Kidding Around Atlanta: World of Coca-Cola

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Curious about the World of Coke in Atlanta? Since Greenville is a short day trip from this popular Atlanta destination, Kidding Around contributors are telling you all about their visit.

What makes Coca-Cola’s secret formula so successful, and why is World of Coca-Cola such a popular destination for families visiting Atlanta, Georgia? Our team at Kidding Around Greenville decided to search for the answers to these two questions on our recent weekend trip to Atlanta. While I can’t promise to share the secret ingredients to Coke’s famous recipe, I think that we did figure out why families love visiting World of Coca-Cola.

Our trip to World of Coca-Cola was compliments of World of Coca-Cola. This post contains affiliate links.

Find a place to stay in Atlanta, GA. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

The Quick Scoop on World of Coca-Cola

Ticket Prices (prices are subject to change):

$17 – Adults (13 – 64)
$15 – Seniors (65+)
$13 – Youths (3 – 12)
Free – Babies (2 and under)

Annual passes and a bundle deal for Atlanta attractions are also available.

Location: Pemberton Place in Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: Hours of operation range from 9 am to 8:30 pm, see the World of Coca-Cola website for each day’s specific hours of operation.

Time to Tour: 1 1/2 to 2 hours

Ages: While the World of Coca-Cola accommodates all ages, in my opinion the museum would be best enjoyed by children elementary age through adults.

Parking: Parking is available in the World of Coca-Cola parking garage for $15 a day, two Marta stations are also located within 10 minute walking distances.

Nearby Attractions: The Georgia Aquarium, CNN Tower, and Centennial Olympic Park are all located within easy walking distance of World of Coca-Cola. Susan and I easily filled a day with just the World of Coca-Cola and The Georgia Aquarium, though with an earlier start it would be possible to tour the CNN Tower as well. (I personally think that all three attractions would be overwhelming for children). Atlanta has also opened a tall Ferris Wheel with a 15 minute ride within walking distance of Pemberton Place.

Nearby Hotels: Susan and I stayed at Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.

What to Expect at World of Coca-Cola

World of Coca-Cola is essentially a fast-paced multimedia museum about the history and production of the drink Coca-Cola. Families can expect a quick live presentation of the history of Coca-Cola when entering the museum, followed by a short animated movie in the Happiness Factory Theatre, and then a self-guided tour of the museum’s exhibits.

I did appreciate that all of World of Coca-Cola’s exhibits including the 4-D Movie Theatre are included in the cost of admission.

World of Coca-Cola Travel Tip: All visitors to World of Coca-Cola must listen to the introductory live presentation and movie which takes around 30 minutes total. Be prepared to entertain small children as the live presentation in particular requires standing in one place for several minutes.

Exhibits at World of Coca-Cola

I’ve toured World of Coca-Cola several times, and in my opinion Coca-Cola has kept the museum fresh and interesting. While some of the popular exhibits have remained unchanged, every visit brings new experiences too. You can find a complete list of exhibits and shows on the World of Coca-Cola website, but I’ll list a couple of my favorites.

 Vault of the Secret Formula

Kids will love the dramatic presentation of the exhibit Vault of the Secret Formula. The attendants keep even the line waiting lively, with a beach ball game. Upon entering the vault, visitors are crammed into a small room where a “security clearance” is performed.

Inside the vault, visitors learn about the history of Coca-Cola’s brand success against counterfeit brands while also being teased with a mixture of history and legend surrounding the secret formula.

The exhibit has a fun atmosphere with mirrored ceilings and mysterious voices. At the end the visitors experience a circular room with multi-media moving walls simulating the filling of a cup of Coke.  At the end of the multi-media presentation “the vault” is revealed.

World of Coca-Cola Travel Tip: Families especially with small children will want to be aware that touring the exhibit does involve being crammed into small rooms much like riding an elevator. Upon entering the exhibit, you must follow the timetable of the tour before exiting, so be sure to schedule that bathroom trip first.

Bottle Works

Personally, I would count Bottle Works as my favorite exhibit, a miniature real-bottling line that gives families a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of Coca-Cola.

4-D Theatre

Moving seats, 3-D Glasses, and water mists make the 4-D Theatre a memorable experience. While the movie is a little corny in plot, it’s fast-paced search for the secret ingredient keeps visitors glued to their seats. For visitors wanting a less-active showing, non-moving seats are available and exits are clearly pointed out before the show.

World of Coca-Cola Funny Memory: While Susan and I enjoyed the 4-D movie, we were sitting by a couple women who really enjoyed the movie. From the first small jolt of our seat to the last mist of water, our neighbors screamed liberally throughout the entire show. I was even afraid at one point that the lady beside me was about to end up in my lap.

Taste It!

I think that I can safely say that the exhibit Taste It! is the favorite of children visiting World of Coca-Cola. With over 100 different flavors from around the world and unlimited visits to the soda fountain, Taste It! definitely is a sparkling end to the tour. Whether you discover a new flavor or stumble on the infamous Beverly, you won’t leave thirsty. (Though you may leave feeling a little sick.)

World of Coca-Cola Travel Tip: I was excited to see that World of Coca-Cola added several mix-your-own beverage machines. You may want to walk to the back of the exhibit to check them out before filling up on fruity beverages at the front.

Guest Services at World of Coca-Cola

You can find a complete list of World of Coca-Cola’s accessibility options for persons with disabilities on the World of Coca-Cola website under Guest Services. World of Coca-Cola is completely wheelchair and stroller accessible, though stroller usage may be restricted in some areas during peak times.

Free Wi-Fi is available both inside and outside World of Coca-Cola.

Family restrooms are available, and changing stations are located in all bathrooms. I didn’t notice any private spots that would be convenient for breast-feeding, though there was plenty of seating throughout the museum.

World of Coca-Cola does not have a restaurant, but Pemberton Cafe is located outside the museum.

Souvenirs: World of Coca-Cola provides a complimentary glass bottle of Coca-Cola to every guest. Guests can also get a photo taken with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear or on the vintage Coca-Cola couch by a professional photographer. While you can purchase a photo at the gift shop, the photographers also accommodated guests by taking photos with the visitors’ own cameras.

When planning your trip to Atlanta, be sure to also check out our Kidding Around review of:

The Georgia Aquarium

Find an affordable place to stay in Atlanta on Hotels.com

So, what makes the brand Coca-Cola so successful? I think that the World of Coca-Cola museum proves that Coca-Cola is more than just a beverage but a common experience associated with happiness and fun that we share with people across the globe. Similarly, World of Coca-Cola leaves you happy and full of great memories.

About the Author
Bethany Winston is the owner and editor-in-chief of Kidding Around Greenville & Kidding Around Spartanburg. She enjoys exploring parks, discovering local events, and meeting the people who make Greenville an amazing place to live. You can contact her directly at bethany@kiddingaroundgreenville.com.

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