Riding Polar Express train an Arizona family tradition
Do your kids watch Christmas shows on TV and wonder what that snow-covered, frosty experience is all about?
Or did you grow up in a place where it really didn’t feel like the holidays until there was at least the nip of frost in the air?
If you’re longing for that kind of Christmas spirit for your family and all you see outside your windows are warm sunshine and maybe a cactus, you might want to head north to Williams starting Nov. 9 to take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway's Polar Express train.
The 90-minute train ride to the “North Pole” is based on the classic children’s book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. For the past 18 holiday seasons, the train transports kids and adults from the Williams Depot to the classic holiday setting.
About 95,000 people take the journey each year. The book inspired the themed ride, and the 2004 movie based on the book and starring Tom Hanks helped it attract more riders.
“We modeled it on the book but attendance picked up after the movie was released several years later,” said Nicole Galten, director of passenger services. “We have about 1,300 passengers per train, two trains a night.”
Some families make an annual trip to ride the train.
Dress the kids in cozy pajamas, put yours on too if you really want to get in the spirit, and settle in for the ride. Dress warmly, as there could be a brief wait to board the train, but wear layers as you'll be inside for the trip.
Before you even board the train you could encounter characters from the book. Along the way you’ll meet other characters that bring the tale to life.
Bring a copy of the book if you have one, as the story will be read aloud during the journey. But don’t worry if you don’t have a copy. The pastry chefs (characters in the story) will be walking the aisle of the train to show pictures to those who want to follow along. Of course, copies of the book are for sale at the depot as well.
One handy tip from a frequent rider is to make friends with adults on the side of the train that will face the North Pole if you're on the opposite side. When the train pulls in you can have your kids swap places with them briefly to get a better view.
Once you reach the "North Pole," Santa will board the train and hand out bells to the kids.
Diesel locomotives pull a string of 15 passenger cars, mostly 1923 Harrimanstyle cars. The train also includes two more modern cars that are ADA-compliant.
Ride the Polar Express
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on 44 dates through Jan. 5.
Williams Depot, 235 N. Grand Canyon Blvd.
$33-$79. 800-843-8724, www.the train.com/events/polar-express.