This year, the theme park attraction has lots of new additions for the festive season. Sian Gregory went along with her daughter Eva, 7, and son George, 5, to check it out...
By Sian Gregory
Being greeted by eight elves dancing around before we’d even got through the gates immediately set the tone for a wonderfully festive family day out. There was no slow introduction to Christmas magic here. It was in your face before you’d even got through security. Past the main gates was the arched entrance to the Christmas Village. As we waited to go in, the elves came to greet each child, interacting with them and telling funny stories. Waiting in queues is something I worry about, as George has ADHD and autism, making it difficult for him to stand in line for more than a minute. Theme parks are usually a no-go. The queues just aren’t doable. But at Chessington's Winter's Tail, the in-queue interaction from the elves took that problem away. We were given special passports to collect stamps at every section, and before we knew it we were through the village gates and on to a path lined with snowy fir trees.
The first stop was the brand new Elf Welcome show, where two of Santa’s helpers, Jingle and Joy, put on a performance. They got the kids involved, asking them to shout out and contribute, and at the end, it 'snowed'. The children were delighted at the surprise flurry, and squealed as it settled on their hair and coats. As we were walking away, I heard the elves springing to life again, and commented on how good it was that the regular intervals meant no waiting around for the next show to start. Another tick for me and for George.
Next, we went to Cookie Corner, where the little ones received their own festive biscuit. The set-up was a small tent, and inside, you could write a letter to Santa and drop it into the post box, ready to make its way to the North Pole. However, the tent was so small that it was hard to move inside. There were a few tables to write on, but with a couple of kids and their adults already inside, it was hard to find space. So, we escaped outside to eat our cookies.
Once we’d finished, we decided to go and see Santa. I felt the familiar nerves as I pictured the winding queue to the grotto. But on our way there, we passed an elf handing out flashing headphones. She encouraged us to dance to our own festive tunes in a silent disco. Again, this ensured the wait was meltdown-free. Instead of struggling with standing still, George walked past giant candy canes and snow-covered scenes, dancing along to Feliz Navidad. The adults getting headphones too was a nice touch, and it was a rare and lovely sight being surrounded by families busting a move together.
As soon as our headphones were handed in, the elves were ready for us. As we made our way through a tunnel of fairy lights, more than 20 elves lined the makeshift enchanted forest, waving and shouting ‘Merry Christmas!’ At this point, I was having such a fun time myself I also forgot I had kids with me! It was magical. Usually, at these events, the children are the ones having fun, while I follow them with armfuls of stuff, shivering. But this felt special.
Eva and George followed one elf through the winding forest- and I mean winding. No expense was spared here. The trees went back as far as I could see, and the path, with signposts saying Candy Cane Lane and Snowflake Avenue, seemed never-ending. Then, in the clearing, we saw Santa’s grotto. Inside, Father Christmas immediately clocked that it was Eva’s birthday, and announced ‘There’s only one thing for it!’ He led everyone in a rendition of Happy Birthday, much to Eva’s delight. It was a personal touch I appreciated. He spent time chatting to both children, before inviting them into his workshop to get a toy. George immediately leapt off his seat at the mention of a present and ran out, so it was a hurried goodbye as we entered the workshop. It was a decked-out cave full of winding tunnels. In each section, there was a different one of Santa’s helpers, ready to interact and have fun. At the end, the children were given a toy penguin each, which they named Snowflake and, randomly, Dave.
Once we’d finished in the Christmas Village, we decided to go and explore the rest of the park, where I’d assumed the festivities would end. But two minutes later, on a stage under the giant Christmas tree, four singers in red velvet launched into Stevie Wonder’s What Christmas Means to Me, and a crowd gathered. It was raining by this point, but people were still dancing with their umbrellas up. It was unexpected and had everyone in festive spirits.
Nearby, there was a stall selling marshmallows on sticks for toasting, and, boosted by the music, I asked for two. My festive cheer quickly disappeared when I was charged £13. The kids had a lovely time burning their sweets over the fire, but I did not enjoy the hole burned into my bank account.
Next up was the Gruffalo ride. George is a huge fan, and loved seeing his favourite characters as we sailed along the water in a barrel. I will warn you that you’ll get wet. The seats in the barrel were already soaking when we got in, so there were a lot of wet bums for the next few hours. But the ride seemed to last for ages and was well worth the damp jeans.
We also went on the tugboat-style ride, Trawler Trouble, which is ideal for those too big for the small rides, but not quite ready for speed yet. Eva is a thrill-seeker, however, so she skipped off to Mandrill Mayhem in World of Jumanji, which does three loop-the-loops, while I stayed on solid ground and tried not to panic. When hunger hit, we found the Smokehouse BBQ, with slow-cooked pulled pork, beef and ribs all made on-site. We ordered from a tablet on the table, which was a handy shortcut, and George occupied himself with it during the wait. At almost £20 for a kids meal, the prices were steep, but the food was fresh and hassle-free.
After a few more rides, we set off home out of the rain, but we’d had a packed and magic-filled day. With tickets from 32pp, it was exceptional value for money. The extras, like the food and marshmallows, were expensive, but considering the day was such good value, it balanced out. There are plenty of picnic areas around the park, so bringing your own food is an option to keep costs down.
The verdict
A Winter’s Tail far exceeded our expectations. We have never been to an event which flowed so well. I'd turned up ready for the usual stress of navigating our way around, dealing with epic meltdowns, and chasing a fast five-year-old intent on escaping. But here, the activities naturally flowed one after another, it was spaced out well, and, crucially, there was no waiting around. For the first time on a family outing, I felt my shoulders start to relax. The layout felt considered and supportive of those with SEND. It has opened up a whole new world for us when it comes to family activities. We were aware that if George needed a break, we could step aside into a quieter area and spot a reindeer or a sea lion. There were lots of 'safety nets’ like this for reassurance. But for the first time, he didn’t need them. It made me feel emotional, and was a big deal for the whole family. What this event provided for us was worth far more than the entry price. We will be back.