South Jersey Destination Adapts One Last Time in 2020
Magical Holiday Express Transforms into DiDonato’s Magical Drive
A massive fire destroyed DiDonato Family Fun Center in 1966 and the family that owns the business literally rebuilt it from the ground up. Many years later, the next generation of this family-run icon again “rebuilt” the bowling-centric business and established a family fun center, with an expansion that includes an outdoor rolling railway and the addition of a full-service restaurant. It evolved into a South Jersey destination, especially at the holidays. Then, COVID-19 hit earlier this year, forcing the cancellation of the popular Easter EGGspress Train Ride and a closure of the entire operation for 127 days in the spring and summer.
DiDonato’s persevered, like many small businesses around the nation, and adapted with space limitations, additional sanitizing, and protective equipment. Those efforts led to a successful Trick-or-Treat Train in the fall and a solid start to the Magical Holiday Express Train in November and early December. Due to new outdoor gathering limitations, and out of an abundance of caution to protect the staff and guests at DiDonato’s, the family is adapting its business model one more time in the last few weeks of 2020. The Magical Holiday Express will transform into the Magical Holiday Drive.
The Magical Holiday Drive is an immersive drive-thru experience featuring stunning views of millions of Christmas lights complete with an in-car photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus, an individually wrapped present and cookie delivered to guest’s car by Santa’s elves, a Santa wish list drop-off, everyone’s favorite dancing snowman and more all while they listen to holiday music in their vehicle via FM transmitter. The 5 million lights and holiday displays will be up at DiDonato’s Magical Drive from December 7th through 23rd from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. Tickets are available for $29.95 per carload online at www.didonatofuncenter.com.
Toy Market, South Jersey’s favorite toy store, will be on-site with a Snack and Toy Stop for holiday shopping purchases as well as offering souvenir and snack sacks, which can be pre-purchased online.
Steve DiDonato, owner of DiDonato Family Fun Center said, “We have created a one-of-a-kind, fun, safe, socially distanced holiday experience that everyone can enjoy from their cars and its easily accessible from Philadelphia, New York, Delaware and throughout all of New Jersey.”
DiDonato Family Fun Center is located at 1151 S. White Horse Pike in Hammonton. For more information visit www.didonatofuncenter.com or www.facebook.com/didonatofuncenter or call 609-561-3040 or email steve@didonatofuncenter.com.
