A magical end to a successful season
Drayton Manor’s first Magical Christmas has been hailed a success. The winter season – which ran from November 22, 2008, to January 4, 2009 – was focused around he British park’s new Thomas Land children’s area, zoo and the Big Top Theatre, which hosted a special seasonal show.
Following a hugely successful 2008 season, when park attendance passed 1 million for the first time, Thomas Land was transformed with the addition of Christmas tress, lighting, and fake snow, while Santa, carol singers and real reindeer helped add additional festive cheer.
The live show, Santa’s Magical Christmas, was written and produced by Paul Hammond of Hamagination and told the story of a young girl taken on a fairytale journey to learn the true meaning of Christmas. The production also provided the park with an efficient way to provide “meet and greet” opportunities with Santa and hand out gifts.
“Opening Thomas Land for the 2008 season gave us a great opportunity to provide our guests with something special over the Christmas period,” commented Helen Pawley-Tuft, Drayton Manor’s general manager of central services, “and we’ve been delighted with the response to this new offering.”
Drayton Manor will now use Thomas Land to add an additional “mini season” over the half-term school holidays from February 14 to 22, ahead of the main 2009 season, which commences March 21.
