Otherworld Philadelphia — Attraction in Philadelphia

I bought presale tickets the moment they were available in 2023, but unfortunately wasn't able to go until a year later due to my partner having a back injury. Upon getting to go, we went in the middle of the week, and around noon. It was fairly empty, even with being the week of Easter. This was nice because we didn't have to worry about others getting in the way of things to play with, but also makes me worry about the longevity of the attraction. As far as things to play with, you are encouraged to touch and interact with everything. There are puzzles hidden into various rooms, and there are details everywhere both of absolutely beautiful art, and hints for the games. We didn't get around to solving the puzzles however, because we were trying to explore every inch before my partner's back was done. Overall, this attraction is a sensory overload in the best way. There are gorgeous textures, illusions, colors, and sounds in every room, and it's easy to lose an afternoon just trying to take in it all. That being said, I was a little sad with the amount of things that were down for maintenance. Several rooms were out of order, the crane machines in the middle of the attraction were empty (which I was looking forward to), and many things seemed a little broken down compared to when they opened only a few months ago. I hope they all get tended to, and the next time we go, we get to experience everything, as we want to focus more on the puzzles and seeing all the details, rather than just the excited zoom from room to room as we noticed new pathways. And yes, we plan for there to be a next time. Even with things not being 100%, we decided to upgrade the tickets to an annual pass, because we want to explore as often as we can find the time.

EDIT: I have since been back two additional times, once on a weekend, and once on a Friday. I appears that everything is operational on the weekends, and the Friday as well due to some sort of large group function. We did go through and complete all of the puzzles on our second trip, not realizing that we had accidentally solved the final puzzle on our first visit. This most recent visit however, we found that many things were changed and upgraded in some ways, which certainly encourages us to keep coming back. We were also happy to see that the final puzzle now gives some resolution and ties up the story a bit better. The only weird thing was that we remember a room with a large moth, and beautiful lanterns which were my partner's favorite. When we asked, we were told it had never been there, but yet, there were many smaller moths in the gift shop of which I felt compelled...

Otherworld, a creative Placemaking installation, provided an awe-inspiring experience that left me thoroughly captivated. It has been a full day since my visit, and I am still trying to absorb and comprehend everything I saw and experienced within its immersive realm. Combining elements from dreams, nightmares, and the extraordinary power of imaginative minds, Otherworld brought items to life in a truly remarkable way.

From the moment I stepped foot into Otherworld, I was transported to a surreal universe, where reality and fantasy intertwined seamlessly. Each exhibit within the installation was carefully crafted, pushing the boundaries of creativity and challenging my preconceived notions of what an art installation could be. The attention to detail was astounding, and it was evident that every aspect, from the lighting to the soundscapes, had been meticulously designed to enhance the overall experience.

One of the most captivating aspects of Otherworld was its ability to evoke emotions within me. As I walked through the different sections, I found myself experiencing a rollercoaster of feelings. Some exhibits tapped into childhood memories, evoking a sense of nostalgia and wonder, while others delved into the depths of my psyche, playing on old nightmares. It was an emotional journey that left a lasting impact.

Moreover, the creativity displayed within Otherworld was unparalleled. The imaginative minds responsible for curating this installation must be applauded for their ability to bring ordinary items to life in extraordinary ways. Everything, from the interactive installations to the ethereal sculptures, breathed life into the space and left me in awe of the power of human creativity.

Another noteworthy aspect of Otherworld was its interactive nature. Visitors were encouraged to actively participate in the installations, allowing for an immersive and engaging experience. Whether it was manipulating objects, interacting with visual projections, or even engaging in dialogue with other visitors, I found myself fully immersed in the world of Otherworld, becoming an integral part of the artistic narrative.

Overall, Otherworld is an outstanding example of creative Placemaking that pushes boundaries, stimulates the senses, and challenges perceptions. It is a testament to the power of art and imagination in transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences. If you are seeking a truly remarkable and immersive journey that will push the limits of your imagination, I wholeheartedly recommend visiting Otherworld. Be prepared to be enchanted, amazed,...

Otherworld is gorgeous. It's extremely fun, and the story is fascinating. The reason I'm giving it four stars is because it can be pretty hard to actually complete the story due to how crowded it gets. We first visited a year ago and it wasn't too crowded then, so we were able to get about 2/3 of the mystery solved before we had to leave since one member of our party was too tired to continue. We bought an annual pass because we enjoyed it a lot and wanted to go back. However we have visited twice in the last two weeks to try and finish the story before our pass expired and each time it has been immensely crowded.

We tried visiting on a Saturday afternoon and it was so packed we actually gave up in frustration after about 20 minutes and left. That would have absolutely sucked if we hadn't had free admission due to our annual pass. We tried again the following week on a Friday morning, arriving prior to opening and waiting outside, in hopes we could beat the crowds. For the first 20 minutes or so it wasn't too crowded and the experience was closer to what it was a year ago. We were really getting back into the story and solving puzzles. Then the building started to fill up again and we had to kind of rush to finish solving everything before it became too busy to do it.

Without spoiling anything for those who haven't been, there's some puzzles that are participatory, where you have to pull levers in a certain order or turn a dial or read some documents on a computer. When the venue is filled with other people, ESPECIALLY children, you run the risk of someone coming in and fiddling with something and unknowingly ruining your attempt. You are also in the position of trying not to accidentally spoil the solution for other people who are just coming in and want to solve it themselves.

If I could experience Otherworld with nobody else but my own group in the building, it would be worth a million stars. The artwork is breathtaking, the details are cool, the design and writing and everything are great. In general it's very well executed. I love being in there. But the presence of such big crowds really ruins it if you're there for the story. If you're just there for the vibes maybe you'll have a better time.

Otherworld, please start limiting admission within the time slots. You're letting in WAY too many...