love of local in Utah
Polar Express Train Ride in Utah
We finally did it!
We rode the Polar Express Train Ride in Utah through Heber Valley Railroad.
Man, I have been wanting to do this since before having kiddos. I almost worry that I set my standards to a unreachable level. SO let me tell you what I thought:
Pros:
- Snacks and Hot Cocoa!
- Interactive songs, games and Q&A’s to keep the kiddos busy during the hour and a half train ride.
- Mrs. Claus. She was the girls’ favorite part! She introduced herself when we were waiting to get on the train, was very personable and sat down on the train to say hello to everyone. She also passed out her “secret” recipe for Santa Cookies. That lady should be a *star.* She was to us!
- Nice bathrooms in the train station for everyone to hurry and take advantage of before getting on the train.
- Authentic trains. They are almost like a flash to the past. The conductor was very nice as well.
Cons:
- Since they do General Admission (yuck, I hate that. Please re-consider this), we were stuck right in the middle of a “family reunion” group. A group that I am sure thought they were the only ones on the train and that Santa, the cocoa, the emcee, Mrs. Claus, and the North Pole lights all revolved around them. Because that is how they acted…along with the grandparents giving EACH grandchild jingle bells that they jingled and hit on my head the entire time. And the grandma (who must have been in the middle of horrible heat wave menopause) opened every single window around them…late at night…in Utah…on a train ride. Alright, so yeah let’s consider the General Admission thing OR think of a better way to accommodate large groups.
- Even though “Santa” was warm, friendly and perfect with kids…he didn’t look like Santa. I am sure the same guy could keep doing it. Heber Valley Railroad just needs to work on his overall Santa appearance.
- The smell…some mothers around me all agreed it smelled like a McDonalds playroom the whole way back. And it did. But I mean it’s an old vintage train…there are tons of kids…I am sure there were tons of dirty diapers. Just wondering if there is some air freshening magic that could help the situation out.
- Heber is hecka far from Salt Lake…so, so far.
I am glad we went on the Polar Express Train Ride in Utah. I feel like I have crossed off something big on my “to do with kiddos” list. Although, will we go every year? Nah.
Do you want to try it out or go again?
Call the Heber Valley Railroad directly at 435-654-5601 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 435-654-5601 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and ask for the “Utah Blogger” discount.You will get $5 off coach tickets on December 14, 15 and 16 train ride dates
Disclaimer: We rode this ride for free thanks to the railroad. Thanks, railroad!
