Sensory-Friendly Saturday:

Your Experience Includes:

•  A quiet area with activities for Day Out With Thomas™ available until 3:00 p.m. in Gunsolly Carding Mill.
• Noise-canceling headphones and earplugs for use during your visit
• An event map showing locations of loud sounds and available activities
  
• A social narrative created by the Autism Alliance of Michigan for Greenfield Village (PDF) and Day Out With Thomas Social Narrative (PDF) showing what families might see, hear, smell, taste, and touch.

About Sensory-Friendly Saturday

Sensory-Friendly Saturday is an event designed for guests on the autism spectrum and with other sensory processing disorders. For this event, a variety of accommodations, activities and more have been put into place to create an inclusive, welcoming and safe space for our guests. Prior to this event, staff members of The Henry Ford participated in Michigan Autism Safety Training (MAST) provided by the Autism Alliance of Michigan to better understand the characteristics of autism and how to recognize and communicate with someone with autism.

Downloads

• The Henry Ford Accessibility Information
• Program Map 2019
• Day Out With Thomas Helpful Tips and Accessibility Information (PDF)
• Learn more: Autism Alliance of Michigan

Tips and Policies

Pre-Event Information

• What is Day Out With Thomas™?
• Who is Thomas the Tank Engine™?
• What are the appropriate ages for Day Out With Thomas™?
• Where is the event?
• When is the event?
• When do tickets go on sale?
• How do I purchase tickets?
• Who needs tickets?
• What is included in the ticket price?
• Are discount tickets available?
• How will I receive my tickets?
• Are there any refunds?
• Will Thomas the Tank Engine™ be there?
• Will Sir Topham Hatt™ be there?
• Do you recommend purchasing tickets in advance?

Day of Event Information

• What times do trains depart?
• When should we arrive for our train ride with Thomas?
• Is there assigned seating on the train?
• How long is the train ride?
• Are you limited to just one ride?
• Is there parking available on site?
• Is there an additional cost for parking?
• What if there is inclement weather?
• Are cameras allowed?
• Will there be food available?
• Are strollers permitted?
• Is the event handicap accessible?
• Are pets allowed?

What is Day Out with Thomas™?

Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that offers children and their grownups the opportunity to ride with classic storybook friend Thomas the Tank Engine™ at heritage railroads nationwide. Parents, grandparents and siblings join their aspiring engineers in the fun. The Day Out With Thomas experience will engineer miles of smiles for the whole family and introduce a new generation to the timeless excitement of railroading.

Who is Thomas the Tank Engine™?

Since Thomas the Tank Engine™ left the depot more than 60 years ago, this Really Useful Engine and his Island of Sodor friends have chugged their way into the hearts of preschoolers and grownups worldwide. Based on The Railway Series of classic stories authored by a father who loved trains and wanted a shared experience with his son, Thomas & Friends™ is a rite of passage that inspires the imagination while teaching the life lessons of friendship, exploration and cooperation.

What are the appropriate ages for Day Out With Thomas™?

Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that welcomes passengers of all ages.

Where is the event?

Day Out With Thomas™ takes place in Greenfield Village, part of The Henry Ford. All rides are a roundtrip beginning at Smiths Creek Depot, about ¼ mile from the entrance of Greenfield Village. Please plan on getting to Smiths Creek at least 15 minutes before the departure time printed on your tickets. Smiths Creek is about a 20-minute walk from most parking areas.

When is the event?

The 2020 Day Out With Thomas™ Sensory-Friendly Saturday is July 18, 2020. 

When do tickets go on sale?

March 4, 2020 for members of The Henry Ford and March 11, 2020 for non-members.

How do I purchase tickets?

Contact the Call Center at 313-982-6001

Who needs tickets?

Tickets are required for guests ages 1 and up.

What is included in the ticket price?

A ticket for Day Out With Thomas™ includes the train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, including Storytelling and Video Viewing, Temporary Tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, and an Imagination Station with arts & crafts and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor.

Are discount tickets available?

There are no discount tickets available for Day Out With Thomas™.

How will I receive my tickets?

If purchased two weeks or more in advance of the event, guests will receive their tickets in the mail. Guests who purchase tickets closer to the event date can pick up their tickets at Greenfield Village Will Call the day of the event.

Are there any refunds?

There will be no refunds or exchanges.

Will Thomas the Tank Engine™ be there?

Thomas the Tank Engine™ has traveled all the way from the Island of Sodor and has arrived right on time to take a ride with you and your family.

Will Sir Topham Hatt™ be there?

Yes, Sir Topham Hatt™ will take time away from his busy schedule as Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor to meet and take pictures with guests.

Do you recommend purchasing tickets in advance?

Due to the popularity of Day Out With Thomas™, advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. Events commonly sell out. When purchasing tickets you will be asked to select a specific date and time for your ride with Thomas. Your ticket is valid only for that date and time.

What times do trains depart?

Thomas the Tank Engine exclusively for Sensory-Friendly Saturday guests leaves at 9:30 am. Additional trains leave every ½ hour from Smiths Creek Depot beginning at 9:30am; last train departs at 4:30pm. Smiths Creek Depot is about a ¼ mile walk from the front entrance of Greenfield Village.

When should we arrive for our train ride with Thomas?

It is recommended that guests arrive at the event at least one hour before their scheduled departure. The line will begin ½ hour before each scheduled departure at Smiths Creek Station. Please plan on getting to Smiths Creek at least 15 minutes before the departure time printed on your tickets. Smiths Creek is about a 20-minute walk from most parking areas.

Is there assigned seating on the train?

There is open seating on each of the five open-sided cars. Seating is first come, first served for all scheduled departures.

How long is the train ride?

The ride is approximately 20 minutes and runs the entire perimeter of Greenfield Village.

Are you limited to just one train ride?

There is one train ride per ticket.

Is there parking available on site?

Plentiful parking is available. Please note that Smiths Creek Depot is a 20 minute walk from most parking areas.

Is there an additional cost for parking?

Nonmembers of The Henry Ford are charged a $6.00 parking fee per ticket order at the time of ticket purchase. Members park free.

What if there is inclement weather?

Day Out With Thomas events take place rain or shine.

Are cameras allowed?

Absolutely! Guests are encouraged to capture their Day Out With Thomas memories for their photo album. A professional photographer will also be on hand to take photos that will be available for purchase if so desired.

Will there be food available?

A variety of food and snacks is available at different food stalls, and restaurants throughout Greenfield Village, and within the Day Out With Thomas Activity area.

Are strollers permitted?

Day Out With Thomas is a family event that welcomes guests of all ages. There is even a designated area for “stroller parking” during the train ride.

Is the event handicap accessible?

A specially designed section of one of our rail cars is available to accommodate a variety of wheelchairs and family members.
Program Tips & Accessibility Information (PDF)

Are pets allowed?

No pets are allowed at Day Out With Thomas.