THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride School Groups 2024 FAQ
Where is the North Carolina Transportation Museum?
The museum is located in Spencer, North Carolina off Interstate 85 (Exit 79) between Charlotte and Greensboro.
The physical address is 411 S. Salisbury Avenue, Spencer, NC 28159.
GPS Address: 1 Samuel Spencer Driver, Spencer, NC.
When will registration for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ School Group Days begin?
Registration and booking will open beginning on August 1st, 2024
Final participant totals and final payments are due by October 16th, 2024. If payment is not received by this date, the group reservation will be lost. Deposits are non-refundable. There are no exceptions to this policy.
How do I book my group?
To make reservations, please contact Meghan DeLapp at 980-305-6298 or meghan.delapp@dncr.nc.gov.
To book a visit and receive a discount:
- Must have a preformed group of at least 15 paying participants, pre-register (pay non-refundable deposit), and submit final payment by designated date.
- A non-refundable deposit of $10 per person is required to create a group reservation. An additional $10 will be charged for each person added to the reservation after the initial deposit has been made.
Inquiries and adjustments on existing reservations can be made by group leader only. No changes or adjustments can be made after the final payment date on October 16th. Seating is limited. Please be sure to have an accurate headcount of students, teachers, bus drivers, and chaperones.
Walk-up tickets will not be available the day of the event. Adult chaperones cannot make their own reservations.
How do I pay for my tickets?
Credit Card Payments can be made over the phone by calling 980-305-6298 or 980-305-6271.
Checks with a registration form should be mailed to:
N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation
Attn: Polar Express School Groups
411 S. Salisbury Ave
Spencer, N.C. 28159
What will event check-in look like?
Groups must be checked-in at Barber Junction Visitors Center by the group leader 30 minutes before departure. Please have group assembled and ready to board 15 minutes before departure. Below is the recommended schedule based on selected ride time. Please allow adequate travel time. The train departs as scheduled and cannot be held for late arrivals.
10:00am Train Ride:
- Please arrive no later than 9:30am
- Check-In will begin at 9:15am
- Groups will need to be assembled and ready to board by 9:45am
- The train WILL depart at 10:00am and cannot be held for late arrivals
11:30am Train Ride:
- Please arrive no later than 11:00am
- Check-In will begin at 10:45am
- Groups will need to be assembled and ready to board by 11:15am
- The train WILL depart at 11:30am and cannot be held for late arrivals
1:00pm Train Ride:
- Please arrive no later than 12:30pm
- Check-In will begin at 12:15pm
- Groups will need to be assembled and ready to board by 12:45pm
- The train WILL depart at 1:00pm and cannot be held for late arrivals
Can my group eat lunch on site?
Groups are welcome to bring packed lunches and may use our covered outdoor picnic shelters for lunch. Seating is limited, so we encourage all groups to bring towels and/or blankets to sit in our open field areas. If your group would like to eat lunch during your visit, please include this information in your reservation.
What should students wear?
We encourage the whole class to dress in their warmest pajamas and bring The Polar Express book to read along, if you wish. Do be sure to dress warmly enough to walk comfortably to and from your bus or car, to wait for boarding and to watch the two outdoor performances. We strongly encourage all participants to wear closed-toe shoes with non-slick bottoms. Please do not come in bare feet or stocking feet. Please make sure you (and your students) are dressed appropriately for the weather.
Is the train heated?
Yes, all passenger cars are heated. Because outdoor temperatures can vary greatly, we cannot guarantee that the temperature of the cars will be suitable to your specific preferences. Very cold temperatures can result in colder train cars even when the heat is running. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
What if I have a food allergy?
We cannot ensure our special hot cocoa and cookies do not contain ingredients your group member may be allergic to. Guests are welcome to bring their own snack options. Please give this to your chef when you board the train. We cannot prepare anything onboard, so please bring something that can be given directly to the passenger. For a link to the cookie, hot cocoa, click here.Please note that whipped topping is not provided on school group days.
Will exhibit buildings be open during the event?
Exhibit buildings will be closed on November 25 and December 9.
Are there any additional activities being offered?
Crafts, postcards to Santa and coloring sheets will be packaged for you to take back to school.
Pictures with Santa will be available at Candy Cane Lane after THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides.
A model train layout will be operating at Candy Cane Lane
Will the Gift Station be open?
Keep the magic alive by purchasing a keepsake or two from our Gift Station’s extensive array of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ merchandise. Our Gift Station will be open and ready to receive all groups upon returning from the North Pole.
All groups visiting the Gift Station will require adult supervision at all times.
Add-On Options:
- Pre-purchase a souvenir hardbound copy of The Polar Express book, signed by Santa Claus himself! Available as an add-on during the ticket purchase process, these books will be picked up during check-in at the Barber Junction Visitor Center.
$21.40/each (includes N.C. sales tax). - Teacher edition of The Polar Express book can be pre-purchased and signed by Santa Claus. This oversized edition of The Polar Express allows the entire classroom to see as they read along. It’s a great addition to the classroom library! These books will be picked up during check-in at the Barber Junction Visitor Center.
$32.09/each (includes N.C. sales tax). - The Polar Express book will also be available in The Gift Station, but only pre-purchased books will be signed by Santa Claus.
Additional Questions
Please contact Meghan DeLapp at 980-305-6298 or meghan.delapp@dncr.nc.gov for any questions or for any special needs such as mobility issues or requests.
