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:
There will be two ticketing options: VIP Pass or General Admission.
The VIP Pass 2022
You must have advanced registration
About the VIP Pass:
- A reading of the popular children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express
- Holiday craft
- A ticket to ride the train at Watson Park to the North Pole to see Santa!
- Enjoy smores and hot chocolate at the campfire circle while singing holiday songs
Tickets sell fast. To get the VIP Pass, register online HERE at the Recreation department’s website.
Dates for VIP:
- ?Friday, November 25
- Saturday, November 26
- Friday, December 2
- Saturday, December 3
- Friday, December 9
- Saturday, December 10
- Sunday, December 11
- Friday, December 16
- Saturday, December 17
- Sunday, December 18
General Admission 2022
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:
- $12 Train ride to see Santa
- $4 s’mores and unlimited hot chocolate
For either option, an adult must attend and register themselves as well as the kids. The fee is $18 per person.
Date for General Admission: Times are from 5:00 – 6:30pm
- ?Friday, November 25
- Saturday, November 26
- Friday, December 2
- Saturday, December 3
- Friday, December 9
- Saturday, December 10
- Sunday, December 11
- 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
Here is more Holiday Fun for 2022:
2022 Christmas Lights Displays
Fall Bazaars, Craft Shows & Holiday Markets
Watson Park Polar Express Train Ride
A Country Christmas with Live Reindeer at Fulton Valley Farms
Illuminations at Botanica with 2 Million Lights
Your guide to Wichita holidays on the cheap!
Free or cheap things to do this week in Wichita
Special Holiday Events:
- 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
Holiday Gift-Giving:
- How to make the holidays special when you can't afford big presents
- Non-Toy Gift Ideas
- Find Unique Gifts at these Local Wichita Shops
- Great Local Gifts Under $20
Christmas Attractions:
- Wichita Christmas Light Displays
- Botanica Illuminations
- Fulton Valley Farms A Country Christmas
- Christmas Tree Farms
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