Train Rides at Country Village

It’s a great little addition for small children to experience. It’s just a little rickety, but hey, that’s part of the fun!

This attraction starts in the back of Country Village near a little playground and grassy area. I was excited to bring my little one for an adventure on a train and a pony ride (the website gives lots of info about the pony rides and the train together), but only the train seemed to be in service on the day we were there despite information saying the ponies should have been out. I’m guessing this is understaffed as there wasn’t even someone working in the ticket booth the day we were there — just the conductor. I actually don’t know what it was like when we were out on our train ride come to think of it. If we had arrived at the station and there was just no one around, it would have been frustrating…/shrug
The ride itself is not too long, but long enough to keep a little one interested and not wanting to jump out of the car. The conductor even slowed down to point out some ducklings along the side of the road for us to look at. I would say the ride itself is worth the $ 3.50 a person as long as you don’t have a huge family; I can see it getting a bit too expensive if that’s the case. For us, though, it was just fine. It was nice of the conductor to oblige us and take a family photo when we finished the trip too.
I definitely recommend bringing a snack or something to entertain your child before the train starts going though. We were just sitting in the car for a while as we watched the conductor set up the toy trains without any explanation of when we might depart.
So, don’t count on ponies (don’t promise that to your kids!), and be ready for a wait… but then enjoy a nice little bumpy ride around the village!

The train operation began around 11:20 when we went there Saturday morning. I’m glad we didn’t expect it to start on time around 10 as advertised. The train ride was fun for my child but rather uncomfortable for adults who had to jam in the tiny cart. $ 7.50 for two tickets. The fun lasted shorter than 10 minutes, after the very long wait.

I second what an earlier review said — when we got there on a sunny day, having told the toddler about the train in order to get him going, there was no one there. Another mom who goes often told us that he’s frequently really late, and on many sunny days doesn’t show up at all. What’s up with that? How is the management ok with that? The kiddos were pretty satisfied with the merry-​go-​round and pirate’s ship which was a relief, then we saw the man show up — apparently the other mom who’s pretty much over not having him there called management and they got him in gear. It turned out that the ride was great for the kids and we all had a great time — not sure though if I’m going to head out there again if the guy’s not going to show up.

Positives: The conductor is very nice, the train is cute and the kids love it!
Negatives: The last 4 – 5 times we have gone for a train ride the conductor has been 20 – 40 minutes late. (A couple times he didn’t show up at all). I find this disappointing when the hours are advertised in Seattle’s Child magazine and at the train depot itself. This last time we went there were about 15 children waiting around for him. Luckily he showed up, although 25 minutes late. I couldn’t stand to see my kids walk away disappointed again. My 5 year old calls him «The Lazy Conductor» cause she thinks he can’t get out of bed on time.

A little spendy, but fun for the kiddos.

This is a great little train ride (on wheels!). It was running a little late when we got there at 11:30am as a fan belt had broken. But the conductor was fixing it with tons of tools and then switched into his conductor outfit and said «All Aboard!» with a big smile. Very small train cars, hardly can get a whole family in one, but very quaint and fun. It’s a longish train ride and a good way to see the shops and the conductor did two huge circles in the parking lot which my kids thought was hilarious. You go through the back of the mall — not too fun to see, junk everywhere, but still just fun being on the rickety old train. It’s a great ride, and we’d do it again. And the sound effects are great, I think it’s just a tape playing over and over. And the kids area is really great — huge huge area, with oldish slides, merry go round and big boat to get into. It’s nice to see some old stuff every once in a while. Great fun place to visit!

All aboard!!! Toot! Toot! Clang, clang, clang… that sound is still ringing in my hears… I wish he’d turn that tape off…
While this «train» isn’t on any real track, what they try to pass off as a «train» is really a gas powered glorified go-​cart dressed up like a «train», pulling several «train» cars. Get my drift?
The kiddos ride this from time to time, yes, even Veggie-​girl, our 16yo. Kiddos, Parents, Grandparents and kids at heart can take the half mile ride around Country Village. It’s an entertaining and worth your $ 3.00 to ride, wave at passersby and get your train-​groove on!
During the warmer months there are a few blow-​up bouncers and a maze, you won’t BE amazed but it looks good for the kiddos.
Dump Hubby and the kiddos here, while you shop at Country Village.