Two Babies and a Brother!: Polar Express

Texas State Railroad: Polar Express Train
Okay, here is my review in case you are thinking about going:
GO.
Absolutely.
It was magical.

Book your tickets early. (We booked in September.)
Don't pay for climate controlled, coach was just fine, and it was cold out, but not on the train. I had packed blankets for everyone, and they were not even used. I think the Lone Star Car would have been fun, you get to sit at a table and eat your cookie and drink your cocoa, but really not necessary.
Sit on the side away from the train depot. The North Pole is on right side of the train as your are leaving the station.
Don't arrive more the 45 minutes before departure time. They have this thing down, Ticket Will Call was fast, pictures were fast, there were not lines for food. There is no playground or safe gated are for kids. We got there WAY too early, and Hudson just about lost his every living mind when he saw the 5:15 train pull away and we were not on it. The next hour and a half were pure torture. And that is being kind.

5:15 train pulling away.

Speaking of food, they have several food vendors you can choose from. Everything from funnel cake, sausage on sticks, to street tacos and gourmet coffee. Bring cash.
Bring your copy of The Polar Express, it would have been fun to read along with the chefs in the aisles. And, the conductor guys signs it too!
Take the 5:15 train, when you leave it is still light outside, but when you arrive at the North Pole, it will be dark and you can see the lights!
From The Woodlands it took us 2.5 hours including a 15 minute stop at Bucees for jerky! (Oh and put jammies on your kids before you leave, I thought I would change them there.... that was a joke. What was I thinking?!!)
If you are wanting to go with friends... Everyone needs to book at the same time. Literally, same day and time. Tickets were assigned by train car according to when you booked. So, even though my good friend Tara and her kids were there. We didn't really see them at all. (I am so sorry TARA!)

While waiting for the 6:45pm train we did a lot of this:

A ton of this:

About an hour of this:

Some more of this:

Just a teeny bit of this:

And a whole lot of this:

On the train ride, you get cookies and cocoa. After the stop from the North Pole, Santa boards the train, greets every child and passes out a bell. We have ours hanging on the tree. And the kids really enjoy looking for it.

Luke is still recovering from his goose egg,

ignore his poor bruise/black eyes!!