Marjolein Bakker, a mother of four—Isa (11), Silke (8), Boaz (7), and Norah (3)—lives in Waddinxveen with her husband. She also owns Tinkerbelle & Boys, a second-hand children's clothing store in Boskoop. This weekend, her family traveled to Sevenum for the premiere of Thomas the Tank Engine: Excavate & Discover. Read on to find out if this new film is worth your family's time.
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Pack up the family for the Thomas the Tank Engine: Excavate & Discover premiere! It meant an early start for us, as Sevenum is 165 kilometers away. Luckily, the film hits cinemas nationwide from September 11. With three excited kids and one reluctant tween—who insisted Thomas was 'for babies'—we hit the road.
Arriving at the massive Family Entertainment Center (FEC) in Sevenum, even our tween perked up upon spotting the Portal zone for ages 8+, featuring trampolines, laser tag, and BMX biking alongside the Mattel Play area. 'Mom, can we try that too?' she asked.
Staff welcomed us warmly, and 'De Dikke Controleur' (the Fat Controller) greeted guests on the blue carpet. Our youngest was shy at first but warmed up. Inside the screening room, Thomas-themed coffee, lemonade, and cupcakes awaited—perfect after our long drive. Kids sat up front, while parents (and tween) relaxed at tables.
Soon, the Fat Controller took the stage, rallying the children to sing the iconic Thomas theme song. (Sorry if it's stuck in your head now!)
The large screen ensured great viewing from anywhere. Thomas journeys to an Italian construction site for an archaeological museum, meeting Gina, an Italian rail expert. Along the roads to Rome, kids see famous landmarks as Thomas ponders: 'Why is the tower crooked? Why do buildings look unfinished?'
It's pure fun for children, but as a mom, I appreciated the cultural touches—like Italian history, scenery, music, and lessons on 'ciao' meaning hello and goodbye.
My younger ones were captivated by the exciting plot. Even our 'too babyish' tween got hooked: 'Mom, can I sit up front?' 'Of course!'
At about 90 minutes, it's a touch long for our 3-year-old, who faded midway. No issue at the FEC's Mattel zone—adjacent rooms recreate worlds from Thomas, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, and Fireman Sam, with dress-up props. A kid's paradise!
While the older three finished the film, Norah danced in Angelina's ballet room, tutu and all.
Post-film, the Fat Controller invited us to lunch at the FEC's ABC restaurant. Kids marveled at the size: 'Can we try everything?' With 11 cuisines at night (Mexican, Italian, Japanese, snacks), four buffets pleased even our picky 8-year-old.
Lunch gave ample time to unwind. Kids played in the restaurant's indoor area while we savored the buffets. Afterward, my husband took the older three to Portal for laser tag; I headed to Mattel with Norah for a coloring contest and princess face paint.
Finally, homeward bound—with a McDonald's ice cream stop. From the backseat: 'Dad, maybe I'll be an archaeologist like Thomas!'
Highly recommended for families! Engaging story, stunning graphics, thrills, Italian history, and teamwork themes. As Thomas says: 'Making friends is like archaeology: it takes time, but it's worth it!'
