Stanley Park Ghost Train for Halloween 2010
byThe Stanley Park miniature railway is hosting its annual Ghost Train and this year’s theme is Alice in Nightmareland. Last night we had a sneak peak at the train ride, haunted farmyard, ghoulish concession and monstrous face painting hi-jinx.
Mortal Coil Performance Society is responsible for the fantastic artwork, scenes, and actors that are out along the Alice in Nightmareland train route. The soundtrack to the ride varies from contemporary fantasy tunes to sounds from Alice in Wonderland, making for a creepy psychedelic ride.
Characters act out scenes, playing cards come to life, objects twirl and spin while the endless clickety-clack of the train on the tracks echoes through the dark forest. The route doesn’t have jack-o-lanterns, Dracula, or skeletons but I think they’ve achieved a whole new level of spooky this year with this trippy attraction.
Aside from the train, there will be nightly activities on the grounds this season that include:
- Pumpkin carving on Monday October 11th and Monday October 18th
- A celebration for the new film “Megamind” on Monday October 25th
- Costume night on Tuesday October 26th
The Ghost Train is open nightly from 6:00pm to 10:00pm until October 31st and the haunted farmyard is accessible from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The Stanley Park Ecology Society is also leading “Creature of the Night” theatrical walks on the hour, Tuesday through Saturdays from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.
All attractions are open rain or shine and parking is free after 5:00pm in the lot adjacent to the train plaza entrance. Tickets do sell out so you can pick yours up ahead of time via Ticketmaster.
The Stanley Park miniature train has been in operation since 1963 and the Ghost Train has been running each season since 1999. You can follow @Ghost_TrainYVR on Twitter for daily updates or become a fan on Facebook.
If you would like to experience the Ghost Train and Alice’s Nightmareland for yourself, I have six 4-packs of tickets to give away over the next few weeks. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post about Halloween (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw three winners from all entries on October 12th and another three winners on October 18th. The tickets are valid for admission on any night until October 21st.
Update The first three winners are Michael Kwan, Ally, and @k_westend. I’ll draw three more in a few days.
Update The last three winners are @HudsonHomeTeam, Michelle, Janet, and Christine.
176 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I would love to go and check out this local event. I got Halloween lazy for years but now have a child and the fun has come back!
I’ve always loved Alice in Wonderland, but have never done the Stanley Park Ghost Train. Now I hope I win so that I can finally go!
I heard about this too late last year. I’m pretty sure I’ll be checking this one out for certain this time aroundy ๐
first halloween in vancouver!! spooky!!
Sounds like fun!
Looks like a lot of fun! I wonder if they drew some inspiration from Tim Burton’s movie too. ๐
Sounds and looks like a great time! Halloween is my absolute favorite time of year.
I think I will get dressed for it – I can use my Zombie costume from the upcoming Vancouver Zombie walk.
Another good Halloween event is the PNE Fright Nights October 15-31, but I think this train looks more suitable for small(er) children.
My kids go crazy for Halloween… they had their costumes picked out right after school started!
But really, the kids are my favourite part of Halloween.
I just wish there were more kids going door to door in my neighbourhood. Seeing all the different costumes is a definite highlight.
Halloween is my favorite “holiday”!! This would be a wonderful adventure.
Never been on the Stanley Park Ghost Train. I hope I get a chance to go this year ๐
I have lived in Vancouver for 4 years an never got to the Ghost Train. I LOVE the theme, this sounds fantastic!
Ooh – I suspect the boy’d love this. count me in!
I’ve never been on this and really need to go see it! I bet I’ll scream the whole time…
Well, it’s worth a try, I’ve never done Halloween before, why not?
A great way to get in the mood for Halloween!
Alice in Nightmareland = awesome!
I havent been on the Stanley Park train since I was 5!
Looks pretty interesting, I’ve never been on the Ghost Train how long is the ride?
I’m on the train! I’m on the train! I’m on the ghost train!
I love Halloween AND Alice in Wonderland. What a great combination!
AHHHH Halloween, my absolute favourite time of year!!! Can’t wait to check out the ghost train!!
