DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™: THRILL OF THE RIDE TOUR 2014 PULLING INTO THE ESSEX STEAM TRAIN & RIVERBOAT #Win Tickets Now #dayoutwiththomas

Disclosure:  In exchange for  promoting the Day Out with Thomas event through my blog and social media channels, including pre- and post-show coverage, my family will be given complimentary tickets from the show's promoter.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

JOIN THE TOUR’S MOST EXCITING YEAR EVER AS HIT ENTERTAINMENT DEBUTS TALKING THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE™

Preschoolers will get the thrill of their lives when Thomas the Tank Engine™ steams across the country this year.  When Thomas arrives at Essex CT for the Day Out with Thomas™: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014, he will not only take his fans for a ride, but also talk to them for the very first time on the tour!  The event, which takes place April 19, 26 & 27, May 3 & 4, 2014, will be hosted by Essex Steam Train and presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company, and all inclusive Hard Rock Hotels.

Day Out with Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 is a fun-filled event that provides children of all ages the opportunity to climb aboard and take a ride with Thomas as well as participate in Thomas & Friends themed activities.  The tour, now in its 19^th year, will make stops in 42 U.S. cities and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2014.  For three back-to-back weekends, little engineers and their families are invited to take a 25 minute ride on their favorite engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt®, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas & Friends themed activities including arts & crafts, storytelling and more.  Essex Steam Train will also offer carnival rides, music show, face painting and a visit to the Essex Locomotive Works .

Thomas the Tank Engine rides depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine. Departure times begin at 9:00 am through 3:45 pm each day of the event.  Tickets for the Day Out With Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 are $23 for ages two and up.

Tickets are on sale now by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto www.ticketweb.com/dowt.  For more information and directions, contact the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat at 1-800-377-3987 or www.essexsteamtrain.com.

Thomas the Tank Engine is star of Thomas & Friends® making tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS® and Sprout®.  Along with his engine friends, Thomas captivates children in more than 145 countries and 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. To date, 200 million Thomas & Friends books and e-books have been sold and the CGI-animated Thomas & Friends series is more popular than ever, rating as one of the top programs for children ages 2 to 5[1].  

For general information about the tour or to find a Day Out With Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 event near you, visit www.ticketweb.com/dowt.

For information on Thomas & Friends, visit www.thomasandfriends.com

Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @TrueBlueEngine.

--GET YOUR TICKETS NOW--

Ticket prices are $23 plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply). 

Ticket are available for the following dates/times:

 April 19^th, 26 & 27 and May 3 & 4; between  8:30am to 4:00 pm

Each ticket purchase includes:

**A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and hear Thomas greet his fans!

**Meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway

**A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station; featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, train tables, and coloring sheets.

**Storytelling, video viewing, live music, visit Essex Train Shop and  carnival rides.

Tickets for Day Out with Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 at the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat 25 Plains Road, Essex, CT 06426 are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free 866-468-7630, or by visitingwww.ticketweb.com/dowt or www.essexsteamtrain.com/dowt.  

--WIN TICKETS--

Thanks to the Day Out with Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 show's promoter, one lucky reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to the May 3rd, 1:3OPM train ride at the Essex Steam Train and Railroad in Essex, CT.  

To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

-----

About THE ESSEX STEAM TRAIN & RIVERBOAT

Owned and operated by the Valley Railroad Company, the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is a unique historic attraction in the Connecticut River Valley. The Valley Railroad Company has operated today’s well-known steam train and riverboat for over 40 years on a line that was originally laid in 1871. The Essex Steam Train& Riverboat transports people on exciting excursions through the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley, a place designated as "one of the last great places on earth" by the Nature Conservancy. The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches through the quintessential New England towns of Essex, Deep River and Chester, and the Becky Thatcher riverboat takes passengers on a1¼-hour cruise on the Connecticut River past serene coves, marshes and historic sights including Gillette Castle, the East Haddam Swing Bridge, and the Goodspeed Opera House. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers various excursions and family themed events throughout the year. For more information visit essexsteamtrain.com or connect with the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat on social media:facebook.com/steamtrain97 and twitter.com/essexsteamtrain.

