Polar Express - NH - Worth $60 pp for premium seats? UPDATE#39!!!

[DisneyBugs]

What is the difference between Lincoln and N. Conway trains? And how do you enter this lottery? My son (now 8) still gets mesmarized by that movie and the story. He and DD4 would go nuts over this. What age would be considered 'too old'?

 

[StillPinballFamily]

What is the difference between Lincoln and N. Conway trains? And how do you enter this lottery? My son (now 8) still gets mesmarized by that movie and the story. He and DD4 would go nuts over this. What age would be considered 'too old'?

There seem to be different types of trains on the two routes (like domed ones from North Conway), but other posters who have done this before could answer this better, I'm sure. Lincoln isn't quite as far of a drive for us, so that seemed like the better choice for us. Check out the website (in an earlier post on p. 1 of this thread.) for the details about the lottery - you just print the application off of the site, send it and $10 (or $20 if you want to enter the lotteries for both Lincoln and North Conway trips) by October 1st. And then, pray! (Or go on the DIS like I did for info and support!!!) The event supports a literacy organization in New Hampshire.

I had heard about this several years ago, printed off that year's application (too late to enter) but stuck it into my Xmas file. This was the first time we've ever entered - and it looks like we got very lucky. The volunteer I spoke with (at about 12:30 today - calls started at 7 a.m.) said that virtually all of the Saturday tix were already gone for all the days - but we wanted Sunday anyway - and also said they have "kids of all ages" who dress in PJs for the event. My kids are 11 and 9. Good luck for next year, if you do this!

 

[ptmmg]

congrats!!!! I am sending my application out early next year I always think about in September than all of a sudden its too late and i missed it.

 

[PatsMom]

What is the difference between Lincoln and N. Conway trains? And how do you enter this lottery? My son (now 8) still gets mesmarized by that movie and the story. He and DD4 would go nuts over this. What age would be considered 'too old'?

I think other than differences in the trains and the theaters the two events are pretty much the same. The theater for the North Conway trip is in Bartlett, the theater for the Lincoln trip is in North Woodstock (I could be wrong about Lincoln - I'm more familiar with North Conway). The North Conway event is older. Both benefit the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation which is a great organization. You can get the form for the lottery from their web site. Too late for this year's but as someone suggested you could put it in a file as a reminder for next year. I definitely don't think 8 is too old. Even if the kids don't still "believe" it is a great experience I hear. I was never lucky enough to get tickets!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

You are correct, the train departs in Lincoln, Theater is in North Woodstock.

 

[RedSox1974]

We did the Polar Express a couple of years ago and everyone had a GREAT time. We did not do the premium seating, but it was a fantastic experience that the whole family loved (the young kids, the hard to please teen, and the grandparents too!!)

 

[nrod]

- and also said they have "kids of all ages" who dress in PJs for the event. My kids are 11 and 9. Good luck for next year, if you do this!

Yes, two VERY old kids dressed in PJ's last year with their kids . ETA: we were in the minority though.

Not sure about what age it becomes less magical, my niece was almost 8 last year and LOVED it. She believes, so that may also make a difference.

Congratulations on getting your choice!! You'll have a great time!!!

 

[JacobsMommy11002]

I had to hop onto this post, because I got tix today for the North Conway Polar Express! I am so excited, we are not telling the kids. They caled at 8 this morning, so I got the date and time I wanted, plus I got dome seating! Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!

 

[megthewonderful]

We got tickets for the second year in a row from Lincoln! We can't wait! We're going the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which will definitely be a great start to the holiday season. Last year, we went close to Christmas, and it was snowing like crazy. We barely made it there in time and we left 5 hours early from southern NH!

We're keeping it a surprise from the kids too! And I can't wait to wear my PJs again this year!

 

[JacobsMommy11002]

I have a question about the dome for anyone who has gone from North Conway. Does anyone have pictures from inside it? I can't seem to find any online, and I would love to check it out!

 

[smacky1]

If anyone is still interesting in doing the Polar Express, I just booked a 2 night package at the Barlett Inn in Barlett NH. We are staying in a one room cottage with 2 double beds. It will be me, dh, dd 4, and ds 2. The cost for the 2 nights in the cottage, breakfast each morning, and 4 coach tickets was $550. They still had a few rooms available, but I think they were bigger cottages and cost a little more. This place has great reviews on tripadvisor and I cant wait. We are doing the 12/14 train ride at 7pm. The inn keeper also recommended the sleigh ride at a place called Nestlenook Farm. He said the kids get to feed the reindeer after the sleigh ride. My kids are in for a treat. We are surprising them as well. I think Im more excited than they will be! I cant wait.