Loved the ghost train last year. I would love to go again this year for Alice in Nightmareland!!
Would love to go.
I’m looking forward to halloween this year. Looking forward to decorating our new home and giving out candies to trick or treaters.
Definitely looking forward to the Stanley Park Ghost Train ride as well. =)
Yes please..my kid would love it!
I try and do the ghost train every year for either halloween or christmas. love the tradition.
Halloween is the best time to party in Vancouver!
I’d love to go on the train!
Halloween is awesome. Ghost trains are even better! =)
I remember celebrating New Year’s at the Christmas train ride in Stanley Park a few years ago. It was so great. So nice to be entirely away from the madness downtown. Yeesh!
I’ve wondered about the ghost train for a few years now…. is it mainly for kids or adults or does everyone go?
I went on the ghost train a few years back and it was entertaining. It’s a family-friendly activity yet I think young adults will enjoy the one-of-a-kind train ride as well.
Even though I’ve lived my whole life here, I’ve never been on the Stanley Park ghost train. It’s about time I go one of these days.
This looks so nifty, I’m hoping to get a group a of friends to come out and try it with me ^_^
The Alice in Wonderland theme will be awesome to see!
I’d love to check out the haunted train but is it too tacky to bring my roommates who aren’t as young at heart as myself?
thanks
im excited!! what a cool theme ๐ can’t wait to check it out
I remember volunteering in high school for both this and the Christmas one… standing outside taking tickets in the cold….. but the displays were always great and we got treated to pizza and hot chocolate. ๐
Looks like fun!! 2nd year now living in vancouver – have to check this out for sure!!
I have never been to this and would love to take my son! We both are HUGE halloween lovers ๐
^^ alice in wonderland theme woot woot
Trick-or-Treat!!!!
I’m new in town and would love to check it out!
Sounds like fun. Would love to go!
I really like this year’s theme.
Halloween is probably my fav holiday; love the dressing up and all the community events. Esp looking forward to the Skytrain party and to the Parade of Lost Souls, but I’d love to add the ghost train to my plans. =)
The best party of the year is here. Love to win this.
just moved to the 604 will be our first halloween here!
oooooo perfect for my cousin!
I wanna win this for the family please!
wow! thats a great family event!
I’ve never been on the Stanley Park Halloween train and I would love to go!
I would love to go check this out, favourite movie of all time!!
As a new Vanouverite, I would love to go! Locals just hyped this event to me last night!
Halloween is a great time for adults to play dress-up along with their kids! I’m gonna be a bumble bee this year.
Wow this looks really neat! I didn’t know Stanley Park had this for Halloween, I would love to go!
I’ve never been on any of the seasonal Stanley Park Train rides so I’d love to go! Especially this year with the Alice theme, it should be some eerie fun!
Looks like lots of fun!
A halloween must for the gamily.
Looks like a really fun trip….
i’ve never really understood Halloween (I’m from Oz) but this is def up my (spooky) alley. looks like a lot of fun!
It’s fun for all ages.
Halloween is always so spooky!
The train ride looks like a great addition to my Halloween!
Halloween! FINALLY Time to act like children!
I’m going as Frosta this year, She-ra’s icy blue friend!
The ghost train at Stanley Park is turning into a “must do” during the month of October!!!
Talk about good timing…My costume this year is the Queen of Hearts…I’ll fit right in! ๐
Halloween is great for adults to be kids again!
Halloween is a spooky time of year.
My kids would love going on this train ride… fingers crossed!
Interesting theme, “Alice in Nightmareland”.
I love the Stanley Park train and it is such a great outing for hallowe’en!
alice in wonderland the movie totally freaked me out! something about their purple-ish faces.
This year looks amazing! I’m taking my nephew on his first ride this year, hopefully it gives him a thrill.
Boo!
please add me to the list of hopefuls !
the kids would love it! (me too, haha)
I’ve never been on the Stanley Park ghost train, thanks for reminding me that I should go this year!
Gee, Alice is popular this year.
