We did the 8:20 pm show for Polar Express. We were in "first class." The website said to arrive at least an hour before and to be prepared to board 30 minutes before departure time. It was about 23 degrees the evening of and unfortunately, they did not board us until 8:10 so we all spent a good bit of time out in the cold. We came with a 13 year old and quickly realized that the show was much more appropriate for younger children. The train was nicely decorated and they gave us hot chocolate and a cookie. The hot chocolate was not hot, but the kids all seemed to like it. The reading of the story/"show" was overall pretty corny, but we also recognize the target age range. We would have liked to have been able to purchase other drinks or snacks while onboard, but the told us that was only for the 5 hour long morning train. My advice if doing this train ride: 1) come with younger children 2) go during the day so you can see more 3) bring whatever snacks or drinks you may want for the ride (though it's only 1 hour 15) read more

Had an amazing weekend with the family and grandkids riding the polar express train. Would recommend to anyone with small kids. Bryson City is such nice and festive town. read more

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We were on the Silver sitting in K and L tables. The decorations were on the cheap side at those tables compared to the rest of the train. It wasn't lit very well and you couldn't hear the story at all. However, the staff saw my grandchildren struggling to hear them and moved closer to them. There was a glass partition dividing our section from the rest. The rest of the train was magical with decorations and lighting. Overall it was a beautiful experience with family. read more

Sorry but wasn't a good experience for us. From the time the ride started it was not good I felt like I was on a high school drama show. They were running up and down the aisle screaming and yelling we wasn't even sure what part of the actual show was them acting or not knowing what they were doing. Not a good experience for us we spent a load of money. Felt like we were on an episode of punked read more

almost $100 a person for a couple mile ride on a worn out train with stained outdated upolstery through a homeless encampment and junkyards. Cold Hot chocolate and a stale cookie for "treats" entertainment was one poor girl trying to recreate the entire routine by herself. Temu Polar Express is what it should be called read more

What an amazing experience! This is a holiday tradition for many. As a first timer, it was an exciting train ride. If you have children and want to share this experience with them, I 10/10 recommend. If you are curious w/o children, it's worth the trip if you haven't experienced. I love Bryson: it's a cute town just outside of Asheville. Grab your PJs, make your PE reservation as soon as they open reservations for 2024! They sell out quickly. read more

The Polar Express - Bryson City Santa! Polar Express - Arts & Entertainment Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

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Highly recommend against this. The actual train is a precious experience, but the "policies" and staff leading up to boarding are deplorable. The highway was shut down for 2 hrs before our scheduled time and as a result, several families were stranded re not able to board. We were sent home with heartbroken children, although there were a collective 21 vacant tables for the two later trains on the same night as our reservation. We were told a refund was against company policy and that we could book for the following YEAR. Would unfortunately encourage against it if you are traveling in- the depot staff and all of those outside of the actual train took joy in refusing available avenues for accommodation. read more

Absolutely the worst experience. Our staff members were less than enthusiastic. I'm not sure if the microphones or speakers were broke on our cart but we could not hear anything. Other passengers were so incredibly loud. We were unable to hear the story being told, if the lights wouldn't have been turned out we would have had no idea we were coming up on the North Pole. Staff never once reminded all passengers to stay quiet and not let their children scream and holler. The entire ride was horrid. I would never recommend this experience to anyone. Entirely over priced to begin with and then to not even have a decent experience is pathetic. read more

This was my 3rd experience. My first 2 were in Carson City NV . The first 2 experiences were amazing . They sang dances interacted with each child . It was so much fun. This last time I upgraded to VIP . I took my grandson to experience the polar express in Bryson NC . What a horrible experience. This was done with teenage kids that did such a horrible job . They did not interact with the kids . Couldn't remember what they were supposed to be doing half the time . I spent allot of money for a short train ride . They held up a beat up book instead of acting out scenes . The only good part of this ride was Santa Claus . He did such an amazing job. For the amount of money I spent , the sprinkles character, had dirty , wrinkled chiefs jacket on . Even the train conductors outside were to busy socializing than interacting with the kids . I strongly recommend not paying for this Polar Express. Find a better one to go on . read more

I can't say enough great things about this experience. We purchased first class tickets over the summer and were scared the trip would be cancelled due to Covid. Our car was completely socially distanced and one of our "elves" was wiping down tables when we walked onto the train car. This checked all the boxes for our four year old: "Hot Chocolate" song while we were served hot chocolate, the conductor came and punched his ticket, friendly elves (thanks Miracle, Nutmeg, and Snow), and of course a visit from Santa who hand delivered his bell. I've read some reviews on here that were pretty harsh. Guess what? This experience is what you make it. We were impressed and plan on making a yearly trip of it. read more

