Question about Thomas's Day Out?

[HIU8]

Anyone done Thomas's Day Out? My almost 3.5 yr old DS is totally in love with Thomas. DH and I were going to take him and DD. Do you think that is to young for this? The website says to come 1 hr before the train leaves. Is there enough to do to occupy DS time? Also, what do you do once on the train? And, if you took a younger sibling, can you bring an infant seat on board or do I need to just hold her?

Thanks.

[KBecks]

I looked at it and decided to pass.... it would cost $60 for us to go, and there would be crowds on the weekend. I think I'd rather add to DS' collection if I were to spend $60 than go to the outing.

[Gena]

We went when DS was about 2 and a half. We had a good time and DS definately enjoyed it. There was plenty to do: balloon animals, activity stations, food vendors, a big shopping tent, and photo ops. The train ride was a basic out-and-back type ride, no stops. Whether or not you could bring a baby seat would depend on the perticular location/railroad. Ours was at a historic railway, so I doubt an infant seat would have allowed.

Although we had fun at Thomas' Day Out, we decided not to go last year. We go to this same historical railway several times a year for other train ride events and find them to be much better experiences for less money. My son enjoys train rides regardless of whether or not Thomas is there, so we now avoid the Thomas commercialism as much as possible.

[SnuggleBuggles]

There have been threads about this in the past so you might want to do a search. It seems that it totally varies by location as to the length of the train ride, extra activities and all that kind of stuff.

We did it and it wasn't "wow" but kind of fun. My ds was 4 when we did it. I think a 3.5yo would like it. There were plenty of activities to do at the train station. We actually arrived in time for the train then did the activities afterwards. Find out how far ahead they board- and when they let you line up.

Beth

[caheinz]

We've done it twice -- 2.5 and 3.5. DS loved it both times, so it will probably be an annual event around here for the foreseeable future.

Getting there early is to make sure you are there for the train you're supposed to be on. There's tons of other stuff there -- though some of that will depend on where it is. (Ours is at a historical train museum.) One of DS's other faves is the model train area that ours does -- he just loves watching them go 'round.

I'd call and ask about the infant seat. I think they use train cars available at the location (and only ship/cart Thomas around -- the cars aren't Annie and Clarabel or anything like that). At ours, they were just sort of plain seats, and the train moved slow enough that it wasn't a problem to hold DS the first time. (Last summer, he sat by himself.)

At least at the one we went to, you couldn't line up for the train until the one before yours had left. So, it was maybe 30 minutes ahead of time? They had loudspeakers and music, and lots of other people were around to look at. DS took the waiting quite well.

[shilo]

we lurve day out with thomas here! we went last year (DS was 2.3?) and i have my alarm set on my phone to remind me when to be ready to get tix as soon as they go on sale this year (you can call ticket web and they can tell you when they go on sale). the event sells out like a rock concert here.

ours is at a historical logging railroad. last year they had face/hand painting, temporary tattoo's, a puppet show, the huge souvenier barn (who knew so much thomas stuff existed?!?) a BBQ, a model train area, a stamping/coloring craft area, a 'meet sir topham hat' area and i'm sure i'm forgetting some.

it was crowded as the day went on (the trains sell out, but people seemed to be coming just for the extras as well), but DS liked it so much that i will overcome the crowds again this year. we had a mid morning train which worked well for us b/c it meant we were done and heading home as the crowds picked up later in the day. it was also much easier to find parking in the morning before the lot was filled with all of the people on the early trains. we saw several people running from the parking lot to catch afternoon trains who said parking was a bear.

we were just there (at the railroad camp) this weekend for an egg hunt and narrow gauge train ride and i did not see any infant seats onboard. there were at least 2 under one yr. on our train car and both were in bjorn type carriers strapped onto mom or dad.

you asked about what do they do once on the train? my DS is also a total thomas obsessed toddler and he is fascinated by the ride. if you sit two or three cars back from the engine on the outside, they can easily see the engine every time the track curves. he spends the whole ride with eyes glued to the gears and the steam periodically oooohing, ahhhhing and squealing with delight. if you're worried, you could always bring along a few small things/snacks to keep him entertained, but if he's already a train enthusiast, i don't think you'll have any trouble.

at ours, thomas is actually set up as a caboose (he doesn't have his own power i don't think). so on the way out, thomas is actually at the end of the line of cars essentially being pulled - none of the kids seemed to care :). then on the way back (again, i'm sure they differ by location, but ours is a simple out and back on the same track) the railroad camp's engine pushes the cars with thomas at the lead.

hth, lori

[deannanb]

we've been to 2 different DOWT - the activities were the same -
the train ride views were totally different -
Austin, TX was bad views of the downtown area... yuck -
Grapevine, TX was beautiful countryside

the suggest getting there at least an hour early so you don't miss the train ride time - it is a little line to get on - if you have a ticket for that time you will get on - so don't worry -

when the ride is over - they direct you to the front of the train (or back) wherever Thomas is for pictures.... that is where you need to make sure you get there - they only take pictures while the train is at the station loading and unloading people - it goes fast, so if you miss a chance for a picture, you have to wait until the train comes back to the station. - they give you a ticket and you can order the picture online (or bring your own camera and take the same picture!) - Send DH ahead to wait in line while you get off the train with the kids -
or have DH take DS off fast and you take baby and meet them.

