A local's review of the Santa’s Wonderland Texas Christmas Experience in South Central Texas, right outside of College Station. Get the details on location, pricing, food, experiences, and more! Plus, get our best tips for an amazing night based on our years of experience!
Santa's Wonderland Texas Christmas Experience
I am in no way being compensated for this review and all opinions are 100% my own.
If you’re in South Central Texas you’ve probably heard of the Christmas destination called “Santa’s Wonderland”.
It’s right off of Highway 6 just south of College Station and we had been driving by it for years. It looks like a bunch of lights from the highway, and maybe a few buildings, but it didn’t really seem like it was worth the price… at least from the outside looking in.
But 6 years ago, when our son was almost 4 and really getting into Christmas for the first time, we decided to splurge and give Santa’s Wonderland a try.
I’m so glad we did because it turned out to be a fabulous experience and one that we repeat every year!
So, let me dive into the details about this Christmas experience for you and you can decide if you’d like to come join in the Santa’s Wonderland fun!
Location and Hours
Located at 18898 HWY 6 South College Station, TX 77845, Santa's Wonderland Texas Christmas Experience opens in early November and runs through the end of the year.
The village is open every day, starting at 6pm during the week and 3pm on weekends!
Pricing and Ticket Options
Depending on what days and options you are looking at, ticket prices can range from $29 to $54.
If you go on a “super saver” day, you can get adult tickets as low as $34 and child tickets as low as $29.
For a private carriage ride, you have to buy the whole carriage (which seats 6 adults, but they will allow 9 if everyone can fit). The prices vary quite a lot depending on which day you choose, starting at $183 and going all the way up to $265
Click here for a full list of current pricing options for Santa’s Wonderland.
We opted for a Super Saver day Carriage Ride ticket (which comes with a free hot chocolate for each person) and we spent $26 per person.
Carriage Ride versus Hayride
Santa’s Wonderland offers a large Christmas lights exhibit that you can tour via hayride with a regular ticket, or via horse-drawn carriage with a special ticket.
The carriage ride is more private, with 3 row carriages holding up to 9 people; the hayride being larger and holding about 100 people!
The experience of looking at the lights is much better in a carriage, as you are facing forward. On the hayride you are riding sideways, and it's difficult to see everything. But it's still a fun experience either way!
Hayride Wait Times: On a lighter night (any weeknight before December 13th) you can walk right onto the hayride, there is hardly any wait. However, if you are trying to ride on a weekend, or any night after December 13th, there can be up to a 3-hour wait!
Depending on the night you visit, the express pass for the hayride ($10 each) is a bargain and will allow you to enjoy your evening, instead of waiting in line!
Christmas Lights Exhibit
Several acres of gorgeous Christmas lights are displayed for visitors to enjoy with settings ranging from a huge lighted barn, several patriotic displays, Texas spirit displays, classic Christmas exhibits, and finishing with the nativity.
The ride lasts about 15-20 minutes, depending on how fast your carriage driving is going.
TIP: Watch for the lighted animal animations as reindeer jump over the path in front of you, frogs and dolphins jump into the lake, and squirrels scurry up the trees.
Seeing Santa
In the past, Santa arrived in a horse and carriage alongside Mrs. Claus to open the village for the night. Now, he stays in Santa's Station and is available "most nights" for kids to meet and chat with him.
If you want to make sure and see Santa, make (free) reservations as soon as you enter the park at Santa's Station, as spots are limited.
The Village
Each year new buildings and attractions are added to the Santa’s Wonderland Experience, and you can see when you get there that each building has been meticulously planned and executed.
You will truly believe you are in Santa’s Village (with a Texas twist) as you marvel in the whimsical and well-built construction of the shops, restaurants, and attractions.
With more lights than you can possibly count, the village builds the Christmas vibe to the max and really gets you in the Christmas spirit!
Food Options
There are 7 restaurants ranging from authentic Texas BBQ made on site, to Mexican food with fresh tortillas, and even a Christmas pizzeria.
And of course, the entire site is laden with 9 additional places to purchase delicious desserts like the classic funnel cake, dutch oven cobbler, ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, and more!
There’s also a Wonderland Winery, beer on tap, and hot wine wassail to enjoy on a cool evening.
Shopping Options
Beyond the tasty treats that await you around every corner, there are also a myriad of shops to visit.
