Get there early if the weather is hot. Only one air conditioned car. Nice trip for RR lovers and children. Kids free on some summer trips. Check web site for deals and special weekend events.
Unlike others who commented our family thoroughly enjoyed the Polar Express. We purchased the cheapest tickets so we were in an open car. It was a cold night but that made it even more realistic and it was fun to get all bundled up. Enjoyed the carolers on the train (we did not have chips and a drink-that must come with the higher priced tickets). When you arrive there are several things to see/do. As mentioned in another review there is a play area for the children which included a train table, a rice table, and some Lincoln logs. There were also arts/crafts for the kids. We only did one of these as my son is only 3 1/2 and we did not feel his attention span would last. There are also fire pits where you can sit and just enjoy the warmth of the fire or you can purchase kits to make smores. They did have a few food trucks which we ate before we went so we did not visit those. There is also a small train display where the kids can watch a train go around. Our son is really into trains so this was right up his alley. It is a little pricey but it is approximately 4 hours of fun and when you compare what you would pay to visit a theme park I think it was fairly priced. Overall a fantastic outing for any little train lovers out there.
You have a prime attraction for families and kids. Don't just take advantage of it. Have elves walking on trains, more activities for kids at stop. And put something around those fire pits. Its scared me with all the kids at night and those open pits.
We took this trip as a family with our three year old son who really loves trains. Train ride to the North Pole was 30 minutes and they provide a small bottle of water and bag of chips. Once arriving at the North Pole we departed the train and were immediately by the play area for kids which included train tables. Our child would not leave this area so we spent 3/4's of our two hours here. This area could have been arranged towards the back of the property allowing parents and children to get to see more of the experience.Speaking of the rest of the experience. After spending 50.00 a ticket I wouldn't expect to be nickel and dimed for things. You have to pay additional for s'mores. The free hot chocolate and cookies don't seem FREE when you have a BIG sign in front shaming you to give a DONATION. What wasn't my $50.00 a ticket enough?The good was the visit with Santa Claus. We will not be attending this again.
If there is a special event going on it can be a very entertaining and fun day. If the only thing happening is just a ride on the railroad don't waste your time or money. Short and boring. Maybe it can be a little fun for young children but what they have to offer is very limited.
Like all young boys older retired railway men love to keep the old stock running as a hobby. There is no better place to do it than at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish FL. There several pieces of equipment in the running stock offering passenger rides into the back woods of Florida where you will never know what will happen next..........
We have wanted to go for a long time. Children are free until Aug. 31 and decided to take the grandkids. What fun. We had a great time. They had a great time. Learned about Florida history and had great volunteers helping to create a wonderful time.
This railroad does have "themed rides". Today, Nov 1, 2014 was not one of those days. Totally boring. As someone else reviewed, it is a train ride, basically, thru brush. Blah! My wife and I will return for either the Mystery Dinner or the Great Train Robbery. I get the impression that most of the train staff are train staff emeritus. I also get the impression there are a lot of volunteers. I will review this attraction again, but, until then you may wish to avoid non-themed rides.
Don't know if we sat in the wrong car or not but unless we has asked one of the volunteer's for the history of the train, track it is on, where we were headed, and when the tracks were in as well as who owned them and how long tracks were plus tons of more questions nothing was shared for all riding to hear. We are thankful one volunteer sat with us the entire trip and answered all we kept asking.
Went here with my older brother. This place is really cool. I got to drive one of their trains for about an hour or so. It was awesome. Just be aware that I costs a couple hundred dollars or so. Not only that, but the staff was also very friendly. Their gift shop also has a collection of vintage train magazines that you can actually buy, which I thought was really cool. It's not a huge place, but the things they do have are great.