Edaville USA Announces Thomas Land!

This past Saturday morning, I welcomed a representative from Edaville USA on to the airwaves to tell us about their upcoming slate of summer events, including the hugely popular Day Out With Thomas, which is taking place again this coming weekend.

We talked about the upcoming Dino Land grand opening, which is happening June 28-29, and there were even some hints dropped about other upcoming additions and rides that will be added to the park over the next few years. (We even talked a bit about our upcoming Legend Trips event at Edaville, the first-ever ghost hunt held at the park)

However, there was one secret that just couldn't be dropped...until Sunday...

That's right, Thomas the Tank Engine is PERMANENTLY moving to Edaville USA.

Here’s the press release:

New York, NY (June 11, 2014) – Thomas the Tank Engine®, along with his friends and favorite destinations from the Island of Sodor, will come to life next year with the opening of the Thomas Land™ theme park within Edaville USA, a family amusement park and heritage railroad located in South Carver, MA, convenient to the greater Boston and Providence areas. Thomas Land will be the largest permanent Thomas & Friends® attraction in North America.

The new park is currently in development by Jon Delli Priscoli, owner of Edaville USA, in close partnership with HIT Entertainment, one of the world’s leading preschool entertainment companies, and a division of Fisher-Price. Thomas Land is slated to open in early summer 2015, with an official ground breaking in early July.

Sid Mathur, Vice President, The Americas, HIT Entertainment, said, “As we approach Thomas & Friends’ 70th anniversary in 2015, Thomas Land is Thomas’ next great destination and a testimony to Thomas the Tank Engine’s enduring popularity. We’re thrilled to partner with Edaville USA to open this new family attraction that Thomas fans have been waiting for. With its emphasis on a quality family experience, and given our long time partnership through the Day Out With Thomas tour, Edaville is the perfect partner for Thomas Land.”

Delli Priscoli, said, “Edaville USA has been a family friendly destination for Thomas fans for more than 13 years as a host railroad for the popular Day Out With Thomas tour. Since Day Out With Thomas first came to Edaville, we’ve always envisioned opening a larger Thomas theme park. Thomas Land will be a one of a kind Thomas experience, and we’re looking forward to bringing the magic of the Island of Sodor to life here at Edaville.”

Set in a lush New England landscape, the new Thomas Land will cover 11.5 acres and boasts 14 rides based on Thomas & Friends and the Island of Sodor. Attractions at Thomas Land will feature a 20-minute long, scenic train ride on a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine, and theme park favorites including a roller coaster, drop tower, Ferris wheel, soft-play area and much more.

All of the rides and attractions will feature beloved characters such as Thomas, Diesel, Toby, Cranky the Crane, Harold the Helicopter, and more favorites. Guests can visit familiar destinations around the Island of Sodor like Tidmouth Sheds, Knapford Station, and Brendam Docks. Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor, will be on site to greet and take photos with guests. More details will be revealed in the coming months leading up to the park’s grand opening.

There are currently two other Thomas Lands in operation worldwide. The first was opened in 1998 at Fujikyu Highland amusement park in Japan, 90 minutes from Tokyo. The second Thomas Land, and Europe’s first, was opened in 2008 at Drayton Manor Theme Park in the UK. Together, both parks attract nearly 3 million visitors each year.

Edaville USA is a family amusement center entertaining families for nearly 70 years. Delli Priscoli purchased Edaville and its 250 acres in 2002. There have been many exciting updates under his ownership including the reconfiguration of the entire narrow gauge rail course and the incorporation of vintage amusement rides such as an antique carousel and an illuminated Ferris wheel. Other attractions throughout the year include, Day Out With Thomas; the National Cranberry Festival, which features a train ride through the fall cranberry harvest; and the Christmas Festival of Lights offering rides through brilliantly lit displays in the winter. Thomas Land will be Delli Priscoli’s biggest undertaking at Edaville to date.

So Thomas fans young and old, mark your calendars for the summer of 2015. And start practicing the song so you'll be ready!