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

[StillPinballFamily]

Anyone done this? We'd be first timers. We paid our $10 to enter the lottery (for the Lincoln trips) and the lottery calls get made this coming Monday. Are we crazy for thinking about doing the premium seats instead of the $40 coach ones? Are they *that* much better? Why? (We have two special needs kids - autism - and were hoping perhaps that maybe this area would be slightly more spacious and slightly less crazy/loud/busy...) Are we supposing wrong? We know it isn't a dome car, since that's just on the North Conway trips, but how nice are the premium cars?

Also, can anyone tell us about "The North Pole Theater" and the "First Class goody bags" we get with these tickets?

We're looking at doing the earlier of the two nightly trips (the 5 p.m. one) on either a Sat or Sun in early Dec, so we can do this as a fun and not exhausting day trip, rather than an overnight. That would be great, but it isn't in the budget.

Thanks so much for any advice and experiences you could share! Can you tell I'm anxious about spending $250+ for a one day trip (+ food, + gas...) in this lousy economy? We've been thinking of doing this for the past few years, but my kids really didn't get into the Polar Express story/movie until last Christmas. Proceeds do support a worthy non-profit, but...I'm still trying to be cautious about spending. We appreciate any and all suggestions!

 

[burberryplaid]

Are you in NH? If you're in MA and want an alternative, I suggest the Edaville Railroad in Carver. It's much cheaper, only $18 per person.

I can't comment on the quality of the NH trip, just wanted to let you know there was a cheaper alternative out there.

 

[ptmmg]

Anyone done this? We'd be first timers. We paid our $10 to enter the lottery (for the Lincoln trips) and the lottery calls get made this coming Monday. Are we crazy for thinking about doing the premium seats instead of the $40 coach ones? Are they *that* much better? Why? (We have two special needs kids - autism - and were hoping perhaps that maybe this area would be slightly more spacious and slightly less crazy/loud/busy...) Are we supposing wrong? We know it isn't a dome car, since that's just on the North Conway trips, but how nice are the premium cars?

Also, can anyone tell us about "The North Pole Theater" and the "First Class goody bags" we get with these tickets?

We're looking at doing the earlier of the two nightly trips (the 5 p.m. one) on either a Sat or Sun in early Dec, so we can do this as a fun and not exhausting day trip, rather than an overnight. That would be great, but it isn't in the budget.

Thanks so much for any advice and experiences you could share! Can you tell I'm anxious about spending $250+ for a one day trip (+ food, + gas...) in this lousy economy? We've been thinking of doing this for the past few years, but my kids really didn't get into the Polar Express story/movie until last Christmas. Proceeds do support a worthy non-profit, but...I'm still trying to be cautious about spending. We appreciate any and all suggestions!

I missed the lottery I am so mad at myself I thought it was until Oct.31 and last week I went to submit it and I realized it was Oct 1st

anyway no advise but I know people that have gone and said it was great not sure if the did premium or not. GOOD LUCK hope you get called let us know!

 

[nrod]

My family did this last year and had a blast! We did do the premium seats, but honestly I can't remember the difference. I know we had a seat with a table and got unlimited hot chocolate. The goody bag was actually pretty nice - it was a cute, small (VERY small) tote with a nice polartec fleece scarf. The "elves" were great and very much in character. They were so nice we had our pictures taken with them. Ask them their names and what they do for Santa ... very funny.

The North pole theater is a bit chaotic. It is general admission seating on the floor. My 4 year old was a bit slow up the hill (plus I was carrying my 2 year old), so we got there with very little time to spare and were squished in with some other folks. A man comes out and reads the Polar Express and "picks" a little boy from the audience. Then Santa comes out and speaks to everyone and leads a sing-a-long. I was disappointed as I was under the impression that the kids got to visit with Santa and have a picture, but that is not the case.

My overall thoughts are that it was a lot of money and I wouldn't do it every year, but it was a neat experience and both my boys still talk about it periodically. It really is quite magical making your way to the "North Pole" through snowy North Conway - we arrived just before a HUGE storm last year. And the "elves" really made it fun for us. We also stayed at the Hampton Inn with the Indoor Water Park and I think that made as much of an impression on them as did the train ride. At the time I remember saying that we could have stayed in the hotel and saved our money on the train ride. But since then the kids have mentioned the train and going to the North Pole so often, that I think it was worth it. Oh yeah, make sure you wear your pajamas if you go - totally fun for the kids! Good luck with the lottery!! HTH.

ETA: I use the mini-tote bags to carry toys for my kids when we go to restaurants or for long car rides. I really liked them!

 

[merrily]

I have been twice from North Conway. Both times have been in the First Class section. The first time we were in a special car that had limited seating. The seats were not train seat but more like patio furniture and they all faced out the windows. The second time we were in a regular car. The gift bag as I recall was a snack or two and a cd of Christmas music. Nothing really special (the cd wasn't that great and we certainly didn't need 3 of them!) Everyone gets the hot chocolate, candy and bell like are mentioned in the book. Both times we went, the theatre was different and in different locations. Be prepared to sit on the floor. It is crowded and loud in the theatre. As for the train, if you are in a car where people are really into it, there could be singing going on.

