Have any of you gone to this? I know it was going on last weekend as well. My husband and I are wondering if it's something our 2-year-old would enjoy. He loves trains, and does love Thomas, I just wonder if the event is all that it's cracked up to be. Is it really a Thomas-looking train? Is the 25 minn. ride exciting or would it quickly bore a 2 year old? Are the other activities enough to justify the drive down there and the $20 per person ticket cost?
Would love any advice you can share!
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I got some mixed responses, but it was helpful in making the decision. We already had a busy week planed with a family vacation, so we decided to skip Thomas the Train. I do have a feeling that the one on this railway would have been better than when it ran in Stillwater. In lieu of going to Thomas this summer, I'm going to keep my eye out for 1) train museums that we can go to as we wish 2) the Polar Express being offered at the same railway this winter and 3) perhaps consider Thomas next summer, if they do it again.
-K.
K. -
I went 2 years ago when it was in Stillwater, my then 3 year old ABSOLUTELY LOVED it, and he wasn't even that big of a Thomas fan. It was worth the money and a great family activity!
He'd love it. There are a lot of other activities, too. I don't know that it's worth the money, but it seems to be a new rite of passage! If you go, don't go too late in the day. A friend of mine went nearer to the end and was disappointed that they had "packed up" a lot of the other activities already.
Take your camera!
You might also want to check out Choo Choo Bob's in St. Paul. They have a website if you google them.
I have not gone personally, but two of the boys in my home daycare have. They are both 2, almost 3, and just loved it! Their parents didn't say a whole lot about it, other than it was fun and the kids had a great time! I say go for it, how often do you get to do something like that?!
S.
We went last year to the one is Stillwater. It was a disappointment to say the least! We went up the track for a mile and then back down the track for a mile. I am not kidding. Our son just liked looking at Thomas. I would much rather have spent the money on some new DVD's that he could watch more often!
We went last weekend with my 2 1/2 year old son...he loved it. We all had a great time. And they do have other activities for the kids to do...a big air-blown slide, a ball pit, another blown-up jumpy thing, Thomas tatoos, pictures with Sir Topham Hatt, etc. The train ride is interesting, too, but every child is different as to whether they would bore with it quickly or not...you could bring some snacks along to have while you're on the ride, just in case! Have fun!
Maybe this opinion is coming too late, but I found the Thomas the Tank Engine to be way overpriced for what you get. We went to the one in Stillwater last summer, and all the train did was go one way for a little bit and then reverse. We had to stand in line for a long time to get a photo with the Thomas train, plus you have to walk through an enormous merchandising tent to get to the train. My son has a tendency to run away from us (one of his personality quirks), so getting through the tent was a challenge. But perhaps if it is on a different rail line it would be more interesting? You should post your opinion after you have gone.
They did a feature on it on Kare11 this morning. Here is the link: http://www.kare11.com/news/local/mornings/sunrise_article... I was thinking of taking my 4 year old to it. They said they will also be doing Polar Express. I've never been there either and was also wondering if was worth it.
I went 2 yrs ago with my 4 & 2 yo's and they loved it! We wanted to go this year with my 6, 4 & 2 but we just can't find the time. my 2 yo would die if he saw Thomas and I'm really bummed.
There is alittle train that is a life size replica of Thomas (looks just like the pictures) and that is pushed by a real engine. The Thomas blows smoke and peeped, but I don't think it has the power to move the train cars so there that is what the big engine is for.
Is it worth the money. It is for a special treat and if you don't go every year. There are a few other things for people to do while they are waiting for their turn to ride on Thomas, so the kids wont be totally bored. It is an event for kids, so don't expect to much. It is for the kids.
