CFT Featured Article / Nov - Dec 2007

Here Comes Santa Claus

Where to find St. Nick this holiday season

With Christmas just around the corner, we know the question on everyone’s mind is where is Santa Claus and how is it that this jolly ole soul can be in so many places at one time? Well we’ve found a few holiday suggestions to answer just those very questions and bring some Christmas magic to you and your little ones.

United States:

All Aboard! The Polar Express™

“Well, are you coming?” asks the conductor.
“Where?”
“Why, to the North Pole, of course. This is The Polar Express!”

Pajama clad passengers will board trains bound for the North Pole at more than twenty railroads nationwide this holiday season! Rail Events, Inc. which licenses and overseas The Polar Express™ Train Ride Events on behalf of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Inc., anticipates the event will sell over a quarter million tickets in 2007!

While there are other holiday themed train rides available, there is only one officially licensed group of The Polar Express™ Train Ride Events. The Polar Express™ train rides, which operate in November and December, are based on the beloved children’s book, by Chris Allsburg, and the holiday feature film from Warner Bros. Pictures about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. The participating railroads follow a requisite of guidelines that ensure a consistent and quality experience at each and every location. Rail Events, Inc.’s involvement has made it possible for many tourist railroads &museums and other organizations to participate that were unable to do so in the past.

“Prior to our affiliation, only a handful of railroads were able to secure the required license agreement directly through Warner Bros.,” explains Jon Schlegel, Vice President & General Manager of Rail Events, Inc.

“Warner Bros. simply didn’t have the staff to handle all of the requests they were getting from our industry. We have more than doubled the number of participating railroads and think that number will continue to increase.”

Families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with the conductor, cocoa and cookies served by chefs onboard, followed by a reading of Van Allsburg’s classic story: The Polar Express™. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa Claus will greet the children and each child will receive their own jingle bell, just like in the story. There will be songs from the motion picture soundtrack and caroling on board too! This is a holiday ride the entire family will enjoy year after year! Additional information and a list of participating railroads can be found at www.polarexpressride.com. “All Aboard! For those who truly “believe!”

Home of Santa’s Workshop

The Enchanted Village of the Adirondack’s North Pole, offers family weekends in true yuletide fashion. Founded in 1949 by Arto Monaco. Santa’s Workshop has been creating lasting memories for children and parents alike. They offer family weekend packages beginning November 17, 2007. For more information please check out Santa's Workshop on the web.

All Aboard! The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat in Essex, Connecticut gives children the chance to experience train travel with Santa and all his friends. Santa Claus makes it a point to visit with each child on the train and will listen to each of their Christmas wishes. Mrs. Claus and Rudolph are also on hand. Also, who could forget about those busy elves? Santa’s elves have a gift for all children on board.

United Kingdom

SANTA SEASON AT GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY.
DECEMBER 1st - 24th

SANTA PLUS

Celebrate the festive season in style with a longer steamed hauled Steam ride. Pull open a Christmas cracker. Adults enjoy a sherry or soft drink and a traditional mince pie, while children nibble on a cookie and a chocolate 'Santa'. Enjoy a chat with Santa as he hands out quality gifts to the children with our compliments, and be entertained by our very own children's entertainer.

SANTA SPECIALS

Travel from Loughborough to Leicester North and back on board the Steam hauled Santa Special. Adults enjoy festive refreshments( traditional mince pie, sherry or soft drink) and children receive a quality gift from Santa, a drink and sweets with our compliments. The journey lasts for approximately 55mins.

Take advantage of the reduced rates for the weekend of
December 1st and 2nd.
Pre-booking is essential.
For more information:
Tel: 01509 230726
Great Central Railway

A big thank you to Jon Schlegel from Rail Events, Inc. and Lynn Hill from Great Central Railway for their contributions to this month’s article. If you would like further information or have any questions or if you know of any special holiday events, please send the CFT staff an email, we would love to hear from you!

From all of us here at ChildFriendlyTravel.com, we wish you and yours a very happy holiday season.