The Polar Express Wensleydale Railway 2024 review as magic returns to kick-start Christmas countdown

Every year The Polar Express is one of the most popular Christmas attractions, and it’s back again this year at Wensleydale Railway for the 20th anniversary of the iconic film.

Over 50,000 guests joined the phenomenon last year and we were invited along for opening night. We all donned our matching Christmas pyjamas and headed up to the station. It feels odd going out in pyjamas - never mind matching Christmas ones - but 99% of people there are in some form of nightwear, so you soon feel right at home.

As you arrive, you’re met by the warming aroma of mulled wine and street food. There are a few different stalls outside serving hot drinks, hot food and sweets. Into the marquee and there’s a naughty or nice scanner and a designated waiting area for each carriage.

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A stage features some entertainment, and the start of The Polar Express film, right before you’re called to the platform. The platform is decorated beautifully - with tinsel and festive decorations. As soon as you step out you can smell the steam trains.

As the speakers crackle, the steam train approaches - tooting its horn and flashing its light as snow starts falling from above as the train slowly pulls into the station. It truly is a sight to behold. And it’s hard not to get in the festive spirit.

Once aboard, you’re met by a conductor and the chefs - as depicted in the film. There’s music, lights and dancing galore as you’re entertained with the songs and routines from the blockbuster. The accents never faltered either with the Boston twang of the conductor still ringing in our ears long after we departed.

Hot chocolate and cookies are served to all passengers during the journey, which takes around an hour in total. The chefs help tell the rest of the Polar Express story with huge picture books before Santa boards the train.

He then makes his way down the carriage to meet everyone. Now, as magical and Christmassy as The Polar Express is, for me, it’s not a very good Santa experience.

The interaction with Santa is very minimal. He only asked our kids’ names and gave them each a bell before he was onto the next family. He did come back through for a quick picture, but it all felt very rushed. We’ve done so many other Santa experiences and Christmas days out in Yorkshire over the years and it’s difficult to compare this, simply because the time with Santa is so short.

My daughter, who is 6, was concerned she didn’t even get chance to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. But, like I said to my wife, Santa is such a small part of the film, so the Polar Express experience is an accurate depiction of that.

If you’re a fan of the film, and are looking for a magical experience to get you into the Christmas spirit, then The Polar Express is definitely the trip for you. However, with the train ride taking just an hour, the experience isn’t very long.

You can make it last longer by spending time in the courtyard area with the stalls, and looking around the gift shop, but the train ride itself is over relatively quickly. So if it’s a full-day, Santa experience that you are hankering for, this probably isn’t the one for you.

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