Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see the notes below for some important updates on the 2022 season:

  • Face Coverings: While strongly recommended, neither face coverings nor proof of vaccination are required to attend THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Miami. This is subject to change as the event takes place on a federally-regulated transportation conveyance and is subject to FRA and TSA mandates similar to an airline.
  • Showtimes: Event times listed on schedules and your confirmation email represent the official showtime and beginning of the boarding process. The Box Office opens one hour before showtime and CLOSES AT SHOWTIME. All boarding passes must be picked up prior to this time, so please arrive early. 
  • One Event Location: In order to offer an improved experience and better scheduling, we have again consolidated our event to one location at Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station in Downtown Miami. Fort Lauderdale is no longer hosting the event.

View our Price Calendar for a breakdown of our schedule and pricing tiers HERE.

West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale guests can take Brightline to MiamiCentral Station where they can enjoy the show. Skip the traffic and get back home with return trains!

Guests can travel to our event on Brightline trains and save 25% on SMART fares when they use promo code ALLABOARD for groups of 4 – 16. 

TRAVEL ON BRIGHTLINE HERE

Even larger parties can book with Brightline and receive group discounts. Email Brightline for information at [email protected]

Please note regular Brightline tickets are not valid on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Tickets for this special event must be purchased via Etix here on our website.

While strongly recommended, neither face coverings nor proof of vaccination are required to attend THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Miami. This is subject to change as the event takes place on a federally-regulated transportation conveyance and is subject to FRA and TSA mandates similar to an airline. If this policy changes, we will issue communication to all guests in advance. 

We appreciate your understanding as we navigate changing requirements amid COVID-19. We are dedicated to hosting a safe event and will continue to provide any updates as soon as they are available.

2022 Coach Seat Pricing

Value Departures: $50 Adult, $45 Child (2-11) │ Standard Departures: $65 Adult, $60 Child (2-11) │ Premium Departures: $75 Adult, $65 Child (2-11)

Additional ticketing service fee and local tax will apply.

2022 Table Seat Pricing

Value Departures: $50 per seat │ Standard Departures: $65 per seat │ Premium Departures: $75 per seat

Entire table must be purchased. Additional ticketing service fee and local tax will apply.

View our Price Calendar for a breakdown of our different pricing tiers HERE.

The only differences between Value, Standard, and Premium departures are the dates and/or times of the rides. Lower demand departures are priced lower to offer those on a budget options and higher demand departures are priced accordingly. The event functions exactly the same on all departures and passengers enjoy the same experience.

View our Price Calendar for a breakdown of our different pricing tiers HERE.

Event times listed on schedules and your confirmation email represent the official showtime and beginning of the boarding process. The Box Office opens one hour before showtime and CLOSES AT SHOWTIME. All boarding passes must be picked up prior to this time, so please arrive early. 

The entire experience at MiamiCentral and on the train is roughly two hours in length. Event times listed on schedules and your confirmation email represent the official showtime and beginning of the boarding process. The Box Office opens one hour before showtime and CLOSES AT SHOWTIME. All boarding passes must be picked up prior to this time, so please arrive early. 

Absolutely no passengers will be allowed to board the train late. This includes parties who previously picked up their boarding passes from the Box Office or passengers who have other members of their party already on the train.

Parking at Brightline MiamiCentral is located at 161 NW 6th Street, Miami, FL 33136. Parking at this location accepts credit card and debit card.

Hourly rates apply, beginning at $6/hour, $8 for 1-2 hours, $10 for 2-3 hours, and $15 for 3-24 hours. 

Brightline MiamiCentral Station is located directly adjacent to the parking garage at 600 NW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33136.

Guests who ride Brightline to attend the event may park in Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach for $5.

For the most efficient purchase experience, we recommend booking tickets here on our website as our phone lines are extremely busy during periods of high demand. Once tickets have been released, reservation agents can be reached using the form on our Contact Us page or by calling 770-516-3836 during the following hours:

Monday-Saturday: 9:00am – 8:00pm

Sunday: Noon – 8:00pm

All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Please leave a callback number as instructed if prompted by our phone system. An agent will return your call as soon as possible and the return call may come from an unfamiliar number or area code. Please only leave a callback number once. Leaving the same callback number again bumps you to the end of the queue.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is a magical re-creation of the classic children’s story led by a cast of talented actors on board a real train. Have your golden tickets ready for the Conductor! Passengers are served hot chocolate and Walkers Shortbread by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the classic book by Chris Van Allsburg, and receive the First Gift of Christmas after Santa boards the train to greet families. Performers engage passengers in caroling and fun holiday activities on the heartwarming trip back to the station.

