Drayton Manor - 1 or 2 days??

LiveLoveLaugh

Hi,

Just looking for some advice/tips.

We are going to Drayton Manor/Thomas Land on 25th July. Travelling down on train on the 24th staying over so we can get there early for when it opens and will stay until it closes (says minimum of 5pm), stay over again and come home on the 26th.

We have three children aged 11, 5 and 2. I know its likely to be busy with it been the six week holidays but I am wondering if anyone can tell me roughly how busy it gets during this time. 11yr old will want to go on the big rides with her dad and I'll take the little ones on the smaller rides that she won't be interested in whilst they are waiting/riding but we don't want to spend the whole day separated. Does is get as busy as Alton Towers, as when we've visited there in the past (without the kids) it has been queuing for ages, got on the main big rides and that was it!?

We were going to go to Cadbury World on the 26th before getting the train home but now I am wondering if it will be better spending a second day in Drayton Manor instead?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks. X

LE3

one day should be fine for Drayton Manor - we've always managed to do most things in that time! It's quite a small park compared to Alton Towers so you wont be miles apart even if you do split off to take the littlies on their rides whilst Dad & Daughter go on some bigger ones.
Cadbury world is a good day out - the 2 yr old will probably be bored but there is stuff for littlies
Are you staying in Tamworth?

Jamie_Carter

As LE3 says, one day will be fine for Drayton Manor.

We found Cadburys World a big disappointment as we had travelled to Reddich the day before, and stayed overnight. It would have been ok for a day out, but not to spend extra on the hotel.

LiveLoveLaugh

LE3 wrote: »

one day should be fine for Drayton Manor - we've always managed to do most things in that time! It's quite a small park compared to Alton Towers so you wont be miles apart even if you do split off to take the littlies on their rides whilst Dad & Daughter go on some bigger ones.
Cadbury world is a good day out - the 2 yr old will probably be bored but there is stuff for littlies
Are you staying in Tamworth?

Thanks, yes we are staying in the Tamworth Central Travelodge. If you know it, any recommendations for reasonable places to eat nearby?? Oh that's good, hubby thinks we should do two days in there but I'd rather do something different on the second day.

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

As LE3 says, one day will be fine for Drayton Manor.

We found Cadburys World a big disappointment as we had travelled to Reddich the day before, and stayed overnight. It would have been ok for a day out, but not to spend extra on the hotel.

Thank you. Yeah I've read mixed reviews about Cadbury World, but we are staying in the hotel for the second night anyway so just a stop off on the way home really. How long were you in there?

Jamie_Carter

LiveLoveLaugh wrote: »

Thank you. Yeah I've read mixed reviews about Cadbury World, but we are staying in the hotel for the second night anyway so just a stop off on the way home really. How long were you in there?

We actually stayed two nights, and visited the Science museum in Birmingham on the last day. As well as being dragged around the shops :eek:

Saver88

Hi, we done Drayton maynor and Cadbury world a few months ago. Ild say spend 2 days in Drayton manor and don't bother going to Cadbury world. Your kids will love the theme park, something for all ages. Cadburys world we spent £50 and was in and out within an hour!!!!! It really was a waste of money and nothing spectacular to see. A lot of money for an hour of a day, save your money :-))

bylromarha

We were at Drayton last Sunday. Surprised by how empty it was for a June weekend. Walked straight onto Apocalypse, stormforce 10, rapids, shockwave. Never waited more than 20mins for a ride.

Never been during school holidays, but the good thing about it is that there is no fasttrack system. You all wait in the same queue - no pay extra to jump queues option.

1 day was plenty. W went on a few rides twice, did everything we wanted. Saying that, spending day 2 at Cadbury, you'll be disappointed. Cadbury used to be a day trip, it has now turned into a 90 mins max museum. Trading on the Cadbury name. Really expensive for what it is.

Don't know how easy it is to get from Tamworth to Bourneville, but may be better to stay in Birmingham city centre and visit National Sea Life centre or Think Tank?