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I think that this train ride could be a lot better! For starters the experience isn't very magical and at no point is it interactive. The acting was terrible, the girls had to constantly keep looking at one another to remember the little dances that they perform, which they did with no enthusiasm. My 6 year old niece didn't even seem interested. They were playing rather than doing their job. read more

it was the worse waste of money! cold hot chocolate! terrible cookie! Santa was so rude we couldn't believe it. the gift is as cheap as you could by. A BELL! north pole sucks. there were 6 of us and it was horrible! GET THE WORD OUT read more

Awful Polar Express! Let my family's experience save you the drive and money. It's truly abysmal. My 8yo said with sad eyes after it was over, "It's just a boring, slow train to a fake North Pole." You board an old, junky amtrak that's been "decorated" with a few bows and some trash and boxes for napkins and stuff. Nothing has been updated or restored. The dumpy train grinds slowly through the most depressing scenes Trashville, NC can offer. It's nothing but trailers and busted cars for the entire trip. There's no magic portal or spectacle with the shades drawn to add to the show, just heaps of garbage right in your face. The actors are well-meaning high-school drama kids doing their best with almost nothing, but the theater is cringy terrible. They play a few excerpts from the Polar Express over the speakers while the teenagers walk around with an open book to show odd pages during the story. The rest is singalongs to Christmas songs, which is another way of saying that the audience must entertain itself. The grand finale is a paper mache/plastic "North Pole" hastily constructed in an open lot in Whittier. It's small and bizarre, with plastic reindeer and a few more actors waving at the train. But the nightmare doesn't end there! The train continues through Whittier, while people and cars and just normal life bump around the town that is supposed to be more of the North Pole because a few folks have placed Santa's Village signs in front of their very regular, snow-free homes. Santa eventually boards the train, gives the kids a bell, and that's it. You are left to ponder the vomit-inducing, Christmas Spirit-sucking disaster for 30 more minutes, while the train you've never left reverses itself through the Trashville tragedy. It's one thing to fleece people, of which these scumbags are guilty. It's another to ruin children's imagination before Christmas. May their shame follow them long after bankruptcy. read more

The Polar Express - Arts & Entertainment Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

We got on this ride every year since 2012. It is definitely a ride for kids or people who love the Polar Express. The staff has always been friendly and the hot chocolate is great. Our kids always enjoy it. The town is always light up and in the Christmas spirit with lots of people wearing PJs even adults! read more

The Polar Express - Arts & Entertainment Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

First if you run into town and just do the 1.5 hr ride you have missed the whole experience. We came to Bryson City and stayed the night in the hotel. We went down town and looked in a lot of shops. We visited the train museum which came free with the Polar Express ticket. We then ate at Fullers farmhouse restaurant before making the train ride. The actors were good. They kept the kids entertained the whole evening. We got hot cocoa, chocolate,souvenir cups and tickets. They encouraged precipitation. Did I say the temp was 25 degrees. The cars were warm. I did not need any help but the staff treated disabled people with dignity and made sure they had the best time possible. Of course you can spend a lot of money. The smile that lasted all night on the grandson was worth it. I think he hit the bed in his clothes because he was so tired. Everyone was taking all the pictures on the phone they wanted.!There were no restrictions. read more

This was the second Polar Express Train ride my child and I have been on. This Polar Express did not live up to our expectations and was less entertaining than the last. The Conductor rushed by us without acknowledging any of the children, the Hobo was on our car for two minutes and the most disappointing thing was there was no dancing Chefs. Our first experience we had The Elves that was with us the entire trip and read the book to us but when it came to serving the hot chocolate the Chefs danced, sang and gave out the cookie and hot chocolate. What we did like was the North Pole and Santa was very kind and looked the part and the train was very comfortable. read more

