Went to Edaville yesterday!

[HollyBearsMom]

and it was FREEZING! : but still a lot of fun. We got there early and walked around, did a few of the rides and let the kids play in the ball pit (aka bacteria pool). Once it was dark we rode the train and then got some hot chocolate. We headed home where I had a big crock pot filled w/ sauce and meatballs. While the pasta was boiling we had poinsettas (vodka, limeade and 100% cranberry juice (not that nasty cocktail stuff) and the kids had sparkling pink lemonade. We then sat down to our meal complete w/ garlic bread and salad.

All in all a GREAT DAY!

[jessjgh1]

thats sounds fun-- and the poinsetta yummy-- although we always get cran-juice (100% juice) blends cause the real stuff is so pricey, even in cranberry-land.
good thing i just ate or i'd be hungry!!!

I have 2 tix to use up b4 12/31 so i'm looking to go this week, was just waiting to see how the weather is panning out,. i was hoping for snow, and we got that!

Jessica

[My2Sweets]

Originally Posted by HollyBearsMom

and it was FREEZING! : but still a lot of fun. We got there early and walked around, did a few of the rides and let the kids play in the ball pit (aka bacteria pool). Once it was dark we rode the train and then got some hot chocolate. We headed home where I had a big crock pot filled w/ sauce and meatballs. While the pasta was boiling we had poinsettas (vodka, limeade and 100% cranberry juice (not that nasty cocktail stuff) and the kids had sparkling pink lemonade. We then sat down to our meal complete w/ garlic bread and salad.

All in all a GREAT DAY!

That sounds wonderful, especially the dinner/drinks I may have to try those!
So, is Edaville worth it for me with my 5, 3, and 1-year olds? It's about a 1h 15m drive for us...we're debating...

[ollineeba]

We've been thinking about making the drive to Edaville sometime, too. Are they open year-round? We're thinking maybe February or March.

[Mandynee22]

I know this thread is old but I was thinking about taking DS there for his BDay in Sept (there's a curious george meet and greet on his 2nd bday). Has anyone NIP there? Their "family friendly atmosphere" write up seems extensive with the dress codes and such (yeah, being a little paranoid but hey, I don't want to waste the $ if I'll be booted)
Although it does say no outside drinks/food except infant food (2 yr old infant??? LOL) and special dietary things.....
Sorry to revive a yr old thread :-)

[MommyMuse]

I am somewhat of an Edaville expert, seeing that I have taken my 3 year old there, well, a lot! We have attended every Day Out With Thomas event (2 per year) except for one (we were in Florida that week, lol). My in-laws also live down the road from Carver, so we are in the area a lot anyway. I would highly recommend Edaville USA and Day Out With Thomas to anyone with kids interested in trains! There is plenty for the younger ones to do; for example, there are rides my son is already too big for! Ball pit is great fun if you are not germ-phobic...the kiddie maze...a cranberry museum...LOTS of Thomas merchandise and toys set out for free play during the DOWT events (it's going on this weekend and next, BTW)...a ferris wheel, very cool playground with huge sandbox...real engines for the kiddies to explore...a few carnival-type rides, including a carousel...concessions galore...professional picture service with Thomas (no obligation to buy, but fun to look!)...tent with music/storytelling (and a basket of instruments set out for the kids to play/sing/dance along)...large "lake" you can actually fish in (people really do this!)...you can meet Sir Topham Hatt and have your pic taken with him as well...midway-type games if you're into that...I could go on and on. We really enjoy Edaville and also go to the Christmas Festival of Lights, which begins in mid-November. It is a huge bargain. A money-saving tip: if you buy your tickets on TicketWeb, a $3 per ticket fee is tacked on. However, it has always been the case that if you arrive at Edaville before noon, you are guaranteed a ride on Thomas or whatever train is running that day...just not a guaranteed time. I have always called ahead to reconfirm this, and it has always been the case. So, we no longer buy from TicketWeb. Please, call ahead if you intend to do this, so I won't feel like a heel if that's the one day they don't offer the guarantee! There is plenty of food in the Carver area, on the same road (leading back to 44, so it's convenient), so if you wanted to go in after breakfast, have a snack, and leave before lunch, that's totally do-able. I would recommend at least 3 hours for your visit, but we routinely spend about 5 there. Oops, I'm running late now because I couldn't stop typing...I'll answer any other questions later!

OH GOSH, even running late, I could not resist coming back to add this:
There is a huge, professionally-made sign proclaiming a NURSING AREA inside the building where the gift shops/play areas are housed, at least during the DOWT events. I even took a picture of it. I have also NIP there with no issues (not inside the nursing area, either). Of course, that could go either way. They might be very bf-friendly, and want to encourage bf...OR they could be trying to corral us into that little area, lol. But I did take it as an encouraging sign (literally)! In my opinion, there are many, many great NIP areas at Edaville. Lots of little tucky corners to relax the lookie-loo nurslings!

[Mandynee22]

Thanks for all the tips! DS isn't into Thomas- maybe he would be if he'd seen it but he loves Curious George and it just happens to be on his bday so...
I haven't been since I was a kid and I remember none of it.
Glad to see that there is an area though. I'm not the modest type (I NIP at Disney in April all over the place uncovered) but Andrew has taken to twiddling... WITH HIS FOOT... and it's a little odd LOL
Would all/most of the rides be open for Curious George even though it isn't part of the season?
Thanks for the help!