 

[ptmmg]

If anyone is still interesting in doing the Polar Express, I just booked a 2 night package at the Barlett Inn in Barlett NH. We are staying in a one room cottage with 2 double beds. It will be me, dh, dd 4, and ds 2. The cost for the 2 nights in the cottage, breakfast each morning, and 4 coach tickets was $550. They still had a few rooms available, but I think they were bigger cottages and cost a little more. This place has great reviews on tripadvisor and I cant wait. We are doing the 12/14 train ride at 7pm. The inn keeper also recommended the sleigh ride at a place called Nestlenook Farm. He said the kids get to feed the reindeer after the sleigh ride. My kids are in for a treat. We are surprising them as well. I think Im more excited than they will be! I cant wait.

so you didnt need to do the lottery if you book a room through them????

 

[Disneynutbsv]

No, there are quite a few hotels in the area that do this. I know that the Woodstock Inn does this as well. At least they did last year.

 

[smacky1]

so you didnt need to do the lottery if you book a room through them????

No lottery. I read about the Polar Express after the lottery deadline passed so I thought I was out of luck as well. Ive seen a few listings on Craigslist for tickets so you could also try there if you dont want to buy a hotel package. We figured we would be making a weekend out of it anyway so this actually worked out well for us. I checked a few other hotels that offer packages and they were already sold out.

 

[ptmmg]

wow good to know but I just spent over $500 for 6 tickets to go see the Grinch musical the day after Thanksgiving for her Bday.

Our Elf ( as seen in anther thread) always comes the day after Thanksgiving and this just happens to be DD 7th Bday well this year he's is bringing tickets to the musical for that nights show.
maybe next year he'll bring Polar Express tickets.

 

[monorailsilver]

Oh My God!!!! I have been trying to find something like this for my girls. I am on Long Island and the closest thing I had found was in North Pole, NY. About 7 hours away. Anyone know of any other trains that do this. I would be so into it. Santa has come to our house every year on Christmas Eve but we are at a loss this year as our regular one passed away. I want to keep that magic for my DD4.

Essex Steam Train in Essex, CT has the North Pole Express & The Santa Special.

http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/

Tickets go on sale August 1st-it kills me that I am standing outside the ticket counter sweating in shorts buying tickets for December where I will be freezing.

BTW, the train/train station was in the latest Indy movie that I have yet to see.

 

[disneyfan551]

Our train does the Polar Express in our town. We went a few years ago, and it was really disappointing! I know alot of people enjoy it, but the trip was very short, and they read the book during the ride. If anyone is interested and in the Western North Carolina/Georgia/Tennessee area, you can go to gsmr. com to check them out. Maybe it has improved the last few years! It is really cute to drive through town and see all the kids in their pj's though!

 

[huntersmom]

Has anyone gone on the polar Express ride in Independence/ Cleveland Ohio area? I got tickets for this this year and am very excited but wanted to hear about how it is at this location the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Thanks!

 

[StillPinballFamily]

Post-trip update:

In a word - magical.

In two words - breathtakingly magical!

Did our Polar Express trip tonight (Lincoln). Snow falling during our entire trip - a totally great experience with our premium seats. Kids were entranced. Had a great pre-trip lunch/dinner at the Woodstock Inn Station. Funky and fun - very good food and cool atmosphere. Walked around Woodstock for a little while, hit the general store and the candy store - yum! Then headed back to the station to get in line for the boarding...

The kids loved all the goodies that came with the trip - and the premium car was lovely with the tables and the lights and the decorations. The volunteer elves and chefs and book reader (and conductor!) were marvelous. Our kids just kept saying to all the elves..."See you next year!" I guess we'll enter again next summer to see if we can get lucky enough for tickets in 2009!!! (They didn't know about the trip until this morning and were incredibly excited and happy!) The premium tickets also gave us the chance to sit up front for the North Pole Theater - had much more room around us on the floor and that seemed to make a difference for my kids and their ability to see and participate in the event there.

Our kids are headed for bed now but I couldn't wait to share how great this adventure was and to say that if you EVER have a chance to do this...grab it! Thanks to all the PPs who posted such great advice and helped get us so excited about this trip!

 

[npmommie]

Essex Steam Train in Essex, CT has the North Pole Express & The Santa Special.

http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/

Tickets go on sale August 1st-it kills me that I am standing outside the ticket counter sweating in shorts buying tickets for December where I will be freezing.

BTW, the train/train station was in the latest Indy movie that I have yet to see.

which did you do the north pole or santa special? are they good?
we did day out with thomas at essex a couple years ago,
there are still tix avail for santa special, i was thinking of doing it