Cotton Tail Special

Join Us for an Easter Egg Hunt!

The Cotton Tail Special is departing for the museum’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. Enjoy a 30 minute train ride to Willow, FL where lots of fun activities are planned for children of all ages. Approximately 1.5 hours will be spent at Willow enjoying the activities followed by a 30 minute return train ride to Parrish.

Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard the train and while at the Egg Hunt.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Before Your Visit

Children

All children ages one and up must have a ticket for the Cotton Tail Special.

Children under the age of one ride ride with our compliments, no ticket is required. Children traveling without a ticket must ride on a lap. If you wish to secure a seat for a child under the age of one, simply purchase a child ticket.

Classes of Service

The Cotton Tail Special features four classes of service and the Private Cabooses.

First Class

A variety of First Class cars with different seating options are available.

First Class Lounge #250

• • • • Assigned Seating
      • Fully enclosed with heating and air conditioning
      • Comfortable Booth Seating at a Tables for 6
      • Comfortable Seats at Tables for 2
      • Restrooms available in car

First Class Table Car #1204

• • • • Assigned Seating
      • Fully enclosed with heating and air conditioning
      • Table Seating for 4
      • Restrooms available in car

First Class Coach #6203

• • • • Assigned Seating
      • Comfortable, reclining seats with foot rests
      • Plenty of legroom
      • Restrooms available in car

Excursion Plus

Excursion Plus Coach #3155

• • • • Assigned Seating
      • Comfortable seats
      • Fully enclosed with heating and air conditioning
      • Restrooms available in car

Excursion

Excursion Coach #821

• • • • Assigned Seating
      • Open-window coach
      • Comfortable, upholstered seats with foot rests
      • Restrooms available in car

Coach

Open-air Coach Car #6324

• • • • General Admission. Seating first come, first served at boarding
      • Restrooms available in car

Open-air Flat Car #86902

• • • • General Admission. Seating first come, first served at boarding

Private Caboose

Charter your own private caboose for up to 16 guests.

As a special surprise from Mr. Bunny himself, each each child traveling in a Private Caboose will have their very own basket waiting and pre-filled with our favorite Easter treats.

• • • • Bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages
      • Each caboose has tables and plenty of seating options
      • Restroom available in caboose
      • Windows, end doors and fans for ventilation
      • Museum host provided for safety and to assist with boarding and detraining

 

Seat Assignments

Guests booking in First and Excursion Classes will be assigned seats automatically by the Museum prior to departure. All tickets booked together will be seated together. If you are traveling with friends and family, be sure to reserve all your tickets in the same booking. We are unable to guarantee separate bookings will be seated together.

Buying Tickets

The Museum’s website is the fastest and easiest way to make your booking on the Cotton Tail Special. Reservations may also be made over the phone and in person at the Parrish Ticket Office.

Wheelchair space is available in very limited quantities and may be booked online as a Wheelchair Space ticket.

The Ticket Office telephone number is 941-776-0906.

Wait Lists

The Museum does not offer wait lists.

Ticket Exchanges

The Museum is happy to exchange tickets with 48 hours notice to another date and time at no charge. Ticket exchanges are subject to inventory availability. The full value of the tickets may also be placed into a gift card for use on future rides sold by the Florida Railroad Museum.

Within 48 hours of departure time, tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.

Ticket Refunds

Tickets and service fees are non-refundable.

At the Station

Arrive Early

Plan to arrive at the station 45 minutes before departure. This will allow time for unexpected traffic, parking, ticket pick up and boarding. The train will depart on-time and cannot be held for late arriving guests.

Parking

Parking is free. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle. The Museum is not responsible for theft, damage, or loss from any parked vehicle.

Boarding

Boarding for the Cotton Tail Special begins 30 minutes before departure time.

Coach Class seating is first come, first served within your assigned car. First and Excursion Class guests have reserved seat assignments.

Accessibility and Wheelchairs

Accessible parking and restrooms are available at the station.

The boarding ramp to Car 86902 is adjacent to accessible parking.

The entire station area is a fairly level grass field. Please use extra caution with wheelchair and mobility impaired guests in your party.

We regret the Ticket Office and Gift Shop is not accessible at this time.

Restrooms

There are accessible restrooms available at the Parrish station.

Onboard the Train

Safety

Your safety is our first and foremost responsibility. Please take a few moments to pay special attention to the safety announcements at the beginning of your journey.

Keep the following in mind while riding our trains:

• • • Use both hands and provided hand holds when boarding, walking between cars and leaving the train.
    • Accompany children at all times.
    • Wear shoes at all times.
    • No running on the train.
    • Keep all parts of your body inside open windows and do not extend hands, arms, feet, legs or heads over the edge of open-air cars.
    • Do not stand on seats or sit on ledges.

Dress Appropriately

In addition to the Egg Hunt being outdoors, the open-air coaches are not climate controlled. Coach Class is directly exposed to weather and wind from the train’s movement. First Class and Excursion Class are fully enclosed with heating and air conditioning.

Food and Drink

With the exception of baby, special dietary and allergy requirements, outside food, beverages and coolers are not permitted onboard the train.

Light snacks and cold soda, juices and water are available in the gift shop and onboard the train. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted at all locations.

Strollers, Bags and Coolers

Due to limited space, strollers and coolers are not permitted on the train. Small soft-sided coolers are permitted in conjunction with the food exceptions listed above.

If you need to bring a bag, please pack a reasonable size that will comfortably fit on your lap. The train will be full and not all cars have sufficient overhead or underseat storage. The Museum reserves the right to deny boarding of oversized items.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available in First Class, Excursion Class and Coach #6234. We apologize that onboard restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. The trip to and from the Pumpkin Patch lasts 30 minutes.

Smoking

Smoking, vaping and e-cigarettes are prohibited onboard the train including the restrooms and vestibules.

At the Egg Hunt

Accessibility

Car 86902 will unload and load via ramp. Accessible restrooms are available. Please note, the activities are located on a large grassy field.

Personal Belongings

Guests may store their belongings onboard the train while stopped at the Egg Hunt and activities. Please do not leave valuables. The Museum is not responsible for theft, loss or damage to items onboard the train.

Restrooms

Restroom facilities are available.

Food and Drink

A food vendor will be on site at the Pumpkin Patch selling hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks and beverages. Cash, credit and debit cards are accepted for all purchases.

Activities

All activities, including the egg hunt, are included with your ticket.