STILLWATER, Okla., July 25, 2016 – The Eastern Flyer will begin service to the North Pole onboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride starting November 18, 2016. Departing from Stillwater, Okla., for the first time, the magical story comes to life when the train departs for a one-hour round-trip journey to the North Pole.
“We could not be more thrilled to be the host city for the Eastern Flyer Polar Express, states Cristy Morrison, President; CEO of Visit Stillwater. “We so look forward to welcoming travelers from all over the state to experience this magical journey.”
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Once onboard, hot chocolate and treats are served as passengers read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole and then board the train, where each child is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. Chefs aboard each car lead passengers in singing Christmas carols on the ride back to Stillwater.
The journey begins November 18 and runs through December 23 on select dates. Ticket prices start at $32/adults and $22/children (ages 2-11), depending on date and class of service. Eastern Flyer POLAR EXPRESS™ tickets will go on sale Wednesday, July 27 at 9:00 a.m. CDT. Exact dates, fares and excursion times are available by calling 855-487-1430.
Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride!
The depot address is located at 401 E 9th Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074.
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters TM & © 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. (s14)
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 2005, Rail Events, Inc. has held the exclusive license to operate THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides in the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
THE POLAR EXPRESS Film
The Academy Award winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunite for THE POLAR EXPRESS, an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Sony Pictures Imageworks and visual effects supervisor Ken Ralston, Oscar winners for their innovative work, help bring the story vividly to the screen in full CG animation through Imageworks’ next-generation motion capture process that allows live-action performances to drive the emotions and movements of the digital characters. Warner Home Video will once again offer THE POLAR EXPRESS in standard-definition, Blu-ray and 3D DVD versions this holiday season.
THE POLAR EXPRESS Book
THE POLAR EXPRESS film is based on Chris Van Allburg’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 Houghtin Mifflin Company in 1985, The Polar Express became an instant family favorite and has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. In 1986 it won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Illustration.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About Rail Events Inc.
Rail Events Inc. is the industry leader in rail-related special events management. In 2013, we hosted over 600,000 guests at 50 licensed events with 34 partner railroads in the US, Canada, and the UK. Rail Events Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Heritage Railways, which is the premier operator of heritage railroads in the United States.
About Premier Rail Collection
The Premier Rail Collection is a family of passenger railroads across the United States that aims to bring the spirit of rail travel to a new generation, and reinvigorate the love for trains in those that knew it in its golden age. Owned and operated by Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, Premier Rail Collection is the nation’s largest operator of specially-themed and holiday rail events, offering a bounty of train adventures from The Polar Express train in Saratoga Springs, NY to a heritage journey from Chicago to New Orleans aboard Pullman Rail Journeys. The Premier Rail Collection is made up of:
Cape Cod Central Railroad – Hyannis, MA
Eastern Flyer – Stillwater, OK
Grenada Railway – Batesville, MS
High Iron Travel – Chicago, IL
Key Holidays – Walnut Creek, CA
The Mount Hood Railroad – Hood River, OR
Piedmont & Northern Railroad – Belmont, NC
Pullman Rail Journeys – Chicago, IL
Rio Grande Scenic Railroad – Alamosa CO
Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay Railway – Watsonville, CA
Saratoga & North Creek Railway – Saratoga Springs, NY
Texas State Railroad – Rusk/Palestine, TX
West Texas & Lubbock Railroad – Wolfforth, TX
Wisconsin & Southern Railroad – Middleton, WI
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