Walkers Shortbread

It was over one hundred twenty-three years ago that the Walker family started baking shortbread in the Speyside village of Aberlour, where they remain to this day.

Joseph Walker founded the company when he opened his village bakery in 1898; now it is his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that continue the tradition of fine baking that he started. In fact, the founder’s personal guarantee is still marked on every pack to confirm that Walkers’ products are made with only the best ingredients obtainable. Though the Walker family have added many new products to their range during the last century, each and every one holds to those original values of quality and natural goodness.

As it always has been, our shortbread is made using only four ingredients: flour, pure creamery butter, sugar, and salt. We are proud to say that our products contain no artificial flavorings, colorings, or preservatives.

In its distinctive tartan packaging, Walkers range of products is packed with Scottish character, both inside and out. The name Walkers is recognized as a mark of excellence the world over, a true Scottish classic.

Walkers Shortbread is the Official Onboard Treat of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Miami. Visit the Walkers Online Shop and use Coupon Code PEXMIA to save 20% on your next order of Walkers Shortbread. Offer expires 12/31/22. Offer not valid on Sale Items.

Walkers Shortbread

Walkers Scotland

A full range of exclusive THE POLAR EXPRESS™ gifts and keepsakes will be available for purchase at the event. The gift shop is located inside MiamiCentral Station, just steps away from check-in and the boarding area. Our gift shop the perfect place to do your holiday shopping before or after your ride!

The Polar Express Gifts

Is your family ready to arrive in style wearing matching pajamas this holiday season? Would you like to bring your own copy of the book to read along with during the trip? Exclusive, officially licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ pajamas, books, and DVDs are now available to order online prior to your visit! Whether you are attending our event or enjoying a fun THE POLAR EXPRESS™ party at home, hop on board with our new and unique products. Quantities on popular items are limited so order now and complete your holiday shopping before supplies run out.

We offer adorable matching family pajamas with iconic THE POLAR EXPRESS™ images that adorn both youth and adult sizes. Soft and cozy fleece styles will keep you warm on your train ride and throughout the season at home. Be sure to add the classic hardcover book and DVD to your order! Confirmed orders ship within 7-10 days.

Visit raileventsretail.com to shop now!

Yes. In order to offer the best experience for all guests, seating is assigned on board THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. You will select your own seats during the online checkout process as you would on an airline. Please review seating charts carefully prior to booking. 

Please click the image below for a full-size version of our detailed Seating Chart. Arrows denote seat direction. Table seats face each other and entire tables must be purchased together.

Miami Seating Chart

Brightline uses a threat detection platform that creates a physical security gate to specifically locate prohibited items on guests as they pass through security. Guests walk past with personal items in hand, while carry-on bags of size are placed on a conveyor belt to be x-rayed.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is a family-friendly event and no alcohol is sold or allowed on board the train. Any alcohol purchased elsewhere may not be carried on board the train. Intoxicated passengers or those found in possession of alcohol will be removed from the event without a refund. This is a zero-tolerance policy. 

It is recommended that reservations are made as soon as your group knows which date and time you would like to attend. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly for this popular event.

Groups of 20+ must be booked over the phone at 770-516-3836. Please note that the name of each member of your party is required to complete the check-out process, so please have these prepared prior to speaking with a reservation agent.

Group tickets must be booked in a single transaction and passengers must ride on the same departure with seats that are located together. Third party vendors are not permitted to purchase group tickets for resale. Group discounts are not being offered in 2021 and onward.

Tickets cannot be added to or removed from a group order once placed. Upon arrival, a single member of the group is responsible for picking up all of the boarding passes and Golden Tickets from the Box Office. That person will then disperse those items to the rest of the group.

