I know I'm a bit early, but tickets to these things sell out quickly for best dates.
Does anyone have any personal experience doing the Polar Express train ride on the Texas State Rail in Palestine, TX? Would appreciate ANY feedback, including other options. I've read the Yelp reviews and it's too polarized on the comments (either really good or not good at all).
Not looking to go to the new one in Galveston either...will let them work out the kinks first.
thank you.

Took my 4yo and 2yo last year. In the general admission tickets. 4yo loves the book and the movie. He loved the train ride, listening to the story and all the songs from the film, and of course christmas carols. His only disappointment was he only got a single punch on his ticket. From a kids perspective, it was totally worth it.

Now from the adult perspective. There's a good amount of overpriced souvenirs, a small food stand, ideally eat before you go and maybe get the kiddo something from the food stand for the experience. The workers on the train were definitely lacking in enthusiasm. Santa was enthusiastic at least. When you get to the "North Pole" it's a display on one side of the train with "elves" and Santa. You dont disembark, they wave, songs play, and you go back. The landscape on the way is "east Texas". Nothing really special about it and even in some cases you're passing peoples backyards.

I will probably take my kids again this year. It was a good family experience and even my old cynical self almost felt a little Christmas cheer as we rode and sang jingle bells

Was it worth it? If your kid is into the Polar Express or trains, yes. If they have no interest in either, probably not?

We took our then 3yo 2 years ago. Way over rated. From College Station it's a long drive and it's not very nice. Whole thing is 3rd rate from our perspective I can't in good conscience recommend it.

And for similar money you can save the drive and spend an evening right here in CSTX and go to Santa's Wonderland and spend local. My 2c

I hate to say it, but I didn't think it was fully worth it. Maybe do it once for the memories? Probably so. I wouldn't go back. I was hoping for more. Previous poster described it spot on.

I had heard there was another up around Grapevine? Is this so? Anyone know of it or been to it? If so, how does it compare?

Thanks for the responses thus far. I've heard such a mix bag of reviews, I just can't decide if it's worth it. the kids love the movie, watch it numerous times at that time of year...
Have read reviews about the one in Grapevine as well; looks like it's on same rail line as other trains which cause numerous issues and delays; not many positive reviews on it either.
But both kids love the movie, and I think would like the train ride. I'm sure would be fun only once...

Our grandchildren loved the train in Palestine . It actually LOOKS like the Polar Express. Yes, the station is not fancy, nor if there a restaurant nearby, but we rode the one just at dark and ate at the Red Fire Grill in Palestine later. It's all about what kind of experience you're looking for. I can't imagine a train ride in a city could compare.

Polar Express will be in Galveston Nov. 15 - Dec. 29:

https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/galveston/news/article/The-Polar-Express-Galveston-Island-2019-rides-14297804.php

https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Tickets-for-the-Polar-Express-train-rides-in-14363562.php

I've done both Polar Express rides in Texas. They're both great, but they are very different. Palestine is all about the ride through the country. We went during the day, and the train goes out quite a distance and hits some nice speeds, and you're actually on a ride. Unfortunately, you have to drive out to Palestine, and there's not a whole lot to do once you get there. They have a neat historical hotel and a few cool shops, but my child got bored waiting on the show to start. The actual depot is really small, but they do have an outdoor gift shop, a small playground, and neat places to take pictures. Overall it was enjoyable, but the drive home felt so long. A+ for the train ride though.

Galveston is a much shorter ride, and the train goes super slow, just up and down the track. If you want a train ride, you're going to be disappointed. But, there are tons of things to do while you're there. There's shopping downtown, great restaurants, and lots of lodging options. The museum there is much bigger, and there's more to do while you're waiting. There were coloring sheets for the kids, etc. They also have a really great food court area there. There were two real food vendors serving meals, from local restaurants, a food truck, and a concession stand, and both were at regular prices. They also had a line for just drinks, popcorn & snacks, so the lines moved really quickly. Once we got on board, the actors in the show seemed a lot more enthusiastic, and there was tons of lighting and sound to make it feel really cool. But again, the train ride part was really slow. I could have walked faster.

Overall, they both were fun, but in really different ways!