Peanuts: The Great Pumpkin Patch Express has everything you and your kiddos need without the big crowds. If you want to enjoy everything at a slow, comfortable pace, I recommend allowing yourself and your family 3 hours to partake in all the activities that are available. There is so much for the kids to do. We have a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old and both of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Kids can choose from: a bounce house with a small slide for the younger kids, a temporary tattoo station, a balloon artist and coloring station, and more!
Our son loved the Hay Bale Maze, which he was able to navigate on his own, without us losing track of him. Unique to this pumpkin patch was: the story-time station where the kids can sit and listen to a short story or watch a Peanuts movie, an interactive stage show that my son loved to participate in, the free cookies and apple juice for everyone to enjoy for a quick snack break, and a pleasurable ride on a vintage trolley in addition to what the rest of the Orange Empire Railway has to offer.
1. Meeting the Peanuts Gang. There is plenty of time for everyone to take pictures with them individually and as a group. The smaller crowds allowed our kids to enjoy talking, interacting and taking pictures with them.
2. Riding the actual train. The train ride last about 20 minutes and takes you to The Most Sincere Pumpkin Patch. We rode in the caboose and our 1-year-old took pleasure in feeling the wind in her hair and waving goodbye out the window. It’s a vintage train, so for us adults, it was great to experience an old-fashioned train ride.
3. The Most Sincere Pumpkin Patch. We were given vouchers for every ticket we had for a free pumpkin per ticket. Once you pick up your pumpkin, you get a small packet of Peanuts stickers to decorate the pumpkin with.
You also have the option of painting the pumpkin. Our son enjoyed adding the stickers at home. One thing we really liked was that they have several JROTC high school students helping to carry pumpkins to our car so we didn’t have to worry about carrying our newly decorated/painted pumpkins, while juggling our kids.
4. The Tractor Ride. The entire family enjoyed a peaceful 15 minute tractor ride along the museum grounds. It gave us a chance to catch our breathe and simply relax.
Other recommendations and things to know:
Other recommendations and things to know:
- Food vendors are limited to hot dogs, chips and drinks.
- I recommend you arrive about 2-3 hours before your train departs for the later train times (2 pm and 4 pm) or plan on spending 2-3 hours after the train ride for the earlier times (10 am and 12 pm)
- For added fun, dress your little ones in costumes.
- Bring a camera because there are plenty of photo ops.
- Tickets and train times: Great Pumpkin Patch Express trains depart the museum depot at 10:00, 12:00, 2:00 & 4:00. Tickets are $15 for children (ages 2-11) and $25 for adults. Buy tickets online here or call 951-943-3020
- For more information visit: http://www.oerm.org/peanuts/
