This post is sponsored by Toyota. All opinions are my own.
#LetsGoPlaces #AZAutoShow #Highlander
The Arizona Polar Express is an excellent holiday experience and because we have attended several times, I have a short list of holiday road trip tips to make it even more enjoyable. Driving from the Phoenix area to Williams to board the Polar Express on the Grand Canyon Railway takes about two and a half hours but we always turn it into a full day trip because of all the fun we have along the way. This year we drove from our home to Williams in a 2017 Toyota Highlander and were very impressed by the SUV. Holiday visitors came with us and we had plenty of room for a comfortable road trip with seating for eight.
For us, a ride on the Arizona Polar Express is about so much more than a simple holiday train ride. It’s a family tradition that begins with planning a full year ahead. From purchasing the tickets months in advance and making sure we have matching pajamas to driving in a comfortable vehicle, this year our holiday road trip was a success and one our family will definitely remember. The 2017 Toyota Highlander incorporates more power and fuel economy thanks to the new 3.5 liter V6 D-4S injection engine and Direct Shift 8AT 8-speed automatic transmission. There wasn’t snow this year but the cooler weather did set the tone for a great holiday road trip. The Highlander is fully equipped for the northern Arizona terrain and we were able to detour a bit to see the forest, not a site we get often in the dessert.
Arizona Polar Express Holiday Road Trip Tips
Matching Pajamas
A ride on the Polar Express doesn’t require matching pajamas but it certainly adds to the holiday fun for your family. Our Rudolph Family Pajama Delivery came with Rudolph noses that we wore in the car during our drive.
Get Out of the Car
Leave early in the day so you have time to enjoy the higher elevation air before arriving in Williams for the train experience. My daughters rarely have the opportunity to smell pine trees and feel the cooler weather in Arizona so getting out of the car during our holiday road trip is a priority.
Sing Holiday Songs
Our two year old daughter was quite surprised when everyone began singing songs she was not familiar with. On the Polar Express the attendant told everyone if they sang loudly Santa would come aboard. Not knowing the words to the songs was devastating and our daughter cheered each time a song ended in hopes the singing was over. Sing holiday songs during your road trip so your children know the words during the train singalong.
Set appropriate expectations
We wanted the Polar Express to have surprises but also made sure our daughters knew what to expect. The 2017 Toyota Highlander has an optional Blu-Ray Disc entertainment system so we could watch the movie on our way to Williams. Our youngest daughter was amazed when she saw Santa from the train because she anticipated this moment the entire train ride.
The 2017 Highlander has eight standard airbags and Toyota’s Star Safety System™, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology®. The Highlander is an excellent vehicle for a holiday road trip and to keep you traveling safely and comfortably all year long.
Do you have any tips for a great Arizona Polar Express road trip experience?
While we were on our Arizona Polar Express holiday road trip, we shared tickets to the Arizona International Auto Show with our neighbors. The show included the first ever 2018 Toyota C-HR, the completely redesigned 2018 Toyota Camry and a virtual reality experience inside the Toyota Avalon demonstrating Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) – Toyota’s latest standard safety package featured on all new 2018 Toyota models. They had a great experience and like us on our holiday road trip, made many family memories thanks to Toyota.
Learn more about the Toyota Highlander by connecting with Toyota on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Arizona Polar Express runs through January 6, 2017 and is already booking for the 2018 holiday season!
That’s one of the biggest things of any road trip: making it fun! It sounds like you and your family had a lot of fun!
What a great trip you had! Thanks for all of these road-trippin’ tips – love seeing the surprised face when Santa appeared!! Happy New Year,
XO
Elise
I love your reindeer noses and matching pajamas! I have never heard of the polar express but it sounds like a fun adventure, that I’ll have to remember!
I love that you are all in pjs. Road trips are so much fun. This sounds like a great family tradition. for all the ages in your family.
It would be so nice to go on a roadtrip with the family during the holidays! Especially since there are many things to see during this season. Those tips are awesome and definitely useful!
That looks like it was a lot of fun! It’s always great to get out and have family time during the holiday in a low-key, yet fun manner! The reindeer noses made me laugh. Those are memories you will always cherish!
This sounds like it was an awesome memory making activity! I love the picture of you guys with the red noses!
How fun!! We live in GIlbert and I’ve always wanted to do the polar express. Love that vehicle too!
The picture of you guys with the red nose is amazing! We’ve been dying to do the Polar Express ride and now I want to book one for next year!
I love Arizona in the Grand Canyon area. I bet that’s the best Polar Express ever! We have a Polar Express train here, too, in the Winter. My kids went with my MIL & stepmom, though. So, I have no tips, but yours are great! The Highlander looks like it would be great for a roadtrip!
That SUV looks roomy. We have done the Polar Express in North Carolina. The kids loved it and Santa was amazing.
this looks like such a fun trip! I love when you can add the little details make lasting memories.
I haven’t taken a road trip in years and you have just inspired me to add it to my have to do list for next year. The fun you seem to have had is so encouraging and the matching pajamas is something my kiddos will love. The Highlander loos like a power machine!
These are all great road trip tips! I love that model of Toyota too, it’s a beautiful color as well!!
Wow!! I’m actually not a huge fan of road trips, but this post made me want to take one!
The Toyota Highlander would fit my family perfectly! Wish we lived near the Arizona Polar Express! That would have been a fun family trip.