Polar Expresss | Mumsnet

merryandbrightdelight · 2025-03-25T07:19:47+00:00

Honest opinions please! Looking to book the Wensleydale Polar Express for 4 adults and 4 children (8,7,6&5). Before I shell out £400 can I have opinions on if it’s worth it? DH thinks it’s a crazy idea (but tends to just happily go along with my ideas because he knows it’s useless trying not to 😂) but this is a pricey idea for an hour and a half. Thanks!

oustedbymymate · 25/03/2025 11:30

I've not been. I've heard it's good but I'm not sure it's £400 worth of good!!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 06/04/2025 22:20

Not been either but 4 adults 4 children so £50/head

We used to go to Burnham on Crouch Railway for Thomas the Tank Engine and Santa Trains -steam trains dressed up 😁.
My DC loved them and though I cannot remember the price it was £

Your ages sounds perfect the oldest is probably getting to the age where in a year or so they'll want to something else .

I'd say go for it . If you wait too long there's nothing to book !

Favouritefruits · 24/04/2025 18:04

I’ve been and would definitely recommend it! Was worth the money easily! It was so special and we have great memories, we went during covid and it was still brilliant. My advice would be to go in the early evening as the lights at the station look much better in the dark and the atmosphere is much better. I think a morning/afternoon train wouldn’t be as good. You have to wear PJs or you get picked on 😂

Original poster

merryandbrightdelight · 28/04/2025 21:27

Favouritefruits · 24/04/2025 18:04

I’ve been and would definitely recommend it! Was worth the money easily! It was so special and we have great memories, we went during covid and it was still brilliant. My advice would be to go in the early evening as the lights at the station look much better in the dark and the atmosphere is much better. I think a morning/afternoon train wouldn’t be as good. You have to wear PJs or you get picked on 😂

🤣🤣🤣 I am so pleased you’ve said this about PJs cause DH hates the pantomime incase he’s picked on so I’ll have to tell him!

OP posts:

Original poster

merryandbrightdelight · 28/04/2025 21:28

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 06/04/2025 22:20

Not been either but 4 adults 4 children so £50/head

We used to go to Burnham on Crouch Railway for Thomas the Tank Engine and Santa Trains -steam trains dressed up 😁.
My DC loved them and though I cannot remember the price it was £

Your ages sounds perfect the oldest is probably getting to the age where in a year or so they'll want to something else .

I'd say go for it . If you wait too long there's nothing to book !

Thank you so much! Steam trains dressed up love it 🤣

OP posts:

Quacking4it · 28/04/2025 21:30

I've been and honestly thought jt was over priced. It was good but wouldn't do it again and certainly not worth all the money I spent!!

Wholelotagrey · 28/04/2025 21:34

We did it… we could only get premier seats (as I left it too late 🙄) the only difference between premier and standard is a bloody mug so go with standard… that said I’d do it again was bloody brilliant well worth the money the kids keep asking to do it again! Go in PJs and make sure to remember request the golden tickets to be sent home before you go ?you have the option to choose)

Go you won’t regret it!

JazzyBBBG · 28/04/2025 21:34

I have done the Birmingham one - it was really good!

Ddakji · 28/04/2025 21:35

Favouritefruits · 24/04/2025 18:04

I’ve been and would definitely recommend it! Was worth the money easily! It was so special and we have great memories, we went during covid and it was still brilliant. My advice would be to go in the early evening as the lights at the station look much better in the dark and the atmosphere is much better. I think a morning/afternoon train wouldn’t be as good. You have to wear PJs or you get picked on 😂

Do you think a 16 year old would be too old for it? I only heard about this last year and it’s one of our favourite Christmas films so I’d love to do it.

Favouritefruits · 29/04/2025 09:27

@Ddakji it would probably be a little young but you wouldn’t look odd or out of place if you did go. Every child receives a gift of a bell so she’d maybe find that a little childish but then when they act out parts of the movie on the train thats for all ages.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 26/05/2025 23:34

We did it a few years back and i thought it was great fun.

Was pushing it bringing DD as she was 12 at that point but I hadn’t heard about it previously and also had DS7 who was the perfect age and adored it. 12 yo dd still enjoyed it - as did I!

We went for the slight upgrade as the standard tickets weren’t available which meant we got biscuits and hot chocolate plus mugs and some other bits to keep I think.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 26/05/2025 23:36

Ddakji · 28/04/2025 21:35

Do you think a 16 year old would be too old for it? I only heard about this last year and it’s one of our favourite Christmas films so I’d love to do it.

Edited

Show quote history

In so far as I enjoyed it as an adult, I don’t think she’d hate it if she is of a mindset that still loves Christmas, and good-natured fun type things.

There were one or two groups who didn’t have any young children in our carriage - but maybe had teens or young adults in the party.

TatteredAndTorn · 27/05/2025 00:06

Favouritefruits · 29/04/2025 09:27

@Ddakji it would probably be a little young but you wouldn’t look odd or out of place if you did go. Every child receives a gift of a bell so she’d maybe find that a little childish but then when they act out parts of the movie on the train thats for all ages.

Is age 2, too young do you think?

Allthings · 31/05/2025 16:36

@TatteredAndTorn my grandchild has been going since 6 months old, but given the cost, I would say that a 2 year old is unlikely to really appreciate it. It’s however not unsuitable for a 2 year old.

Hendersonsisnotrelish · 31/05/2025 16:40

Absolutely go! It's very pricey but brilliant. Kids are the perfect age.

TatteredAndTorn · 31/05/2025 22:22

Allthings · 31/05/2025 16:36

@TatteredAndTorn my grandchild has been going since 6 months old, but given the cost, I would say that a 2 year old is unlikely to really appreciate it. It’s however not unsuitable for a 2 year old.

Ok thank you that’s really helpful. Maybe we’ll wait for next year.