Cave Train Is A Must Ride At The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has a great collection of old and new rides. One of the best at the park is the classic Cave Train. This 1961 dark ride is the perfect adventure for the whole family. What makes this ride so unique?

The Cave Train isn’t your normal train. It’s a ride vehicle that features train whistles and open air seats. In fact, it’s more like a dark ride vehicle than a train. Still, this does give off the feeling like you’re on a locomotive. And it sells the story quite well.

You board the train to go underground to the land of the cave people. It has been said these were the first inhabitants of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Throughout the ride you’re treated to some classic scenes showcasing the cave people’s way of life. You’ll see they are not much different from you and I.

The ride features a great spinning tunnel at its onset, one of the coolest things about the cave train. In addition, for a 1961 dark ride, the animatronics are very well maintained. They don’t look out of place at all in today’s ride landscape.

I’d classify this dark ride as a great family attraction. There are really no scary elements to it. The cave people are cute and would seem rather friendly, as do the dinosaurs you’ll encounter on the ride as well. There are plenty of jokes ( like a McDonald’s gag) to keep adults entertained as well.

You can’t forget about the score of the ride either. The song being played is very catchy. While very repetitive, this is one you’ll hum in your head for rhe rest of the day. It fits the ride perfectly.

On the whole, the Cave Train is a great dark ride. It’s definitely not Disney, however, it’s not trying to be. This is a must do attraction at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

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