Testing Swanage's Polar Express Christmas train experience

We hopped on board Dorset’s very own magical Polar Express experience to give it a go.

The excitement begins as soon as you enter the doors of Swanage Railway Station - actors are there to meet you with huge grins across their faces - as you are presented with your very own golden ticket.

The Golden Ticket (Image: Hollie Carr)

After a song and dance on the platform, visitors are invited to board the Polar Express steam train - This is when the fun really begins.

From the moment you take your seat, you are transported into the magical world of the Polar Express and the actors certainly make sure that guests have a brilliant time.

There’s a good amount of audience participation too as you must hand your golden ticket over to get stamped and later on you get to sing Christmas Carols from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to Jingle Bells, loud enough for Father Christmas to hear - although our singing voices may not have been pitch perfect!

Golden ticket being stamped (Image: Hollie Carr)

The big man himself even makes a guest appearance bringing plenty of Christmas joy to children and adults alike - and if you’re lucky he may even give you your very own jingle bell.

The highlight of the trip could arguably be the delicious hot chocolate and cookie that actors in chef’s uniforms come running down the aisles with.

Each carriage is named after one of Santa’s reindeer (we were in Rudolph) and is an experience suitable for people of all ages, guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Although the experience itself may seem bonkers, it’s guaranteed to leave you laughing and smiling from the disco lights and dancing, a reading of the Polar Express book and actors keen to make sure that everyone has the best time possible.

Actors (Image: Hollie Carr)

The two child actors were absolutely brilliant wondering up and down the carriages, singing and never once phased and the King of the Polar Express is definitely a poignant character who brings to life the story of the train journey.

Guests are encouraged to get into the true Polar Express mood and wear their pyjamas onboard, although this is not compulsory.

If you look out of the window, you may even get a glimpse of the North Pole.

Santa's elf (Image: Hollie Carr)

Overall, for someone who hasn’t watched the Polar Express in a good few years, I thoroughly enjoyed the train ride and the whole experience definitely makes you feel festive.

The staff and actors were all brilliant and so professional and everyone, no matter what their age, seemed to be having a blast - even the mayor of Swanage.

The experience runs from November 17 - December 30, at Swanage Train Station and tickets are available here: https://thepolarexpress.seetickets.com/timeslot/the-polar-express?outputStyle=Default&pageIndex=1&pageSize=30.