We went to Pullen Park's Holiday Express last year and had a good time. The park was decorated with thousands of twinkling lights. We took a nighttime train ride and saw Santa.

But it wasn't entirely smooth. There were long lines. Really long - especially for photos with Santa and to get on the train. The parking and traffic was pretty hectic too.

This year's Holiday Express starts at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and city officials say they've made some changes to help improve the event this year. Longer hours and an extra day should help cut down on some of the long lines. And visitors need to park on the Dorothea Dix campus where a shuttle will take them to the park.

The second annual Holiday Express runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. It's $5 per person. Tickets can be purchased online in advance up to the midnight before the day you want to go (so if you want to go Wednesday, you can buy tickets online until tonight at midnight). Go to parks.raleighnc.gov and click on RecLink on the left hand side of the page to buy them online.

You can buy tickets the day of the event too.  

Santa is there for photos but unlike last year, there's no professional photographer. So bring your own camera. 

Parking for the event is off Western Boulevard at the Dorothea Dix soccer fields on Hunt Drive. Parking and shuttle services are free. And the shuttle can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.

For more information, call the park ticket office at 831-6468. It's open from 9 am. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.