About Thomas & Friends™

Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son nearly 70 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages.  The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation.  Thomas & Friends makes tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS®, Sprout^® and with downloadable episodes available through iTunes. For more information about the world of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com. Follow Thomas on Facebook at facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @TrueBlueEngine.

About HIT Entertainment

HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading preschool entertainment companies, specializing in building powerful brands based on engaging stories.  HIT Entertainment’s world-class portfolio includes  Thomas & Friends®, Mike the Knight™, Fireman Sam®, Bob the Builder, Barney®, Angelina Ballerina®, Pingu® andRainbow Magic®.

HIT Entertainment excels at creating and building globally successful brands which capture the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families.  This is achieved through exceptional storytelling in multiple formats, enhanced by creating high quality character-based products and experiences with best-in-class partners. HIT Entertainment’s lines of business span television and home entertainment production, content distribution, digital media, publishing, consumer products and live events and attractions.  HIT Entertainment, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information visit www.hitentertainment.com

Disclosure:  In exchange for  promoting the Day Out with Thomas event through my blog and social media channels, including pre- and post-show coverage, my family will be given complimentary tickets from the show's promoter.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Our Day Out with Thomas at Edaville USA in Carver, MA

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™: Mystery on the Rails Tour 2012™
October  7, 8, 13, 14
9 am - 5 pm
$18 per person (under 2 are free)

Thomas the Tank Engine is chugging into Edaville for six days this the fall!  Spend the day immersed in the storybook world of Thomas.  Take a magical 20-minute ride on a 15-ton replica of Thomas and meet his kindly but stern boss Sir Topham Hat.  Enjoy unlimited use of all our amusement rides and indoor and outdoor play spaces. 

Click here for train times and purchasing -- http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/Search.action?query=edaville&page=0&resultsPerPage=40

What a great day to take the girls to see Thomas the Tank at Edaville USA in Carver.  Not only was the weather nice here in New England for a fall day (it was 82 degrees), but they had both gotten in naps before the trip, so by the time we arrived, they were ready to have fun. :-)

Our afternoon began with a 3:30 PM train ride around the Edaville grounds, which lasted about 20 minutes.  All the children on the train couldn't wait for Thomas to make a turn around the bends, as they would be able to see him and yell out to him.  This was the second train ride Arabella has been on, and her favorite by far.  Not only was she excited to see Thomas, as now that she is walking and standing up on her, she felt more independent as she stood and looked out the glass window at the beautiful surroundings.  After the train ride, we got our picture taken with Thomas -- this was the highlight of Savannah's day.  Too bad she cried when we had to leave Thomas, as she wanted to stay. :-(  But, then I told her had to visit with Sir Topham Hatt, and she quickly grabbed my hand and led the way.  

After photos, Savannah and her Daddy went on a few rides, while Arabella played around in the playground on the swings.  There are 12 amusement style rides, in addition to trains for exploring, a playground and concessions, to be enjoyed by families after their train ride.  

Don't forget to head under the tent to get tattoos and sing and dance to the music.  When you are done, there is more fun to be had indoors.  We began our indoor fun by heading up to the second floor to walk through the museum, and then headed to the indoor play area, where Savannah made a b-line for the cranberry ball crawl.  Arabella was even able to hop inside and play with her sister.  

When they were done, Savannah tried her luck at navigating through the forest maze and clapped with joy when she found the exit.  While Savannah played with the train tables and colored at the coloring station, Arabella and I relaxed a bit in a sleigh, as we watched an episode of Thomas and Friends on the big screen television.

Before we were ready to call it a day at Edaville, we headed downstairs to the gift shop to look around.  Savannah choose a Thomas balloon, while Arabella opted for a t-shirt.  As we payed the cashier, the girls began to rub their eyes.  This was a good sign, as we had an hour and half drive back to CT.  Shortly after we pulled out of the parking lot, the girls were passed out --probably dreaming about Thomas and Friends.  Even though my husband and I were tired from a busy day, we knew that the girls had a blast, as did all the other children who spent the day with Thomas at Edaville USA in Carver, MA.