The Trading Post is the largest merchant with everything from fudge and ornaments, to hand-thrown coffee mugs (I got one of those!) and t-shirts! It also houses the Wonderland Winery.
My son’s favorite was the Train Depot shop that contains all the train toys, puzzles, and ornaments a little boy could dream of!
There are also high-end clothing options and of course, tons of gift options for anyone on your list!
Free Activities
Most of the activities and experiences within the village are actually free, which surprised me! Only a few of them require extra money, so that’s a plus for the price of the ticket!
Live Music:
In the main square there is a live Texas Swing band playing Christmas music throughout the night! There are also several bonfires going in the square, so you can get cozy and enjoy the show!
There is a bonfire and dancing is encouraged!
Frostbite Mountain and The Snow Playground:
REAL snow is brought in nightly for all to enjoy! Race down Frostbite Mountain on a tube, or make snow angels and snowballs at the Snow Playground!
Hayride:
As mentioned before, the hayride through the Christmas lights display is included in the price of your ticket.
The Grand Illumination:
A fabulous display of lights and music with giant polar bear statues for perfect for photos, and ample seating - this attraction was one of our favorite parts of the village!
The lights and music are synchronized for a wonderful experience! Check out the video below to enjoy a bit of the spectacle!
Walkable Trail of Lights
New as of a few years ago, this walkable trail of lights has a giant lighted candy cane forest, a nativity scene with live animals, several photo opts, and so much more! Grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy. We love walking the trail after dinner before going on our carriage ride.
Frostbite’s Toboggan Chute:
Challenge your best friend to a race down the twin chutes at Frostbite's Toboggan Races!
Note, this is for children ONLY up to age 12. Height requirements are between 44" and 60"
Naughty and Nice List:
Visit Tinsel the Elf and find out if you're on Santa's Naughty or Nice list! Once you receive your status, you will also be given an official North Pole certificate to remember the event!
Santa's Wonderland Kid's Train:
Ride the mini train around a lighted path and through part of the village! About 4 adults per car will fit, more if there are children!
This ride is handicap accessible.
Meet Marshall Frostbite:
Marshall Frostbite is a huge cuddly snowman dressed as a Texas Lawman and is the Santa's Wonderland mascot! He's also in charge of defending the “Spirit of Christmas”. Find Marshall Frostbite inside Santa's Town nightly, and photos are FREE!
Get Deputized:
Pledge to honor and defend the “Spirit of Christmas” and earn your deputy badge from Rowdy, Marshall's right-hand man!
GIANT Texas Flag Photo Setting:
Take a priceless family photo in front of the GIANT Texas Flag! It's the perfect Texas Christmas card or memento photo!
You can take your own photo for FREE or the park photographer can take one for you!
Nightly "Snow" Storm:
Hang around in the square and wait for the Snow Storm! Regularly “snow” starts flying through the air from the top of the Trading Post for all to enjoy!
It’s not really snow, but a very fine bubble mix, but it sure does look like the real thing!
Santa's Livestock and Rodeo Barn:
Santa’s mechanical bull is a popular and challenging activities at Santa’s Wonderland and you won’t want to miss it! His eyes glow and smoke rolls out of his nose as he awaits his next rider!
There are 2 bulls, and the lines weren't long on the "Light and Fluffy" day when we were there!
Santa's Barnyard:
While several of the things in this area are paid (petting zoo and pony rides), you can also enjoy seeing the animals up close for free!
Texas Longhorn Photos:
Sit on an old fashioned Texas Longhorn and grab the most Texan photo possible! You can take your own photos for free, or just sit for a second on this MASSIVE longhorn!
Christmas Movies at the Barn Big Screen:
You can head inside the big red barn and sit and watch a Christmas movie while you eat or rest. Movies play in their entirety and you can come and go as you please. This also houses the BBQ restaurant and is a great place to rest for a while!
While we were there, Elf and The Polar Express both played. I've also seen The Santa Clause, Scrooge, and A Christmas Story playing at other times.
Paid Activities
While many of the attractions are free, there are a few additional options that cost a bit extra if you want to kick up the Christmas experience this year!
Texas Sized Snow Globe:
TWO Giant Texas Sized Snow Globes you can get inside await you for an experience you will never forget! Play in the snow flurries while you have your photo taken!
Snow Globe Pictures are an additional cost and are not included with admission. Reservations for snow globe photos should be made at the Snow Globe Station as soon as you arrive at the park!
