We added a new outing to our vacation this year--Edaville Family Amusement Park. A few years ago I read that Edaville was opening a Thomas the Tank Engine Land as part of their amusement park. My first thought was to wish my teenage nephew was still a preschooler so I could take him. He loved Thomas so much as a child. My girls like Thomas, but not the way my nephew did. As we were preparing to go to Rhode Island this year, I researched Edaville a bit to see if it was something our family would enjoy. We decided to take a chance on it and we were so glad we did.
Prior to even entering Thomas Land (as they call it), Edaville is filled with rides perfect for elementary age children. Meg and Clare enjoyed classic rides such as the tilt-a-whirl and flying planes. There was a ladybug roller coaster that they absolutely loved, which both twirled and zoomed. While Anne was tall enough to ride many of these rides with an adult, she was very timid that day and refused to ride most of them. When I rode with her on the flying planes that we could maneuver up and down in the air, she said, "This is like a really scary carousel." Hmmm, probably not what the park was going for with those rather tame planes. The jolly caterpillar ride was much more Anne's style. Considering Anne's timidity that particular day (which might have been attributable to motion sickness), I was very glad that there were several calm quiet rides that suited her perfectly. While the big sisters rode every crazy wild ride they could find, Anne occupied herself with little train rides and other tame options.
Prior to even entering Thomas Land (as they call it), Edaville is filled with rides perfect for elementary age children. Meg and Clare enjoyed classic rides such as the tilt-a-whirl and flying planes. There was a ladybug roller coaster that they absolutely loved, which both twirled and zoomed. While Anne was tall enough to ride many of these rides with an adult, she was very timid that day and refused to ride most of them. When I rode with her on the flying planes that we could maneuver up and down in the air, she said, "This is like a really scary carousel." Hmmm, probably not what the park was going for with those rather tame planes. The jolly caterpillar ride was much more Anne's style. Considering Anne's timidity that particular day (which might have been attributable to motion sickness), I was very glad that there were several calm quiet rides that suited her perfectly. While the big sisters rode every crazy wild ride they could find, Anne occupied herself with little train rides and other tame options.
When planning our trip to Edaville, I anticipated that Anne would love Dino Land. It actually frightened her, but it was nonetheless cool. Dino Land is a little walk filled with mechanical dinosaurs. Not all the dinosaurs move, but those that did terrified Anne. It didn't help that Clare was telling her the t-rex was going to eat her. I feel confident in saying most kids would love Dino Land. Caution should be taken with younger children, whose sense of reality isn't always clear.
I'm happy to report that all of Anne's joy returned once we entered Thomas Land. Our first view of Thomas Land came from the Thomas Train, which departs every hour on the hour. From the train, riders can easily see all the amusement park has to offer as well as the cranberry bogs that surround the park. The Thomas Engine pictured above pulls that train.
Once inside Thomas Land, I was struck by what an incredible job Edaville has done in recreating the charm of the Island of Sodor. Little buildings and miniature people create the perfect set of Thomas the Tank Engine all around you.
I'm happy to report that all of Anne's joy returned once we entered Thomas Land. Our first view of Thomas Land came from the Thomas Train, which departs every hour on the hour. From the train, riders can easily see all the amusement park has to offer as well as the cranberry bogs that surround the park. The Thomas Engine pictured above pulls that train.
Once inside Thomas Land, I was struck by what an incredible job Edaville has done in recreating the charm of the Island of Sodor. Little buildings and miniature people create the perfect set of Thomas the Tank Engine all around you.
The rides incorporate some of the shows favorite characters, such as Bertie the Bus, Harold the Helicopter and Toby the Engine.
Meg and Clare road a Cranky the Crane ride that I couldn't even watch. It was one of those rides that went high and then dropped. Yikes! How are my little girls old enough to ride those types of rides! A much calmer ride that we all enjoyed were the cars that circled high above Thomas Land and provided a wonderful view.
As the day came to a close, Meg and Clare headed back to the main park to ride the ferris wheel and bumper cars. I stayed with Anne to watch the Thomas show. By some engineering magic, engines were talking along with Sir Topham Hat and a driver, who was the only actual human in the show. Anne loved the show and had to finish the day off with a big hug for Percy.
Edaville was a huge success. Meg and Clare were so proud of being big enough to ride all the rides and they can't wait to go back next year. Anne woke up the next morning and asked to go see Thomas again. That's a pretty good sign she loved it.
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