You still have time to buy tickets and attend the final days (October 7, 8, 13, 14) of "Day Out with Thomas" at Edaville as this annual event wraps up next weekend.  Click here to learn more about this popular event and to purchase tickets online - http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/Search.action?query=edaville&page=0&resultsPerPage=40

And, if you do make it out to Edaville next weekend, let me know what you thought of it. :-)

Disclosure: I was sent complimentary tickets to attend this event from the promoter, in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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Making a Stop at Edaville USA in Carver, MA -- Day Out with Thomas™: The Mystery Tour 2012 -- October 5th - 8th and October 13th - 14th (Giveaway)

Thomas the Tank Engine™ is pulling into Edaville USA for Day Out With Thomas™: Mystery On The Rails Tour 2012.  This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series and participate in Thomas-themed activities.  The tour, now in its 17^th year, will make stops in more than 45 US cities and is expected to welcome more than one million passengers in 2012.

Want to spend a fun day out with the family?  Why not consider heading to Edaville USA in Carver, MA.  Thomas the Tank Engine will be arriving into the station for an afternoon filled with fun and games. 

We are fans of Thomas and Friends and have been attending this event for the past two years.  Even though were are almost two hours from Carver, MA, we still look forward to our day trip, as the scenery and drive is beautiful, with all the leaves changing and the cranberries coming into season.  

If you have never been to a Day out with Thomas event, this is what you have been missing:

·        A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine

·        Games and activities featuring a mystery element

·        The opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, Controller of the Railway

·        A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station; featuring stamps temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, train tables, and coloring sheets

·        Commemorative activities, merchandise and giveaways including a special reveal poster previewing new engines and a new destination from the upcoming 2012 Thomas & Friends feature, “Blue Mountain Mystery”

·        Storytelling, video viewing and live music

Sounds lie fun, huh?  It is!  Savannah goes crazy as she walks into Edaville and is greeted by all things Thomas.  Last year was the first time she could ride the kiddie rides and had a blast.  And, this year, will be the first time Arabella gets to enjoy a Day out with Thomas.

What are you waiting for?  Get out and enjoy the nice fall weather and colors of the season, while taking a drive to see Thomas and Friends at Edaville USA.

For more information and directions, contact Edaville USA at (508) 866-8190 or visit www.edaville.com.

For information on Thomas & Friends™, visit www.thomasandfriends.com/dowt

Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @TrueBlueEngine.

--BUY NOW--

Tickets for Day Out with Thomas™: The Mystery Tour 2012 are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free 866-468-7630, or by visiting www.ticketweb.com/thomas.html or www.edaville.com.  

Ticket prices are $18 plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply). 

---GIVEAWAY---

One lucky reader will win a family 4-pack of ticket to the Sunday, October 14th show, with a train ride scheduled for 2:10PM.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!  Please only enter if you can attend the date and time listed above.  Tickets will be left at will call on that day.  Valid license is required to pick up tickets.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I was set tickets to attend the event in order to write up an honest review.  The views I will be sharing are mine and mine alone.

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Must See DVDs: Race to the Rescue With Thomas and His New Fire Engine Friend Flynn In The All-New THOMAS & FRIENDS™: RESCUE ON THE RAILS (Available on Dec. 6, 2011)

 

Available On DVD, Digital Download And On Demand December 6, 2011 From Lionsgate And HIT Entertainment

Street Date: 12/6/11

DVD SRP: $14.98

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Come aboard for edge-of-your-seat-excitement as Thomas and his new fire engine friend, Flynn, race to the rescue on the Island of Sodor in the all-new Thomas & Friends™: Rescue on the Rails coming to DVD, Digital Download and On Demand December 6, 2011 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Enjoy new adventures with Thomas and his engine friends in four heroic tales featuring stunning CG animation and never-before-seen content!

Thomas & Friends continues to teach timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation, inviting children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.

DVD SYNOPSIS

Ready to Rescue! The Sodor Search and Rescue Team is racing to the rescue -- Bertie's stuck on Shake Shake Bridge, Gordon's derailed and Thomas' firebox is on fire! In these exciting episodes, your favorite engines brave the rails to rescue their friends. Discover that being heroic is more than having speed and strength; it's about teamwork and a big heart – which puts every Really Useful Engine on the right track.

