The Polar Express — Local services in Branson

I don't write reviews often but I decided to in this case. I read many reviews of the Branson Polar Express train ride and had my doubts of what to expect. Most reviews appeared to be negative and people said it wasn't worth it, etc... To be honest, it's what you make of the experience. Here's my experience. Make sure you get there early, we were about 45 min and the parking lot was almost full because of the current train riders and the next train riders. The parking lot can be challenging to find and get to. We had do a U turn to get into the lot. When it comes to loading and unloading the passengers the next riders just need to make a path of the people getting off the train. The conductors will call your car name to load your car. An audio recording read the book through the announcement system. The chef then does a quick dance before distributing cookies and hot chocolate. Coach passengers only get one cookie and hot chocolate. Premium passengers get unlimited cookies and hot chocolate. The premium passengers also get a nicer car with table clothes on their table and I believe they also board the train earlier than coach. A musician comes through to play a few Christmas songs then heads to the next car. Santa does come thru the car to give a bell and ask where you're from. He'll also sign a polar express book if you bring your own. The hobo comes through at the end of the ride and our hobo was really good. He chatted with my kids and they really enjoyed that part of the experience. The total train ride was just under 1.5 hrs. The passengers do get to see some christmas lights. Would I do ride again? Probably if my kids wanted to since this experience was mostly for them. Their ages are 6,7,8 & 11. Do I feel it's worth the money? Probably not, I do feel it's pricey for what you get and the duration. I don't regret the train ride beause my kids did enjoy it, so I consider that a positive experience. Sorry for this long review, I'm trying to be objective in my experience to...

Boarding this train was an absolute nightmare. We stood outside for about an hour and waited like I read to do. They call you aboard based on your car that you're in. So regardless of where you are in line, you have to make your way through a giant crowd when they call your car so you can board. We could also barely hear the announcer (to no fault of his own -- it was the PA system). Upon boarding and getting going, our attendant/waitress looked like she would've rather been anywhere else than on the train with us. She had zero enthusiasm, no personality, and was like very unlively. The rest of the staff was fine for the most part (ticket puncher, chef, etc). A family across from us noted that they only had 3 people in their "party" but had to pay for 4 seats because they were at a table of 4 and couldn't just purchase 3 seats -- something to keep in mind (and make sure to get your 4th gift if you paid for premium!). Santa and the Hobo were a hit, they were hands down the best part of the entire ride. Santa was very nice to the kids, interactive, took pictures-- the Hobo was also wonderful, he came around and talked to the kiddos and played tricks on them. As for the rest of the ride, like other reviews have stated, they keep the lights on so you can't see very well outside. After going forward, then backwards through the exact same area, we reached the lights display, it was "meh". There weren't a lot of lights and they weren't close to the train or even facing the train. The "unlimited" cookies and hot cocoa are served to you as they come around. Yes, you can have as much as you want but you have to wait until the staff comes back around to get it. The cookies were definitely nothing special and appeared to be a Walmart special. Hot cocoa was in very tiny cups but tasted fine and was good temperature. All in all, this is NOT worth the price I paid for a "magical" Christmas experience I was hoping to have. Very disappointing and would recommend finding...

Complete overpriced let down..... I had heard about the Polar Express for years and so my family was super excited to go this year but man what a disappointment.

First off- the train goes back and forth. Yes... it doesn't even go on like a route... it goes a little ways and then goes back and then again and maybe again... I don't know- I lost count.

The staff was super friendly. Very good service. But let me be super clear... the service is watered down hot chocolate and sugar cookies that taste like they are out of a box. You would think they would have some special recipe or at the very least chocolate chip. Most kids don't even like sugar cookies- at least none that I know.

The sound is so outdated. I literally kept looking at my family like what are they even saying. It was muffled and sounded terrible.... so much so that my 8 year old was like "what are they even saying..."

I at the very least expected some live entertainment. The crew is singing along with a recorded - again very bad quality sounding- sound track. Not even like wearing microphones or anything. I mean that was really shocking to me.

So you over pay to sit on an old train that goes back and forth- watered down hot chocolate and some lame cookies.... I walked away feeling so cheated. I've seen videos online of other Polar Express experiences and Branson should really do a better job. You are surrounded by great entertainers - at least get people who actually SING the songs.... at the very least and for the love of god update your sound....

Oh and Santa was super nice. My niece did enjoy seeing him- and it was super cool he came on the train and got up and personal with the kiddos.

From one mom to another- don't...