Looks like fun! Never been but would love to check it out:)
I’d love to see it (and win tickets)!
Win or lose the comp I’m glad I now know about this.
The best part of Hallowe’en is candy.
Sounds like a great way to be a big kid on Hallowe’en.
It’s our daughter’s first halloween. We’re so excited!
I would love to be able to take my kids to this! They love Halloween!
My boyfriend and I love dressing up for Halloween and carving pumpkins!!!
I love all things about Halloween, the candy, movies, costumes!
Rebecca, this Halloween I am dressing up as a grumpy Receptionist, no wait….that’s just my job, maybe I’ll pretend to be a happy person instead….lol! Have a great Halloween!
Sounds like fun. Hope I win. *fingers crossed*
I had no idea Stanley Park did so much for Halloween!
What a great theme! I’ve never been on this train ride before and would love to go!
Oh, I’d love to go! Seems like the Ghost Train is getting a lot of buzz this year.
It looks fun! I would love to take my kids there.
We’ve neve been on this train befoe ( or win any contest before)!
I’ve just discovered your blog and it looks like a great resource! I love Halloween (our baby’s first!) and am already looking forward to October 31. Scoring free tix to the train would be fantastic.
The Queen of Hearts looks scary indeed. Dressing up on Hallowe’en is always a ton of fun, maybe I can get some ideas!
Amazing pictures! Halloween in Vancouver is such a treat ๐ Our 4 year old is finally ready to enjoy this train, can’t wait!
I would love to take my grandkids to the Ghost Train since they will be in town from Toronto!
Even though I’m not a fan of scary movie etc..but i know my wife would love to go. ๐
Two of my best girlfriends will be in town, having seen them in ages. It would be wonderful to take them to Stanley Park AND do the Ghost Train.
This is something I’ve always wanted to check out! Halloween is special to my fiancee and I because we met 4 years ago at a Halloween party. ๐
I would love to check out this attraction with my family! Halloween is my favorite holiday, my youngest son was born a Halloween baby!
I have three kids and they are crazy about Halloween. They would love to have a ride on the train. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love the Halloween train! Halloween the only day of the year where grown-ups get to play dress-up!
Halloween is my favourite holiday!!!
Sounds like a fun time! Have yet to go on the Halloween train.
Dunbar haunted house is a must go! Can’t wait for it to open!!!
Man, I love Halloween. I love pumpkin carving, decorating, friends and parties (especially the parade of lost souls).
wow this is a popular contest; never been and the alice in wonderland theme seems great
Booo i would love to win this to take my niece
I hope it’s a scary as the Christmas event at Stanley Park! ๐
Pumpkin carving!!
I love halloween! Sounds like a spooooky train ride!
halloween tradition ๐
my kids would love this!
Would LOVE to win this!! ๐ Thanks!
I haven’t been on the halloween train in years! I’d love to go with my friends to relive old times!
Handing out candy on halloween is fun too!
I love Alice in Wonderland and the train! how much spooky fun is that!
I remember riding the train as a kid. Its been a long time!
So Awesome! I love the train
Hope to take my wife and son to this. We were married on Halloween so it’s perfect, chills, thrills and romance
Yay! I love the Stanley Park ghost train! Im so excited to go this year, I think that the Alice in Wonderland theme is a fantastic idea. Happy Halloween!
Halloween is my favorite holiday!!! Fun, candy, costumes..
A time to display your inner child, creativity, sexuality, humor and/ or future possibilities!
Dream big, laugh and just be!
It sounds like a lot of fun. My niece would love it.
My boys are very excited about the Stanley Park Ghost Train. I hope they aren’t too scared to take the ride!
Cool – thanks for the chance to win a free ride ๐
Do they know its halloweeeeen. (Check out the song its sponsored by unicef)
Oh this would be a great way to celebrate this awesome season with my great friends ๐ alice in wonderland is my absolute favvvee!