Episodes include:

• “Fiery Flynn”
• “James to the Rescue”
• “Edward the Hero”
• “Stop That Bus!”

DVD BONUS FEATURES
Who's Pulling Into The Station? Game
“Thomas, You're The Leader” Karaoke Music Video

• VOD BONUS FEATURES

Bonus Episode: Buzzy Bees

MARKETING SUPPORT
Fire Engine Flynn was introduced in “Day of the Diesels,” already a popular character among children, and he is featured on seven toy SKUs, and four books. Fisher-Price will have significant TV advertising supporting their new toy "Cranky and Flynn Save the Day," generating major awareness for the new character- Fire Engine Flynn!

ABOUT THOMAS & FRIENDS™

Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son over 65 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friendsinvite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation.

Thomas & Friends is the number one preschool toy property in the UK, a position it has held for the past 11 years. It remained the number one preschool toy license in the US for 10 straight years and has been the number one preschool entertainment brand in the US since 2009. The unrivaled popularity of the global brand continues with Thomas also being the number one preschool toy license in Germany and Australia, as well as the number one foreign preschool brand in China, Japan and Korea.

(SOURCE: AC Nielsen, 1/1/10-12/31/10). Each DVD release is consistently ranked in the Top 10 new releases for Children's Non-Theatrical (source Nielsen) and many have received significant awards and recognition from organizations such as Parents' Choice and KIDS FIRST!

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Title Copyright: © 2011 HIT Entertainment Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends™ Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W Awdry. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends and Thomas & Friends are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends and Design is Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
Type: TV on DVD
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioned: English
Format: Full Screen
DVD Running Time: 50 minutes
VOD Running Time: 60 minutes
DVD Audio Status: English, Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby Digital
Website: www.thomasandfriends.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends
Twitter: @TrueBlueEngine

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Must See DVDs'–Thomas and Friends: Adventure on the Tracks 6-DVD Set (Available on DVD Dec. 6, 2011)

All Aboard For A Very Special Holiday Delivery At An Incredible Value!

Available On DVD December 6, 2011 From Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
Street Date: 12/6/11
DVD SRP: $29.98

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
All aboard for a very special holiday delivery with Thomas & Friends™: Adventure on the Tracks 6-DVD Set available December 6, 2011 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Fans everywhere will enjoy 36 of their favorite episodes with Thomas and his engine friends as they find adventures, help friends and discover new things on the Island of Sodor. Filled with surprises around every bend, this very special 6-DVD collection is only $29.98 and is a perfect gift for any Thomas collector!

DVDS INCLUDE:
Thomas & Friends: Percy's Ghostly Trick & Other Thomas Stories
Discover laughs and surprises around every bend! Thomas thinks he's seen a ghost, Percy puffs into a giant pile of hay, Oliver encounters some troublesome trucks and Donald and Douglas rescue a mischievous engine.

Bonus Features:

• Character Gallery
• Sing-Along Song: Thomas' Anthem
• Bonus DVD Game: Who Am I?

Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Jet Engine & Other Adventures
Always expect the unexpected on the Island of Sodor! Thomas gets a surprising push from a jet engine, Percy lets his imagination run away with him, Harold makes a horse fly and Salty and Fergus prove they're useful on and off the tracks.
Bonus Features:

• Sing Along Song: Boo! Boo! Choo Choo
• Thomas Gallery
• 3 Bonus DVD Games: Counting Corner, What Came First? and Memory Madness

Thomas & Friends: Rusty To The Rescue
Thomas and his friends discover that fun and excitement never end! Join in the adventure as little Rusty sets off where only big, brave diesels dare to go and Duke gets rescued and reunited with Stuart and Falcon.
Bonus Features:

• Sing-Along Song: Gone Fishing
• Sodor Memories
• Game and Activity Sheets

Thomas & Friends: Percy Saves The Day
Learn the importance of listening to others when Thomas ignores Percy's wobbly track warning, Rusty sets off to save a reckless Duncan and Fergus proves himself to be really useful.
Bonus Features:

