Press Tickets
I know I have been fortunate to experience a lot of amazing things through my blog over the years but our ride on Swanage Railway’s Polar Express last week was just incredible, the best activity I have done with my three children and the best festive experience I have ever done (and I have a thirteen year old so I have done a lot of Christmas activities in that time).
We were invited along to the press launch event last Thursday, which also happened to be my daughter Carly’s 11th birthday, so it was extra magical for us all to be able to do something so lovely on the day. Upon arrival at the station, we were handed a golden ticket each to the Polar Express and ushered onto the platform which had been transformed into a magical walkway with so many staff members in character all getting us excited for the train to arrive with music, dancing, over the top gestures and reactions to everything happening around us. The two child actors also sang on the platform before the train pulled up, which was really lovely. They were both very confident and talented.
As the train pulled into the station, we saw lots of characters onboard waving to us, whilst we were encouraged to wave our tickets in the air. The smoke from the traditional steam train just made it all the more atmospheric and truly a special experience from the start. Next up it was time to board. There was a bit of confusion as the tickets didn’t have any carriage numbers on or anything so we were all bustling around a little bit to get on the train, but there was no need to panic as we all had a seat and it was really nicely decorated on the train itself, truly bringing that festive feel to the carriages.
Excitement building, our host for the evening introduced themselves and asked for all of our names. It was at this point that I mentioned it being Carly’s birthday and one of the ladies insisted everybody on the carriage join in with her singing Happy Birthday, which was so lovely (although it did almost make us late for the next part of the experience, oops)!
If you have seen the film or read the book of Polar Express you will know that it is filled with fun characters who are a little ‘over the top’, especially the conductor, and we were not disappointed by the portrayal from the actors on board. I don’t want to spoil all the surprises, but it was really fun for the whole family, I found myself beaming throughout most of the journey.
There were hot chocolates and freshly baked cookies, the chance to write out your Christmas wish lists for Santa, a singalong to Christmas carols and a reading of the Polar Express story, plus lots of character interaction and even a visit from the big man himself (which was one of the nicest Santa experiences I have had with the kids). He was so lovely with Benjamin who is seven and a little socially awkward, he even mimicked Benjamin clicking his fingers, which we caught on camera and was so special for him.
At the end of the train ride, we all had a little gift from Santa, which we got to take home with us. There was fake snow as we disembarked, and it was really magical, such an amazing experience and one I am so grateful to have experienced with my children, mum and eldest’s grandma. What made it even more special was that my eldest Cameron’s dad was the operations director and unexpectedly heading up the train, so we got to go and speak with him at the end of the night as well.
If you are looking for something magical to do to get in the festive spirit with your family this Christmas, I cannot recommend Polar Express with Swanage Railway enough. If you are on the fence about getting tickets, do it! You will not be disappointed, I promise. I would also argue it is not just an experience for younger children, my thirteen and eleven year old children loved it, and I did too as a woman in her thirties (plus my mum was loving it and got right into writing her Christmas Wishlist onboard too).
We were very kindly invited along to the press launch event and provided with complimentary tickets, however all words and images are my own.
