It’s our favorite time of the year! We love the Christmas holiday season. Earlier this month we were treated to a media preview of the Polar Express on the Mt. Hood Railroad as we rode the train to the North Pole. Donned our PJs, we boarded the train in Hood River, Oregon, and The POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride rolled out of the station bound for the North Pole!
Climb aboard the train as a family to cozied-up to enjoy the festively-decorated vintage train cars. This was the first time we’d enjoyed a ride in the parlor car with the glass top on the second story of the train. What a view!
The conductor took our golden tickets and punched our initials in each one. Dancing chefs delivered hot chocolate in beautiful collectors mugs and gave us each a cookie to savor while music from the Polar Express movie plays en route to the North Pole.
Before arriving at the North Pole, the iconic book, The Polar Express was read as our Chef turns the pages to share the beautiful illustrations in a giant-sized original book. With the station far away, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride magically arrives at the outskirts of Santa’s North Pole village, where Santa Claus himself and his elves joyously welcome the train!
As you stay comfortably settled and warm in your train car seat, Santa and his helper elves board the train!
During the return trip, Santa greeted each child and chatted with them and asked what they wanted for Christmas and if they had been good girls and boys. They were each then given his signature holiday gift: the first gift of Christmas, a bell cut from his sleigh. It is said that only children and those who still believe can actually hear the bell ring.
This is a great activity for families, extended families, friends, and school groups. Even our older non-believers look forward to this annual holiday tradition because it’s just that: part of a family holiday tradition and a great way to celebrate the holiday season. This holiday tradition never gets old, despite the fact that we’ve been doing it for about 10 years now.
For more information on the Mount Hood Railroad and the Polar Express in Oregon:
www.facebook.com/mounthoodrailroad
www.twitter.com/MtHoodRR
- SEND HELP is a Campy, Wild, Dark Ride - January 29, 2026
- Mental Health Treatment Is Getting More Personal and That Is a Good Thing - January 29, 2026
- The New Language of Addiction Care, Where Design, Dignity, and Depth Matter - January 24, 2026
[…] Every year we hop aboard the Polar Express to the North Pole in our pajamas to see the man in red as a family. Tonight we’ll be boarding the Polar Express as part of our annual family tradition. You can read what it’s like to take a ride to the North Pole here. […]