• Read Along Story: Thomas and Percy and the Dragon
• Sing Along Song: There Once Was An Engine Who Ran Away
• Bonus DVD Game: Pick that Sound
• 2 DVD-Rom Games: Percy's Maze Adventure and Counting Fun

Thomas & Friends: Thomas Comes To Breakfast & Other Thomas Adventures
Everyone learns important lessons about good behavior when Thomas shows off a little too much, Diesel causes trouble between the other engines and Gordon finds out that sabotage can backfire.
Bonus Features:

• Read Along Story: Thomas and the Naughty Diesel
• Sing Along Song: Little Engines
• DVD Bonus Game: James' Connects the Dots Fun

Thomas & Friends: Steamies vs. Diesels
Find out how just how much the Steamies and Diesels have in common when they put aside their differences and start working together to keep Sir Topham Hatt's railway running smoothly.
Bonus Features:

• Fun and Games
• Pick a Story

ABOUT THOMAS & FRIENDS™
Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son over 65 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation.

Thomas & Friends is the Number One preschool toy property in the UK, a position it has held for the past 11 years. It remained the Number One preschool toy license in the US for 10 straight years ¹ and has been the Number One preschool entertainment brand in the US since 2009². The unrivaled popularity of the global brand continues with Thomas also being the Number One preschool toy license in Germany and Australia, as well as the Number One foreign preschool brand in China, Japan and Korea.

(SOURCE: AC Nielsen, 1/1/10-12/31/10). Each DVD release is consistently ranked in the Top 10 new releases for Children's Non-Theatrical (source Nielsen) and many have received significant awards and recognition from organizations such as Parents' Choice and KIDS FIRST!

¹ Source: The NPD Group / Consumer Tracking Service
² Source: Nielsen

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Title Copyright: © 2011 HIT Entertainment Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends™ Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W Awdry. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends and Thomas & Friends are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends and Design is Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
Type: TV on DVD
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioned: English
Format: Full Screen
Feature Run Times: 229 minutes (total)
Thomas & Friends: Percy's Ghostly Trick: 37 minutes
Thomas & Friends: Thomas & The Jet Engine: 35 minutes
Thomas & Friends: Rusty To The Rescue: 37 minutes
Thomas & Friends: Percy Saves The Day: 35 minutes
Thomas & Friends: Thomas Comes To Breakfast: 46 minutes
Thomas & Friends: Steamies vs Diesels: 38 minutes
DVD Audio Status: 2.0 Dolby Digital
Website: www.lionsgate.com/thomasandfriends
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/trueblueengine

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Celebrate The Holidays With Thomas & Friends™ In A Magical Christmas Special! (Product Review)

 

Type: TV on DVD
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioned: English
Format: Full Screen
Feature Running Time: 50 minutes
VOD Cable/PPV Running Time: 60 minutes (including special feature)
DVD Audio Status: English, Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby Digital
Website: www.thomasandfriends.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends

Come ho-ho-home to the Island of Sodor and join Thomas and his engine friends for the holidays in Thomas &Friends™: Merry Christmas, Thomas! releasing on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand October 11, 2011 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Join in the festive fun as Thomas, Percy, Gordon and the other engines pick out the best tree, get caught up in the snow and celebrate the holidays in this magical Christmas special. All aboard as Thomas & Friends continues to teach timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation, inviting children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.

SYNOPSIS

Thomas lights up the tracks in a magical Christmas collection! Climb aboard for adventures and cheer as your favorite engines prepare for a festive celebration.  Help Thomas find the grandest tree on Sodor and then join the Logging Locos as they sing the Misty Island Snow Song in the hope of a winter wonderland.  As the snowflakes fall, Gordon, Mavis, and Percy will take you to the Steamworks for a special surprise party. ‘Tis the season for holiday magic with Thomas & Friends!

Episodes include:

• "Let It Snow"
• "Surprise, Surprise"
• "Percy and the Snowman"
• "Tree Trouble"                                                                                                                      

DVD BONUS FEATURE

• The Christmas Gift Matching Game

VOD AND DIGITAL BONUS FEATURE

• Thomas Bonus Episode: "Buzzy Bees"

ABOUT THOMAS & FRIENDS™

Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son over 65 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friendsinvite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation.

