My family and I were recently invited to the Georgia Aquarium to preview the new AT&T Dolphin Presentation, and get a first-hand look at the new resident Sea Lions and the new 4D theater that are opening this week. All three attractions are complimentary with your Georgia Aquarium general admission.
4D Theater
Now Playing: Happy Feet 4D Experience
If you loved the movie, you need to experience it in 4D! Lasting 12 minutes, this is a condensed version of the original Happy Feet movie in which you journey to Antarctica where you’ll meet Mumble a heart-warming, tap dancing Emperor Penguin, and his friends. Presented in breathtaking 3D projection and brought to life with fun and exciting 4D multi-sensory effects, including moving seats, wind, and mist, this is an immersive experience for the whole family to enjoy. Both members of my family who’ve seen the movie, and those who had not, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
AT&T Dolphin Presentation
At the time of our visit, the dolphins were still training for their new AT&T Dolphin Celebration Show. Always a visitor favorite, the dolphin presentation showcases dolphin behavior and their relationship with their trainers while incorporating important education messages. Focusing on the beauty, grace, athleticism, and intelligence of bottlenose dolphins, this presentation will use a variety of new behaviors that focus on each characteristic.
Sea Lion Gallery and Show
This attraction will let you see adorable sea lions up close! Join Jupiter, Neptune, Scout, Nav, Beck and Diego, rescued sea lions who’ve made Georgia Aquarium their home. During the sea lion presentation, they and their trainers will teach you about California sea lions and the challenges they face. This is a small, intimate theater with several screens so every seat is a good seat.
Want to learn more about the sea lions at Georgia Aquarium? Check out the sea lion blog.
Know Before You Go
- Leave the guns, knives, matches, and lighters at home. There is a security check and you will have to turn them in before you can enter the aquarium.
- Ask volunteers questions. There are a lot of knowledgeable volunteers who are happy to answer your questions. Want to know the best place to stand to see the Penguin waddle walk? Ask a volunteer. When’s the best time to see Happy Feet 4D. Ask a volunteer….You get the point.
- Arrive early for all shows to get good seats. Seating is first come first served, based on available seating. The aquarium’s website recommends arriving 30 minutes early, but we found that 30 minutes early still meant waiting in a very long line, or getting seats at the top of the theater, especially for the dolphin presentation, which seats 1800.
- No photos or video are allowed at the presentations.
- Consider a Behind The Scenes tour. This will give you a look at some things you might have missed. Tours are limited in size and will give you a break from the crowd.
- If at all possible, leave the strollers at home. It gets too crowded, they get in the way, and your child is going to want to crawl out to see the animals anyway.
- Expect huge crowds. Some families all wore bright fluorescent colored shirts to find each other. Whatever you do, be prepared so you don’t lose anyone.
- Bring extra money for food. No food is allowed, and the café is a bit pricey. My family averaged $15 each for a small meal and a drink.
- You will have to pay for parking. The aquarium parking lot cost $10.
For tickets and more information, visit the Georgia Aquarium website.
Location: 225 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: 404.581.4000
