Reservations
Reserve a program for your group or class in four easy steps!
Reserve seating as early as possible to get the times and shows you prefer (at least a month in advance; times in April and May fill up quickly!). You also may wish to check for bus availability before scheduling your program. Next, follow these steps:
Step One:
Browse the show listings and have the following information ready before you call (sorry, there are no online reservations):
- Preferred date(s)
- Show title(s)
- Show time(s)
- Number of students attending
- Grade level of your students
- Number of adults (teachers, drivers, assistants)
- Special arrangements (wheelchairs, accommodations for hearing disabled, etc.)
- Please let us know if your group plans to eat lunch in our lobby or on our grounds outside the planetarium. Accommodations elsewhere within the college for large groups may be available with advance notice.
- School mailing address
- Phone number where you can be reached
Step Two:
Call us at 217/351-2568 Monday through Friday to schedule a visit (have the information from Step One ready). Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance and prepaid by check one week before the show. Show prices are:
- One show--$3.00 per person*
- Two shows--$4.50 per person (Select two shows and see the second at half price!)
Step Three:
A confirmation letter will be mailed to you. Online teacher's materials (with suggestions for pre and post-visit discussions/activities) for most programs can be found here.
Step Four:
Return a copy of the confirmation with your payment. If you cannot return payment a week in advance of your scheduled time, please call to arrange for later payment and to confirm your intention to arrive.
Late Arrivals, Refunds, etc.
- Planetarium programs begin on the hour, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes in advance of your scheduled show time. A late arrival may mean that your program will be shortened, in fairness to groups that have shows scheduled after yours.
- We are unable to give refunds. Absent students will receive show passes. We will gladly reschedule for any "snow" days.
- The "Star Shoppe" is open at our ticket counter with gift items ranging from 25 cents to $15. Supplies are limited.
* As of August 1, 2006 we have a group minimum fee of $45 for one show and $67.50 for two shows. (For groups arriving with less than 15 people, the fee is still $45.)