I love this time of the year. The weather starts to get cooler, Christmas lights are strung up everywhere, and my kids start to countdown to Christmas. I especially love doing all the Christmas traditions we have started over the years with my kids, and adding new ones to our list. Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train will definitely be added as one of ours from now on! The Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train ride is a magical experience for everyone, especially for my 2 year old son whose fascination with trains was brought to life the minute he saw the train. He couldn’t contain his excitement when we told him we were going to ride the train to the “North Pole” to meet Santa Claus! Once you arrive at the “North Pole” you can purchase hot chocolate, drinks, cookies or popcorn while you wait for your turn to see Santa Claus. Once it’s your turn, you get to take a family photo with him, and the kids can give their wish lists to Santa.
Once you’re done, you take the train back to the Irvine Park Railroad train depot, and explore a wonderland of beautiful Christmas lights, purchase a Christmas tree at the Christmas tree farm, run in a holiday hay maze, hear a story told from Mrs. Claus, go Ice Fishing for prizes, decorate cookies, and check out a Christmas house. There are numerous places for photo opportunities along with cute Christmas themed cut-outs for the kids to pop their heads into!
It surely was a wonderful moment of family fun at Irvine Park Railroad. This will be on our “to do” list every year in December.
if you would like to visit the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train, you must order your ticket ONLINE. The train runs through December 23, 2014.
Event Details:
It’s the season, once again for Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Christmas Train. Come with family and friends and take this enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train will depart every 15 minutes from the brightly-lit train station and drop passengers off at the North Pole.
Christmas Train tickets may be purchased to ride the train at a specific date and time — get in line and board the train any time during the hour for which you purchase tickets. Tickets may be purchased online ONLY and can be purchased beginning November 1st. Tickets may not be purchased in person. Visit www.IrvineParkRailroad.com for details.
While waiting to board the train, there are many activities for children to enjoy in Santa’s Village located next to the train station. Activities will open one hour prior to when the Christmas Train runs and include:
--Story Time with Mrs. Claus Christmas
--Cookie Decorating
--Carnival Games
--Ice Fishing
--Santa Claus Moon Bounce
--Christmas Coloring Corner
--Picture Stands.
Prices for activities vary; for additional information and costs, visit www.IrvineParkRailroad.com.
At the North Pole, visitors may purchase coffee, hot chocolate, freshly-popped popcorn, hot pretzels and cookies from the Elf House Snack Bar. A full kitchen menu is also available at the train station.
Visitors may take their own pictures with Santa or you may purchase a picture taken by Irvine Park Railroad. Each 5” x 7” photo will be presented with an Irvine Park Railroad border and available for pickup shortly after being taken.
After visiting with Santa, hop back aboard the train and enjoy the colorful Christmas lights and decorations, as well as the magical “Tunnel of Lights”, on the ride back to the station.
When visiting the Christmas Train, remember to dress warmly, bring a camera and arrive early to avoid crowds.
The cost to ride the Christmas Train is $12.00 per person. Children younger than 24 months ride free.
The parking for Irvine Regional Park is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends. Parking for the Christmas Train is free after 5:00 PM.
And, when you visit the Christmas Train, be sure and plan time to visit Irvine Park Railroad's Christmas Tree Ranch. You're sure to find the perfect Christmas tree for your home. Trees include Noble firs, Douglas firs, and Grand firs. Visit our web site for complete details.
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