Horse and Carriage Rides
As mentioned before, these Christmas light experience rides do cost extra AND you have to have a reservation, so you can't just upgrade your ticket at the park.
Be sure to allow plenty of time to get to your check-in time!
Petting Zoo & Pony Rides:
Camels, sheep, goats, and deer are just a few of the animals waiting to greet you at the Santa's Wonderland petting zoo!
Admission to the petting zoo costs $4 and includes a cup of food. One adult may enter the zoo with each paying child. Pony rides are an extra $7.
Christmas Face Painting:
Visit the face-painting artist, pick out your favorite design, and skip around the park in perfect Christmas style!
Cost for face painting varies by design and is not included in the price of the ticket.
Ice Stating:
New in the last few years is a real ice stating experience! Skate around for 45 minutes on this adorable snowman theme rink. Tickets are $16 online in advance, or $25 at the park on the night of.
Read all the details and requirements for the ice stating experience here.
Best Tips for a Great Santa’s Wonderland Experience
Here are a few things that I found to be essential to a GREAT experience.
1. Spring for the Rudolph Parking Lot Pass. It’s an extra $30, but you get to park RIGHT in front of the Trading Post and you also get access to the front of the line throughout the park.
If you do get the Rudolph Parking Pass, you can get there about 30 minutes early (passes are timed). Then when you are ready to leave, you can just walk right out the front door and get you in your car!
2. Plan for traffic. If you are coming through College Station between 5-6pm, plan for about 45 minutes of traffic.
This can be an issue if you get Carriage Ride tickets as the tickets are timed. They are generally flexible if you are a few minutes late, but don't push it.
3. Plan for the line to get inside. There will be a LONG line to get into the village if you are coming from anything other than the Rudolph lot (which is at the front of the line). So plan an extra 30-45 minutes for getting inside, if you are coming on a busy night.
If you park in the Rudolph lot you can get right in at the front of the line and it only takes about 3 minutes to get in!
4. Check the Crowd Forecast. You can see the crowd forecast on the Santa's Wonderland Website Here and I would recommend going on a "Light and Fluffy" day if possible.
That's when we went and the crowds were perfect! Enough people to enjoy everything, but light enough that the lines were super short (or non-existent)!
5. Go and sit INSIDE the Grand Illumination! The lights are set to music and you can sit there for hours without hearing a repeated song.
You may have to wait for the “show” to start with the music and light being timed, but there is also music, and the lights are always on and changing, even if they aren’t timed for every song.
6. Plan to eat and watch a Christmas movie. You can head to the big red barn and sit and watch a Christmas movie while you eat. Movies play in their entirety and you can come and go as you please.
While we were there last time, Elf and The Polar Express both played. I've also seen The Santa Clause, Scrooge, and A Christmas Story playing at other times.
7. Bring a backpack or large bag you don’t mind carrying. If you park in the Rudolph Lot you can run things to your car since it’s right outside the front door. Otherwise, bring a bag for your goods, bottled drinks, and photos.
8. Plan to stay late! Unless you visit Santa's Wonderland on the weekends, when the village opens at 3pm, be sure to plan to stay much later than you expect!
We didn't think we would stay that late since we arrived at 6pm. However, there was so much to do that when we left at 10:30pm we still hadn't seen everything!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I visit Santa's Wonderland if I don't have kids?
I saw many people there on dates and just enjoying the village without kids! In fact, my husband and I sometimes go alone and enjoy dinner and fun without our son.
Is Santa's Wonderland handicap accessible?
From what I saw, yes. There was a lovely young man who used a wheelchair who was going around the park with his family on about the same circuit we were following, so we saw him enjoying many things during his time!
The entire place has stairs and ramps for each building, and the rides were handicap accessible from what I saw.
The carriage rides were the only thing I didn't specifically note being accessible.
Bottom Line: Is it Worth the Money?
For someone who is famously "cheap" and extremely tight with a dollar, you'd probably think my answer would be no.
However, it's good to spend money on experiences in my opinion! And this experience was so much fun that we are going back next weekend with the other set of grandparents and will definitely get season passes next year!
A resounding YES IT'S WORTH IT from this gal!
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Even More Christmas Ideas
Let's keep the spirit of Christmas alive with these easy and fun Christmas ideas!
- Santa’s Workshop Gift Wrapping Idea
- Best Ever Homemade Gingerbread Men
- Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe
- DIY Christmas Gifts In 15 Minutes Or Less
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