Chicago families, get ready to dive in — literally. The Shedd Aquarium has unveiled its spectacular new Immersion Theater, a completely reimagined 4D experience that surrounds guests with the wonders of the aquatic world.
Developed with longtime partner SimEx-Iwerks, the transformed Phelps Auditorium now features a giant screen that extends along the side walls, wrapping audiences in the motion and color of ocean waves, tide pools, and Arctic landscapes. A patented new seat design delivers choreographed special effects — gusts of wind, ocean mist, and even scents — while vibrant lighting and floor effects pull everyone deeper into the story.
The adventure begins before the show, in a newly designed pre-show space where kids can interact with augmented-reality animals and snap photos against large-scale underwater visuals. Current shows include “Penguins 4D,” “BBC Earth’s Shark: A 4D Experience,” and “Octopus: Blue Planet II 4D Experience” — three multisensory journeys perfect for curious minds of all ages.
It is learning you can feel, splash by splash. The Immersion Theater is now open at the Shedd Aquarium.
Photo: w_lemay via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
