Here's my trip report of Wonderworks from a few years back:
One of the most recognizable buildings on International Drive is the upside-down building. If you have seen the building, you have seen WonderWorks. Although it is a well-known building, not too many people know what is inside.
Inside the building are over 75 interactive exhibits amaze, amuse, and even toss you around. One exhibit simulates an earthquake. Another is a hurricane simulator. 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. Smaller exhibits are optical illusions. The building also has a roller coaster simulator ride. 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.
Next door to WonderWorks is Pointe*Orlando, a collection of shops and restaurants. Notable shops are a huge FAO Schwartz and a large
Disney Store.
For more information on WonderWorks, go to their website at
www.wonderworksonline.com.
