Irvine Park Railroad {Christmas} Train 2014 + Giveaway!

Disclosure: I was given tickets for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

It's the most wonderful time of the year when the Irvine Park Railroad 
decks the train and Santa arrives for the 19th annual Christmas Train!

There is something special about twinkle lights, trees, and a train that takes you to Santa.

It makes me feel like I am a kid riding on the Polar Express. It's just magical!

And the Christmas Train isn't just for Christmas adoring adults, the kids love it too!

We love having this Christmas tradition with the kids and I love to see how excited they are to visit with Santa and share their Christmas wishes.
I can't wait for Grace to meet Santa for the first time on the Christmas Train!
He is definitely the best Santa in Orange County.
You can take pictures with Santa using your own camera,
or you can purchase a 5x7" photo taken by the Irvine Park Railroad.

New this year to the Irvine Park Railroad is the Christmas Tree Ranch!!!!
Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, you can purchase Christmas trees at Irvine Park Railroad.
I am a staunch believer in LIVE CHRISTMAS TREES!
And except for 2 years in college when fire code forbade live trees,
I have had a live Christmas tree and it's my favorite!
It makes the house smell so good and there's a rush in finding the perfect tree.
You'll be able to choose from Douglas, Noble and Grand firs ranging in height
from 4 feet to 12 feet.
Christmas tree stands, preservatives, tree disposal bags, wreaths and garlands
will also be available for purchase.
The Christmas Tree Ranch will be open daily 10:00am-8:00pm.

Some helpful tips you'll want to remember when coming to ride the Christmas Train:

• BUY YOUR TICKETS EARLY AND ONLINE! This is the only way to purchase tickets. Dates and times sell out quickly, so get your tickets as soon as you can!
• Bring your camera. There are so many photo opps!
• Dress warmly! It can get chilly at the North Pole and you don't want to be left shivering. So be sure to dress in layers and don't forget a your scarf.
• Arrive early so you can avoid the crowds and have plenty of time for fun!
• Come hungry! There are lots of yummy treats available for purchase!

+

One of my favorite parts of the evening is the twinkle lights tunnel.

It is so cool! I could drive through it over and over again.

My friend Kara Noel's husband snapped this picture of Isabella and I riding

through the tunnel at lightning speed a couple of years ago and it's awesome! 

You'll want to plan time to be there before or after your Christmas train ride,

because there are a lot fun activities and fun to be had around the railroad grounds.

Activities during the Christmas Train include:

Story Time with Mrs. Claus (FREE!)
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Ice Fishing
Carnival Games
Santa Claus Moon Bounce
Christmas Coloring Corner (FREE!)
Picture Stands (FREE!)

+

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

1 Irvine Park Drive

Orange, CA 92869

2014 Christmas Train Tickets

$12.00 per person
Children younger than 24 months ride free

(Parking is $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and free after 5:00 p.m.)

Purchase your tickets online NOW - the event is known to sell out, 
and purchasing ONLINE is the only way to purchase tickets!!!!!

GIVEAWAY

 And because the people at the Irvine Park Railroad are so awesome,

they are giving away a Christmas Train and Chrismas Tree 

prize package  to one of my readers!

One lucky winner will receive:

*4 Christmas Train tickets

*6 Christmas Train activity tickets

*1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park bike rental (excludes double surrey)

*1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park paddle boat rental

*1 CHRISTMAS TREE FROM THE IRVINE PARK RAILROAD TREE RANCH

(maximum value of $75.00 - does not include flocking, delivery, or other items including wreaths and garlands)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Santa's Wonderland: Giveaway!!!

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend we had the opportunity to visit
the magical Christmas experience that is Santa's Wonderland!
Nestled just off the freeway in Irvine - at 2719 White Road - is a place
where your childhood dreams of visiting the North Pole and seeing Santa's
workshop can become a reality.

Santa's elves greeted us at the door and led us to the main room where
we were introduced to this Christmas dreamland and told about all
the amazing things there were to experience.

The kids wanted to head upstairs to find the Snow Room,
but were enchanted by Gingy's Gingerbread House Making on the way.

So we stopped to fulfill candy dreams and sweet tooth wishes with the help
of a very kind elf.

The kids loved decorating their own gingerbread houses by choosing their own candies,
squeezing out the frosting and making them look just so.


Then it was off to the Snow Room - which was pure magic for these Southern Californian kids.
They made snow angels, played with arctic animals, and just generally
enjoyed the magical twinkling of the lights in the frosty synthetic snow.

We found Santa's stables and met the reindeer.
The kids even got to ride one of them!
 
 
We took a tour through Mischief Maze and wrote our letters to Santa
and checked out the elves putting the finishing touches on the Cityscape Light Show.
Then a friendly elf gave us a tour of the Control Room and challenged JT to a
toy packaging race to see who could get Santa's toys ready to go the quickest.
 

We hit up the Reindeer Games on the way to Elf Makeover Magic.
Here the kids checked out what it takes to look like an elf and then got
their faces painted by one of the elf beauty experts.

Isabella chose snowflakes and JT wanted to be a reindeer.


The Elf Academy leads participants through several challenges to earn the
right to be called an Honorary Elf.

And what would Santa's Wonderland be without Santa?
The kids first met with an elf to see if they were on the Naughty or Nice list,
and once they received their Nice seal of approval they were off to
see Santa and have their pictures taken with the special guy.

You can even check out Santa's office while you're there.


The experience was amazing and we all had a wonderful time.
We spent a full 2 hours - at least - discovering all the Santa's Wonderland had to offer.

Santa's Wonderland is located at 2719 White Road in Irvine.
You can purchase tickets HERE.

Use the code MOMS10OFF for $10 off
admission.
The code is good for tickets purchased for
M-F 10:00am-6:00pm December 3rd-December 31st.
The tickets must be purchased by November 30th.
 
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!
I'm so excited to be able to give away 2 tickets to Santa's Wonderland.
One lucky winner will win two tickets!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: We were invited by Santa's Wonderland to attend and experience the magic. I attended because I was wanted to create fun memories with my family. I received admission for free. All thoughts & opinions are mine.