Wonderworks Orlando

by Gail Clifford MD (subscribe)

Have you ever driven by an elaborate mansion standing on its head? On I-Drive in Orlando, Florida, the building near ICON Park called Wonderworks is quite the wonder of a playground for kids of all ages, with three floors packed with more than 100 activities.



Since it's "upside down," you enter the Wonderworks mansion in the 'attic' with the entrance ticket stand to the right and a cafeteria and gift shop towards the left.

Quite the wonderland when you enter with exhibits that vary from the entertaining to the educational, covering art, science, and pop culture, it's so great to be able to move as you learn, especially for kinesthetic learners. But getting in the earthquake simulator makes it a 'whole 'nother experience' according to the little boy who wasn't sure what to make of the machine shaking with him inside.



Jumping from one exhibit to the next is the name of the game as your movements ebb and flow with the crowd around you.

There's so much to see, you could easily spend an entire day here without seeing daylight again. Inside, most of the areas away from the stairwells are dimmed with strategic lighting on the displays and exhibits.

Moving from room to room, it's fun watching the littles run and jump and learn.



In one room, there's a giant bed of nails. Lay down and have someone press the button for you and an entire flat of nails raises beneath you. It's prickly more than pointy and not too awful ... just be sure your head is securely on the "pillow." Look up from either side, and you'll see a giant hammer swinging overhead. That's not easy to see when you're actually on the bed, so be sure to get that photo.



Do you wonder about how good your jump shot may be? Test your ability to jump at one of their interactive exhibits. I think my best effort was still under three feet. My daughter did better with a running start, which you can manage if you have one person stand in the "feet" and jump out as the other person approaches when the countdown is in progress.

There are exhibits that allow you to practice throwing footballs, soccer balls, or volleyballs to check for both speed and accuracy.

For a physics lesson, pull yourself up in one of the three seats positioned with pulleys. You'll be surprised at which one feels easiest. There's a similar device at the Orlando Science Center so check it out both places and see which you prefer.



Have fun with the nostalgic music machine, playing songs from prior decades of American show tunes or TV themes. I did really well with the '80s TV theme song trivia and learned the way to the highest score is to randomly pick one answer immediately, then change it as the clues or the actual question leads you to the proper answer.



Perhaps the most fun of the day was playing the giant Twister game. With up to four players, the "mat" gets crowded quickly and it's hard to get past the sixth or seventh called "right hand yellow" or "left foot blue." But it's certain to bring some good-natured falls as the best contortionist in the group wins.

There's something in each section bound to interest someone in your group. This allowed for families with multiple children of all ages to be entertained without having to be outside the line of sight.



Going up the down staircase was an interesting feat with items hanging upside down and incredible artwork as you traversed to the "lower" levels. Another entire floor of exhibits lay between the entrance lobby and the "Basement" which resides at the top of your play area but the "bottom" of the upside-down mansion.



Along the way, check out the mind-bending art and exhibits including the children's art collective. It's a great way to keep kids interested in all programs, not just STEM.



The basement, filled with all the toys you could ever have stored away at home in your garage, attic, or family rooms, also includes an entire section on space, virtual rides, an arcade, and then an impressive rope course.



The laser tag allows a specified number of minutes which passes quickly as you "tag" your friends for a higher score or follow the strangers participating in the game. It's a great place to go for a gentle entry to the sport.

At the two-story rope course, each group is provided an identifying color and given a very specific amount of time to complete the course. You'll be harnessed, given a safety briefing, instructed to leave everything in a locker (including all cell phones - nothing can fall from above or would hurt those below – so no photos possible) then attached to the "lines" above as you climb in tandem, side by side, two separate, narrow, open sets of stairs that took us up to the landing zone and the first option. Which way to cross?

Labeled as Easy to Hard, the ones without the painted identifiers were most likely Medium. It was difficult to tell in advance which was going to affect us the most. If you're not a fan of the open ropes, you may try to avoid those, or take this chance to trust your equipment, overcome your fears and revel in your unexpected victory over something you fear.



There is one section in the farthest corner that you're choosing between lesser evils. A rope "grid" or a rope bridge remain the options when someone crosses behind you on the solid surface. No matter your choice, you'll enjoy your time in the sky above the arcade, space capsules, and simulators.

Wonderworks remains a great any-day or rainy-day activity where both mind and body are stimulated into action. I was surprised to see so many of their exhibits similarly presented at the Orlando Science Center which, I think, is a great testimonial for both. Orlando is filled with fun with science.

Thank you to Wonderworks through the Visit Orlando VIP Media Passport system for hosting me for this event. All opinions contained herein are my own.

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