Our family enjoyed this fun Christmastime experience in the North Carolina mountains -- it's a train ride back in time, complete with all the magic that makes the 'Polar Express' movie a holiday favorite. From warm cups of hot chocolate and golden tickets to music, sights and a surprise visit from Santa, young kids will eat this up from start to finish. Adults, though, will probably be as frustrated as we were by the chaotic boarding process, which kept us standing in a cold drizzle for nearly 20 minutes in a line of grumpy passengers that seemed to stretch as far as Terre Haute. Parents will also roll their eyes when the announcer identifies a nondescript mill house at the side of the tracks as 'the Elves' Workshop,' and a nearby home as 'the Claus's residence.' Nice try. Our 8:30 departure time meant the scenery outside was pitch black, until we reached the 'North Pole.' I'd recommend an earlier time, when you can at least watch the sun go down behind the mountains. Either way, be sure to arrive early enough to explore the adorable town of Bryson City, which is decked out in its holiday best. Beer lovers will find a great brewery (Nantahala) across from the depot, and there are some cute shops and restaurants within walking distance. I'm not sure we'll ever make a return trip on the Polar Express, but it made for a fun, one-time experience with our young kids. It should be on everyone's North Carolina bucket list. read more

The Polar Express - All Aboard! - Arts & Entertainment Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

This was my family's first time on the Polar Express and to say it was a disappointment is an understatement. We spent a ridiculous amount of money to have excellent hot chocolate and an amazing Santa. Other than that, it was awful. The entertainment was horrid, our teen "actress" was speaking so fast and squeaky we literally couldn't understand her, not to mention the "Santa freaks me out" comments to my 11 year old. There wasn't a speaker on our end of the train car so we also couldn't hear any of that part of the show. Bryson City is super cute and was decorated perfectly. Don't waste your time or your money. Very disappointed. read more

This was the most horrific experience we have had on this event. My family goes every other year however with it being so bad we will switch up our event for the holidays. This is to much money to spend with the experience we received. Entertainment was awful with a lot of downtown with no interaction. For this to be for kids, it definitely was not on this trip. Unfortunately my family will not be doing this anymore here. Yes it was that bad... read more

This was a neat experience for our little ones. Unfortunately it was raining and very cold. We had to wait out in the rain for about 10 mins to board. It would have been nice if they let everyone stay in the station and then let us know once each car was cleared from the previous riders. They have a cute store and they were decorated for Christmas. The "North Pole" part wasn't what we were expecting. It's basically privately owned homes with Christmas lights on them. The experience inside the train was fun. They go through the Polar Express book, hand out cookies, and hot chocolate. Most of the guests were dressed in pajamas. You can sing along to Christmas songs on the way back. Its expensive but our children enjoyed it so it was well worth it. We made great memories. read more

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The idea of this is adorable, and Santa visiting the train is really nice. But the views outside while you're on the way to the North Pole are kind of - not great. I know they can't demolish houses in order to make it look believable or anything, but there are just lots of run down houses and trailers along the way that make it just not as exciting as your kid thinks it will be. My son looked at me halfway through and said, "I know this isn't really going to the North Pole." Once you get there, there is just a small area that is decorated and then you're on your way back to the station. However, Santa visiting the train was very cute and my son did love that. Also, the train museum at the station is really cool to see. Also, I thought Bryson City was a gorgeous town and all the locals at businesses were very hospitable. read more

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Amazing experience!! Reading the reviews from the other night made me a little skeptical but I was definitely surprised!! The "elf" on our train was amazing and interacted with all the children. Hot chocolate was to die for, literally tasted like a melted chocolate bar! Definitely recommend this! read more

The Polar Express - souvenir cup, bell & gold ticket - Arts & Entertainment Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

My Christmas was truly made this evening at the Polar Express in Bryson City, NC. To see my little girls eyes light up with such joy was worth more to me than any gift. If you've ever considered making the long trip to experience this magic, I HIGHLY recommend it. The staff all did a fantastic job in re-creating the authentic parts of the movie, from the punching of tickets all the way to the train stopping on the tracks for the caribou! Will definitely do this again next year read more

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We have been to the polar express twice before and had great experiences. This year however was different. Santa told my 8 year old that what he wanted wasn't going to happen. He told my 5 year old that the gift he asked for was too expensive and he should ask his parents. Both of my children's eyes welled up with tears. Horrible experience!!!!!! read more

Just left the polar express train ride and it was one of the absolute worst experiences I've ever had. The 2-3 staff members were so young & had zero engaging/acting skills of any sort. It was extremely boring for the kids and a total waste of money. So disappointed after waiting an entire year for this experience. There's so much they could do to improve this experience but it was a joke. read more

I don't understand the negative reviews. This is the kind of cheesy fun that children love. Every kid in our train car was going ape. It was amazing seeing the smiles on their faces, especially when Santa showed up and passed out the bells. Oh, and the hot chocolate was steamy and awesome. Do this if you have small children. read more

