All Aboard: Ride the real Polar Express with your family for a magical holiday experience

“The thing about trains... it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on.” – The Conductor, The Polar Express (2004)

Millions of families watched The Polar Express tonight, but did you know there's a real Polar Express train that the whole family can enjoy together?

Dressed in warm pajamas and comfy slippers, children of all ages are happy to climb aboard the Polar Express in Williams, Arizona every holiday season.

The real life version of the children’s movie and classic book takes children of all ages on a magical journey to the "North Pole" to see Santa Claus. Riders enjoy a trip through the cool Northern Arizona night air as the story of The Polar Express is told.

Hot. Hot. Oh, they got it: fresh hot chocolate to warm the tummies of travelers taking this journey. It’s included, along with cookies and a present for each tiny traveler. Tickets are $26 for adults and $14 for children 2 to 12.

My 2.5 year old daughter Ava and I rode the Polar Express last week. As the train rolled into the station kids started jumping up and down in excitement, including Ava. Her eyes got so wide in awe to see the "choo choo," as she screamed and pointed.

The train is decorated inside and out for the holidays. Inside each train car is an "elf" and "chef" that serves up the cocoa and a chocolate chip cookie and leads all the fun activities.

As the train pulls away from the station, you see the lights of the town twinkling outside and soon the train passes through the "magic tunnel" that shortens the journey to the North Pole and back to just about an hour.

Once the train arrives in the North Pole, you can see Santa sitting in his sleigh with one of his elves checking names on the "nice list." 

"The big man himself" then grabs a bell and hops aboard. As he walks down the aisles he greets each child and hands them a magical bell. Everyone on the train must "believe" because from that point on there's a whole lot of jingle bell rock going on.

On the ride back, your elf and chef lead everyone in Christmas carols and merrymaking.

Reservations on this enchanted ride begin filling up a year in advance for premium dates, but there are still limited seats available. You can check out their calendar of availability HERE.

The Polar Express runs from November thru January every year.