All aboard for a fun trip to visit Santa! This year Wichita Park and Recreation is offering two ways to enjoy the “Polar Express” experience they call Watson Christmas Express.
Watson Christmas Express will be running at O.J. Watson Park throughout the holiday season.
Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas, just like the boy in the book! 
New Watson Christmas Express ticket options
New this year are two ticketing options: VIP Pass or General Admission.
The VIP Pass is a reserved spot that includes the whole adventure — a reading of the popular children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express, followed by a craft, then riding the train at Watson Park to the North Pole to see Santa!
During the event, you and the kids will enjoy stopping at the campfire circle for s’mores and hot chocolate and singing holiday songs.
Tickets sell fast. To get the VIP Pass, register online at the Recreation department’s website.
General Admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and activities are available a la carte. Pre-registration is not available for General Admission passes.
Prices are per person:
- $10 Train ride to see Santa
- $3 s’mores and unlimited hot chocolate
- $5 upgrade to Fast Pass line.
For either option, an adult must attend and register themselves as well as the kids. The fee is $16 per person.
Watson Christmas Express Schedule
Watson Christmas Express will be running on weekends from November 26 to December 19 at various times depending on which pass you choose.
If you choose the VIP Pass, you’ll select your time slot. For General Admission, pay particular attention to the times available in the list below:
*GA available 5:00 – 6:30pm on these dates:
- Friday, November 26
- Saturday, November 27
- Friday, December 3
- Saturday, December 4
- Friday, December 10
- Saturday, December 11
*GA available 5:00 – 7:30pm on these dates:
- Friday, December 17
- Saturday, December 18
- Sunday, December 19
(I don’t have an inside track – pun intended – on Polar Express tickets. I just received the email from Wichita Park and Recreation like everyone else and this is the schedule they shared.)
About The Polar Express
The links below are to Amazon where you can purchase the book or the movie.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
About the book:
Anniversary Edition of The Polar Express children’s book on Amazon
A 1986 Caldecott Medal winner, written by Chris Van Allsburg.
“A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole…
Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish.
For millions of readers worldwide, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved classic. “
P.S. The Polar Express story was also made into an animated movie starring Tom Hanks.
The Polar Express movie, starring Tom Hanks, at Amazon
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- Christmas Lights Displays in and near Wichita
- Christmas Events
- Things to Do During Winter Break in Wichita
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- Day-by-day guide to Christmas and holiday events in and near Wichita
- Horse-drawn Carriage Rides
- Where to Visit Santa around Wichita
- Christmas Craft Shows and Holiday Markets
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- How to make the holidays special when you can't afford big presents
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- Find Unique Gifts at these Local Wichita Shops
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Christmas Attractions:
- Wichita Christmas Light Displays
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- Fulton Valley Farms A Country Christmas
- Christmas Tree Farms
