Polar Express Train ride near Clevlenad, Ohio?

[huntersmom]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has been on the Polar Express Train ride thru the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Independence, Ohio? We just won tickets and have read that the experience varies from location to location and it can be longer or shorter depending on where you take it from. Just wondering if anyone knows how long the ride is from this location and can give me any other details. Thanks so much.

 

[Denine]

I haven't been, but I have read that is is wonderful.

 

[goofygal531]

We're going on the one in Leigh Valley NJ this Dec. My DS4 is so excited!!!

I honestly know nothing about it! Just that they want the kids in their pjs so it's like the movie! Good thing they got cute matching flannels for xmas last year!

 

[XYSRUS]

I won 2 sets of tickets about 6 yrs. ago. It's cute and everything but not really outstanding-didn't live up to the expectations. We never went again. The kids weren't trilled with it, but I would say do it once and decide for yourself. Hope you all have a good time!

 

[kitsch4]

We went on the other leg of it from Downtown Akron to Peninsula when my kids were younger. We thought it was really fun. The kids wear their pajamas. During the ride to "The North Pole" (Peninsula), one of the "elves" read the Polar Express book. When we got to the North Pole, we saw elves and Santa. Then on the way back, we sang Christmas caroles and had hot chocolate and cookies. Santa gets on the train at the North Pole and then comes through the train greeting all the children and handing them little bells (like the book). I took our "Polar Express" book and had Santa sign it. We now use the bells as tree ornaments. We were able to do it twice. I tried last year to get tickets, but I wasn't picked for the lottery. Have fun!

 

[goofygal531]

I took our "Polar Express" book and had Santa sign it.

That is such a great idea!

 

[huntersmom]

Thanks for all the input. Kitsch4: do you remember how long the ride was? I heard at least an hour but some locations it can be up to 2 hours. We are so excited. We got tickets for an early ride on 11/21 so coming up soon. Thanks!

 

[kitsch4]

I just asked my husband if he remembers how long the ride was and he said 6 or 7 hours. Maybe it seemed like that to him! I know he enjoyed it, though. We seem to remember that it was maybe an hour and a half. Not positive, though. I'm excited for you. It's so cute to see the kids get so excited looking out the windows. One little boy who was sitting by us swore he saw a wolf (like in the book). You'll have a great time! How old are your kids?

 

[huntersmom]

I was hoping it was a bit more than just the one hour, but either way we will enjoy it. My son is 5 and loves the polar express. I haven't told him we are going. I am going to pick him up at school about 1/2 hour early that day and tell him when he gets home to get his pajamas on and then i will tell him. We live in Erie, about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away depending on weather and traffic and my husband is actually not going on the ride but meeting up with some childhood friends in Parma, so i really wasn't sure how long to tell him to be gone and come back for us. I am sure there is stuff to do there so I guess i can just tell him about 2 hours ballpark time and we should all be happy. Thanks again.