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News release
Ref:
Date
Contact
Tel.
DMTP0811
16/03/2015
Laura Quigley, Sarah Taylor,
Sam Wright or Michelle Ivins
01527 579555
Client:
Drayton Manor Theme Park
Date drafted:
16th March 2015
Copy Ref:
DMTP0811
Drafted by:
SW/MI
M Ivins
Date:
Approval sign off:
Director approval:
Client approval:
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TOOT TOOT - ALL ABOARD FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE EXPANDED THOMAS LAND™
ATTRACTION AS IT OFFICIALLY OPENS 8th APRIL 2015
This Easter, visitors will be ready to ‘Toot Toot’ in celebration as Drayton Manor Theme Park
officially opens its doors to the newly expanded Thomas Land attraction on Wednesday 8th
April 2015.
After undergoing a huge £2.5million expansion that will see the attraction be bigger and
better than ever, Thomas & Friends™ enthusiasts will come face to face with new
characters with the introduction of Flynn the Fire Engine, who is equipped with on-board
hoses so riders can help to put any fires out, and Captain’s Sea Adventure, which
introduces not one, but six rotating Captain lifeboat carriages, all complete with their own
cannons to squirt water.
The exciting new Thomas Land will also see the arrival of the brand new two-storey Sodor
Airport. In a traditional terminal style it has a top level balcony for VIP ‘travellers’ with notto-be-missed views of Thomas Land. The area has five themed rooms that will be
available for private hire for events from this summer. These rooms are ideal for parties or
large family groups looking to make their day out extra special!
The ground level will feature a café for guests to relax and enjoy a selection of hot and
cold drinks and snacks before they depart for their Thomas Land adventure. Jeremy Jet’s
Flying Academy will also be landing in its new location outside Sodor Airport, ready to
take passengers on their flight over Sodor.
The park will begin the celebrations of its 65th Anniversary this Easter and will mark the start
of an action packed season, with many events and commemorative activities taking place
each month.
The park also boasts some of the biggest, wettest and scariest rides around including
white-knuckle thrill rides such as the adrenaline-inducing drop-tower, Apocalypse, which
was voted the UK’s scariest ride by Channel 5’s ‘The Gadget Show’, Europe’s only standup coaster, Shockwave, the stomach-churning gyro-swing, Maelstrom and the newest
offering, the acrobatic aeroplane flight, Air Race.
There’s also the Ben 10: Ultimate Mission rollercoaster and the 15-acre zoo, which is
home to over 100 species of animals from all around the world. Not to mention the 4D
cinema, which features special simulations that go along with this year’s 4D film, Yogi
Bear, to create an interactive experience for all.
Colin Bryan, CEO of Drayton Manor Theme Park, said; “Our Thomas Land attraction
really brings the magical island of Sodor to life, which is something all real Thomas fans
love about coming to Drayton Manor. We’re really excited to get the gates open and start
making some ever lasting memories for other families – just as the theme park has done
for our family.
“The opening is testament to the hard working team we have at the park. As a family, we
are always looking to go above and beyond to make sure every season is better than the
last for our visitors.
“We will continue to provide an affordable day out that the whole family can enjoy and
we’re hoping to see everyone leave the attraction with a beaming smile on their face.”
Visitors travelling from further afield can enjoy a night at the four-star Drayton Manor
Hotel, which has 150 bedrooms, including 15 Thomas & Friends™ themed family rooms.
To
find
out
more
information,
www.draytonmanorhotel.co.uk.
or
to
book
a
stay,
please
visit
The hotel also has two bars and restaurants and is
located near to the theme park’s on-site restaurant, The Grill Inn, which is open to non-
visitors and visitors ensuring people are never stuck for a choice of fine food and drink.
Opening hours can be found at www.thegrillinn.co.uk.
The 2015 season runs from Saturday 21st March until Sunday 1st November, with the
65th Firework Spectacular happening the weekend of 31st October. The park will also open
its gates for their award-winning Magical Christmas experience on selected dates from
Saturday 21st November to Thursday 31st December. Please note: the park will be closed
to the general public on Sunday 13th September.
For further information about Drayton Manor Theme Park or to pre-book discounted entry
tickets visit www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call 0844 472 1960. For regular updates and
news about Drayton Manor Theme Park join us on Twitter www.twitter.com/Draytonmanor
and Facebook www.facebook.com/Draytonmanorpark.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
About Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor Theme Park Ltd, opened to the public in 1950 by the Bryan family, is one
of the UK’s most popular family attractions with over one million visitors a year. George
and Vera Bryan OBE, converted 80 acres of derelict land, which once belonged to Sir
Robert Peel Bart; MP & PM to Queen Victoria and his family, into today’s wonderful multi
award-winning family attraction, combining thrill rides with a conservation zoo plus
catering and conference facilities.
Today, Drayton Manor Theme Park, still family owned and run by second and third
generation family members, covers 286 acres of beautiful woodland and countryside and
features some of the wildest and scariest rides around. Rides include: Roller-Coasters Shockwave, Ben 10: Ultimate Mission and G-force. Major rides: Maelstrom, Apocalypse
and Storm Force 10, our wettest ride. It is home to the hugely popular Thomas Land™
featuring many named Thomas & Friends™ character rides for the children and adults
alike. Thomas Land™ at Drayton Manor is the only one of its kind in Europe. The park’s
152 seat 4D Cinema and over 50 rides and attractions makes for a truly unforgettable day.
A four-star Hotel onsite featuring 150 rooms includes Thomas & Friends™ themed rooms
all sleeping four to six guests, family rooms, executive rooms and presidential suites. It
also features two well stocked bars, two sublime restaurants, a relaxing lounge, large
conference room for functions and exhibitions as well as an idyllic wedding facility for up
to 400 guests.
A popular Grill Inn Steak Restaurant and bar adjacent to the hotel which seats up to 150
guests is open all year round.
www.draytonmanor.co.uk www.draytonmanorhotel.co.uk www.thegrillinn.co.uk
www.draytonmanorevents.co.uk
About HIT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading preschool entertainment companies,
specializing in building powerful brands based on engaging stories. HIT Entertainment’s
world-class portfolio includes Thomas & Friends®, Mike the Knight™, Fireman Sam®, Bob
the Builder, Barney®, Angelina Ballerina®, Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®.
HIT Entertainment excels at creating and building globally successful brands which
capture the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families. This is achieved
through exceptional storytelling in multiple formats, enhanced by creating high quality
character-based
products
and
experiences
with
best-in-class
partners.
HIT
Entertainment’s lines of business span television and home entertainment production,
content distribution, digital media, publishing, consumer products and live events and
attractions. HIT Entertainment is a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. and has operations in the UK,
US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information visit www.hitentertainment.com
About Thomas & Friends™
Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son 69 years ago and today is
enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine
and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train
and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while
experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. Thomas &
Friends makes tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS®, Sprout® and on Five’s
Milkshake! and Nick Jr in the UK and on CCTV in China. Downloadable episodes are
available through iTunes. For more information about the world of Thomas the Tank
Engine™ and his friends, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com.