The Polar Express: An honest review.
The Polar Express UK
An honest review on value for money, the overall experience, and would we do it again?
This week, myself, my husband and our 2 girls (7 & 3) had the pleasure of experiencing the Polar Express train ride (Churnett Valley Railway), and it truly exceeded all expectations. From the moment we stepped onto the platform at the beautifully decorated Froghall station, the excitement and build up for the train arriving began!
We paid £134.15 -
Heres a breakdown:
Tickets were £31.85 each
Golden ticket postage fee of £3.95
Booking fee £2.50
I was excited but a little apprehensive as I wasn’t sure what to expect. Evie is 7 now and can often ‘figure things out’ quite easily- we were hoping it was the ‘real Santa’ and not one of his helpers!
As we stood on the platform waiting for the train, dramatic Christmas music played, we felt excited knowing that the train would soon arrive. Whilst the music continued, blue Christmas light strips flashed along the underside of platform, we then heard the train approaching- We knew we definitely believed!!!
The train was an impressive sight as it pulled in, with the whole cast looking as excited to see us as we were them! Their American accents really kept in line with the movie and as we boarded the train we even saw the Polar Express hobo asleep! The attention to detail was remarkable, capturing the spirit of Chris Van Allsburg's classic story perfectly. The train itself was a beautiful, with colourful Christmas lights and festive decorations. The interior was cozy and felt authentic, transporting us into a winter wonderland filled with fun, songs and of course; Hot Chocolate!.
The staff played a huge role in making this journey memorable. From the cheerful conductor to the lively waitresses, everyone was keen to create a memorable experience for every passenger. Their enthusiasm and commitment to character and even accents added an extra layer of magic to the experience.
As the train chugged along, we were treated to a series of hilarious performances inspired by the Polar Express story. The singing, dancing, and storytelling was great! The highlight, of course, was the visit from Santa Claus himself (who Evie confirmed was the ‘real Santa’) , he arrived complete with bells as a gift for all of the ‘believers’ on board.
The attention to detail extended to every aspect of the event, from the hot chocolate and cookies served on the train, having our tickets punched with our initials, to the ‘Northern lights’ and having to ‘push the train’ back for Santa. It truly felt like we had stepped into the pages of a Christmas story.
Overall I would definitely recommend the ‘Polar Express’ to families wanting to visit Santa in a more unique environment. Value for money was great, the ride lasted approx 1hr and we had so much fun. It was definitely a lot better value for money than other attractions we have visited in the UK (I’m looking at you Lapland UK) which can feel a bit like a conveyor belt, this was fabulous and didn’t feel rushed at all!
Whatever you decide to do with your children this Christmas, I hope you have a really wonderful time!
Please add your comments and reviews below if you have travelled on the ‘Polar Express’ or have any other festive recommendations!
Merry Christmas
Maria x
🚂🎅🎄
