Chicago’s much anticipated new attraction, the FlyOver experience, opens today at Navy Pier after more than $40 million and years of work.
Situated directly across from the Chicago Children’s Museum where the IMAX theater once stood, the 48,000-square-foot immersive simulation experience fuses drone technologies and impressive aerial shots with exciting first-person narratives sending guests flying through Chicago.
A massive 65-foot spherical screen surrounds riders while flight motion seats engineered to swoop, dip, and turn take guests soaring from location to location above the city’s incredible skyline, through its artificial valleys and whizzing past iconic landmarks.
The new attraction is the fourth Flyover location with others in Las Vegas, Vancouver, and Iceland’s capital Reykjavík.
The Chicago location, however, will be the first and only one to offer a city-based film. Titled Believe Chicago, the three-part experience “highlights the power of community and the resilience of the city, showcased through various neighborhoods, people, and events that weave together the vibrant tapestry of Chicago’s history and culture.”
The first part of the journey offers a gallery-style experience that introduces guests to “Chicago characters, suburban settings, and thematic musical touchpoints” before the story deepens as riders get to know the stories of the people who make up the fabric of Chicago.
Located in FlyOver’s pre-show theatre, guests are then introduced to real Chicagoans up close and living real lives in their respective diverse communities for part 2.
According to the official release, “Stirring words heard from various Chicagoans are combined with building musical emotions and stunning immersive cinematography from around the city.”
For the third part of the experience, guests will be taken on an exhilarating flying journey through Chicago for just under 10 minutes.
“From 13,000ft above to diving straight down buildings and skimming sidewalks; from wall-riding skyscrapers, floating through fireworks, and even into buildings” reads the release. “All while choreographed action of Chicagoan lifestyle unfolds: L-trains sparking, boats ripping, car chases, sports being played, up in the airshow, and more.”
Transporting 60 guests at a time the flight motion seats are engineered to “swoop, dip, and turn” giving guests the feeling while they simultaneously experience a complete sensory immersion using wind, mist, and scents. Fliers hang suspended at times before flying on to a new location such as Lake Shore Drive, North Ave Beach, or the Chicago Theatre.
A team of over 750 experts came together to bring the project to life spending over 500 hours collecting drone footage from all over Chicago.
Alongside the incredible visual journey, acclaimed composer Elliott Wheeler and local musicians, choirs, and other artists have created a score that showcases the city’s eclectic musical history in dazzling 34-channel immersive spatial audio.
“From jazz and gospel to hip-hop and house, the Chicago story can’t be told without a genre-defying soundtrack to match.”
“Through this immersive storytelling experience, we wanted to capture the rich diversity of Chicagoans, their resiliency, and the vibrant neighborhoods that weave the fabric of such an exceptional city,” said Lisa Adams, COO and Executive Producer of Flyover Attractions.
“Chicago’s flying journey will ultimately engage and entertain viewers with a thrilling immersive urban experience that pushes the boundaries of escape.”
Take a sneak peek with the Secret Chicago team below:
Tickets are $24.96 for adults (14+), $19.95 for military, $14.95 for children (13 and under), and just $5 for Chicago Public School students.
The entire experience lasts approximately 30 minutes including the various stages of the experience. Children must be at least 40″ (102 cm) tall to ride and those aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.
Flyover is open to the public Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and until 9.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Journeys start every 15 – 20 minutes during operating hours.
Tickets and more information can be found at experienceflyover.com/chicago.
[Featured image courtesy of the FlyOver Experiences]