Active-duty military members and first responders with the appropriate ID card are eligible for a $5 discount on each ticket (up to 10 tickets). To check out, please enter promo code HERO5 and select the applicable discount ticket product. Please note, the active-duty individual or first responder must be a member of the attending party and must present their valid service ID card for verification when checking in at the event. If the appropriate identification cannot be presented by this individual, you will be charged the difference in ticket price before being allowed on board the train.

Yes. MiamiCentral Station and the train are wheelchair accessible, however, wheelchair seating is limited. If a member of your party requires wheelchair access, please select the designated wheelchair space and companion seats online or contact a reservation agent at 770-516-3836.

Additional information on Brightline accessibility can be found at gobrightline.com/accessibility.

If a member of your party has a disability and requires a wheelchair space, please select the designated space/companion seats online or contact a reservation agent to assist with additional needs. These seats are comprised of a designated wheelchair space (no seat) and companion seats located nearby. For additional information on wheelchair access, please see the previous FAQ or contact a reservation agent at 770-516-3836.

Additional information on Brightline accessibility can be found at gobrightline.com/accessibility.

If you would like to request a sign language interpreter please book your tickets via phone and notify the agent of your request. A Rail Events Productions team member will reach out directly to coordinate this service with you.

Rail Events Productions does not guarantee an allergen-free environment. Walkers Shortbread and Nestle Hot Chocolate are served on the train. A complete list of ingredients is available below and at the Box Office for your review.

Walkers Shortbread

Ingredients: Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Butter (Milk) (32%), Sugar, Salt.

Allergens: Wheat, Milk. May contain tree nuts.

Suitable for vegetarians and Certified Kosher OUD.

Nestle Hot Chocolate

Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids, Dairy Product Solids, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut and/or Palm Kernel and/or Soybean), Coacoa Processed with Alkali, and Less than 2% of Salt, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Caseinate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Aluminosilicate, Mono-and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Artifical Flavor.

Allergens: Contains Dairy; May Contain Soy and/or Wheat.

Yes! Brightline is the best way to get to and from THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Miami. Hop on at Brightline’s West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale stations to easily and conveniently access MiamiCentral within one hour, extending the magic from door to door. Visit gobrightline.com to book your ride.

Brightline tickets are sold separately and are not valid for admission on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Please allow sufficient transfer time between Brightline trains and the event. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ passengers must check in prior to the event. Trains will not be held for late passengers.

Yes. Each coach on board the train has fully-accessible restrooms available during the ride. Please alert a staff member if a member of your party needs to use the restroom, as they may need to be directed to the nearest one.

Children under two may ride for free provided they are not occupying a seat and ride on an adult’s lap. A free infant ticket must be selected at checkout and the name of the child must be provided on the reservation. This is to ensure every passenger can be accounted for in case of an emergency. 

Children under two receive a silver sleigh bell from Santa but do not receive a treat or hot chocolate.

Families are encouraged to wear warm pajamas just like passengers from THE POLAR EXPRESS™ book and film. Passengers will spend time on an unheated platform as they board and disembark from the train, so appropriate winter attire is also recommended.

Want to arrive at the event in style? Officially licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride pajamas and the original book by Chris Van Allsburg are available for order at raileventsretail.com. Orders ship 7-10 days from the time of purchase.

The train follows a point-to-point route through the areas around Downtown Miami during its trip to meet Santa. This route includes changes in direction that are incorporated into the one-hour onboard presentation.

Like sporting events, concerts, and other live events, tickets for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride are not refundable. However, passenger names can be changed prior to the event by clicking the Customer Support Form in your confirmation email or using the Contact Us form on our site.

If event departures are canceled and trains do not travel from the station for reasons including (but not limited to) weather, mechanical issues, or COVID-19 restrictions, all passengers on affected departures will receive an option to ride a departure on a later date in 2022 (based on availability) or a full refund.

Changes to the date and time of a reservation can be requested but are subject to availability and pricing differences. If seats are available on another date/train, our reservation agents will do their best to accommodate your request. However, no guarantees can be made that your reservation can be changed. Please use the form on our Contact Us page or call 770-516-3836 to initiate a date or time change request.

The purchaser must change the entire order to a single date and departure. The purchaser may not split off a portion of the order for a different date or time.

Name changes on tickets are allowed. Passenger names can be changed at any time prior to the event by clicking the Customer Support Form in your confirmation email or using the Contact Us form on our site.

