We just went to the Napa Valley Santa Wine Train, and we absolutely had a blast! Here is what to expect when you go on the Santa Train through the Napa Valley Wine Train Company! (We wish we had more pictures, but either the wine was too good, or our camera was blurry so we didn’t have too many pictures to share. :))

* Spoiler Alert * This is a review for those who like to know what to expect and prepare accordingly. Totally not for those who like some element of surprise. So read on, only if you want to know what to expect when going on this train ride!

Getting the Tickets

Getting the tickets couldn’t have been easier. You can call or order online through their website. As of writing this, there were plenty of tickets on the days that we wanted! We originally were supposed to go on another day, and traffic was so bad, we weren’t going to make it on time, so we called. They were so accommodating and switched our dates without any issues! Great customer service. Just a heads up that now babies over 11 months will be considered  “non-lap” children and need a ticket.

The Waiting Area

We went to the Westin across the street because we arrived early. We were able to grab a drink and have a place for the kids to run around. Little did we know, the Napa Valley Wine Train has a cozy, but spacious enough waiting area with a bar! Take advantage of it! If you like to be prepared to keep toddlers busy while waiting for things, then check out fun holiday-themed games that you can get ahead of time to bring with you! 

At the waiting area, there is:

• A bar – Yay! (Tip-Bring these awesome Wine Wipes for your teeth if you like red wine as much as I do!)
• A photo booth, where you can take pictures in front of a picture of the Napa Valley Wine Train.
• Multiple TVs across the room playing Christmas movies.
• The gift shop was only open to those 21+, but they sold “magical” light-up bracelets. (The “magic” = Bracelets that light up when you are in the area, but stop when you leave. You can download an app to make them light up whenever you want.)
• Comfy seating (Make sure to wear your cozy holiday jammies to make the experience that much more festive!)
• Christmas décor all around
• Conductor’s seat that kids can climb on

This kept us entertained. It was great to meet other families and mingle around before our excursion! We were there for about an hour and didn’t feel like we were stressed that the kids would lose it. Saying a lot!

This is a perfect time to take fun holiday pictures too! If you ever want to have these family traditions (or others) captured by a photographer so you can just enjoy the time with your family and have the photos to last forever, then check out Emily Jenks Photography!

Pre-Boarding Entertainment

Our reservations were for the 5 pm train, but we actually started boarding around 5:45 pm. Before that, there was fun entertainment where all the characters danced around and performed. The kids were able to go close to the stage, and we were able to sit back and watch the show.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BclCosAAA41/

Boarding and Seating

Boarding went by letter groups, and it went pretty quickly. Outside the train, we were greeted by the conductor, and once onboard, a friendly server showed us our seats. It was comfy! For our family of 4, we got a table in a booth seating. Perfect for little kids (in my opinion). For groups of 2, I saw that they were seated in swivel chairs with a table. There were some empty ones by us so, when we got to the North Pole, we sat on those chairs and it was super comfy. For the best view of the North Pole, sit on the left side of the train (when facing the direction you are going).

Onboard Food and Drinks

They have an entire menu of drinks. Yay! We got the Bear’s Brandy (brandy and hot apple cider) and it was so delicious! They had snacks for purchase as well.

Hot cocoa and cookies were included with your ticket, and they were delicious too! (Chocolate chip cookies when we went.)

The Entertainment Onboard

During this 1.5-hour train ride, we never felt bored or anxious that our kids are going to lose it. Which says a lot about the entertainment! There were constant greetings from characters, which included the “Jolly Bear”, Conductor, Drummer Boy, Fairy, and, of course – Santa himself! We were so excited to sing along (Fiiiivvveee Golden Riiiings!!! It’s so much fun to sing after a few glasses of wine), the drummer boy was great with the drums, and a fairy came around for letters to Santa. Oh, and they had a coloring sheet and crayons too. We never touched it. That’s how entertaining the rest of the things were on the trip.

The North Pole

When we arrived at the North Pole, it was so cute!! You stay on the train and see all the lighted displays from the comfort of your seat. This was the turning point, and then we headed back to the station. There was entertainment before and after the North Pole, and we received a Jolly Bear ornament (a pretty big one – a stuffed animal) to take home from Santa.

The Takeaway

Overall, we had a blast and we hope we will make this our holiday tradition for years to come! It was perfect for adults with little kids. The characters were relatable, and the relaxed vibe of the train gave wiggle room for kids to be kids, and adults to not stress. This is all parents want! All of the characters and staff were so friendly and provided fantastic service. We didn’t really know what to expect, but they exceeded our expectations!

Do you want to know what it’s like to go on the Polar Express in Sacramento? Here’s our ultimate review of the Polar Express in Sacramento. Or, you can check out a Napa and Sacramento Santa Train Comparison so you can decide which one is right for your family!