Waking up at the crack of dawn to icy temperatures and drizzle isn't exactly the ideal beginning to a festive day out. Regrettably, it's a gamble you take when attending any alfresco event in the UK, and when you're en route to a theme park in late-November amidst a downpour, it's easy for your Christmas cheer to feel somewhat quashed.

En route to Chessington's Winter Trail, I confess that the combination of gridlocked traffic and biting cold had me feeling rather Scrooge or Grinch-ike. However, upon arrival at the park and catching sight of the (artificial) snow-dusted trees and oversized Christmas baubles, my festive spirit was instantly rekindled.

It's hard not to be swept up in the Yuletide joy with hordes of the jolliest elves you've ever encountered welcoming you at every turn. Despite the rain and a thin crowd, we spotted some elves performing a pantomime on stage, seemingly unfazed by the frosty conditions.

The initial segment of the winter trail involved us penning letters to Father Christmas, with some delightful elves on hand to assist. They even distributed cookies baked by Mrs Claus, much to the delight of the children.

Next, we opted to join the lengthy queue for Santa, but fortunately, there was entertainment to keep us occupied. We were given headphones to partake in a silent disco during our wait, featuring stations playing festive tunes and another broadcasting an audiobook of a Christmas tale, reports the Express.

This proved to be an excellent distraction and made queuing with little ones significantly more manageable.

As a parent of two children, one in primary and the other in secondary school, I've encountered numerous Santas over time. Some have been grumpy, some haven't really interacted with the kids, while others have been overly enthusiastic to the point of being frightening.

However, I must confess, the Santa we met at Chessington was one of the finest we've ever seen.

Upon reaching the front of the queue, an elf led us through a snowy forest to a snug log cabin where Santa awaited. I spotted several log cabins tucked away, presumably housing multiple Santas to keep the queues moving, but it was cleverly arranged so that the children wouldn't notice.

Once inside, the children sat next to Santa in his beautifully adorned grotto, warmed by a crackling fireplace. Our Santa was remarkably patient with the children, and despite the bustle, we never felt hurried.

Even though my two are at an age where they're not as captivated by Santa, they left feeling thrilled. We then strolled through Santa's toy workshop, guided by more jovial elves, and the children were gifted a plush toy as a memento of their visit.

During the festive period, a selection of rides are also operational in the park. We had a blast on some child-friendly attractions like the vintage carousel and the Gruffalo River Ride, which surprisingly thrilled my eldest who had outgrown the Gruffalo phase years ago.

The tickets also grant access to the SEA LIFE centre and zoo, so even though we didn't manage to visit them, one could easily while away an entire day at the park.

For our midday meal, we made a beeline for the barbecue Smokehouse, offering its standard barbecue fare alongside some Christmas specials. Regrettably, this was one part of the park that seemed less efficient, resulting in a 45-minute wait for our food, although the staff were apologetic about the delay.

However, once served, the adult meals were quite satisfying.

I indulged in festive loaded chips topped with turkey, stuffing, and other Christmas dinner trimmings, while my husband savoured tender, melt-in-the-mouth brisket. Unfortunately, the children's meals didn't hit the mark.

At £8 for two fish fingers and a small jacket potato, it felt steep, even by theme park standards, and no beverage was included. Nonetheless, I appreciated the chance to rest in a warm spot for a bit.

All in all, Chessington's Christmas experience provided a delightful family day out, catering well to various age groups. It was refreshing to enjoy a day at a theme park without enduring lengthy queues for every activity, and the event ran smoothly thanks to Santa's diligent team of elves.

Chessington's Winter Trail is open on select dates until 31 December, with tickets for the Winter Trail and Christmas Village starting from £34 per person. You can find more information and book your tickets here.

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