DS had fun both times we went.

[KrisM]

We've gone twice now and will go again this summer. DS was 2.25, and 3.25 when we've gone in the past. The first time, DD was 2 months old and I just wore her in a Moby and held her on the train - she slept the entire ride. Actually, she slept last year's ride, too!

This year, I think we're going more for DD than DS. She loves Thomas more than he did at this age!

The two years varied a bit, but they have lots to do - a gift shop with moving displays and a train table to play at, a large battery operated display with various trains running, tatoos, photos with Sir Tophamm Hatt, and other activities.

This year, our ticket for the train is at noon. We'll likely get there by 10am and then stay until 2pm or so. Our train ride is just over 45 minutes long and is nice - mostly trees and rivers, etc. But, DS's favorite is when we cross a road and the gates go down for the cars!

[hellokitty]

I think we were the only ones that went that were under impressed with the entire experience. We went b/c other ppl told us that our kids would love it. The kids were kind of interested, but not as excited as we thought they would be. The different stations were ok. Honestly, what they were most excited about were the train tables in some of the tents (could have gone to barnes and noble or a hobby store for them to play with a random train table for free) and the tatoo, which I could have gotten by myself for $1. The train ride was really lame, we went straight back, then straight forward. My DH and I felt like we were ripped off. We couldn't get any pictures, b/c the other ppl who went were rude and shoving their way in front of other ppl. We will not be doing it again and cannot recommend the one we went to (cleveland) to anyone else. It was a negative experience.

Now, I have heard wonderful things about the different polar express events (my kids are die hard polar express fans, the book, the movie, the toys). I do not think they are run by one company like TDO, but different railroads do their own. We will definitely be doing that this yr for christmas even though it is more expensive than TDO. My boys are such crazy train freaks and my youngest lives, breathes and sleeps thomas, it's ridiculous. It was just disappointing to see that they really weren't into TDO. I think that the other poster made a good pt, it would be better worth it to spend the $ on their wooden train collection, than to blow it on TDO.

[beansprout13]

We took DS when he was 2.5 -- we actually went to two of them in CT and had different experiences. The first one had some Thomas related activities (maybe 8-10 different "stations" with tatoos, trains, coloring, movies, etc) and DS was amused for about an hour before our train ride. We left after the train ride so we wound up spending about 2 hours in total. The second one had the same Thomas activities as the first, but also had more "carnival" type activities - rides, games, etc. We wound up spending about 4 hours at the second one because there was a lot more to do.

Regardless, DS had a blast at both of them - he was (and still is) totally obsessed with Thomas so the train ride experience was great for him. My husband and I didn't think much of it, but my DS still talks about how he rode on Thomas and I guess that is what matters.

I think 3.5 is a perfect age - we plan on taking DS back this summer when he will be about 3.5. I'd say most of the kids there were about 2.5 to 4.5.

[August Mom]

We went (actually to the one in Cleveland where PP had a bad expeience) and DS loved it. We took him just before he turned 3. It was good to get there early to figure it all out and see Thomas come into the station - DS loved that. There also are photo ops with Sir Topham Hatt (had to wait in line) and other activities - bounce house obstacle course, ride-ons, train table, model train exhibit and some other stuff. The activities definitely vary by location. DH took DS to play while I took photos/video of Thomas coming into the station. You can't really do that on your train because you are in line waiting for it. The actual ride was so-so - I think DS enjoyed just seeing Thomas pulling into the station and seeing Sir Topham Hatt more.

As far as the infant seat - I'm not sure. If you don't buy a ticket for the baby, then I don't think there will be room for the carrier. If you do buy a ticket (can't remember if infants need tickets), then I'm not sure - you'll have to ask at your location. There's not much room on the train, though, so I think it would be easier to hold the baby.

[HIU8]

I just called and found out that at our location you have to hold the baby on your lap. DD will be10.5 months so DH and I will take turns holding her. DS is absolutely going to love this. We are going with another family that has a DS the same age as our DS. Their DD will be 3months so they will end up holding her as well. This location will have carnival events going on as well which I think will be fun for both DS and friends DS.

[carolinamama]

DH and MIL took ds last fall right at right about 2 years. He loved it - and is still talking about riding Thomas. Not sure if he actually remembers or if it is because of pictures. I think we would do it again. DH made reservations for the early morning so the crowds weren't too bad and it was held at a transportation museum with lots of other trains and a roundhouse to explore. I had packed a picnic lunch for them and they didn't end up spending any additional money (other than the t-shirt mil bought for ds) so it wasn't too bad money-wise for a special outing.

I would recommend it.