For the Polar Express ride, is it like a play like the train robberies or is it just a Christmas ride with Santa and his elves?

This is the North Pole Express, NOT the Polar Express. Polar Express is a different company, different experience. Tennessee Central NPE is a basic four hour round trip excursion, with a two hour stop in Watertown. Roughly 6-6 1/2 hour total trip. Visits from Santa & Mrs. Claus, their elves, and carols from a nice quartet. The train ride was the highlight for me. I saw a lady make a fool of herself on yesterday's trip. She apparently thought she had booked the Polar Express, and was complaining about the lack of a recitation, hot chocolate, and cookies. She seemingly didn't know which train she was on. Nice trip, worth the money 👍

Just a Christmas ride with Santa and elves. They do a short sing a long with carolers too, but that's it.

This would be our first trip ever on a train , I have my oldest boy at 6yrs and youngest at 1.5yrs old. Total of 4 kids. We would all like to ride a train but I don't know how to choose from carts or anything. Any tip or suggestions would help tremendously. Thank you.