Reviews of Stanley Park Railway (Zoo)

Jim w

Year round fun for the family and train enthusiast alike, $7 for adults $3.50 for child and $2 per for second ride which is filled with park history. During the year they host special events such as the Halloween train coming up which is great for small kids. Located in Stanley park near the aquarium, bus loop, make this a great location

James Anderson, CFRE

This was a wonderful experience! More than 3 million lights are put up by 800 firefighters who volunteer their time to create a magical Christmas for children of all ages. Proceeds support the burn unit fund. Be sure to book your train tickets online fire and advance to secure the time of your choice.

Firoz Ozman

Missed the train ride, but great adventure for kids for sure!

Dvir Koenigstein

This 15minute train ride will bring smiles to your entire family. While tickets can be bought ahead of time, the line up will determine your boarding so come in early. Some options for food are now available near by and there is a small playground close to the restrooms so you have a plan B in case you need to wait for your time. Now for Xmas this place also hosts a joint operation with firefighters making winning combination of lights, santa and firefighters.

Hannah B

Great setup for the Bright Lights this year, so good to be back. The light display was magical, the queue moved quick enough and the staff were very friendly. This is such a great outing with the family.

Joan Frail

Another Seniors outing to enjoy for the holiday season. Our bus was full and everyone enjoyed all the sparkling lights of the display and the rain stopped to let us enjoy this.

Henry Chen

Took a lot of videos but no photos to share. Anyway, it’s a fun place! Beautiful and educational train ride! It also has a playground nearby for kids. You can picnic and take pretty photos in the forest too. Just watch out for raccoon and coyote!

Dawn Webster

Another good spot bring little ones or anyone really. Also had our little picnic there complete with music from the trees literally! ???? train is cute little ride.

Helena B

Such an amazing experience. I can't believe the work that is behind this set up. All very beautiful!

KG Rowe

A classic Christmas Tradition is to the ride the train for Stanley Parks Bright Nights put on by Vancouver Fire Fighters. An amazing display of lights and Christmas cheer. Lots of fun. One particular element of the Bright Nights Christmas train ride is the stilted performer who dances in costume while backlight by a flood light. Now admittedly it’s kinda of creepy but for my wife and I it’s become a favourite part of the tradition. See, each year the costume changes; a reindeer, an elf. Our favourite is the Ginger bread man. The creepy factory is really pumped up by the fact that this display is somewhat set away from everything else along the ride. You chug around a turn and notice fewer and fewer lights. Then you notice down the track a barn, fully lit up. As you come closer a giant walking ginger bread man come bounding out of a make shift Barn. The wave is chilling. This image and the scene resembling a horror movie set really makes for a fun and creepy add to the Christmas delight of the ride. I have often wondered if it was just myself and wife that look forward to this particular portion of the holiday attraction. I’d love to know if anyone one else shares the experience like this. Let us know.

Dr Robert Armitage

If you haven't gone to the Stanley Park Railway, you must. Christmas Spirit X 10 and support Vancouver Firefighters burn unit fund raising.

Eleonora VI

Wonderful place to visit, especially if you have kids. Ride on a train takes about 10 minutes, but there are also other light displays.

Joey Fong

We went in the afternoon on a brisk sunny day. The Holiday Train was a joy but especially the very first time for our 2-year old. Covid protocol was in place with a few food trucks onsite. Hope people will donate to support the Firefighters Burn Fund though none are present they did a great job with the shimmering lights display as always!

Brady Borrmann

I went for the Halloween Ghost Train, and I was not disappointed! I was able to buy my ticket on location and found that it wasnt too busy (I went mid-Oct). The train ride had a nice story theme that was not too intense for kids but at the same time entertaining enough for adults. And the actors/workers seemed really into their roles!

ECU Bill

The train entertains not only kids but also also adults. It is a good way to look inside of the Stanley park.

2013

Awesome experience, worth the ticket price considering what a good cause it goes toward! I would recommend everyone to visit!

P Nguyen

Nice slow ride so you can enjoy all the lights. Best to go in dark. Dress warm. Make sure you bring government ID and proof of vaccination as you will be turned away.