Thomas & Friends is the Number One preschool toy property in the UK, a position it has held for the past 11 years (Source: The NPD Group / Consumer Tracking Service). It remained the Number One preschool toy license in the US for 10 straight years and has been the Number One preschool entertainment brand in the US since 2009. The unrivaled popularity of the global brand continues with Thomas also being the Number One preschool toy license in Germany and Australia, as well as the Number One foreign preschool brand in China, Japan and Korea.

My Thoughts:

Ahh, another holiday movie which stars one of my daughter’s favorite cartoon stars –Thomas the Tank Engine.  As soon as I took this DVD out of the mail, my daughter was clinging to me, wanting me to play the movie for her.  So, after her nap last week, we sat down and watched this holiday movie.  I can’t get over how this popular television series is loved by children all over the world.  The opening credits are my daughter’s favorite, as she can’t stop dancing and hopping around.  And, every time she hears Thomas talk or blow his whistle, she begins to wave and babble at the television.  I was excited to receive and review this DVD, as I knew it would instantly become a family favorite and hit with my daughter.  We all thoroughly enjoyed the DVD, and it got us in the holiday spirit.  And, when the movie was over, my daughter and I had fun playing with the bonus feather, the Christmas Gift Matching Game.

So, if you have little ones at home who love Thomas and Friends, then why not pick up this holiday DVD today.  It is a great way to celebrate the season and get into the festive spirit, all while enjoyable precious family time together.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this DVD in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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Now Available on DVD -- Thomas & Friends™: Steam Team Collection 4-DVD Pack (Product Review)

 

Available On DVD November 15, 2011
From Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
Street Date: 11/15/11
DVD SRP: $24.98

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

It's the perfect holiday gift for your little engineer at an incredible price! Enjoy a trainload of fun and adventure with Thomas and his friends in stunning CG animation when this new collection of DVDs pulls into stores just in time for the holidays. The all-new release Thomas & Friends™: Steam Team Collection 4-DVD Pack, arrives November 15, 2011 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment for only $24.98. Sixteen fun-filled tales - including exclusive content never before seen on TV - take you once again to the Island of Sodor to ride along with Thomas and all his engine friends as they play in the rain, make special deliveries, work together and celebrate friendship and good fun.

DVDs Include:

Thomas & Friends: Splish Splash Splosh!
Even when it's wet outside you can still have plenty of fun, especially when you share your adventures with Thomas & Friends! Grab your galoshes and join your favorite engines as they prepare for rainy-day visits, sudsy spills, snowy situations and more in these stories from the Island of Sodor.

Thomas & Friends: Splish Splash Splosh! Bonus Features:

• Lift and Load Crane Game
• Counting with Thomas

Thomas & Friends: The Lion of Sodor
Join Thomas as he roars down the tracks with his most special delivery yet, the Lion of Sodor. But can the other engines convince Thomas in time that his special is not a real lion? Hop on board and learn the importance of listening to others in these lionhearted tales.

Thomas & Friends: The Lion of Sodor Bonus Features:

• Determination Karaoke Song
• Party Train Match Game
• Timmy Time™ Bonus Episode: "Timmy's Plane"

Thomas & Friends: Creaky Cranky
Crank up the fun as the Island of Sodor prepares for the Spring Party. There are engines to mend and decorations to deliver, and Thomas is on the fast track to finish in time. But when there's too much heavy lifting to do, Thomas realizes it takes a team of friends to reach his true destination.

Thomas & Friends: Creaky Cranky Bonus Features:

• The Sound Song Music Video

Thomas & Friends: Thomas & The Runaway Kite
High-flying fun waits ahead with your favorite engine friends! Get ready to rescue buzzy bees, catch a runaway kite and unwrap the biggest present of all. Thomas is on track to reach new heights in these exciting railway adventures.

Thomas & Friends: Thomas & The Runaway Kite Bonus Features:

• How Many Shapes Do You See?
• Find What Doesn't Belong

ABOUT THOMAS & FRIENDS™

Thomas the Tank Engine™ was created by a father for his son over 65 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation.

