WebmasterBarry
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
May 25, 2001
The cast:
Me (the 29-year old)
Most people recognize WonderWorks as the upside-down building on International Drive. I think that is even one of the most photographed buildings in town. Not too many people know whats inside, though. I had an idea from reading different things about it. Ive always been curious about what was inside and now was the chance to see.
I parked in the Pointe Orlando parking lot. I wanted to see if there was a nice restaurant in the shopping place. I walked around, but I didnt see anything to my liking. I did see a Johnny Rockets, but the place was packed. I almost went into the huge FAO Schwartz, but I decided to go to WonderWorks instead.
I went over to WonderWorks and I entered just in time. A group of 30 walked in right behind me. Whew! The entrance fee was $16.95. I had forgotten my coupon because I didnt plan on visiting. Oh well, I will just have to pay the piper!
The first exhibit was well done. It was a rotating cyndrical room. If youve seen the water vortex in Poseidons Fury at Islands of Adventure, thats what the room was like, minus the water and the hallway was much narrower. As you stepped in, it appears that the room is moving! It wasnt moving when I entered! Thankfully, there are handrails to guide you around.
Inside the building are over 75 interactive exhibits that amaze, amuse, and even toss you around. One exhibit simulates an earthquake. You sit on padded chairs and tables as the room bounces around. Another is a hurricane simulator. You sit in a room that blows hurricane force winds. A VR simulator lets you fight other guests in a computer-generated environment. WonderWorks has an electric chair simulator. You sit in the chair and you can feel what its like to be electrocuted (minus the annoyance of death). You can hang glide over simulated environments. You can play music on a big piano (like the one in the movie Big). Smaller exhibits are optical illusions. The building also has a roller coaster simulator ride. A climbing wall was rather deserted. I suppose the sign saying, Climb at your own risk scared people off. An upper floor is a huge laser tag arena. You can also eat pizza and other junk food in the snack bar below.
WonderWorks had a lot of exhibits that you can find at many science museums. Unlike science museums, WonderWorks doesnt have scientific explanations on what causes these phenomenons. The attraction has the air of the cheesy tourist attraction.
As I toured the building, I thought tourist trap! many times. I think the Orlando Science Center or even Disney Quest would be a better value for the money. At the Orlando Science Center, you learn as you have fun with the exhibits. I always feel like my head is ten pounds heavier from all the things Ive learned there. Disney Quest has a better set of exhibits. The best thing about WonderWorks is that is open until midnight daily. Other attractions around International Drive close much earlier. Still, WonderWorks is not a bad place to spend an hour or two.
I had planned to stay there for two hours, but I ended up finishing it in 45 minutes. WonderWorks does have a neat arcade, though. I found one of my favorite games there Gunblade NY. I hadnt played it in a long time.
After WonderWorks, I went hunting for a place to eat. I saw a Sizzlers across the street, but the line to pay the cashier was backed up to the door and the place was packed! I decided to hold off until I checked into my hotel.
I braved I-4 again to go to my hotel. Parking at Pointe Orlando ended up being $2 for around 2 hours of parking.
The cast:
Me (the 29-year old)
Most people recognize WonderWorks as the upside-down building on International Drive. I think that is even one of the most photographed buildings in town. Not too many people know whats inside, though. I had an idea from reading different things about it. Ive always been curious about what was inside and now was the chance to see.
I parked in the Pointe Orlando parking lot. I wanted to see if there was a nice restaurant in the shopping place. I walked around, but I didnt see anything to my liking. I did see a Johnny Rockets, but the place was packed. I almost went into the huge FAO Schwartz, but I decided to go to WonderWorks instead.
I went over to WonderWorks and I entered just in time. A group of 30 walked in right behind me. Whew! The entrance fee was $16.95. I had forgotten my coupon because I didnt plan on visiting. Oh well, I will just have to pay the piper!
The first exhibit was well done. It was a rotating cyndrical room. If youve seen the water vortex in Poseidons Fury at Islands of Adventure, thats what the room was like, minus the water and the hallway was much narrower. As you stepped in, it appears that the room is moving! It wasnt moving when I entered! Thankfully, there are handrails to guide you around.
Inside the building are over 75 interactive exhibits that amaze, amuse, and even toss you around. One exhibit simulates an earthquake. You sit on padded chairs and tables as the room bounces around. Another is a hurricane simulator. You sit in a room that blows hurricane force winds. A VR simulator lets you fight other guests in a computer-generated environment. WonderWorks has an electric chair simulator. You sit in the chair and you can feel what its like to be electrocuted (minus the annoyance of death). You can hang glide over simulated environments. You can play music on a big piano (like the one in the movie Big). Smaller exhibits are optical illusions. The building also has a roller coaster simulator ride. A climbing wall was rather deserted. I suppose the sign saying, Climb at your own risk scared people off. An upper floor is a huge laser tag arena. You can also eat pizza and other junk food in the snack bar below.
WonderWorks had a lot of exhibits that you can find at many science museums. Unlike science museums, WonderWorks doesnt have scientific explanations on what causes these phenomenons. The attraction has the air of the cheesy tourist attraction.
As I toured the building, I thought tourist trap! many times. I think the Orlando Science Center or even Disney Quest would be a better value for the money. At the Orlando Science Center, you learn as you have fun with the exhibits. I always feel like my head is ten pounds heavier from all the things Ive learned there. Disney Quest has a better set of exhibits. The best thing about WonderWorks is that is open until midnight daily. Other attractions around International Drive close much earlier. Still, WonderWorks is not a bad place to spend an hour or two.
I had planned to stay there for two hours, but I ended up finishing it in 45 minutes. WonderWorks does have a neat arcade, though. I found one of my favorite games there Gunblade NY. I hadnt played it in a long time.
After WonderWorks, I went hunting for a place to eat. I saw a Sizzlers across the street, but the line to pay the cashier was backed up to the door and the place was packed! I decided to hold off until I checked into my hotel.
I braved I-4 again to go to my hotel. Parking at Pointe Orlando ended up being $2 for around 2 hours of parking.