Elaine Ye (pianpian)

Special Christmas event. A trip for around 12 minutes. Really beautiful view!!

Jason Smith

1st time doing the Christmas train. Pre bought tickets on line. Fantastic displays. Fun for young and old.

Alan Lai

The lights are absolutely gorgeous, the set up was great. Although the area for lights was a bit smaller than I expected, it was fun for the kids to enjoy. When we were about to board the train, one thing really rub me the wrong way is for a family of 5 people, we were not allowed to pick the cart that has available seats to fit us all without separating us into 2 different carts. We were just told to keep going to the next cart that was available and rushed us in the cart so that the train can leave. We managed to get 2 seperate rides but neither the first or the second time we were allowed to seat in the cart for a larger group. So.... why stick 2 different families in a large cart when you could just fit one family with enough people; not to mentioned I have 3 kids and the seats are design for 2 people per seat. Not impressed by their lack of attention and organization. The train ride was short and sweet and there is quite a lot of lights to see.

Allana Kate

It's awesome experienced and great job for the every Fire Fighter officers and Workers who busy work done for the Bright Lights for this Season and Holidays in Vancouver!Thank you from Maui

Chad Rouleau

Went for Bright Nights on the train. Out little one loved the experience so much that she's been asking for two days to "go back on the choo-choo train"

Mary LaFleur

The train ride is the best part and I could have taken it 3 times. Amazing lights and excellent music played. I think I loved it more than my toddler grandson.

Ruby-anne M.

We loved the experience! It's been awhile since I've been to the park but it was perfect for date night with my son's and there gfs .

Wayne Doucette

Bright Nights is an awesome experience at a reasonable ticket price. One of the least expensive experiences in Vancouver also with free parking.

Brad Tapley

Just a short train trip through some of the park. It was nice but I didn't like the painted animals that were posted throughout the forest. Took away from the natural feel of it but I guess the train is more for kids.

Taylor Sharpe

Incredible at Christmas time to ride the Train through the bright lights exhibit they put on. Kids and parents will love it!

HA

Really quite short. Lights are ok but there isn't really a theme or anything interesting. Our little one wanted to go home half way through the train ride. There's pretty much nothing else there apart from a ridiculous amount of Nutcracker statues

ryan young

Bright nights at Stanley Park railroad train ride was fun, pictures with Santa available there too. Great for small kids, lots of lights!

Cecilia Teixeira

This is an excellent attraction if you have kids or if you are hosting visitors with small children. During December, there are also “bright lights” that are amazingly beautiful. The children love it! (Grownups love it as well!)

Niall Drake

Beautiful 14 minute ride , with amazing lights all the way through. Extremely impressive setup, especially that it is all volunteer work. Every one of the staff was very helpful and friendly. This is mainly for kids but us adults love it just as much!

Max Novich

Do you have a kid? Have coupe of bucks to spend? Then this is a must visit in Vancouver.

Hansel Y.

Not super busy for bright nights. Reserved tickets are worth it. Free parking. Spent about 1.5 hours here.

Suneesha Arora

Had a wonderful experience, the place was decorated beautifully and the food trucks served the food which was just right. We bought tickets online so didnt have to buy at the counter.

Mike Stanger

I've been riding this since the 70s and it's great that it is running and my kids get to enjoy it. A pleasant, slow ride amongst the trees and a couple of neat little bridges, short tunnel, etc to keep it interesting. Worth a go especially with little ones.

Gary Brandel

If you love Christmas displays or have little ones this is the place for you, and it benefits the firefighters burn fund so everybody wins!

Voyager [*]

It was nice to be outside and share some Christmas joy with friends and families. Great place to visit for little ones. Number of visitors was significantly lower than before, but it was nice to see it all in spite all the restrictions.

Anna Barrett

We went there for the Alien-themed Ghost Train ride for halloween. It's for families, so it's very PG, but it was still abstract enough that the big kids like us still enjoyed it. I especially liked the narration by the family behind us. Definitely recommended. We went on the ride at 7pm, when it was dark, and were able to purchase the tickets that morning. But I would suggest getting them online a day in advance if you don't want to wait in line.

