WonderWorks

While we were in Pigeon Forge, we saw many advertisements for WonderWorks. We spent a lot of time saying that we didn't want to go there because we had basically been there and done that in Wisconsin Dells at the Upside Down White House. My brother, who wasn't able to go to the Dells finally flat out insisted that we at least go in and check it out. Fortunately, we listened to him because WW turned out to be a LOT of fun.

The building is built upside and the lobby inside (the ticketing area) was also upside down. The building creaks and groans a little but looks pretty neat. After paying $19.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids, we entered the "inversion tunnel" which took us into the upside down part of the house. It is a dark spinning tunnel and causes some pretty severe disorientation. TB closed his eyes and held my hand and I basically drug him through. Apparently, my mom did the same thing and let my brother drag her :) WW is a cross between a children's museum and a simulator ride. In the first room, they have an earthquake simulator, where up to six people can take a seat at the Quake cafe and experience and earthquake. After we got all shook up, we took a turn in the hurricane simulator, dipped our hands in water that simulated the temperatures Titanic survivors endured and climbed the rock wall. TB really rocked, although MT and I sure tried our best. Beyond that is a space room with some shuttles to climb in and play with the buttons. In the next room is projectors and motion sensors and some of the coolest exhibits. There was an air hockey table, that didn't have a puck. It is a projection and you use your hands to block and push the shadow puck around. There were motion rooms, giant Simon games, steady hand wires, a bubble room and a bed of nails. Then we played "Mind Ball" where the player puts on a headband that measures alpha and theta brain waves and the person who has the calmest brain waves pushes the ball at the other person and eventually wins. Apparently my brain waves fires like monkey on crack because my brother beat me soundly in a matter of seconds.

The second floor is mainly optical illusions and other things like that. TB was much more interested in this floor than MT. She ran right one by, while he was willing to stop and look, at least for a few seconds. We did get to see a cool bathroom with clear glass while it was unlocked and smoked glass when it was locked. Beyond the exhibits was an arcade and laser tag. We chose to upgrade our ticket to include laser tag because the kids love it. We played a game and then headed out for lunch, with the ability to come back later that evening and play again for less per game.

Overall, WonderWorks wasn't your average children's museum. It had some standard exhibits, like the bubble room but it had a lot more stuff that you wouldn't expect, like the simulators and rock climbing. This attraction earns a full 4 stars for being super fun for all of us as well as educational.

I would recommend this as an attraction for 5 and up or kids that are used to going to children's museums and understand that some things require explaining. MT really enjoyed it, but I could see this being too much for some younger kids. It was awfully crowded and very young children or people with sensory issues might get overwhelmed quickly.