The Polar Express Train Ride is a re-creation of the classic children’s story on board a real train located in Ventura County at the Fillmore and Western Railway on select dates in December 2019 and last weekend our family were guests and it was a truly amazing experience that we will never forget. We took our 8 year old and teenager who is 12 and the whole family loved every minute of the ride.
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The Polar Express Train Ride features a fun loving staff which includes the trains conductor, the owner of the train, and energetic hosts who lead the train in an interactive, hour-long experience as if you become part of the movie and book of the same title. Families are encouraged to wear pajamas just like passengers from The Polar Express book and movie.
The train is traveling to the North Pole and gets boarded by Santa who shares his holiday cheer and the power of believing with a young disbelieving boy on the train. Families on the train alomg with our dancing hosts read the book The Polar Express, set to music and guests on the train get to turn the pages in the story as we hand over our Golden Train Ticket and discover the power and magic behind The Polar Express Train Ride.
Each coach is dressed in festive holiday décor and features color-changing LED lighting synched with the activities and music on board. Passengers are served hot chocolate and a snickerdoodle cookie treat by dancing chefs set to music with fun dance numbers like the "Hot Chocolate Dance," and other Christmas Carols.
The train visits the North Pole where we can spot the elves dancing outside our train windows and then Santa boards the train and each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip. There are many photo opportunities on the train and Santa will also take pictures with the families on the train.
After Santa goes back to the North Pole, our hosts lead passengers in caroling and fun holiday activities on the return trip to the station. The focus of the event is on the entertainment going on inside of the train, not the scenery outside. The route itself is not decorated for Christmas. However, the inside of the train is a magical, immersive experience that recreates the magic of The Polar Express with a cast of professional actors.
The train ride is one hour long, however 20 minutes before your scheduled departure you are greeted by the train conductor and then can begin boarding. Prior to boarding there is a large tent where you can take some cute photos, pick up your tickets and write a letter to Santa and mail it. According to The Polar Express Train Ride website they suggest getting there an hour earlier but I would suggest 30-45 minutes before your departure time. There are also bathrooms outside the tent and next to the depot station and I suggest you use them so you don't miss a second of your one hour train ride.
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There are two types of seats at the Fillmore location.
- General or Coach Seats are where you sit in comfortable, padded seats in rows and enjoy a train ride
- First Class Seats include The Polar Express commemorative mugs and you are seated at a table with seating for four. This is only an option in Car 2 called Northern Lights.
Please Note: Wheelchair access is not available at Fillmore location due to the doorway dimensions on the historic railcars. For wheelchair access you would need to attend The Polar Express Train Ride in Perris.
The inspiration of this train experience is taken from the book of the same title by Chris Van Allsburg who won a Caldecott Medal for the book he wrote and illustrated, The Polar Express, which was also adapted as successful motion picture as well. Chris Van Allsburg will take part in a book signing on December 4, 2019 from 4pm to 7:40pm in Fillmore to promote The Polar Express Train Ride and the 15th Anniversary of The Polar Express Movie. He will be signing copies of the book or train ride guests copies of the book of The Polar Express prior to each train departure. Passengers are welcome to bring their own The Polar Express book and copies will also be available to purchase on site.
Learn more about the Fillmore and Western Railway at http://www.fwry.com
Learn more about the Polar Express Train ride in Fillmore at https://socalthepolarexpressride.com/fillmore-schedule-and-tickets/
Book your Polar Express trip at https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1011230/2019-polar-express-fillmore-fillmore-western-railway-co?
Disclaimer: Macaroni Kid was provided complimentary review tickets so we could check out this event for our readers. No other compensation was received.
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s19)
Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters © & ™ 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
