7 most lusted immersive experiences around the world right now
Obviously, we think that the UK’s immersive scene is the best in the world.
(Pfft, duh)
But a lot of experiences around the world come across our desk and we have to admit there’s some really ambitious and exciting work going on elsewhere too. We can’t get there (easily) but it doesn’t mean we’re not super inspired and super keen to go…
Here’s our top seven picks, in reverse order for added tension:
7. Beauty & the Beast Cocktail Experience - New York, US
The Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont fairytale, but immersive and with alocohol! This is a 90-minute experience that has you delve into “the enchanted and cursed world of Beauty & The Beast”. Oooooh!
It includes a Victorian cocktail party in a castle, dancing, food, escape room-style riddles and of course, cocktails. Probably stay away from the magical floating rose in a glass if you want to stay out of trouble…
6. Digital Abysses - Seogwipo, South Korea
This is a projection art exhibition with a difference; artist Miguel Chevalier has imagined an immersive journey into unknown oceanic depths (95% of which remain unexplored) to meet the flora and fauna.
Inspired by currents, coral, and plankton, Chavalier has created luminescent dreamscapes and the results (from photos at least) are absolutely breathtaking.
As if that wasn’t cool enough, it’s running from aquarium Aquaplanet on Jeju Island so you can continue your intrepid exploration afterwards.
5. A Midnight Visit - Brisbane, Australia
This is an open world immersive theatre experience inspired by gothic godfather Edgar Allen Poe. A Midnight Visit invites guests into the House of Usher’s labyrinth, a “multi room, multi-sensory and magnificently macabre experience”.
You can meet strange characters, free roam through the rooms, and uncover mysteries, with no two journeys quite the same.
4. Prince: The Immersive Experience - Chicago, US
It’s funky, sexy and very, very purple. Yes, it’s Prince the immersive experience which has recently opened in Chicago, an interactive, multisensory experience celebrating the Artist currently and formerly known as Prince.
The exhibition, created with the support of the Prince Estate, takes in 10 immersive spaces and explores his life, talent and career. You can step inside the Purple Rain album cover, explore artefacts from across his career and even play music producer.
3. World of Barbie - Toronto, Canada
Not only does this interactive exhibition have a Dreamhouse that is finally big enough for you to enjoy too, it also has an interactive camper van, TV studio and SPACE CENTRE. Not sure why we are quite so excited about that last one.
SPACE BARBIE.
Created alongside Mattel, the audience can step into Barbie’s world and walk down her neighborhood streets. World of is currently in Toronto, Canada and will tour multiple cities across North America, including New York, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.
2. National Geographic Beyond King Tut - Boston & Washington, US
So first off, it’s really exciting that a big name like National Geographic are getting into the immersive game, secondly, it’s the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tombs that revolutionised how we understand Egyptian ancient history and thirdly, the first look video is pretty wow.
The exhibition comprises cinematic storytelling and projection imagery recreating the boy king's world. You can time travel to “meet the gods of the underworld, study the ancient practice of mummification, and learn more about the Explorers who continue to unmask the mysteries of the Golden King's life”.
1. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser - Florida, US
It wouldn’t be a complete list without it, Disney has created an overnight, 2-day immersive Star Wars extravaganza with Galactic Starcruiser that looks ABSOLUTELY MINT.
(That means amazing for our American friends.)
Yes, this entire experience is a giant free roam story with multiple different pathways where you are the hero. We can’t really do it justice in this number of words but you can take the controls at the Millenium Falcon, complete lightsaber training, eat and drink themed food, sleep in a galactic passenger cabin and of course step off the ship to visit Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxies Edge.
Just.
Wow.
