raima

yes, i've been there. we drove to everett and then took the train ride to leavenworth. this train ride is available on only 3 saturdays in dec. during the train ride, it comes with breakfast on the way to leavenworth and dinner on the way back, and drinks in between. they have ppl playing music, singing, magic, santa was on the train to entertain us. it was fun.

when we arrive the train station in leavenworth, we took those yellow school bus to leavenworth. it was only a 5 min bus ride. and it's included in the train cost. we were there to walk around to feel the town, and to eat. and then at 4:30pm, it was the xmas lighting ceremony. it was very christmas-y. and then we took the yellow school bus back to the train station and rode the train back to everett station. it was a one day trip

we had the pork hocks with german dark/black beer. it was good. but reminds me of chinese roasted pork.

we didn't go with those chinese tours but of course it's cheaper to do it that way.

raima

28# fibbi

yes it was the alki tour. we booked online and they will mail you the tickets in advance. they have on 3 saturdays in dec every year. and every year they are always sold out. it's an english company and the train picks up the first group from the seattle train station at 8ish am. and then it stops at the everett station and picks up the second group of people at 9.30ish am. and then will head straight to leavenworth. it is at least 2X more expensive per person than the chinese tours, if you consider everything. but i find it more relaxing and it's something different. it's something you can try out for once, at least.

you will need to arrive the station 15 minutes prior and they will "check you in" and let you know your train cart. the train's arrival and departure times were very precise. i thought the train would stop and wait a bit for everyone to get on, then wait again then leaves. but it was about 10 minutes for us to get on the train and the train started going. seats were all assigned with your name printed on a piece of paper on your chair. the train has 2 seats, then aisle, then another 2 seats. the train ride to leavenworth was about 2.5-3 hr which was fast and ahead of schedule (by luck?). but the return train ride took 4 hours because there was only one track and there were 2 trains so our train had to wait for the other one to pass before we can proceed. the train ride to leavenworth was front facing where the return ride was back facing. i heard some people may find this uncomfortable??

the breakfast included for the departure ride had a bottle of tropicana orange juice, fruit cup (melons, pineapples, grapes), croissant with cheese and ham (mayo and dijon mustard), fortune cookie and some other snack i forgot. the dinner for the return ride had a bottle of water, chocolate brownie (too sweet for my taste), fruit cup, a bun with butter, chicken salad with italian dressing and fortune cookie and maybe some other snack (i forgot). and in between they serve you coffee or hot chocolate, and there were xmas cookies/baked goods provided. there's a drinks area on the train for you to purchase pop, starbucks coffee/drinks, liquor if you want.

during the train ride, there were entertainers. people playing music, people singing, magic, santa etc. those people will stop at every cart and perform. you'll find it hard to nap while on the train...

let say if you still want to go to 202 for shopping after this day trip, then you'll have to book one night hotel accommodation in everett or in seattle. even if you go with something like travelodge, it will cost you $80 usd per night minimum in everett. we picked everett station because it's closer to vancouver and adjacent to that train station, they have a parking lot and it's free. we parked there for the whole day. where as if you want to go with the seattle station, i'm sure you'll have to pay for parking and i don't know how much.

people on the train were mostly the elderly couples. they go every year like a tradition to them. there weren't any babies on the train that day, and only very few kids/teens. so few that i can probably count them out. most of them are in their 40's. some are seniors too.