Growing up, I live, laughed, and loved The Polar Express!

Once the Christmas season rolled around, I always plopped on my couch or the bed to start my 800th watch of the movie.

Even though I have watched this movie a billion times, I have learned a new fact that makes me love Grand Rapids a little bit more.

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Hero Boy and Billy the Lonely Boy's hometown in 'The Polar Express' is the city of Grand Rapids.

In the film, the Polar Express makes two stops within the city at Hero Boy's house and Billy's house at 11344 Edbrooke Avenue. Billy's house is the last stop the train makes before going to the North Pole.

When did they mention Grand Rapids in the movie?

There was only one time that you can see the name of the town in the film. When one of the elves goes into the surveillance room, you can see that the last present is going there. This discovery makes Hero Boy excited because of the city being mentioned.

You are probably wondering why there are so many Grand Rapids references and stops in the movie.

Well, the author of the book, Chris Van Allsburg, grew up in Grand Rapids, which is why he based the city as Hero Boy's home. The city in 'Polar Express" is based on both Grand Rapids and the director of the movie's home of Chicago.

The movie also had a premiere in Grand Rapids in 2004.