Polar express train

[Missmil]

Is it worth the money? The train station an 1.5hrs away from us is doing the polar express train. This year my dd will be 3 and we will have our ds age 6months. Last year we did the local panto to support them and i really enjoyed it ,dd feel asleep half way through 🙈 we are looking at the polar express train but its coming in around £122 for us all. My question is... is it really worth it? It seems alot of money, ive heard mixed reviews on it online. If you have been let me know how you found it! Thanks 😁

[PaniniHead]

I went Christmas just gone with DD6. She loved it and the goody bags but I felt it wasn’t worth the money at all

[Equimum]

We did it last Christmas with out the 8 & 6 year olds. It was amazing and by far the best Christmas train we have ever done. I would say if you wanted to get the most out of it, maybe wait until your children are a bit bigger, but I'm sure you'd a have a fabulous time anyway.

[Onionbhajisandwich]

It’s a brilliant experience - well worth the money but I’d wait until next year or the year after so your kids get the most out of it.

[Bushkin]

We did Wensleydale one last year, was 100% worth it

[FelicityPike]

I think your children are too young to appreciate it this year. Sorry.

[00100001]

Wouldn't do it with a 3yo. They'd be just as happy visiting FC at a garden centre tbh

[teaandcake22]

We did it last Christmas, agree about the bags and I probably would upgrade to the premium next time. But I would wait until at least 4 or 5. My daughter was nearly 5, she loved it and I would book again.

[itsgettingweird]

We did it this year.

Group of grandparents, their children (me and my siblings) and our children.

It was fab. Really lovely day out.

The only thing I'd say is maybe due to price you want to wait until both children are old enough to get more out of it and remember it (maybe when they are 3 and 6?)

[Badbadbunny]

There are several different Polar Express train rides all over the country. They'll vary between railway lines as to length of journey, activities, gift bags, etc. If you say which one you're thinking about, I'm sure you'll get more specific advice/help.

[APurpleSquirrel]

We did it last Christmas in Devon (Buckfastleigh) with 7 & 3 yo. They enjoyed it, but as an adult I felt it wasn't worth the money.
We went during daylight & whilst the countryside is lovely, no effort had been made along the sidings or at the destination station. The hot chocolate was vile. The train engine was lovely but it was very busy, running late & you were shuffled along. No goodie bags, just the cookie & bell.
Tbh we had a much better & cheaper experience at another local place.
Maybe at nighttime it would have been more atmospheric, but having to squidgy the windows every few minutes of condensation & the 'conductor' reading his lines off a clipboard did reduce the magic somewhat!

[Apple40]

We have done it, it was great . We did not get a goodie bag Santa gave everyone the “bell”. I would wait like others have said until your children are older and they know the story, songs and can join in .

[MmmMarmiteAndMarmalade]

3 is very young to properly appreciate such an expensive treat. A nice Father Christmas visit would be better when so young. Save it for when both are older and have watched and understood the book and film. My two were much older at 10 and 12 but we had a wonderful time (and they enjoyed humouring us) We all wore pjs and dressing gowns and soaked up all the story references. We still use our hot chocolate mugs and can all still hear the sleigh bells 😉

[sanityisamyth]

Is it the one in Sidmouth? It's brilliant!! I took DS. A few years ago. If you like the film you'll love it. It's very clever. I've since moved away but might take him back again this year!

[sanityisamyth]

Just noticed the ages. I would wait until they can appreciate it a bit more so it makes sense.

[sanityisamyth]

I also meant Seaton!!

[APurpleSquirrel]

@sanityisamyth

I also meant Seaton!!

That's the Tramway one I think? It's different to the steam engine one - though I've heard good things about the Seaton Tramway Polar Express.

[sanityisamyth]

Yep it's on the tramway. Was amazing!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Haven't done THe Polar Express trains but many years agp when my DS was 3yo and DD was 6 months we went to Burnham-on-Crouch for their Santa Train.
He'd already been there for their Thomas the Tank Engine days so really enjoyed it , but he wouldn't remember it now ( he's 22yo)

When they were oldeer ( about 5 and 2.5 ) they went on a Santa Train where Father Christmas walked along the train and sat with each groiup as the train went on its journey .
Cannot remember the price , not ££ but worth it because no queuing like you'd get at a Grotto . There was loads to look at , all decorated , then All Aboard

The Santa Train had a rail carriage converted into a cafe

[Starlightstarbright1]

I did it when my ds was 5. Absolutely worth it but would wait a couple of years.

[2girls76]

We done the Norfolk one last Christmas and it was incredible,definitely well worth the money.We we're very lucky to have got tickets last minute,so just got the standard tickets,which was fine.Our kids however were 15 and 11.It was right up the 11 year old street.We weren't sure about the older one but she loved it too(even though she pretended not to)Really wish we'd have done it when they were younger and more into the Santa thing but was a great experience non the less!!

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Weve done the Keighley Worth Valley Railway Santa train/Elf express for 8or9 years now. First time DD was about 18months. Partly family tradition (DH has a picture on it from 36 years ago!).

Its fun. But it is expensive. I think we paid £90 last year.... they switched to individual compartments during Covid but it used to paid by seat. But still seeing Scrooge, elves, reindeer etc. Mince Pie and sherry for adults

I think the Polar Express ones have more of a story to it which the younger ones might not fully appreciate as compared to the 'Santa' ones where its just seeing Santa.

[Jessica60]

Has anyone done the Birmingham or south devon one? I am struggling to find reviews

[APurpleSquirrel]

@Jessica60

Has anyone done the Birmingham or south devon one? I am struggling to find reviews

We did the South Devon one last year - see my posts above. It was ok, probably much better in the dark, but didn't feel worth the money to us.

[Comefromaway]

There are two versions, one run by PNP Events in various venues and the other by Seaton Tramway. From looking at the casting process the latter seems to be the more in depth.

Last year there were covid issues and places were having to bring in standby performers last minute.

[Sar82]

It's a fantastic experience and certainly a memory maker! Make sure to take lots of photos and make the most of the full day. We even had a few extra activities on and ordered polar express Christmas pyjamas which we then used for Christmas eve as well to save a few pennies.