The Polar Express Train Rides are Back for 2024 | Reserve Your Seats Before They Sell Out!
Give your family the most magical Christmas memories yet by taking them on a Polar Express Train ride!
(Picture from Branson Scenic Railway)
Tickets are now available for many locations of the 2024 Polar Express Train Ride! Inspired by the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, the Polar Express Train Ride brings the beloved story to life with a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the book, it follows the story of a young boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus and finds himself boarding a train to the North Pole late one Christmas Eve. Upon his arrival, he gets to meet Santa, who gives him a very special silver bell for Christmas. This experience helps to reignite his belief in the magic of the holiday.
Here’s how the Polar Express Train Ride brings this magical story to life…
There are several participating Polar Express Train ride locations all over the country. And just like in the story, passengers get to experience all the joy and wonder of a trip to “The North Pole” accompanied by hot cocoa, cookies, caroling, and a reading of The Polar Express. Plus, the train ride is set to the movie soundtrack!
Santa will be at the North Pole to greet passengers upon arrival, and each child will receive their very own sleigh bell. As an added element of fun, families are encouraged to wear their pajamas just as the characters in the story did!
Wondering how to get tickets for this magical train ride?
- First, search for a participating location near you.
- Once you find your location, click the “Visit Our Website” button and purchase tickets via that location’s webpage. Remember, each one is run independently so prices, times, regulations, and ticket availability may vary.
- To make sure you’re able to join in the fun, purchase tickets ASAP! These events usually sell out quickly. Most trains operate from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
- Be sure to check out the different passenger classes when booking tickets. Many venues offer different price points with varying levels of perks!
Tip: If traveling with other separately booked parties, be sure to let your Polar Express Train location know ahead of time if you’d like to sit together. Otherwise, they may not be able to accommodate your preferred seating arrangements.
Most Polar Express Train Ride locations are already accepting reservations, so be sure to purchase tickets soon, before they sell out!
Bummer. The tickets are crazy expensive. 😩
I know that we’ve been fortunate to be able to do this with our kids because the cost does add up. If you are able and on the fence about it then I’d say from our experience the one on one attention that the staff gives families and the kids is touching. They do make it a special experience and I found myself staring at my kids faces as they took it all in. There’s a point in the show when the kids get to stand up and dance in the aisle which is just joyful. When Santa comes down the aisle he spends a moment with each kid. My kids called it “The Christmas train” and talked about it randomly all year. I did tell them that it was part of their Christmas gifts because I understood the cost can be a lot. You can absolutely find that magical feeling in other ways too though if the cost is not it feasible or feels uncomfortable.
Thanks a bunch for sharing about your experience, Nicole! It’s so sweet that your kids had such magical memories from “The Christmas train.” Sounds like it was truly special and something they’ll hold onto for years. ❤️ I love how you made it part of their Christmas gift – such a thoughtful way to balance the cost with the experience! ✨🎄