The Polar Express [DVD] [2004]

Product Information

Birmingham is one of the best cities in the UK to visit at Christmas with kids and your visit would not be complete without a ride on the Polar Express. The transfer of The Polar Express looks extremely good. It's presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1, and is anamorphically enhanced. Duration: The Scottish Polar Express Train ride lasts about 30 minutes each way but allow 2 hours for the whole experience. Location: Wealden Railway Co. Ltd, West Station, Nevill Terrace, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY. The story seems to be a fairly linear one, but only in retrospect. As the film develops, there are constantly hints that the story could go in this, that, or another direction, so we never really know what to expect next... and as a result, we're in exactly the right mindset to be open to whatever wonderful or delightful surprise is around the next corner. In terms of the story arc, the journey is the destination: except for the scene at the heart of the film, the child characters are always moving forward literally as well as figuratively. That's no coincidence; the film takes on the metaphor of life as a journey so completely that it ceases to be a metaphor and becomes a magical reality. There's a sense that the train ride for the characters is exactly as long as it needs to be, and that the figures of the conductor and the hobo are much more powerful than they seem to be at first glance.

It's Christmas Eve and a young boy is having doubts that Santa Claus exists. Then a magical train, the Polar Express, appears outside his house. It's destination? The North Pole. Its young passengers are going to meet Santa, but not before having some adventures along the way. — grantss There are currently 12 locations across the UK where you can find a UK Polar Express Train Experience. If you happen to be in the US, there are many more US Polar Express locations there!

Map of the UK Polar Express Train Rides

Location: Embsay & Bolton Abbey Polar Express location: Bolton Abbey Station, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AF. Each train ride offers a unique experience, but they will follow a similar format. See below for each Polar Express location, but in general, the experience will closely follow the Polar Express story. Meeting your favourite Polar Express characters on this magical journey to the North Pole will be a truly memorable experience. On the other hand, much of the film is an excuse to dazzle with roller-coaster-like rides on the express train that roars across various landscapes making wild leaps and turns, all the while thrilling us with a sense of adventure and excitement. For the very young, the ride might be a scary one, especially when the daring young hero rides atop the train during a blustery snowstorm. Location: Churnet Valley Railway, Kingsley and Froghall Station, Froghall, Staffordshire, ST10 2HA.

When you arrive in the ‘North Pole’, you meet Santa who gifts a silver sleigh bell (just like the Polar Express bell in the movie) to all kids on the nice list! There will be hot chocolate and singing and a gift of a silver bell as a memento of your special day. The Polar Express steam train departs from Spa Valley Railway on a magical journey to the North Pole. The whole experience is very similar to all of the other Polar Express train rides with singing and dancing Polar Express characters. This is the story of a young hero boy who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus' home on Christmas Eve night. During this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. — Anthony Pereyra {[email protected]}On arrival at the ‘North Pole’ you will see festive lights and Santa will board the train giving out gifts. The train ride will last approximately one hour and will include dancing and singing characters from the Polar Express movie. There are many Christmas steam train experiences in the UK but the most well known of all of them are the Polar Express train rides. Visually, The Polar Express is a treat. Here we can see computer graphics coming to maturity in film; the technology is used here to create a picture-book world with a soft, magical feel to it that not only is faithful to the look of the original picture book by Chris Van Allsburg, but is also perfectly matched to the tone of the film. Technology also makes it possible to create some simply amazing shots, and entire scenes, that would have been impossible otherwise. The "dancing waiters" sequence is eye-poppingly clever and engaging, for instance, but then again, the entire film is filled with one scene after another that offers breathtaking images and amazing visual flights of fancy (sometimes literally so).

You might also like to read our post on Christmas events in Norfolk for ideas for more festive days out in Norfolk or find out where to find the best Christmas light displays in Norfolk. We also have a guide to the Norfolk Christmas markets happening this yer. Remember to be on their best behaviour as the elves will be scanning little ones to see if they’re on the nice list this year. Don’t miss the 20-minute pre-show before the train ride. When the closing credits roll and you think "I want to watch that movie again!" you know you've just seen something special. That's the case with The Polar Express: it's a polished little gem of a film that tells its story exactly right and leaves you feeling charmed and delighted... just like the protagonist, the little boy who falls asleep on Christmas Eve wondering if Santa Claus really exists, only to be woken up by the thunderous arrival of the Polar Express to take him on a trip to the North Pole to meet the great man himself. Duration: The return journey lasts around 1 hour with a 30 minute performance beforehand. Swanage Railway Polar Express Duration: The train journey lasts about one hour, but it is recommended to allow 2 – 2.5 hours for the whole experience.All in all, quite an imaginative and innovative achievement--impressive enough to assure its place among future Christmas favorites with unlimited appeal for the young in heart. The message of Christmas is lightly hinted at but when Tom Hanks as the train conductor tells the little boy, "The true meaning of Christmas is in your heart," we can be assured that children everywhere will definitely "get it".

And to add a cozier touch to the proceedings, certain famous Christmas songs are interjected at intervals to give the North Pole--and the film--a warmer glow. That said, the whole experience is very similar to all of the other Polar Express train rides with singing and dancing Polar Express characters. The Polar Express Christmas train ride is based on a lovely Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg (also one of the best Christmas movies for kids), The Polar Express. These Santa steam train journeys offer a fabulously festive Christmas family day out.

Do you have to wear pyjamas on the Polar Express?

Duration: The Staffordshire Polar Express Train Ride lasts about an hour with the whole experience lasting about 2 hours.