Disneyland Railroad - riding in the engine?

[Sorcerer Jody]

Happy New Year, everyone! I have a question about the train - I have heard that you can ask to ride in the engine? I have a 4 year old boy who loves trains, and so I wondered what this experience is like. How many people can ride? Do the engineers let you do anything, like blow the whistle or ring the bell? I'd love to hear from something who has tried this - thanks so much!

 

[Susiesark]

Happy New Year, everyone! I have a question about the train - I have heard that you can ask to ride in the engine? I have a 4 year old boy who loves trains, and so I wondered what this experience is like. How many people can ride? Do the engineers let you do anything, like blow the whistle or ring the bell? I'd love to hear from something who has tried this - thanks so much!

I would say only 2 people can ride up there. My 8 year old daughter and I rode up there and it was comfortable, but I don't think we could squeeze in another person. The 2 engineers were friendly and talkative throughout the trip (you have to make the full circle) and gave us all kinds of information about the history of the DL railroad and trains in general. Try not to ride on a hot day, they told us it is ALWAYS 30 degrees warmer in the engine. Your boy will love it.

 

[Sorcerer Jody]

Thanks so much - that is very helpful! You are right - he will love it.

 

[Pinocchio #1 Fan]

What you want to do is go to the Main Street station early in the day and ask for a "tender ride." Not every engine has a seat to allow for this, so sometimes you have to wait 20 minutes or so, depending where the right engine is on the track and if anyone asked before you. It is a lot of fun.

 

[DanT]

Round trip from Main street station only.
Train can not be taking on water at NOS or dumping steam at NOS.
Only two of the 5 engines have accommodations for tender rides.
CK Holiday
EP Ripley
The two original Disneyland engines.
There is room for 3 if it is an adult and two smaller children...did it with my 2 daughters when they were younger.

This is a great "little known"!

 

[pixiewings71]

You can also request a ride in the Lilly Belle, depending on other bookings and if she is on the tracks that day. Request at the same place you ask for a tender ride and be there early!

 

[DanT]

Lilly Belle is almost always at the end of the train pulled by the CK Holiday, when the Lilly Belle is on track.

 

[Sorcerer Jody]

Thanks so much for all of the responses! I think my little boy will love it, and that's good to know that two small children and one adult could ride, as I have a 3 year old daughter too. Does anyone know if the engineers let you do anything, like blow the whistle? My little boy is a bit obssessed about trains and I need to be able to warn him ahead of time if it's just a "special, but no buttons to push" kind of ride! Thanks.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

No buttons to push, unfortunately. DBF and I rode tender on our last trip (their term for riding near the engine, don't know if this is a common term to all trains). If you would like to blow a whistle or ring a bell, try going to the wheelhouse of the Mark Twain. Your little ones can drive the steamboat

 

[Susiesark]

Some of the engineers on the train are also engineers on the Mark Twain. We've never been denied when asked to ride in the wheel house of the Mark Twain, and you can have 4 guests riding up there together. Your son can 'steer' the boat and blow the whistle. Just ask them when you enter the waiting area, and it is usually available.

 

[Sorcerer Jody]

Sounds like fun - thanks so much for the idea!

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Would they let 3 kids ride up there (13, 10, & 8) or does an adult have to be with them? Obviously Dh and I would ride on the a car on the train during the trip.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

Would they let 3 kids ride up there (13, 10, & 8) or does an adult have to be with them? Obviously Dh and I would ride on the a car on the train during the trip.

My concern is that your three kids might not fit on there. I would suggest asking the conductor about this and warn your kids that one of them may not be able to sit up there.

 

[JessiePride]

Holy cow! In all the 29 years Ive been going to Disney...I never knew about this! Guess I need to stick around!

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

My concern is that your three kids might not fit on there. I would suggest asking the conductor about this and warn your kids that one of them may not be able to sit up there.

Well the above posters said there was room for 2 small kids plua an adult so I would think there would be room for my 3. Non of them are near the size on an adult. My kids all have my short genes and are on the smaller size for their age! I mainly was just wondering if they would allow 3 kids without an adult in the same car?