Friday, June 20, 2014

A Polar Bear & A Vault

I'd not been to the World of Coca-Cola in a while, not since the Vault of The Secret Formula exhibit opened, so I was anxious to see it. AND, I was hopeful to finally make a photo with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear. I'm happy to report...mission accomplished...on both counts!


Coca-Cola Polar Bear and Travis, World of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Polar Bear and Travis, World of Coca-Cola

I've wanted a photo with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear since the first time I knew photo ops were possible, I just never had the opportunity when visiting to make it happen...the timing wasn't right. On this visit, the timing was perfect. 

I was impressed that the Coca-Cola Polar Bear made my particular photo so much fun. Most of the folks going up for a photo—which you can purchase from the museum and/or use your own camera (they have two photographers on duty—very nice!)—were kids, parents with kids, or families. I was on my own that day, but instead of it looking weird, the Coca-Cola Polar Bear made it fun, mussing my hair and getting a giggle from the crowd. "Thank you, Coca-Cola Polar Bear!"

Would you believe that the Coca-Cola Polar Bear was first introduced in 1922?! Color me surprised!


World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola

So, when you visit the World of Coca-Cola, you'll learn immediately that it's an experience unlike most museums. Instead of just walking in and exploring, you and the folks who arrived around the same time as you are invited into a 'waiting area' where you'll momentarily be treated to a docent-led introduction and video presentation. 

In the waiting area is a collection of giant carved and decorated Coca-Cola bottles and a video wall that features the various cultures that enjoy the world-famous bubbly beverage.


World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola

After a laughter-inducing introduction to the World of Coca-Cola—seriously, our docent was hilarious!—our group was invited into a theatre to view the new, full-length Moments of Happiness film, which showcases 'happiness', surprisingly not so much the Coca-Cola product...a brilliant move by the museum—says one who has made a career in Corporate and Marketing Communications.  


Finster, World of Coca-Cola
Finster, World of Coca-Cola

One of the other motivations in revisiting the World of Coca-Cola was wanting to see the new Howard Finster exhibit. His art isn't quite my cup of tea, but I do find it fascinating. Especially given that he was a self-taught, Georgia artist...Finster passed in 2001.

Finster also has a permanent installation at the High Museum of Art. And his outdoor museum, Paradise Garden, has been on my to-visit list for quite a while...I think it's time to head up there.


World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola

I love old postcards—and love that World of Coca-Cola features many that showcase Coca-Cola and cities across the United States. 

I lament the lost art of writing. Seriously, when was the last time you received a handwritten letter...or card...or even an abbreviated postcard? I have to admit that even I have fallen out of the habit of making an occasion to write letters and cards to friends and family, which I love to do just so they get something in the mail other than junk mail or a bill. I should really get that going again. 

Are you up to the challenge...send one letter, a card or a postcard to someone you love or like a lot this week! Challenge accepted? 


The Vault, World of Coca-Cola
The Vault, World of Coca-Cola

The Vault of the Secret Formula exhibit is FASCINATING! It's so much more than I was expecting. Vault is my new favorite exhibit at World of Coca-Cola...they did an amazing job on it, not the least of which is the entrance!

The technology in the Vault exhibit is attention-grabbing...totally attention-grabbing. The exhibit chronicles Coca-Cola from its innovation in 1886 to how its marketed with 21st Century technology. 


World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola

The photo above is a display that one could easily miss, just make sure you don't (I was very close to the glass to get this photo). It's totally mesmerizing! It 'discusses', if I can say that, the copycat onslaught following the success of Coca-Cola. 

This display, through the use of mirrors and other technology that I'm unfamiliar with, puts on a "3D show" of copyright infringement and how the company has rallied to protect its brand. I'm impressed.


World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola


On your way out of Vault of the Secret Formula, there's a photo-op unlike any I've seen,and I've seen a LOT! I love this! There's a screen, with a camera pointed toward visitors, that morphs them into a bubbly Coca-Cola...and I thought the closest I'd ever get to effervescence was Alka-Seltzer! 

It's a super cool effect and timed right, you can easily get a fun selfie! Yes, that's me in the photo above, bubbling (pixelating) away, just like hundreds of helium balloons disappearing into the night sky... It was time to move on to the next exhibition anyway.


World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola

There's so much more to see and experience, but I'll leave that to you—our visiting AND local tourists. And I invite you to share your experience here. I'd love to know what you think of the museum and its exhibits. And I hope you get a photo with the Polar Bear!


World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola

The 'grand finale' of visitors' experience of World of Coca-Cola is a tasting. You not only have the opportunity to sample Coca-Cola beverages from around the world—and believe me, there are some fascinating, lip curling, would-not-have-missed-that beverages—you get to experience Coca-Cola Freestyle...a unique beverage machine that allows visitors to sample more than 100 refreshing beverages! It looks like so much fun!

This was the first time I'd visited the World of Coca-Cola in a couple of years, but I've been visiting since they were at the old location a block or two from the State of Georgia Capitol Building. I'm so glad I returned and hope you get to experience it soon, whether for the first time for once again.

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