James Aster

Crowds are a bit overwhelming, so be sure to come early. But the Chritmas train never disappoints. What a beautiful holiday moment to enjoy!

Susanta Neogi

A very pleasant ride through the park lasting about 18 minutes and most enjoyable for all age groups

Vinícius Gomes

Have a nice Christmas event of lights, and it is free actually. You can pay to go to others parts but you can see some parts without paying, which is really cool. I don't know how it is without the Christmas lights because I've never been there before Christmas.

Jeannette Chandia-Lefimil-Pavlovic

So much fun, the train has a mini live show during the ride and hundreds of free light displays for amazing night fun and pictures.

Brad Davis

The Stanley park train is always popular with our family. We make sure to go for a ride wherever we visit Stanley park.

Jacky Ng

Our kids love the mini train so much and it will be their childhood memories! The second ride is only $2! Definitely will come back again. Highly recommended for local or tourists.

Tortellini G

Wanderful visit. It is awesome how firefighters welcome everyone at the entrance. A complete inspiration for both fun and commitment. I really enjoyed the train ride, lights and weather. Just perfect!

Michael Western

This is great fun for a family outing at Stanley Park. There is also a playground adjacent to the train area, making it a perfect afternoon activity. This can get very busy around Halloween and especially at Christmas as the train is done up thematically.

Brenda Duggan

Kids loved the ride and the audio explaining the creatures and trees with statues or cut outs to look at during the narration. It was a nice length for the ride but the cost seemed high to me.

Zaayer Nasib

I visited during Christmas period when it's decorated with Christmas lights. It's basically a 15 minute train ride through the decorated forest and a nice experience for a family with kids (or even without kids). And also there is a small area you can walk through. There are several food stalls to grab popcorn or drinks as well.

Electra Brontos

The Alice in Wonderland themed ghost train was so good! It was defs the best one yet. If you're going late make sure you dress really warm cause it gets cold!

Adriana Orta

Bright nights is always a pretty activity to go to during the winter break. Be ready for a long line up for the train even with tickets purchased in advance. Good for small kids but also good for a walk enjoying a hot chocolate.

Sukriti Mittal

Fire department's holiday lights and food festival is really a great way to welcome the holiday spirit.

Behind The Wheel Driving Channel

Absolutely beautiful love to see the trees more than I love to see the buildings in Vancouver. I am so glad this part was donated so long ago so that we can continue to appreciate the good nature that is all around us. Absolutely beautiful. Sunset of the west north part of the Stanly park railway system.

Vijay Shivdasani

Great place for the kids to enjoy a toy train ride. Go before the evening closing time.

FeiFei Han

This is our first time here. The miniature train ride is fantastic! All of us enjoyed it a lot. There are so many lights to see and a lot of food to buy while you are waiting for your train. Highly recommend it to everyone!

Sanjeet Shivkar

Nice miniature railway ride detailing all the information of Stanley park. A second ride is just 2 CAD if you show your first ticket.

David Hilscher

My son enjoyed this more then anything else this holiday! Great for parents too.

ACSW Chang

Wonderful train ride with lots and lots of Christmas lights. As you're touring the lights, music is played to accompany whatever theme is being shown. They had ginger bread man themes, snow man, Santa, Grinch, etc. It lasted a good 15mins. Beware of long lineups and remember to buy your tickets ahead of schedule.

Russell Hamilton

Our 3 year old Daughter LOVED it. The Food Venders were good and the parking free, which to me, was a very pleasant touch. Not much worse than getting gouged for parking because of an family event your attending. First time we've done it but will do it again next year

Emily Mcfarlane

Loved it! We paid the extra $2 to ride again straight after! The ride itself is maybe 10 mins in length and takes you through trees, past a lake, by a mini meadow. There are animal statues set up in the woodland to spot. Commentary about the history of the park and the animals runs during the ride. We arrived at 11am ( open ) and it wasn't at all busy. There is stroller parking and clear plastic screens between carriages. Perfect way to spend the morning with my toddler.