Thomas & Friends is the Number One preschool toy property in the UK, a position it has held for the past 11 years. It remained the Number One preschool toy license in the US for 10 straight years and has been the Number One preschool entertainment brand in the US since 20092. The unrivaled popularity of the global brand continues with Thomas also being the Number One preschool toy license in Germany and Australia, as well as the Number One foreign preschool brand in China, Japan and Korea.

(SOURCE: AC Nielsen, 1/1/10-12/31/10). Each DVD release is consistently ranked in the Top 10 new releases for Children's Non-Theatrical (source Nielsen) and many have received significant awards and recognition from organizations such as Parents' Choice and KIDS FIRST!

Website: www.lionsgate.com/thomasandfriends
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends
Twitter: http://twitter.com/trueblueengine

My Thoughts:

This DVD collection contains 4 of the most popular Thomas and Friends episodes, this according to my 16 month old daughter, who couldn’t get enough of each, and spent half the show dancing and swaying, along with waving and babbling to Thomas and friends.  She is a tough critic, and usually it is hard to keep her attention, but once this DVD was playing, she was entertained and engaged from start to finish.  And, since watching it the first time over the weekend, she continues to ask me to put it on again for her to watch.

So, if you have a Thomas and Friends fan at home, you definitely need to pick up the DVD set and add it to their collection.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this DVD in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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Great App for Kids -- HIT Entertainment AND Callaway Digital Arts LAUNCH NEW INTERACTIVE APP BASED ON Thomas & Friends’™ Latest ADVENTURE: Day of the Diesels

New Thomas App Reaches #2 in Books in Apple’s App Store, Topping the Charts Within Its First Week 

HIT Entertainment, one of the world’s leading providers of high-quality children’s entertainment, and Callaway Digital Arts, leading publisher of premium children’s and lifestyle applications, have announced the launch of Thomas & Friends™: Day of the Diesels for the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch®, now available in Apple’s App Store.

Based on the animated feature-length movie Day of the Diesels, this innovative app offers children a fun, interactive way to experience Thomas’ latest adventure as he finds that Diesel engines are up to mischief and must enlist some “steamwork” to stop them. Thomas fans can read, watch, listen and play with multi-touch animation, CGI imagery video, painting, puzzles and games. 

HIT Entertainment and Callaway Digital Arts have published two previous Thomas & Friends apps, which have both reached #1 in the App Store’s “Books” category.

                                                                                                                                            

“The Thomas & Friends brand experience is further deepened with the new Day of the Diesels story-inspired app and is another example of innovation that has been made possible through our collaboration with Callaway,” said Natasha Fishman, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Management and Digital Media, HIT Entertainment. “The Day of the Diesels adventure is uniquely depicted in this vibrant, interactive app and we are thrilled to be bringing it to Thomas fans around the world.” 

Nicholas Callaway, Chief Creative Officer of Callaway Digital Arts, adds, "With Day of the Diesels, Callaway Digital Arts and HIT Entertainment have once again proven their unique ability to bring users an immersive reading experience for iOS devices by seamlessly weaving together story, play, and interactivity."

The first Thomas & Friends app launched in 2010 and there are now 14 Thomas apps available in Apple’s App Store. Embraced by families and children around the world, recommended by the Parents’ Choice Foundation and acclaimed by industry experts, the Thomas apps portfolio has already made a significant impact on kids’ digital landscape. 

The Day of the Diesels app is available for a special introductory price of $0.99 USD/£0.69 GBP from the App Store on iPad, iPhone 3GS and above, and iPod touch 3^rd and 4^th generations at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

  

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My Thoughts:

We have been playing with this app for the past few days and simply love it.  Savannah is a huge fan of Thomas, and every time she hears the theme song, she stops everything and dances.  It is the cutest thing.  So, when I was given the chance to review this app, I knew she would love it -- and, she does.  She especially loves the music video of Day of the Diesels, and like the theme song, she danced around while watching this video over and over again.  Another favorite feature of the app that both Savannah and I enjoyed was the read-along story.  Savannah enjoyed turning the electronic pages and tapping on the different highlighted characters and items on each page to hear sound effects.  This was a great interactive feature that really kept Savannah's attention.  She is too small for the puzzle and coloring pages, but nevertheless enjoyed playing with Daddy's iPad with these activities.

