lluminarium’s SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond is the full package

It’s like an IMAX movie that you walk around in. That was the very clumsy way in which I tried to describe Illuminarium to a friend before actually going to experience it. That initial description is kind of accurate, but Illuminarium is so much more. Illuminarium’s SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond is an interactive marvel that simultaneously makes you want to photograph and video everything, all the while ignoring your smartphone so that you can experience the exhibit as thoroughly as possible. The exhibit is the intersection of actual recorded NASA footage, aromas, thousands of speakers, and the creative use of projection that utilizes all of the walls and the floor.

I worked in the theme parks at Walt Disney World for two years. They have a phrase that’s used in evaluating their employees called ‘good show’. This phrase is used for every employee who encounters a guest or non-castmember. ‘Bad show’ is used sometimes too, but that’s certainly the exception. SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond is as great as a Disney experience and is much more than walking around a large-format movie.

The show in SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond starts as soon as your group is called back. You’ll enter a large room where you see a rocket that’s on the launch pad. This is a staging area where your eyes will get used to a darker environment, but don’t get too complacent. The room will get darker like the sun is setting. There is some exhaust smoke that’s coming off of the rocket, it’s moving and is merely setting the stage for what’s next. Before you know it the screen in front of you resembles a moving thunderstorm that’s followed by a circle of fire. The horizon is moving up, the smoke is getting whiter, you’ll see the framing of the rocket’s windows and the darkness of space is just around the corner.

Now the door on the far side of the room opens and the big show begins. As you enter this main room you’ll be blown away by the size of it, the way that every one of the thousands of stars on the walls seems to be the only one there, and the sound. I joked with one of the people on staff there that the music rights alone must’ve consisted of a healthy percentage of their costs. The soundtrack to Illuminarium: Space is impressive and fits the galaxy mood or has lyrics that meld perfectly with what’s on-screen.

There are 141 movers under the floor that vibrate as the songs, sound effects or audio from NASA are played. Imagine subwoofers that vibrate, just a little bit that helps punch up audio that you are really enjoying. Now, pair that with 5,000 speakers that are concealed behind the screen or in plain sight. Their tandem effect is a 3D audio experience that is firmly in the Disney school of show.

On-screen is relative because the entire room is a portrait. Early on in the exhibit, the floor comes alive also. When this happens be sure to step on the asteroids when they’re floating around or the surface of the moon when that’s present. You’ll make an impact by either leaving footprints or breaking up a rock. The screen is actually the world’s largest customizable canvas and is home to over 3 billion pixels that are put upon it. If you’re curious about the projection system for your home you’ll need $15 million in order to get that technology.

The show, as it is, is divided up into nine different segments and if you look at the totality of the room, it’s divided up into two areas. There’s not a bad place to sit, stand or walk around in the entire room. You’ll find yourself looking for edits or where the overhead projectors synch up, but because of the pitch-black of space and the clever way the exhibit was produced it’ll be challenging.

All nine segments will take approximately 45 minutes to experience. If our 12-year-old wasn’t with us then we would’ve stayed for another rotation. The only difference is that this time I would’ve put my cell phone in my pocket and simply relaxed. For those adults who want to do just that there’s Illuminarium After Dark, which combines the same fabulous cinematic exhibit, with drinks. These shows are only for those 21 and older. Having experienced drinking around the world at EPCOT numerous times and ending up at Spaceship Earth, I can highly recommend this sensation. Illumination: Space also has the smell of space. What does space smell like? The creators of the exhibit spoke with numerous astronauts who’ve been to space and they came up with an aroma that’s otherworldly. Actually, the best thing I could compare it to was the remains of a campfire, that happened a long time ago.

So, who is a good fit for Illuminarium: Space, A Journey to the Moon & Beyond? Our 12-year-old loved it and the exhibit far exceeded his expectations. His 10-year-old brother would’ve liked it, but possibly not enough for the $30 entry fee. Adults will absolutely be blown away by the exhibit. It’s immersive, entertaining, and a first-class outing for date night or the entire family. There is family pricing available that makes is a great deal also. It’s also good show that people who’ve seen great shows will especially appreciate.

Illuminarium’s SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond is at Illuminarium in Atlanta and Las Vegas.