closing at 4pm the rest our open to 5pm.
Has anyone visited during marsbarmas, or snickersmas, or twixmas, or whatever it's called?
Are they still blasting out Mariah Carey every hour on the hour? Last visit, the 20th, I heard THAT song 3 times in 15 minutes, and over 30 times over the 3 Saturdays in December!
Last visit, it was 2pm - I heard ir during the hourly lake show, as soon as it finished they put the background music back on, and it was the same bloody song. Then, less than 15 minutes later they played it again!
I was sat in the covered part of the park with a friend that got in for free:
Whilst I was sitting there I watched the Lory show, and I noticed that they seem to get less respect. During Rory shows the music is muted, however during Lory's shows the background music is still playing. That doesn't seem fair, especially as the Lory show involves a Conga, and therefore a LOT more work for the peeps that do the show.
I heard a much better Christmas song when I was walking through Vikings to make my way home, however they muted it just as I was about to leave. That annoyed me. So I pulled out my JBL Flip 7 from my backpack and played it rather loudly as I was leaving the park....
drive.google.com
Are they still blasting out Mariah Carey every hour on the hour? Last visit, the 20th, I heard THAT song 3 times in 15 minutes, and over 30 times over the 3 Saturdays in December!
Last visit, it was 2pm - I heard ir during the hourly lake show, as soon as it finished they put the background music back on, and it was the same bloody song. Then, less than 15 minutes later they played it again!
I was sat in the covered part of the park with a friend that got in for free:
Whilst I was sitting there I watched the Lory show, and I noticed that they seem to get less respect. During Rory shows the music is muted, however during Lory's shows the background music is still playing. That doesn't seem fair, especially as the Lory show involves a Conga, and therefore a LOT more work for the peeps that do the show.
I heard a much better Christmas song when I was walking through Vikings to make my way home, however they muted it just as I was about to leave. That annoyed me. So I pulled out my JBL Flip 7 from my backpack and played it rather loudly as I was leaving the park....
Darkness.mp4
drive.google.com
Has anyone visited during marsbarmas, or snickersmas, or twixmas, or whatever it's called?
Are they still blasting out Mariah Carey every hour on the hour? Last visit, the 20th, I heard THAT song 3 times in 15 minutes, and over 30 times over the 3 Saturdays in December!
Last visit, it was 2pm - I heard ir during the hourly lake show, as soon as it finished they put the background music back on, and it was the same bloody song. Then, less than 15 minutes later they played it again!
I was sat in the covered part of the park with a friend that got in for free: View attachment 7990
Whilst I was sitting there I watched the Lory show, and I noticed that they seem to get less respect. During Rory shows the music is muted, however during Lory's shows the background music is still playing. That doesn't seem fair, especially as the Lory show involves a Conga, and therefore a LOT more work for the peeps that do the show.
I heard a much better Christmas song when I was walking through Vikings to make my way home, however they muted it just as I was about to leave. That annoyed me. So I pulled out my JBL Flip 7 from my backpack and played it rather loudly as I was leaving the park....
Darkness.mp4
They were playing it a bit but then also playing lots of songs with swearing in, god knows how many people must of complained today for songs with Fuck, bitch etc being played throughout the park.
They also seem to be using the weather as a poor excuse for not having enough staff on today. The amount to flat rides closed for majority or all of the day because of apparently the weather.
Quite mixed feeling today my first visit to the park in 6/7 years and not sure how to feel about it really. Will probably do a proper review when all the NYE stuff is over.
Welp, I won't be going this weekend then!
Too cold. A Google review has also confirmed that they're closing early due to cold weather.
I'll wait 'til February.
If any of you all is brave enough to venture there over the frozen new year, please post pics!
I'll just post a pic of the Civet taken in the Zoo on the 20th December.
Too cold. A Google review has also confirmed that they're closing early due to cold weather.
I'll wait 'til February.
If any of you all is brave enough to venture there over the frozen new year, please post pics!
I'll just post a pic of the Civet taken in the Zoo on the 20th December.
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I do wonder with the bad weather we had since new year they will cut the event back down to just the 31st Dec.