11/24/14: Polar Express at Edaville USA Do You Believe?

Nothing is more magical than watching children's faces at the holidays.  We were lucky enough to journey to the North Pole on The Polar Express Train at Edaville USA and had a wonderful time.  

We have loved going to Edaville USA and I loved going there as a child.  It is good to get there early and ride some of the rides and then enjoy as it darkens and you can see the lights.

There are cute little boxes with Christmas displays.

Evan has loved trains since he was little.  He especially loves Steam Trains and learns all he can about them so he loves travelling to Edaville USA in Carver MA and seeing the Steam Train. 

The kids are all ready for their voyage on the train.  

We took a 4:30 train which was great as we traveled on the train in the light and some as it was dark.  This was a beautiful view as the sun was setting on the train.

On the Polar Express you are given hot chocolate.

The cups we were given did not have an opening to drink out of so we had to take the cover off.  With younger children I would recommend bringing a cup with a cover.

The same person who delivers your hot chocolate also brings you a cookie and shows you the Polar Express book during your voyage.

You must buy tickets in advance to ensure you will have a spot on The Polar Express train.  Tickets can be purchased at www.edaville.com.  The Polar Express is $38 per person, with children under 2 being free.  When you arrive at the North Pole you see the big man himself, Santa!  This ride takes you on newer tracks that are not on the Festival of Lights route.  When at the North Pole you stop to allow Santa to walk along the side of the train and wave to all the kids and get on to the train.  I highly suggest getting on to the left side of the train which is the one nearest the boarding area.

Santa gives each child a bell.

I love Evan's giggle in this one.

The bell rings for all that believe!

You can also enjoy the Festival of Lights train and rides.  Check out their website or Facebook page for times, prices and details.  

The lights are beautiful. 

 I love this one with Santa on the computer.  He has come a long way with the way he lists out who has been naughty and nice.

 After the train ride we headed on to some rides.

The rockets are always fun.

Then we headed inside to see Santa.  There are also some smaller rides for little ones inside upstairs and bumper cars on the lower floor.

 Make sure to bring your letters to Santa as you can mail them.

 We then went over and said hi to the big man himself.  The kids got to spend some more time with him and tell him what they wanted.

There is also a new Santa VIP Experience on November 30th, December 7th, 14th and 21st which includes:

Getting into the park at 1pm. (An hour before they open!) 

20 minute VIP train ride with Santa 

A special Gift from Santa 

Specific Rides open early for our VIPs 

Gingerbread Decorating Party with Santa 

Park admission for regular hours 

Cost:

Adults: $20 Children: $35 Under 2: $15 

All park rides are included in admission 

 Christmas Festival of Lights runs November 21st to January 1st.  

If Carver, MA is not a good location for you The Polar Express is also coming to Hopedale, MA.  Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers will then be entertained by a reading of The Polar Express™ . 

Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will greet the children and each child will receive their own sleigh bell, just like in the movie, to those who BELIEVE.  Experience the joy of caroling and holiday entertainment that will surely become an annual holiday tradition for the whole family. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride and join in on the magic of Christmas. Reservations are required to ride the train. Tickets are between $36 - $56 are on sale now. You can purchase by calling 508-866-8190.

 Edaville USA is a must visit in at the holidays!

Check out Edaville USA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdavilleUSA

Folow them on Twitter: @EdavilleUSA

Disclosure:  Tickets were provided to me for review purposes of The Polar Express.  No other compensation was received.

11/30/12: The Cape Cod Central Railway Polar Express

We had the pleasure of experiencing the Magical Polar Express on the Cape Cod Central Railroad.  I was very impressed with the whole event and highly recommend it.  Here are the kids with the conductor ready to ride.

Here we are on the train ready to go.  Evan has his pocket watch to check the time to make sure it is time to go.  There is a little gift shop when you walk in to the Railroad where we bought the pocket watch.  Another exciting thing that happened while we were on the train is that Fox Connecticut was there with their news crew covering day trips and they took video of the kids.  The reporter said that Evan would definitely be in the video as the camera man zoomed in on him right after the reporter said her description of the trip showing him in his PJs.  

UPDATED:  The video is now posted and you can see Evan in it a few times, Lauren and even me.  Check it out here.

Here we are all ready to go. 

 The kids checking out our travels to the North Pole.

 I was very impressed by this Polar Express trip.  It really was so similar to the movie as the chefs danced up and down the aisles with the hot chocolate.  Plus you got beautiful mugs that say The Polar Express on it.  Other trips I have been on you are generally given a styrofoam cup.  Everyone is also given a cookie and carols are sung as you go on your travels to the North Pole.

