Polar Express - What Time?

[LemonAndLimesAndAllThingsNice]

We are booking to do The Polar Express this year
.
What time would you say is best?

We will have a just turned 4 year old and a 20 month old, who naps 11:30 - 1:30 ish.

I’m torn between doing it just after breakfast at like 9, when everyone is happiest, or whether it would be best to do it later on, maybe have an early tea, when it’s darker outside so it feels more magical and more real. But then need to make sure nobody is cranky for bed at 7pm 😅

Thoughts? Anyone done it and can advise?

Bump for the morning crowd 😊

We do late afternoon as it's dark but doesn't clash with bed time!

Thanks! But how do you fit that in with tea as it’s like 2 hours altogether?

@LemonAndLimesAndAllThingsNice Which Polar express experience are you planning on booking? I know it sounds daft to say this in July, but you might not have much choice in the timings, as the popular times sell out quite fast.

If I had to choose I would pick a morning slot

I have early access to the Edinburgh one which goes live today so hopefully most of the slots will be available 😊

Why would you pick morning?

Definitely one as it starts to get dark

You can have food on the move, doesn’t need to be a proper sit down tea. Pop them in their pyjamas before you get in the car and then straight into bed when you get home.

Can’t really do food on the move with them being so young, and no car so public transport only unfortunately.

I would choose a morning slot. They won't care that it's not dark and therefore more 'Christmassy' but you will care if you spend all that money and they are too tired to enjoy it.

That might have been handy to put in your op!

It sounds like you want to go in the morning so just book a morning slot 🤷🏻‍♀️

I'd go for about 3pm. Morning will be tight with the nap time and public transport in morning. 3-5ish on train, maybe tea out afterwards, then home at sensible hour.

Plus won't that be getting dark time as far North as Edinburgh?

No, I wanted to go when it was dark just wasn’t sure how to work it with tea/bedtime.

Why can't a 4 and 2 year old eat a picnic?

I'd do 4pm but you obviously don't want to so do 9am 🫠

Thank you, that’s what we’ve gone for! Just have to hope no delays for the train getting home 😅😅

Why can’t they eat a sandwich on the train / bus home? You’re overthinking this!

At those ages? In all honesty I'd leave it a couple of years. They're too young to get the whole theming properly and the juggling nap / eating times is just a recipe for overtired cranky children.

@Iasonnas @Sugarlily sandwiches and picnics are not suitable for teatime 😅

They don’t need to “get the theming”. We’re a screen free family anyway so that’s not ever going to be relevant.

They are both old enough to enjoy the experience, and only one of them naps (and only one nap).

We have gone for 5pm and will have an early tea. Thanks everyone.

Huh?