Thomas the Tank Engine, along with his friends and destinations from the Island of Sodor, will come to life next year with the opening of the Thomas Land theme park in the Edaville USA family amusement park in South Carver, Mass.
Thomas Land, which is slated to open in early summer 2015, 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, a division of Fisher-Price.
Set in a lush New England landscape, the new Thomas Land will cover 11.5 acres and feature 14 rides based on “Thomas & Friends” and the Island of Sodor. Attractions will include a 20-minute, scenic train ride on a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine, a roller coaster, drop tower, Ferris wheel, soft-play area and more. Sir Topham Hatt, controller of the railway on the Island of Sodor, will be on site to greet and take photos with guests.
There are currently two other Thomas Lands in operation worldwide. The first opened in 1998 at Fujikyu Highland amusement park in Japan and the second opened in 2008 at Drayton Manor Theme Park in the U.K.
“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,” says Sid Mathur, vice president, the Americas, HIT Entertainment. “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.”
