Oakbrook Center is one of the largest shopping centers in the country and is voted the number one shopping center in Illinois. It has a new attraction called Wonderverse, where you must Taste Sip Experience while you step into movie magic. Wonderverse is located above the L. L. Bean 2310 Oakbrook Center. Choose your own universe at Wonderverse in Oakbrook, which has 45,000 square feet of colossal entertainment opportunities. Sony Pictures Entertainment has created a location-based entertainment (LBE) experience unlike any other. At Wonderverse, you can leap into a starring role in an imaginative, mystical universe through immersive multimedia adventures, interactive installations, dynamic attractions, and themed dining eats and libations. The interior space of Wonderverse is indeed impressive. There is definitely a Wow factor here with its sculpted lighting and impressive art installations.
Jeffrey Godsick, Entertainment Vice President of Worldwide Partnerships & Brand Management for Sony Pictures Entertainment, says: What we’re looking to do with the location-based entertainment business (LBE) is to extend and broaden the relationship between our audiences and our intellectual property (IP).” They have taken a solitary medium and made it very social. Several of the interactive, immersive simulations require teamwork.
On Thursday, July 25, we attended Wonderverse’s Christmas in July celebration. Upon entering, we were greeted with a hearty Ho Ho Ho from a very jolly Santa Claus. After donning our complimentary Santa “Naughty” or “Nice” Stocking Caps, we took a picture with the man himself. Everyone on the staff was gracious and helpful in directing us to the attractions and teaching us how to use our pre-loaded passes. We began our dive into this spectacular excitement quest in the arcade game arena with the classic Skee-Ball game. Moving onto the Bad Boys Racing Club, we enjoyed the high-speed chase with near misses and extraordinary vehicle maneuvers. Dance Maniax was a delight to watch as a bevy of young girls enthusiastically enjoyed this activity. There are many other arcade games, including a virtual reality roller coaster and air hockey.
We loved all the specialty menu items served at the Commissary Restaurant. Industry veteran Chef Scott Donaldson has created an American menu with delicious, inventive new favorites and sumptuous desserts. The Ghostbuster Hidden Speakeasy, rumored to be haunted, offers specially curated cocktails and mocktails by acclaimed mixologist Jane Danger. The Graham Czach Chicago Diamond Trio dazzled us with their Christmas Jazz selections while we dined. Sony Wonderverse hosts a summer concert series. Check their website for dates.
I opted to try the Zombie Land Bumper Cars next. I have always loved bumper cars. Who does not love bumper cars? Your mission in driving the 360° turn radius cars is to remain human while navigating the road rage of others trying to bump you off, thereby infecting you into becoming a Zombie. I have to admit all I wanted to do was bump others off while cruising full speed around the mini rink. Since I am a master at losing keys and not adept at puzzles or solving mysteries, we did not participate in the three Uncharted escape rooms, which is not my forte. The Auction, Chapel, and Galley escape rooms take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. I heard from others how fun, exciting, and a good time challenge they were.
Our next stop was Ghostbuster’s Virtual Reality Academy. We were fitted with a suit, VR goggles, and proton packs to fire at man-eating piranha ghosts and other spirits. Surprisingly, I was the high scorer for our four-person team. We did not compete in the Blitz, the Ecto Hovercraft, in Ghostbuster’s Academy to see who was the fastest, most skilled driver.
Everyone we interacted with told us Jumanji Reverse the Curse was the highlight of Wonderverse. We discovered you need to make advanced reservations for this virtual reality pursuit. I would suggest making them online first. Our team’s mission was to find the stolen jewel, stop the spread of evil, and “Reverse the Curse.” We were suited up with a twenty-five-pound backpack vest and virtual reality headset. It is a 30-minute experience. You must be 48 inches tall to participate in this exhilarating, freaky, frightening walk into jungle danger. You discover in a mirror that you are shockingly transformed into an avatar. My two fellow teammates, tall, athletic-looking men, became Jack Black, the portly professor, a sexy redhead Karen Gillan, and I became Kevin Hart. In my younger years, I was a skydiver. This Jumanji adventure was even more intimidating than that as I felt a bit weak in my knees and wobbly trekking through the Jumanji Jungle perils. It was chilling yet thrilling. I was left breathless, with my heart racing and my adrenaline soaring but thoroughly captivated. It was definitely an awesome experience.
Wonderverse in Oakbrook Center, Chicago, Illinois, has free admission, but attractions cost between $6–$35 per person, depending on the activity. Groupon does offer really great deals on advanced ticket purchases for Wonderverse. If the staircase to the top main entrance intimidates you, there is an elevator behind and to the left of the staircase. Guests under the age of sixteen years of age must be accompanied by an adult at least twenty-one years of age. Guests under twenty-one years of age are not admitted after 7:00 p.m., as Wonderverse becomes an Adult-only experience at 8:00 p.m. Wonderverse Hours are Sunday through Thursday, Noon to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Noon until Midnight. The restroom area is clean, modern, technologically up-to-date, and ginormous.
Photos: Courtesy of Sony Wonderverse
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