Trains will continue to run in rain and other weather conditions. However, trains may be canceled or postponed at the Brightline’s discretion due to weather or operational considerations. The event may also be canceled or postponed if major roads and freeways are closed near the event due to flooding or natural disasters. Full refunds will be offered in these cancelation scenarios.

No. For the comfort and safety of all guests, pets and emotional support animals are not permitted on THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride. Only trained service animals with identification cards are permitted in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida law.

Concealed or open carry weapons are not permitted at this event. Brightline is a federally regulated passenger railroad operator similar to an airline and utilizes security screening prior to boarding for all passengers. 

1. The Box Office CLOSES AT SHOWTIME. Therefore, all boarding passes must be picked up prior to this time.

2. The Boarding Platform CLOSES 15 MINUTES AFTER SHOWTIME. No passengers will be allowed to board the train after this time.

3. Tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable.

4. Tickets are valid only for the date, time, car, and seat shown on the ticket. Purchaser acknowledges that they have individually selected their seats. Rail Events Productions Inc. (“REP”) is not responsible for errors in seating.

5. REP and its agents reserve the right to refuse service or de-board passengers for disruptive or offensive behavior.

6. REP does not guarantee an allergen-free environment.

7. Passengers are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages or weapons onto the event grounds.

8. Smoking is not allowed on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride event grounds or on board the train (this includes e-cigarettes and other similar devices).

9. REP does not accept liability for loss or damage suffered by the ticket user. For more information please review the Release of Liability and Indemnity.

10. Your ticket purchase and/or participation in any train-related departure/event grants REP, its licensing partners, officers, and employees permission to use your image, voice, and/or likeness as follows in its promotional materials: REP shall have the right to photograph, publish, re-publish, adapt, exhibit, perform, reproduce, edit, modify, make derivative works, distribute, display or otherwise use or reuse the attendee’s image, voice, and/or likeness in connection with any product or service in all markets, media or technology now known or hereafter developed in REP’s products or services. REP may exercise any of these rights itself or through any successors, transferees, licensees, distributors or other parties, commercial or nonprofit.

11. RELEASE OF LIABILITY, COVENANT NOT TO SUE, AND INDEMNITY

a. As lawful consideration for ticketed admission on to the premise for this event, I, on behalf of myself and on behalf of my heirs, successors, personal representatives, and assigns hereby shall indemnify and hold harmless Rail Events Productions Inc. (REP), American Heritage Railways, its officers, directors, employees and owners from and against any and all third-party costs, expenses (including reasonable outside counsel’s fees), liabilities, judgments, losses, damages, suits, actions, fines, penalties, claims and demands of any kind and asserted by or on behalf of any person, independent contractor or governmental authority arising out of the ticket holder’s participation, entrance, or presence on the premises, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct by REP. REP shall not be liable to ticket holder on account of:

i) any failure by Ticket Holder to perform any of the agreements, terms, or covenants or conditions of this Agreement,
ii) any failure by Ticket Holder to comply with the statutes, ordinances, regulations, or orders of any governmental authority unless caused by the failure of REP to perform under this Agreement or
iii) any accident, death, or personal injury or property damage which shall occur on or as a result of the ticket holder’s participation, entrance, or presence at the event venue except as the same may be caused by the sole misconduct or omissions to act or negligence of REP, its employees or agents.

b. Guests and Ticket Holder waives all rights against REP and its agents, officers, directors, and employees for recovery of damages to the extent these damages are covered by the commercial general liability or commercial umbrella liability insurance maintained pursuant to this agreement.

c. If any term or provision of the Agreement is found to be unenforceable or invalid such shall not affect the other terms and provisions which shall remain binding and enforceable.

Guests are subject to Brightline’s Terms of Service available HERE.

CREDITS

Executive ProducerAllen Harper
Executive ProducerJohn Harper
ProducerMichael May
Artistic DirectorScott Calcagno
Production Stage ManagerMichael George
Lighting DesignerGuy Rhodes
Sound DesignerJoe Palermo
Costume DesignerJesus Perez
General ManagerJarrette Ireland
Production ManagerKevin Broomell
Company ManagerAnne Drysdale
Marketing ManagerJamie Ryan