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The Dells
4.8
(32)
Rocky Arbor State Park
4.3
(448)
I want to start by saying I've been coming here religiously since I was a kid. Decades later, we still return AT LEAST once or twice each year w/ my own kids (including friends & their kids). So I've seen several decades of expansion & updates & changes to their rolling stock.
As of earlier this week, the unfortunate reality is that the pricing has become outrageous for what it is!
Two adults & two kids (7 & 8 years old) cost us $74. And that literally gets you nothing more than a ~40-45 minute round trip on a train where only 20-30 minutes is actually riding it!
That 40-45 minutes consists of a 10-15 minute ride to the end of the 1.5 mile track, then 15-20 minutes standing @ the end for a short speech about the site's history while the engine is turned around, & then a ~10-15 minute ride back on the same length of track.
So basically, $74 for two adults & 2 kids gets you:
It's also very disappointing that NONE of the other train engines or cars on site are available to look at either! All but the single operating unit are secured in their sheds, out of sight, & off limits to guests.
Likewise, much of the site's interesting items (sheds, machine shops, workshops, etc.) are also off limits to guests. Pretty disappointing to read about their newly acquired stock & upgrades, only to arrive & realize you can't see ANY of it because everything except for the single operating unit is locked up out of sight.
Lastly... YES, there are a bunch of site "Upgrades" boasted on their website, etc. Frankly, NONE of them add attraction value to visitors beyond now having a "nicer" gift shop to purchase overpriced trinkets, a "nicer" concession stand to purchase overpriced food, & "nicer" washrooms to use while waiting for your train ride. You cannot even look at trains before or after because the single unit not locked up out of sight is gone giving others their scheduled rides.
Seems somebody is lining their pockets, considering the massive price hikes, no real value-adds for guests, & the fact that they claim the majority of workers are "Volunteers"...
Non-profit my foot, this place has become a money-grabbing price gouger. It's so disappointing that we can no longer justify our return visits like we've done for...
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Everyone there made this experience the absolute best for my family. I was panicked because we were running late and would likely miss our 1:00 train. I spoke with Jessica and she assured me that we can still come and she’s move our reservation to 2:00 PM.
We missed the chance to get a seat with windows so it was an extra chilly ride for us, BUT, we were at the caboose! The trip out we were at the back of the train, and for the return trip we were at the front of the train. The sights along the route are beautiful with various rock formations, the leaves blanketing the bed of the woods. Absolutely gorgeous.
If you’re coming for a winter ride, certainly bundle up but they run all year - well certainly be back for a warmer ride.
After the train ride, we stopped in the shop and were excited to learn that the picture with Santa Claus was complimentary and included in the cost! Santa’s Helper was excited to join in our son’s picture upon his request and he smiled one of the brightest smiles we’ve ever seen. All the more, we were asked if they can take some additional photos of our beautiful boy for marketing!
So many fun train themed toys and we checked out with a pull back train and a whistle. One of the clerks were so sweet as to offer our son a complimentary conductor bear.
Cannot speak highly enough of everyone here. The conductor of the train personally asked our son if he had a good time and everyone was family friendly and great with children.
This is absolutely worth doing. If you do t like trains, come because you like to meet...
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Read more-Excellent "real train" ride if your little kids have short attention spans