If they call you (and I hope they do!) you may not have much to choose from as far as dates and times. The first year we "won" the lottery I got the call about 4:30pm and we had to go on a Thursday. They have since added more times but you may need to be flexible about when you can go and what type of tickets you'll take. Make sure you wear your pjs! Let us know if you "win"!

 

[rlnlandal]

Definitely worth it! We went 2 years ago, and will try to go again next year, we would this year but we are going to WDW over thanksgiving. Coach seats just have a bench and I don't think you get the gift bag, we loved having the bags and the table, it was a wonderful experience great memories.

 

[tripplanner2]

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.

 

[StillPinballFamily]

Thanks, you terrific DISers! These replies are very helpful! The volunteers call the lucky prospective ticket buyers between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. tomorrow, so having this info from you guys so swiftly is really great. I'll be tied to my telephone(s) all day hoping for the call.

I'll let you know what happens - IF we get called late and there are only Thurs & Fri left, we'll take a pass for this year. It would just be too tough to make the long drive back and forth during the work week. But if we're really lucky and get a slot on a weekend, that would be terrific and I suppose we'd go for it!

It seems that it would be fun to do this once, while the kids are young enough to enjoy it and old enough to remember it. If anyone wants more info on the Polar Express train trips, here's the link:

http://www.polarexpress.org/index.html

 

[StillPinballFamily]

This is SO stressful! 9:30 a.m. - no call yet.

(I'd much rather get up early and try to call in our Disney dining ADRs right at 7 a.m. when those lines open than sit and wait for someone from the Polar Express to call me!!!)

The PE folks take any phone numbers you want to give them, but, if they pull your name in the lottery to buy tix, they only try to call each one only once - no call backs.

So, unless I want to drag my calendar, credit card, and the half a brain I have left this morning to the grocery store and out to walk the dog, I'm stuck here at home waiting for the phone to ring and guess I'll have to start cleaning and scrubbing things - rats! Hmmmm....maybe I'll curl up with a good book instead !

Ugh!

 

[beansmom]

Ihad no idea about this so thanks OP...of course,we have no chance for this but like the Red Sox are saying this morning 'there's always NEXT year!'

 

[princessfionasmom]

I have friends who go every year and they love it. We were going to try go this year but we are going to WDW the week after thanksgiving but maybe next year we'll try. I think my friend does the premium seats and she says it's worth it. Although this year in Scituate MA we have our own version going on with the new train in town so it will be interesting to see how that one is. Good luck I hope you get your ticks and have a great time! Let us know how you make out!

 

[PatsMom]

Good luck to the OP in the lottery! I don't know about the Lincoln train but the one in North Conway gets rave reviews. I was never able to get tickets when DD was young - I still enter the lottery every year figuring I'll take my niece. DD has been an elf and said it was absolutely an awesome thing to do. She had a great time with the little kids. And when we drive through town during Polar Express time it is so cute to see the little kids in the PJs heading for the train station!

 

[StillPinballFamily]

Noon - still nothing.

Sigh...

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Hi! Just wanted to say hi and that I "know" the elves very well

Its such a joy to do this each year

 

[StillPinballFamily]

Hi! Just wanted to say hi and that I "know" the elves very well

Its such a joy to do this each year

Great! Tell the other elves to stop calling all those *other* people and ring my phone instead!!!

Hoping, hoping, hoping...

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I don't call, sorry But maybe if you get tickets, my "friend" will meet you at the North Pole

 

[StillPinballFamily]

Yippee! There is Christmas magic on the DIS!

Seconds after my last post, my phone rang and I JUST hung up from the Polar Express people - the elves DID call!!!!

We got four premium tickets for our first choice (!) of dates and times - the (early) 5 p.m. trip on a Sunday in December.

I am SO excited - and I know the kids will be, too. (But, shhhhhhhh... we'll keep this a secret Christmas surprise for awhile...) We do a December Christmas calendar - with 24 pockets and a slip of paper in each with some fun inexpensive activity or treat for each day - some are like "Milk Shake night" or "Breakfast for Dinner" while others are "Go see neighborhood Christmas decorations tonight" or "Bubble Bath night..."

I think we just might have a "Polar Express Tonight" slip in there this year...

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Yippee! There is Christmas magic on the DIS!

Seconds after my last post, my phone rang and I JUST hung up from the Polar Express people - the elves DID call!!!!

We got four premium tickets for our first choice (!) of dates and times - the (early) 5 p.m. trip on a Sunday in December.

I am SO excited - and I know the kids will be, too. (But, shhhhhhhh... we'll keep this a secret Christmas surprise for awhile...) We do a December Christmas calendar - with 24 pockets and a slip of paper in each with some fun inexpensive activity or treat for each day - some are like "Milk Shake night" or "Breakfast for Dinner" while others are "Go see neighborhood Christmas decorations tonight" or "Bubble Bath night..."

I think we just might have a "Polar Express Tonight" slip in there this year...

Congratulations!!!

 

[merrily]

Wow! Congrats! I had to enter two or three times before I ever got the call. Hope you have a great time. Don't forget your pj's!

 

[PatsMom]

Congrats and have an awesome time! The kids will love it.