Plus you have a table to sit at which is great to put your mugs on.

 The conductor punching our tickets with PE for Polar Express.  We brought our own Polar Express book to follow along as they read but chefs did walk around with the book for you to look at.

There is even a Hobo on board.  The conductor and chefs warn you to hide your tickets so he doesn't take it.  He is really sweet and asks for a jacket to keep him warm during the winter. 

 We have now arrived at the North Pole.  The chefs run around excitedly to let you know that the train has arrived at the North Pole.

Santa and the Elves waving to us to welcome us. 

 The elves got the kids dancing up and down the aisle.

 Here are the Elves with the kids.  All the volunteers did an awesome job playing up their parts.

 The big man himself, SANTA!

 Santa listening to what the kids want.

 Of course each child receives a bell.  The most magical part, hearing the bell ring if you truly BELIEVE!

Lauren showing off her bell. 

Here is some video I compiled of our ride on the Polar Express:

 It is so exciting to see the kids BELIEVE in the magic of the Polar Express and the magic of Christmas.  What a fun time for all.

So, are you coming? All Aboard!

To ride the Cape Cod Central Railway, visit http://www.capetrain.com/ or call 888-797-7245 to climb aboard.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capecodrailroad

Twitter: @CapeCodCentral

Disclosure:  I received four tickets to the Polar Express.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/6/12: All Aboard The Polar Express Cape Cod

I love the holidays and all the fun events that surround them.  One book and movie I especially love is The Polar Express.  We have been able to take many versions of this locally and now I am looking forward to taking the Cape Cod Central Railway version.

More about the event:

All Aboard! The Polar Express comes to life this holiday season as the Cape Cod Central Railway rolls out of the station bound for the "North Pole!" Come early and climb aboard with your family to cozy-up and enjoy our festively-decorated vintage train cars. Dancing chefs deliver hot chocolate and a cookie to each guest to savor while music from the Polar Express movie plays en route to the North Pole. Make sure to have your tickets handy, because your conductor will be by shortly to punch each child's ticket. Before arriving at the North Pole, the iconic book, The Polar Express is read as your Chef turns the pages to share the beautiful illustrations in the original book. With the station far away, The Polar Express magically arrives at the outskirts of Santa's North Pole village, where Santa Claus himself and his elves joyously welcome the train! 

As you stay comfortably settled and warm in your seat, Santa and his helper elf board the train! During the return trip, Santa will greet each child with his signature holiday spirit and the first gift of Christmas: a bell cut from his sleigh. It is said that only children and those who still believe can actually hear the bell ring. Join in the singing as your Chef or Conductor lead Christmas caroling on the 30-minute return trip. For those wanting the magic to last or to do a little Christmas shopping, visit our gift shop in the station for special Polar Express gifts and merchandise. Oh, one last thing, children are encouraged to wear their PJ's; adults who still believe have been known to wear them, too! 

So, are you coming? All Aboard!

Here is a video to get you in the mood:

All Aboard the Polar Express is coming to the Cape Cod Central Railway, visit http://www.capetrain.com/ or call 888-797-7245 to climb aboard.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capecodrailroad

Disclosure:  I received four tickets to the Polar Express.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

12/18/11: A Christmas Journey at the EcoTarium

This was our 4th trip to the EcoTarium in Worcester MA.  Every visit is different and we experience different exhibits and new wonderful things to see.  This time we went for A Christmas Journey.  In addition to a visit to the museum for an additional fee you could attend a reading of the Polar Express, receive a bell, ride the train around the grounds, and then go in to visit Santa and have Hot Chocolate and a cookie.  Here are the kids and John ready to go on the train ride.

 Time to see Santa.  I think this makes 9 times.  See my previous Wordless Wednesday:  The Many Faces of Santa.  One thing I am thankful for is that every single time they have asked for the same things.  Evan for all the Angry Birds and Lauren for all the Hello Kitty items.

 The kids exploring.  Some highlights of the visit were a little capsule you could go in and feel hurricane force winds, a video of previous weather where we could go back and watch the crazy October snow storm we had, and another video where you could drive to the top of Mount Washington.  The funny thing is at the end it showed a bumper sticker that said This Hand Climbed Mount Washington, just like the bumper stickers saying This Car climbed Mount Washington.  That gave me a giggle.

 A little rock climbing area where you could climb sideways along the rock wall.

 Evan experimenting.

 And of course we always have to take a pictures with the bear.  I was nervous when we walked in and I didn't see him, but was happy to see he had just relocated to the 1st floor.