Overall, this is a great app for children who are fans of Thomas and Friends.  It will keep them entertained for hours, and they will enjoy sitting alone or with you, and reading along to the story and playing with the various features/activities.

About Callaway Digital Arts

Callaway Digital Arts (CDA) publishes innovative mobile and tablet applications for children and families. Funded in August 2010 with an investment from Silicon Valley's Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, CDA creates meaningful digital experiences that transform the way families connect with media and with each other. With a grant from the Department of Education, CDA is reinventing learning by creating a series of game-based mobile applications that builds reading and math skills for children ages two through eight. All but one of CDA’s apps have reached the number one position in the Books or Lifestyle categories in the Apple App Store. In addition, CDA apps have been featured as App of the Week and among Apple's Best Interactive Story Apps of 2010. For more information, visit www.callaway.com.

About HIT Entertainment

HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Thomas & Friends™, Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Fireman Sam™, Angelina Ballerina™, Mike the Knight™, Pingu™ and Rainbow Magic™. HIT represents Chapman Entertainment’s Fifi and the Flowertots™ and Roary the Racing Car™ in North America, as well as Wallace & Gromit™, Shaun the Sheep™, Timmy Time™ and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations.  HIT also acts as representative for The Wiggles® in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan.  HIT is a part-owner of US-based preschool channel, Sprout^®. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.

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Our Day Out with Thomas the Tank at Edaville 2011 Recap

This past weekend, my husband and I took our daughter, Savannah to Carver, MA for the Day Out with Thomas 2011 event.  The day included a 20 minute train ride around the Edaville grounds, storytelling, song and dance activities, a temporary tattoo stations, unlimited access to Edaville amusement rides, concessions, a Thomas the Tank Engine gift shop, with hundreds of products related to the Thomas the Tank series and photo opportunities with Thomas the Tank and Sir Topham Hatt!  

We arrived around 12:30PM to begin our day with Thomas.  My first impression upon arriving at Edaville was the number of toddlers and young children who are fans of this show.  My daughter is only 14 months old and enjoys dancing to the Thomas theme and listening to the train whistles, but she doesn't understand the concept of the show.  But, I guess this doesn't stop her and the hundreds of other toddlers and young children who turned out for this event.  Upon entering the grounds, we were handed a map and told to have it stamped as we visited the different activity areas.  Then, upon leaving, if we retrieved all stamps, we would receive a prize.  What a fun activity for children to participate in.  As we strolled through the event with our daughter, we were listening as children were asking parents about the stamps and showing their parents where to go to get the next stamp.  This made for a fun family activity. Unfortunately, I don't know what the prize was at the end, as we thought Savannah was too young for this activity, and skipped the tattoo and storytelling stations.  We attempted to have her sit for storytelling, but she began to get cranky and tired after 2 hours in the park.

But, before she got tired, we enjoyed a 20 minute train ride around the Edaville grounds.  My only disappointment with the train ride was that I thought there would be more interaction and Thomas-themed activities occurring on the train.  For one, I thought they would play the theme music and have Thomas talk over the speakers to the children.  But, neither happened.  Instead, it was a quiet ride (minus the noise of the children) through Edaville.  I feel that if they included some form of entertainment on the ride, it would have made it more enjoyable for the children.  The only thing Thomas-related on the train was 8"x11" photos of each of the train characters that they placed around each train cabin.  So, children were pointing out their favorite train characters to their parents as they boarded the train.

Overall, this event was enjoyed by the children, as seen and heard from them as we strolled through the Edaville Park.  A few parents we spoke with agreed that there should have been more Thomas-themed activities to keep their little ones entertained, but for $18.00 per person, they said their kids enjoyed the train ride and unlimited access to the amusement rides.  

Here are some of the photos we took at Edaville.  Enjoy!

Disclosure:  I was given free tickets to Day out with Thomas 2011 in order to share my thoughts about this event.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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