The train was great up until the employee who was named " Gingerbread" came through to hole punch our 2 additional tickets. My son had them wrapped around the dollar bill chocolate bars. She acted disgusted and hole punched it once then shrugged and kept walking. This behavior continued as throughout all the skits she had a look of pure utter disgust on her face and acted as if she didn't want to participate. Especially during Rudolph the red nose reindeer song she had her fingers plugged into her ears. The next incident was another employee was juggling some of the silver bells and threw one to her at the same time she threw the microphone and hit me in the side to catch the bell. I turned and asked if they always threw the microphone then she said I'm so sorry. We were sitting at table T seats 1-3 in the Cherokee train car. Why would you throw anything remotely near to children!? I found this incredibly unsafe as there were children all around. Not to mention very unprofessional! This was our first experience and we will NOT be back due to these events! read more

We went on the 8:15 p.m. Polar Express ride, Friday November 9th. The children loved it. And for that I say 4 stars. Adults will most likely be disappointed in "The North Pole". Santa's place looked fine. The others, not at all. I can only imagine that cooperation from homeowners there is minimal. If a better plan could be worked out for that part of the event, it would be much much better. It really takes away from the experience. The area around the departure depot is fun and activities there are nice. The girls working our Car, the Royal Palm, were really good. Their interaction with the children was admirable and really helped to create the atmosphere. Santa was perfect! Get there a few hours early so you can add to your experience with the other activities. read more

Super fun time! great for adults and kids. great pair with the Snak shak right down the road for quick bite before the ride so you can finish off with some hot coco on the train. would go again! read more

It's ALMOST a cool thing to do but it would need some serious tweaks. The elements are there with the music and the story and the hot chocolate and the dancing and Santa and the bell and the souvenir golden ticket...and of course the train...however the execution is very lack luster. The dancers on our train were very awkward and almost make you feel uncomfortable as they stumble through the routine while often eyeing one another with a look of "oh God, we need Better jobs." They tried to interact with the kids but again it was forced and awkward. We took the 5 pm train and the upside is you are not looking at darkness the whole time however the downside is other than the nice river views, your views are fraught with dilapidated homes and trailers. And debris. And more trailers. The South Pole display is something like a failed theme park you'd see in a Simpsons episode. My husband and I were laughing at the inadequacy of it all. But then we remembered what we paid and it wasn't so funny. It's great for photo ops and souvenirs but the experience is probably totally dependent on what staff you get. The last 15 minutes you will be checking your watch every minute. And listen. Hear me what I say...book first class or do NOT bother to go. Cheesy as the experience it is, it's downright oppressive in the lower level cars. Good luck. read more

This was a complete disappointment, the price was ridiculous, and the decorations were terrible even the hot chocolate was bad. I feel like they don't care about people come back, as they make a killing with suckered like me. You are better off doing anything else. read more

I had the unique pleasure to ride the Polar Express to see Santa with my daughter and my grandson yesturday and it was magical! The ride up to see Santa was filled with magic and awe by the staff. The mug was a truly nice quality, the bell dated with the year and the rail car very festive. The whole town is filled it's incredibly nice and friendly people and I couldn't have asked for a better setup for this Christmas journey. We will be back next year. Thank you for a lovely memory. read more

As this was my first time. Hubby and I were early and I stopped by the depot to inquire about our prepaid tickets. Talk about cold. I was the only person in there. I had my Christmas hat on and went to a window. Lady was cool to the point of making me rethink my decision to come. I'm not a local, I'm 4 hours away. Just curious, this is a tourist place and if my reading was right, tourism is 88% of the income. Why they are rude? Who knows. We won't be back. So then we get on the train when our time comes. The guys helping us in were great. Now comes my big problem. The chef characters were horrible. The children were so excited. But these two characters were deflated. Santa was rude to me but I watched him with our kids. Gotta give him credit for his interactions with them. We rode around 5:30 pm and the town was lighted. Beautiful. But they need people who are proud of their town and want to show it off to all. read more

I can't believe the negativity here! My 5 year old grandson loved it. I loved it! My husband did too , being a train lover. I think the whole thing was fun, the scenery in Bryson City leaves much to be desired but when the kids see Santa standing out in the field, the whole train went beserk! I thought it was lots of fun, pricey, MUCH more so than we wanted to pay, but only the one grandchild, so it was worth it! read more

