Grab your favorite festive pajamas and jump aboard as the classic story from The Polar Express comes to LIFE. Ride on a magical journey to the North Pole with all the scenes from the movie including hot chocolate, visiting with Santa, and receiving the first gift of Christmas. The Polar Express train ride is offered at over 40 cities around the US with one right here in Indiana at the French Lick Resort.
The Train Ride
This 70 minute long magical journey takes you and your family to none other than the North Pole of course. This experience operated by Rail Events Inc. and Warner Bros., brings the classic book (and subsequent Tom Hanks movie) to life. During the ride you will hear the reading of the Polar Express book along with music. You will experience the dancing chefs as they deliver your hot chocolate, visit with the main character boy and hobo, and receive the first gift of Christmas from Santa himself. Just like in the Polar Express, Santa gives each passenger a silver sleigh bell. Santa boards the train at the North Pole and visits each family on the trip back. The elves lead the passengers in singing Christmas carols and dancing that you and and your family can join in on. It all sounds amazing because it is! This was our 3rd trip on this Polar Express and we already can’t wait to go back. I truly enjoy seeing our boys laugh and dance along with the elves. I couldn’t stop smiling during the whole ride.
Activity Tent
Make some time before or after the train ride and visit the activity tent. Enjoy time playing with at a train table, coloring pages, writing on the huge white board and more.
Photo Opportunities
Have your camera ready as their are several photo opportunities that you won’t want to miss. Starting at the entrance, you can take a picture in front of the huge Polar Express backdrop. Then head inside the big white tent for more photo opportunities provided exclusively by Centerbeam Photo. Their set up included both a festive backdrop with luggage and green screen. Once on board, you can take pictures with the Elves and Santa too. Centerbeam Photo will also accompany Santa for a professional photo. You can purchase and download one photo for $14.95 or all of your pictures for $45.
Tickets
Plan accordingly as the tickets to ride go on sale a year in advance. So buy them early because they will sell out quickly. Ticket prices range from $35 to $90 per person depending on your seating preference. You can select coach or first class seats plus they have a dome view option. Keep in mind that there is no assigned seating in coach. Our family has done the first class tickets with the assigned table seats a few times now. For us the table is easier to eat our cookies and enjoy the hot chocolate. Plus every first class passenger gets a souvenir mug and polar express bag. When you pick up your tickets at will call, you also receive a golden ticket for each passenger to have the conductor hole punch during your trip.
Tips For Your Ride
- Book your tickets early! Like a year in advance early. Tickets go on sale in November of the year before and sell out quickly. Really think about the dates as the tickets are not refundable or transferable.
- If traveling with a large group, then have one person book the tickets so that way everyone can stay together.
- Wear your pajamas, everyone is doing it! Yes even the adults!
- Arrive early! It says to arrive 30 minutes before but I would advise to arrive a minimum of an hour before.
- Plan for plenty of time to take photos.
- Visit the restroom before you depart. You won’t want to miss even a second of the entertainment.
- Get a Polar Express newspaper as it makes a for great keepsake with the date on it.
- During the ride, have your camera out for photo opportunities.
- Bring a copy of the Polar Express book to follow along with the narrator reading the book over the speakers.
- Make a fun weekend out of it and visit other events and hotels around the area
Gift Shop
If you can dream it, they have it. Every kind of Polar Express souvenir and toy that you can imagine. My boys each got a train track set to put around the trees in their rooms. We have also bought the Polar Express hats, light up swords, and ornaments in the past.
Pajamas
Wearing pajamas on the Polar Express ride is a must at least for the kids. I even saw adults wearing them but couldn’t convince my hubby to wear his out in public. There are so many options to choose from and this year I ordered ours from Crafty Threadz. She did an amazing job on them and I loved how the blue color matched their Polar Express hats. Crafty Threadz also sells pajamas for other holidays and items like personalized hats, Halloween totes, blankets and much more.
West Baden Springs Hotel
French Lick resort consists of two different historic locations of French Lick Springs and West Baden Springs. You can ride the trolley or the caboose between the two hotels. The trolley will also take you to other locations around town. The views inside the hotel are just breath taking. The giant Christmas tree in the atrium is a must see. You can even have dinner at Ballard’s and enjoy the ambiance. During select times you can enjoy the sounds of the season with live music, holiday choirs, and even performances by the Charles Dickens Carolers. Check Your Guide for the Holidays at French Lick Resort for all the dates and times. We did not stay at this hotel but if you do, I would recommend a room with a view of the atrium and Christmas tree.
French Lick Springs Hotel
This hotel has it all and something for everyone to enjoy from a bowling alley and the spa. There are also so many festive events to do here as a family during the 50 Days of Lights. Some of the children activities include story time with Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, ornament making, watching holiday movies, and toymaker workshop inside kidfest. The kids and I enjoyed watching The Elf movie and getting ice cream from French Lick Mercantile. This mama opted for wine from the bartenders in the lobby.
Be sure to meet and greet with Santa and take a photo near the life size gingerbread house. After our photo with Santa, we took full advantage of the endless photo opportunities in a winter wonderland along hallway on the second level. There are reindeer, toy emporium, sleigh, and many more. I say endless or until your camera card runs out of storage or your kids are just D.O.N.E! Lastly, don’t forget to watch the projection show outside the front of the French Lick Resort at 6 & 9pm.
Other Nearby Accommodations
There are other hotels in the area like French Lick Best Western and Big Splash Adventure. Best Western has the best prices on rooms especially for a larger family and offers a free breakfast. At Big Splash Adventure you can enjoy an indoor waterpark. What kid won’t love to play at a waterpark. This is definitely on our list to visit soon. Several hotels also offer packages that include Polar Express Tickets and may help save some money.
Family Friendly Dining Options
Even though French Lick is not a very big town, there are several options to choose from to eat as a family. Chicago Pizza has the best pizza around plus they offer discounted train packages with pizza, breadsticks, and soda. 33 Brick Street, German Cafe, Pluto’s Pizzeria, and Hager’s Club House are just a few more places to choose from. Take the time to eat before your train ride to avoid the hangry tantrums.
Now you can see why so many people come to French Lick for the Polar Express. We drove over 4 hours to come here for this event 3 times now and already planning next years trip. It is so worth it! These memories really will last a lifetime. Start planning your trip too!
Would you believe I live in central Indiana and haven’t been to French Link! I need to make it happen! This trip looks magical. I personally love the Polar Bear Express train rides regardless of my kids getting older!