Why is there no Polar Express coaster/ride?

mggopher

Earning My Ears
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
10
I’m sure this gets asked around this time every year, but does anyone know why there’s no Polar Express coaster/ride/attraction at WDW or Universal? I could see it as trackless, tracked, or projection. I mean going over Glacier Gluch, through the tunnel, sliding over the ice, pulling into the North Pole…then the kids going down the swirly slide and ending up in Santa’s bag…the ride is basically already created. Is there just not a big enough appetite for something like this? The movie is obviously beloved and I’m sure the rights are held by various parties, but I’d think this would be a decent little attraction. Thoughts?
 
I’m sure this gets asked around this time every year, but does anyone know why there’s no Polar Express coaster/ride/attraction at WDW or Universal? I could see it as trackless, tracked, or projection. I mean going over Glacier Gluch, through the tunnel, sliding over the ice, pulling into the North Pole…then the kids going down the swirly slide and ending up in Santa’s bag…the ride is basically already created. Is there just not a big enough appetite for something like this? The movie is obviously beloved and I’m sure the rights are held by various parties, but I’d think this would be a decent little attraction. Thoughts?
I believe Polar Express is not actually connected with either Disney or Universal, so who's interested? It was originally a Warner Bros product, and yes, Disney has some distribution connection.

As to "obviously beloved" IMO, I'm not convinced of that. The CGI is rough, the storyline is a bit weird, and the message sort of not clear.
 
So... the only things I know about the movie are (1) Tom Hanks is the conductor and (2) Josh Groban sings the fabulous song "Believe" from the movie.... Knowing those two things didn't sway me to watch the movie in theatres, lol.
 
does anyone know why there’s no Polar Express coaster/ride/attraction at WDW or Universal?
I expect it's because there are various actual trains around the country that do polar express outings at Christmastime, and having it all year would kind of spoil the holiday magic of that.
 
Come to Indiana... we have one. It is truly "in the middle of nowhere" :rotfl2:

https://www.frenchlick.com/offers/polar-express-train-ride/

I have never done the "train experience" myself, but I have always wanted to. Most years we DO go to French Lick and walk around the hotels and stuff and just enjoy the atmosphere. They have a winery nearby, and it is fun to go to Brickstreet 33 (Larry Bird's restaurant). There is also a casino, which I do not care about, but the decorations and all are the real attraction. I have seen the people who are doing the train ride, they are always in pajamas and look like they are having a great time.
 
We have a Polar Express Train Ride here every year. We took the grandkids when they were younger. You get the ride, a visit with Santa, a snack, and a silver bell as a souvenir. Almost everyone was in pajamas. I'm not a fan of the movie, but it was something to experience with the grandkids so we did it.
 
Polar Express was distributed by Warner Bros, not Disney. So you probably won't ever see it as an attraction in a Disney theme park.

I think the movie was a little weird and I can't get past the odd-looking animation. Our family watched it once when our kids were younger and the kids didn't even make it all the way through the movie (we didn't see it in a theater, watched it at home).

The Grand Canyon Railway does a Polar Express event a lot during the holiday season. Friends of mine have done it every year and they really love it.

I don't think a Christmas-themed attraction would work as an all-year-round attraction.
 
I agree as others have mentioned, too seasonal and Disney doesn't own the rights. Would be a bit like having Christmas Trees or gingerbread houses up all year long which clearly Disney doesn't do either.
 
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned The North Pole-Santa's Workshop in Colorado. It's a Christmas themed amusement park that is open during the warmer months. Being at the foot of Pike's Peak is not conducive to year-round operations!
I remember enjoying this park when I was a kid, haven't been for years, so not sure what it's like anymore. But they would be a perfect place for a Polar Express ride, but I bet the licensing costs are too much for such a little park.
 
I know in MA there's a Polar Express motion ride (or there was for the longest time). And there were a few Polar Express trains, one of which I took my daughter, niece and nephew one when they were all younger.
 













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