Keep it Simple

Lots of fun and it's the Christmas lights show so beautiful and fun for kids and adults

Shaheera M

Cute railway ride, in August 2021 it was $7 for an adult and lasts about 13 min. It was a fun experience and we got to learn more about the ecosystem. There is a paid perking lot nearby.

Jan Lander

We had fun, especially 3 1/2 year old grandson. Engineers and staff friendly and had good sense of humour. Educational.

Barbie Ramirez

Went for the Xmas lights events, it was amazing, everything well organized and beautiful

Trevor Lohnes

Went to Bright nights Xmas Train. It was fantastic. Lots of lights and the layout is changed every year so it always seems new. The one star loss is because every year there are more and more vendors that cheapen the event for me.

Yun Qi Sun

We were there for the Christmas lights. Busy and crowed. Free entrance, but have donation. Plan ahead if you want to take the train, buy tickets online otherwise the tickets may sold out. Free parking. Lights and families activity. Reasonable price for food truck food and hot drinks.

DK NG

Had a great time at the Bright Nights Christmas Train! And the Stanley Park Train Plaza was fun to spend a night with kids!

Samara

Bright Nights - We had so much fun! We were all in awe of what an incredible amount of work went into decorating this place. It was beautiful and we all (4 adults!) had a great time. Really got us in the Christmas spirit!

Kathy Ius

Amazing setting at this time of year with Bright Nights! Supports the BC Professional Firefighters' Burn Fund.

Tony Liu

Absolutely love coming here. Wonderful that so many years ago this place was preserved for all to come and enjoy. Looking forward to seeing it in the snow

Sharon Leonard

A beautiful display of xmas lights and decor. Enjoyed the walk and the train. A couple of food trucks at the end added to the fun.

Jorge Villa

Love it. They did an awesome job making this happen.

Steven Smith

Was a wonderful magical visit to the annual Christmas train lights, with our toddler grandson. Get your tickets, grab your mask and go!!! CoVid protocols are in place, so enjoy the Christmas ???? celebration.

Michael Popko

Cute little train ride with audio tour. $7/adult. If you want to ride a second time it's just $2 with receipt of first purchase.

Christine Yuen

Despite the frigid cold weather, we really enjoyed our visit. Loved the lights before and during the train ride

M Bhatti

Was a great 15 minute train ride thru the lush forest is Stanley park. Very family friendly with an awesome playground right outside the gate and public washrooms as well. Pay parking is conveniently located

lauryn lantela

We do the Christmas train each year here, it about a 15 min rude with music and story / theme. Good for families, fun vancouver activity.

Kat Garcia

It was our first time going on the Stanley Park Railway Easter style. It was a rainy day but it was still quite enjoyable. The decorations were adorable...just the fake pink flamingos were a bit confusing, not part of the usual Easter theme but still cute. Vancouver is quite a rainy city so the seats were mostly wet in the train...would be great to somehow create more cover on the train so people don't have to get their bottoms wet as well!

Subrata Chakrabarti

Stanley Park Railway runs a Christmas mini train service. Known as Bright Nights, the event is organized by the Fire Fighters to raise funds for burns victims. We have been coming to this event for many years. The event is very popular with both young and old. The train trip takes you through a wide range of displays that tell the well known Christmas stories, folklores and traditions. The displays are the wonderful creations through labour and love. The work takes hundreds of hours from many volunteers. The entire train journey through the wonderland takes about 15 minutes. The ride along the lake,where the line bends, is spectacular. Food and non-alcoholic drinks are available at the event. Hot chocolate and popcorn are popular. Tickets are available for 30 minutes slots and sell out fast. Buying online is easy and recommended.

Steve S

It was good, no real complaints but could start to get some upgrades as it seemed abit outdated for the younger kids.

Terry & Kim Thoms

We went to the Christmas bright lights train ride. It's not that great. You shouldn't really go. Tell everybody else to stay away too. We want it all for ourselves! It's Awesome. What a lot of work went into the thousands and thousands of lights!

George Martin

The Christmas train is always great. We brought our daughters here 30 years ago and now our 4 year old grandson. He was animated throughout and really enjoyed it.