I can’t wait for HALLOWEEN!! ๐ especially for the candy
I’ve never actually been on the ghost train! I’ve always had midterms/papers due at this time and on Halloween I give out the candy at my house lol. My favorite trick or treaters are the little kids in their onesies, but I wonder who the candy really goes to…
Still not sure I understand all the hoopla North Americans attribute to Halloween but the Ghost Train looks like a LOT of fun so perhaps this will help get me in the spirit of the season ๐
Loved the Bright Lights at Christmas. Never been on the Ghost Train.
Can’t wait to go.
OH! my son’s two faves in the whole world are ghosts + trains…. this would make his day. thanks for the opp! xx
We always love the ghost train… can’t wait to take our son to it this year!
our boy loves Halloween so he would love to ride the ghost train!
ooooooooooo – I’d love to win tix so that I can bring my kids…..they’d love it and be sc-sc-sc-scared at the same time! *smiles*
gonna be watching Grease on halloween
going to be awesome this year
WOULD LOVE LOVE LOVE to take my niece Amber & scare the pants off her!!!
We’d love to try the ghost train.
we’d really like to ride the ghost train.
I love Halloween and this sounds like a great event!
I love all halloween things. This is my favourite time of the year.
I want to go on the train with my 13 year old daughter and my partner.
Fall is my favourite time of year! I can’t wait for this, and many other Halloween festivities in Vancouver!
Very informative blog – thank you!
Declan and Kyle would LOVE to go on the Stanley Park Halloween Train!!
I would love these tickets! I am so excited for Halloween this year, unlike last year. It would make it even more awesome to win! ๐
Oh I’m a big fan of the Ghost Train and Alice in Wonderland. Perfect. I’m not sure who would be more scared – my 6 year old niece or my 30 something husband!
I have taken the kids the Bright Nights event and have gone in the summer but haven’t checked out the Halloween train yet and would love to try it.
My little guy loves Trains and tunnels! Can wait to go to the train!
My little guy loves Trains and tunnels! Cant wait to go to the train!
I still really love handing out candies to the children who come by with their wonderful costumes!
Every year I want to go and I always forget. Thanks for reminding me about the train, I will try to go this year.
I am bringing my 2 children over to Vancouver this weekend…They are 6 and 2, would this be too scarey for them?!? They are really excited about it…Thanks
Would love to go this year, as Alice is my absolute, favourite book.
This would be a perfect gift for the 3 little munchkins in my life. Ages 11, 8 & 6 ๐
Halloween is my favorite! ๐
Have we missed the Oct. 18th draw? I’d love to take a very special 11-year-old boy. He’d go crazy for it! Please enter us if it’s not too late.
I would love to go and see the Evil Queen!!
I would love to go to this event. Sounds like fun!
That little train is a really cool Stanley Park tradition. Even when it is haunted.
I want to go on the Halloween train!
Halloween is my favourite time of the year because i get to be anyone i want. I can act silly, look silly, be scary and do anything and no one questions it because it’s halloween! I would love to go on the ghost train because i’ve never been also! Thanks!
My girlfriend loves this. I’d love to be able to surprise her with tickets!
I would love to take my nephew, thanks.
We love the train, never miss it! It will be sad to see the farmyard close after this year though.
My family with two children have made it a tradition of seeing the most spectacular event that Stanley Park has to offer! ๐
I’ve always wanted to go!!
I met my fiancee at a Halloween party, so I’m a big fan of the holiday!
So fun! I would love to go
Never had the chance to check this out, sounds like so much fun! Date night?
My girlfriend has always wanted to go to this. This would make her so happy
My 2 year niece would love this. She is a train fanatic and what better way to celebrate Halloween with her! Thanks for holding this draw!
My favourite memories of Hallowe’en was the chance to dress up and go out with my brother collecting candy. Candy was a novelty in my house so between Hallowe’en and Easter there are some pretty good memories!
I would love to relive my inner child and win this prize!
I love dressing up for Halloween! I am new to Vancouver so I have never been on the train, but would love to!
[…] out Miss604′s blog for better photos of the Ghost Train (from media night, […]
We are going to go on the ghost train ride on Saturday for my sons 5 th birthday he loves trains and he’s bringing two friends ! To celebrate !