MIAMI, Fla., - This holiday season, Rail Events Productions and Brightline are celebrating the return of the immersive family-oriented experience THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at MiamiCentral presented by Walkers Shortbread! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride will return beginning Dec. 11 through Dec. 30, 2021, departing from Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station. Seats are available to book starting Sept. 16. Tickets will be available for purchase online at miamithepolarexpressride.com. Guests are encouraged to book early as this beloved holiday tradition is expected to sell out.

 

The adventure of this holiday classic comes to life when the festive Brightline train departs for a journey led by a cast of talented actors. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of this story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a one-hour trip to meet and interact with Santa.

 

Once aboard, the conductor will work his way through the coach and punch golden tickets before hot chocolate and delicious Walkers Shortbread are served by dancing chefs. Passengers then read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg as Santa and his helpers board the train to greet and present each guest with the first gift of Christmas. During the trip, characters on each coach lead fantastic onboard entertainment – just like in the film. Specially choreographed song and dance will take place along with fun games and special character interactions. Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell and souvenir golden ticket in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip. Like the kids in the book, families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride.

 

Wondering what’s new in 2021? See below:

• Health Measures: THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride will follow all local, state, and federal health orders for the prevention of COVID-19. Please note that face coverings will be required for everyone age two and older due to our operation on trains classified as transportation conveyances by the CDC and TSA. Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, all staff and performers will be vaccinated against COVID-19 and are also required to wear face coverings throughout the duration of the experience.  Please view our complete face covering policy at miamithepolarexpressride.com/faq.

• Updated Show Content: Our creative team spent the year off refreshing the show for our new and returning riders. It’s still THE POLAR EXPRESS™ experience we all love – just with a fresh new script and surprises for 2021.

• Onboard Treat: Walkers Shortbread is the Official Onboard Treat of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Miami. Visit the Walkers Online Shop and use Coupon Code POLARMIA to save 20% on your next order of Walkers Shortbread. Offer expires 1/31/22. Offer not valid on Sale Items.

• One Station Location: Please note that the event has been consolidated to one location at MiamiCentral Station located at 600 NW 1st Ave in Downtown Miami. Event parking is available in the official Brightline parking garage at 161 NW 6th Street, Miami, FL 33136 (Entrance is located on NW corner of 1st Court). Fort Lauderdale will not host THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride departures in 2021.

Exact dates, times, and fares are available by visiting miamithepolarexpressride.com. Ticket prices range from $50 to $70, depending on the ticket type, date, and time of the ride. Images and video for editorial publication are available at: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/zEXt5kzpts

Credentialed press members and influencers covering the event are welcome to complimentary tickets during opening night. Please contact Jamie Ryan at jryan@raileventsinc.com or Vanessa Alfonso at vanessa.alfonso@gobrightline.com to reserve tickets for your group, if you qualify.

 

About THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

 

Official THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides are licensed by Rail Events Inc. on behalf of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Inc. Since 2007, Rail Events Inc. has held exclusive license to operate THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides in the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

 

About THE POLAR EXPRESS Book

 

THE POLAR EXPRESS film is based on Chris Van Allsburg’s classic Christmas picture book, which tells the story of a boy who takes a magical Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. First published by the Houghton Mifflin Company in 1985, The Polar Express became an instant family favorite and has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide. In 1986 it won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Illustration.  

 

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

 

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, the Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, and Hanna-Barbera.

 

The division’s successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences, WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

 

About 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.

 

About Brightline

 

Brightline is the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, high-speed rail service in America. The company currently operates between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in Florida and is scheduled to complete construction to the Orlando International Airport by the end of 2022. Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in travel, offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road. Brightline plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive, with immediate plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit our website: www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

About Rail Events Inc.

 

Rail Events Inc. is the industry leader in rail-related special events management. In 2019, the company licensed events that hosted over 1.4 million guests at 54 partner railroads in the US, Canada, and the UK. Rail Events Inc. and Rail Events Productions are wholly owned subsidiaries of American Heritage Railways, which is the premier operator of heritage railroads in the United States.

 

THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s21) Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters © & ™ 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

 

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