Polar Express Activity

Polar Express activity = great family fun!...

My husband and I decided to surprise the kids with a Polar Express Activity this year.  We booked some tickets aboard the Polar Express to see Santa. 

Every Christmas for the past nine years, the Heber Valley Railroad heads to the North Pole to visit Santa.  (The Polar Express Activity is one of many themed train adventures on the Heber Valley Railroad that kids of all ages love!)

I decided to secretly prepare our kids by having them watch Disney’s Polar Express a few nights before we went on our adventure. 

I also bought them a new pair of pajamas, so they could wear them on the train.

When we drove up to the station, my 7 year old son exclaimed, “Wow, is that the Polar Express train?” He was so excited and couldn’t wait to get onboard.

Our train car was packed with excited children and decorated with bright Christmas lights and holly strung around the windows.

Once we got to our seats, the conductor came by and punched holes in our tickets.  My two and half year old son held onto his precious Polar Express ticket all night.

Two elves and Mrs. Claus came by to greet everyone and were happy to get their pictures taken with our kids.

As the train started rolling along at 7:30pm, the elves served us cookies and (lukewarm) hot chocolate.

On our ride to the North Pole, we were entertained by a host who told us all about the Heber Creeper Railroad, led us in Christmas songs, and read the story of the Polar Express.  We were given copies of the book to follow along as he read.  I was hoping to keep a copy of the book for a souvenir, but sadly they collected them back after we were finished reading.

As the train started to slow down, our host told the kids we were approaching the North Pole and to take a look outside the window.  All at once children started yelling, “There’s Santa!”  And sure enough, there he was, outside the train, waving to us.

At this point, we thought we were going to get off the train to visit with Santa, but instead he got on the train to visit with us.  He took the time to speak to each child, asking them what they wanted for Christmas and if they’d been good boys and girls.

My two and a half year old thought Santa was going to give him his present right then, so he was a little disappointed to learn that wasn’t going to happen! But he happily accepted the bell Santa gave him as an alternative.  After Santa visited with all the kids, the train was filled with the sound of jingling bells.

We pulled back into the train station around 9:30pm, which was a half an hour longer than expected which meant the end to our Polar Express activity.  By this time our kids were a little cranky because it was getting late.  My two and half year old threw a tantrum and didn’t want to get back in the car because he dropped his hole punched ticket on the train.  Luckily my husband picked it up before we left the train, so all was saved!

Suggestions:

1.  If you're bringing children, have them watch the movie Polar Express before going on the train ride.

2.  It was disappointing to not be able to bring the Polar Express book that we read home as a keepsake.  Buy one and wrap it up for the kids to open in the car on the way home.

3.  If you really want a cup of hot "hot chocolate", bring some in a thermos. 

4.  Bring your camera to take some great pictures.

5.  Read newspaper articles: Now boarding: Utah's Polar Express by USAToday or Children, parents board train to see Santa by The Provo Herald

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