The iconic Stanley Park Ghost Train Halloween ride is coming back from the dead next month.
After four consecutive years out of operation, the fall attraction of the park is on track to run from Oct. 10 to Oct. 31.
Last year, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation announced that the little engine could not run as restoration work continued “to ensure its safe and optimal performance.”
The train was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then again in 2021 due to the threat of coyotes in the park. The same mechanical issues caused its cancellation in 2022.
This year, the board officially resurrected the train and the Halloween-themed experience.
On Thursday, the park board issued a public invite to Ghosts in the Graveyard: “a rollicking ride filled with creepy and entertaining surprises and spectacularly spooky sights.”
“Riding the Ghost Train is a time-honoured tradition for many families in Vancouver, and we are thrilled to have it back on track and able to once again offer this experience to residents and visitors alike,” said Brennan Bastyovanszky, chair of the park board.
The train will operate daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with matinee trips on weekends from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — except on Thanksgiving.
“In addition to the ride, guests can enjoy ghoulish graveyard décor, family-friendly autumn photo spots, and food trucks in the railway plaza. Matinee rides will feature a fright-free experience without the theatrical performances, perfect for younger riders,” the city says.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- $17 for ages 13 and up,
- $14 for ages 3 to 12,
- Ages 2 and under ride for free,
- $11 for matinee rides for ages 3 and up
- Complimentary admission is offered for guests in wheelchairs and support persons accompanying guests with disabilities.
Complete ticket purchasing details can be found on the city’s official ghost train website.
Ticket sales begin before noon on Sept. 25.