Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience has opened at Fever Hub in The Florida Mall. This 40 minute edutainment experience places individuals or groups into walkthrough experiences to learn about our universe and the formation of stars. Unlike many VR experiences, I noted how focused this specific offering was at avoiding nausea-inducing moments and providing a calm, learning environment. If you love space and the hard-working teams at the Smithsonian, this may be a fantastic attraction for you.
Different from the high-speed VR experiences that are more common, this is a walkthrough, edutainment adventure where you can be still and listen or grab items and interact with the space (literally) around you. Seeing planets and stars appear doesn’t feel like a gimmick, it feels like an all new way to genuinely learn about something. For those who may be interested but might not be in the Central Florida area, there are select cities in the US and abroad offering this experience.
Worried about Virtual Reality, Fever Hub thought of that
I get it, some virtual reality can be disorienting. That is one aspect that stood out for this experience. It was obviously built for comfort in mind with a steady flow of air, a cool room and a consistent platform to look down at if needed. 40 minutes can be a long time in VR, so the experience is designed for comfort and ease of use. Fever employees were standing by, ready to assist anyone that needed help.
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is highly recommended for those looking to dive deeper into the universe beyond our skies. The experience begins by explaining what we have learned over hundreds of years, where we are now and what we believe to be best knowledge. The edutainment continues, showcasing worlds other than our own and how we have the technology to understand these far off destinations.
You will get to “grab” models of satellites as they float in front of you in the digital space. You can move them in your hand, examine how they work and a see a larger-than-life view of them in front of you “in space.” The experience has you literally step from area-to-area as you learn more about the technology we use to explore our universe. I asked and confirmed, this experience is built with guests in wheelchairs in mind. The technology is not dependent on standing and the visuals will accommodate with height ranges. The team shares:
Developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Office of Visitor Accessibility, the experience includes a range of accessibility features, including:
● Closed captions
● Visual descriptions
● Wheelchair-optimized viewing modes
● Assistive listening devices
● Trained staff support
● Complimentary companion tickets
For guests who are blind or have low vision, we recommend attending with a companion or guide. Complimentary companion tickets are available for guests who require assistance during the experience. Due to the fit of the headset and for the safety of all participants, children aged 10+ are welcome.
You can grab tickets, with 15% off admission sales happening now through July 8. For additional FAQ’s or to find exact times, head to the Smithsonian Starstruck website.
