The Christmas Train

Overall, this is a good, inexpensive family holiday activity. However, with all the hype, I really expected more and find parts of the process very frustrating.
The adult tickets as of 2015 are $ 8 per adult and $ 2 per child (3+). 2 and under are free. It’s advised to book online in advance to get the time slot you really want, and to arrive 30 minutes in advance to get your actual train ticket.
Now, the hours are supposedly until 10. However, on the Thursday we came, everything shut down by 9:30. The coffee/​hot cocoa stand was closed by 8:30 (why??) and the volunteers were so unhelpful. They couldn’t tell us if the stand would re-​open or if anyone was even in charge. If you have volunteers sitting at a stand, they should either be running it, or leave so it actually looks closed. So silly.
The lights themselves are just okay in my opinion. Dickinson’s display feels much more exciting, even if there isn’t a train. It’s so Jesus emphasized too, which I found underwhelming as a non-​Christian. We came for lights, not a Biblical story.
I’d also be fine with it being so Biblical — if it was portrayed that way. But the website has next to no information, makes it sound like there’s nothing to do, and actually there are several activities outside of the train!
There is a photo op in the North Pole with Santa; a beautiful display of miniature houses and trains (this was my favorite part by far, it was so detailed and pretty); a house where kids can write to Santa; a pizza house; concessions & a tiny gift shop. Certainly allow yourself an extra 30 – 45 minutes to see these things.
Lastly, it smells SO bad. Like old cheese everywhere, probably because of the pizza? But it’s the holiday season so get some Christmas smells going on, use air freshness. Yuck!
So overall? Good for little kids, not older. The train is 10 minutes top and not all that (despite glowing reviews) but it’s still a fun place! Could use some improvements for sure.

I wish I could give this place ten stars. Before yesterday, I have never heard of the Christmas Train. It was absolutely beautiful. My daughter did not want to leave. All of the volunteers were very friendly & more than willing to help. We actually missed out train, but they allowed us to catch another one.
Entering into the building was lit up with Christmas decorations. All of them were so beautiful. When we started riding the train, we were amazed at all of the beautiful lights. They even had the different Bible stories along the route about Jesus. I must say that it was a beautiful way for my daughter & I to wrap up our wonderful day.

Bottom line: it is a wonderful place to spend a holiday evening with the family… and at the right price!
This holiday display of lights and train ride is put on by Victory Camp near Alvin, TX. For being a local, non-​profit, they did a wonderful job creating a holiday experience that the whole family can enjoy. I doubt if you have tweens or teens they would find it very fun… actually, they might find it «childish.» But if your kids are around 9 – 10 or below, like my family, I will guarantee you they will have as much fun as we did.
There are several things to do, beyond what the name implies. The biggest, naturally, is The Christmas Train. For anyone who has been to Herman Park in Houston or Zilker Park in Austin, the train they have here is the same. For those not familiar, it is about a ¼ scale model steam train, large enough to fit two people per seat and 10 seats per car. Now, for older adults (grandparents) or those with mobility issues (i.e. arthritis), the seats do not offer much leg room at all, being mainly designed for kids. You will find yourself with your knees up towards your chest or having to cross them under you, like I did. Not a huge issue at all. But I could see it being a bit uncomfortable for those that already have issues with mobility. They run two trains all evening, and have a very efficient numbered boarding system. No standing in lines waiting to get on. You can just wonder anywhere you want on the grounds. When they call the number printed on your ticket, you just make your way over to the train and get right on. Very easy and relaxing. If you have small children, you don’t have to suffer from «when is it our turn?» questions every 30 seconds. You can just walk around and look at some of the other light displays before your ride, keeping the little ones entertained and happy. The ride itself is about 7 – 8 minutes long. The first half of it is a take-​off of «Twas the Night Before Christmas», complete with story boards to read as you go along. The displays are rather well done, with Peanuts characters making an appearance along with toy solders, penguins, and other animals in every scene. The second half is themed to the nativity and the life of Jesus. The displays on this part, I have to say, are really well done. Almost theater quality set ups. NO tacky plastic light up figures here! All-​in-​all, very enjoyable.
The rest of the grounds are split up between: a small lake, with its own displays and a walking path for you to stroll around; an indoor pavilion about the size of a school gym with concessions, a seating area with couches, tables and chairs; a «North Pole» where you can get your picture with Santa and see more small displays; a very sizable «Holiday Town» set up from miniature ceramic houses and Lionel Trains; a full-​size pizza restaurant serving rather good, made-​on-​the-​spot, deep-​dish pizzas; and a small house where kids sit around a living room and listen to Mrs. Claus tell the story of Christmas every half-​hour.
For those in Houston, the drive out to The Christmas Train takes exactly 32 minutes from downtown (I timed it on purpose!). If you can believe it, driving out to Alvin for this event actually takes you LESS TIME than driving to the Houston Zoo, trying to find parking, and then waiting in ridiculously long lines to get in to Zoo Lights (which took me 65 minutes door-​to-​door and I live live not far from the Zoo!) The price is only $ 6 for adults and $ 3 for kids. Go and enjoy a nice holiday tradition with the whole family!