One of the first times I took Arlo to Drayton Manor, he was still in a pushchair. We were going with older children, and I thought it would mostly be a day out for them. Then we got to Thomas Land and found a few rides I could go on with him. I still remember his little face. I think one of his first rides was Harold’s Helicopter Tours.
These days, what we do first depends on who’s with us and what the weather’s doing. If there’s a new roller coaster, the kids are off. If it’s really sunny, they want to go straight to Stormforce 10 and get soaking wet because apparently that’s hilarious. And sometimes I’ll suggest going the opposite way to everyone else and starting with the parrots.
That’s why Drayton Manor is one of my favourite theme parks in the UK. We’ve been plenty of times and still manage to have a different day out.
Is Thomas Land worth it with toddlers?
For us, absolutely. When Arlo was little and loved Thomas the Tank Engine, I wanted somewhere we could get to easily from Birmingham that felt like a proper day out for him. For us it’s usually under an hour by car, depending on traffic, so it was an easy choice.
What I appreciated on that first trip was being able to join him on some of the rides. If you’re going with a baby or toddler, have a look at the Drayton Manor ride guide before you go. The rules vary even within Thomas Land, and some rides have different requirements depending on whether an adult is riding with your child.
If you’ve got a Thomas fan, I’d also look at Thomas, Rosie & Percy Engine Tours. The train runs between Thomas Land and the zoo, so you can make the journey part of the day. I’ve also put together a guide to our favourite Thomas Land rides and attractions if you want to plan a few more stops.
How I’d plan a day with children of different ages
I’d look at the map when you arrive and ask everyone what they actually want to do. Some of the big rides do get queues, but in my experience it’s easier to go with the flow here than at some of the other major theme parks.
With little ones, I’d give them time in Thomas Land and see if they fancy the Dino Trail. Arlo used to love the dinosaur area. On one of our more recent visits there was a new roller coaster open, and that was all the older kids wanted to get to first. On a hot day, it’s Stormforce 10. If they’re going to get drenched anyway, they might as well do it while it’s warm.
If you’ve got teenagers who are happy to head to a ride together, I like that the park feels manageable enough to split up for a bit. You can take the younger ones to Thomas Land and say, “Let’s meet back by the big pirate ship.” The park rules say children under 12 must be supervised by an adult aged 18 or over.
Why we make time for the zoo
We’re a bit obsessed with parrots in our family, so the ones in the zoo are a stop in their own right. I love hearing them singing away. If everyone else is rushing towards the rides and we fancy a quieter start, I’m quite happy to go and see the parrots first.
Then there are the things you could never have planned. One time we came across a wrestling demonstration in the middle of the park. Of course we had to stand and watch. The kids thought it was hilarious, and it’s one of the things I remember most clearly from that visit.
What Guest Services got right for Arlo
On one visit, the Guest Services team remembered Arlo. He likes to study the map and ask lots of questions, and they were happy to talk it through with him.
I asked about ride heights and they helped measure him there. Then they spoke to him about which rides he could go on. That made a real difference. We could look at the map together and pick something he was excited about, without spending ages in a queue only to find out he was too short when we got to the front.
That’s one of the reasons Drayton Manor has felt inclusive to us. The staff took the time to help him understand what he could do that day. If queues are difficult for someone in your family, check the park’s accessibility guidance before you go. The Easy Access Service has its own eligibility and application process.
What’s Drayton Manor like at Christmas?
We went to Thomas Land at Christmas when Arlo was a toddler and absolutely loved Thomas the Tank Engine. I’d been looking for a winter day out close to Birmingham, and it was lovely for him at that age.
One of my favourite bits was seeing Thomas go up and down the track with little reindeer antlers and fairy lights. When your toddler already loves Thomas, seeing him come along all dressed up for Christmas feels really special. We’d stop to watch the little shows and singing from the Thomas Land balcony, and the fake snow would usually come down at the end of the performance.
I’ve also been at Christmas when they’ve had interactive shows, a parade and fireworks in the evening. The end-of-day show has varied over the years. I remember music and lights on past visits, and I’d say it’s worth staying to see what they’ve planned. The atmosphere was lovely and it didn’t feel too crowded when we went. It does get properly cold after a few hours outside, so I’d bring an extra layer if you’re planning to stay.
Fewer of the big rides were running on our Christmas visit, so we spent most of our time in Thomas Land and took it at Arlo’s pace. I’d happily go back at Christmas with a little Thomas fan. If I were taking older kids who mainly wanted roller coasters, I’d check which rides were running on our date before booking.
What’s on at Drayton Manor for Christmas 2026?
Magical Christmas runs on selected dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026. This year’s programme includes a festive Sodor Railway trip to the zoo, with Christmas decorations along the way. There are Thomas Land balcony shows and Rory & Lory’s Christmas Show, plus an end-of-day lake show with projections, music, water and fire.
There’s also an Enchanted Christmas Grotto, a calmer SEND grotto and an Aladdin pantomime. Check what’s included in the ticket you choose and which rides are scheduled for your date. The park recommends checking ride availability again on the morning of your visit, as the weather can affect it. See the Magical Christmas programme.
If you’re going after Christmas, Twixmas runs from 27 to 31 December, with fireworks over the lake at 5 pm on New Year’s Eve. That’s the date I’d look at if fireworks are what you’re going for. See the Twixmas programme.
If you’re comparing festive trips, I’ve included Drayton Manor in my roundup of Christmas days out in Birmingham and the Midlands.
Would I pay full price for Drayton Manor?
Yes, I would. We’ve had good days there with a toddler, with older children and with a mix of ages. There’s enough variety that everyone can pick something they’re looking forward to, even if mine is usually the parrots.
I’d still check the online price before paying. I’ve seen some good summer offers and last-minute packages. If you live close enough to go a few times, I’d compare what you’d spend on day tickets with an annual pass. Check which dates and events your chosen pass covers, especially if Christmas is one of the reasons you’d buy it.
Last Updated on Thursday, November 12, 2026 by Lavania Oluban