My husband and I bought first class tickets for our family to ride on the Polar Express. Due to inclimate weather, we decided to cancel our reservations. I called the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and was put on hold for approximately 10 minutes. The call then went into voicemail and I left my name, number and reservation number and requested a callback. When no one returned my call I called back and dialed the option for group reservations. As if by magic, someone immediately answered the phone. I told the employee about our predicament and she informed me I was not entitled to any of my money back even though I called 48 hours in advance. When I asked to speak to a manager, the employee claimed to be the manager (hmm...). The management at The Polar Express only cares about your money. They do not even honor their own cancellation policy. They won't get any more of my money EVER. BTW, I'm still waiting for my callback. ;) read more

I'm giving it a 3-star only becuase my kids had fun. As an adult though, I feel that the service needs to be better. There was only person serving our entire car, and there should be at least 2 servers per car. Hot chocolate and cookies were okay. For the price we paid, I think they could do much better. We bought the professional picture for $35 (Magic Memories), and it was supposed to be online within 24 hours. But, it is still not online almost a month later. In fact, the web link listed on the card which was given to us while on the train is not even working. I tried calling the Polar Express and Magic Memories several times over the last month, but I still haven't gotten my picture. :-/ read more

Our son had a great time for the novelty of riding on a train. But the whole place needs tlc. Recommend going at night so the view on the train isn't ruined by Jesco White & Co. read more

We were more than disappointed after standing in 20 degree weather to board. We really wished we had saved our money. 88 dollars is way too much for this ride for just over an hour. The treats and hot cocoa were not not worth the wait or money. Even for kids this would not be worth the cost it takes from a household budget. The decorations at "The North Pole" were not very good. I do not recommend that anyone spend the money this cost. Disappointed read more

I never actually went on the Polar Express train ride in Bryson City, but my interactions with the staff regarding ticket sales were enough to make me NEVER attend any train ride with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroads. Somehow I accidentally purchased train tickets in Bryson City when I thought that I was purchasing them for the Polar Express with the NC Transportation Museum. I realized my error less than one week before our train ride. When I contacted the Great Smoky Mountain Railroads the first lady I spoke to explained she didn't know how my error would have happened, acted like she really didn't care, and that they would be charging me over $70 in cancellation fees. I then spoke to the NC Transportation Museum and they were so kind. There was unfortunately no tickets for the Polar Express and the manager even took the time to call me back and try to help figure out how this error happened. Two days later I called back to the Great Smoky Mountains and once again tried to explain my situation so that I could be refunded the rest of what I paid for the tickets. I explained this was a Christmas gift for my daughter and that it was truly just a terrible mistake the tickets were ordered with them. She was very rude said that there were many notes written on my reservation, placed me on hold and then said the manager said no. The next day I called back again asking to specifically speak with a manager. The lady pulled up my reservation again and said I see there are notes here and you've already been told no. I said I want to speak to a manager, so she too placed me on hold and then came back and practically yelled at me that the manager said no. I asked to be transferred to the manager, so she transferred me and funny enough it went straight to his voicemail. He never called back. I understand that there are cancellation fees, but it is not like I changed my plans. I would also guarantee that they sold my tickets as soon as they became available, so they were just making more money off of the sale. The two websites are nearly identical offering the same things and somehow their browser got opened when I purchased the tickets. This might be the best Polar Express train ride in the world, but I would NEVER support their company due to how rudely I was treated. Definitely NOT the Christmas Spirit in Bryson City. *Also not sure why it says I live in San Francisco, I live in Raleigh, NC (and would have never bought tickets for a train ride 5 hours away!) read more

The Polar Express train and area was well themed and pleasing. We had a party that took 4 tables. The process seemed somewhat stressed but everyone was friendly towards us and addressed our questions. The Bryson area is rural and aesthetically pleasing. They had decorated for Christmas. Parking was adequate and organized. We waited at Nate and Nicks restaurant. Their staff was friendly. The food was good. The attire was pajamas for kids and many Moms. However, the guys were mainly L.L. Bean with jeans and flannel shirts. Once we were on the train we were told to sit anywhere, which added confusion as the tickets appear to assign seating. It was uncomfortable not knowing whose seat you might be taking and whether they might be seething at us in their seat. The train was staged nicely and we had a 6:30, after sunset, trip. The darkness conveniently hid dilapidated properties along the route from most of the kids ( certainly beyond the control of the providers ). We were fortunate enough to have enthusiastic actors who catered to the kids and made an effort to create a special event and memory. Santa interacted with every child ( and table ) and gave each a bell. He would autograph the book "if asked." A piece of information we found out about too late. Photographers were there to document the event. Everyone in our group had an enjoyable trip and did the tourist trap with no regrets. read more