By Jim Watson © 2008, All Rights Reserved

The book was fantastic. The movie was a blockbuster in the truest sense of the word. Now, Dollywood, in conjunction with SimEx-Iwerks, is presenting The Polar Express 4D Experience. I'm sure you're familiar with 3D films with images that appear to leap off a movie screen as if they had three dimensions instead of one. That is one part of The Polar Express Experience. But there are little surprises along the way that give an entirely new dimension to the viewing.

Do you remember the book and the movie? Young children - questioning whether or not they believe in Santa - board The Polar Express which is bound for the North Pole. Is it real? Is it a dream? Is believing all that really counts?

Along the way, the kids, the conductor, a hobo and a host of other characters encounter plenty of adventure and excitement including dancing waiters, rumbling rail cars, falling snow, yummy treats to eat and more. In the end, every child discovers that, when they believe, magical things happen.

So, is The Polar Express Experience just another movie? Hardly! It's a 20-minute cinematic delight for kids and adults that brings a 4th dimension to the best-loved scenes of the original film. Presented in 3D, you actually feel as though you're part of the action as characters bound off the screen. This is not your father's 3D by any means. Gone are the days of the hazy, fuzzy 3D images of old. You'll view this delightful adventure with amazing clarity.

So what's the fourth dimension? The experience! When a gentle snowfall sprinkles over The Polar Express, it will actually snow inside the theater as well. When the conductor sings "Hot Chocolate" and the waiters begin to pour, the aroma of delicious hot cocoa will fill the air. As the train rattles along the track, you'll feel the bumps and chugs thanks to clever motorized seats. What was that?! Did something touch your hand? You never know what surprises are in store during this 4D experience.

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN; has just launched this new attraction as part of its 2008 holiday season. It will run until January 3, 2009 in the park's Imagination Cinema. This will be Dollywood's 19th annual Smoky Mountain Christmas and visitors to the park can expect lots of inventive surprises including Santa's Workshop complete with jumbo-size toys, Babes in Toyland, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and nightly, lighted Christmas parades. Best of all, every show is included free with park admission.

This year, mix Christmas traditions with some new twists. The Smoky Mountains are calling you to come play in the snow. While you're here, make your annual visit to Dollywood where you can participate in all the festivities and catch The Polar Express 4D Experience. It's sure to become a new favorite tradition you'll want to repeat every holiday season.

Jim Watson is Owner of Timbercreek Cabins offering vacation lodging in the Smoky Mountains. Cabin rentals are now available. Visit our vacation rentals page today for a complete listing of cabin rentals.