Get ready….National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey opens October 6th!
The Mom here! Here is something I guarantee you and the kids have never done.  Get ready for Ocean Odyssey, a first-in-kind immersive entertainment experience that will take you  on a breathtaking undersea journey from the South Pacific across the ocean to the west coast of North America. Without leaving NYC!  Through ground-breaking technology, you will go on a digital “underwater” dive and come face-to-face with life-size photo-real versions of some of the largest and most interesting creatures of the sea.

National Geographic Encounter is not a museum, exhibit, movie, aquarium or virtual reality; instead, the producers consulted with dozens of technologists and scientists to create a new kind of immersive experience that guests can walk through to share stunning ocean encounters with friends and family. Blockbuster new science – some of it not even published yet – was used in its creation. National Geographic Encounter is also working with marine biologist, professor and National Geographic Emerging Explorer David Gruber, Chief Science Advisor to the experience and who specializes in bioluminescent and biofluorescent marine animals.

National Geographic Encounter Ocean Fun Facts:

  • Guests will get up close with dozens of species, including sharks up to 20 feet long, a 50-foot Humpback whale, playful sea lions, and a pair of battling Humboldt squids which could have as many as 40,000 teeth each;
  • The coral reef was built from a process called photogrammetry, where more than 1,300 photos were taken on location in the Solomon Islands. The 2D photos were then used to construct 3D models of coral;
  • Kelp found throughout the experience is modeled after the Giant Kelp species, which grows at a rate of up to 2 feet per day;
  • 120,000 fish make their appearance in the grand finale.

“Working on this project has been an extraordinary ride,” says Emmy® Award Winner Thilo Ewers, VFX Supervisor on the project from Pixomondo.  “We have pushed the boundaries of visual effects by not only developing dozens of unique photo-real underwater species in a completely immersive environment, but also by taking on one of our biggest challenges to date: creating 3D stunning media in 8K resolution at 60 frames per second! National Geographic Encounter is a game-changer in this industry as it melds the boundaries between realtime interactive media and traditional media, and our team is having a ball helping bring it to life.” 

Additionally, GRAMMY® Award-winning composer David Kahne has collected hundreds of underwater sounds from libraries all over the world to create a state-of-the-art sound experience featuring a majestic ocean soundscape which graces the space across 230 loudspeakers and 180 independent sound channels.

HOW AMAZING DOES THAT SOUND?

Once you “resurface” to land, you can learn about your experience, track your trip, and listen to sounds of the animals you have encountered along the way. You will also hear from renowned ocean explorers and marine biologists, including National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Sylvia Earle, Bob Ballard and Enric Sala, who through transparent multi-media screens, share their inspiration and passion for the ocean. Then, clean up your own piece of the ocean and play with holograms of the biggest creatures. Pledge to take action that makes a difference in ocean conservation, and share it with your social communities and on a live social feed.

We can’t wait to go on this Odyssey!!

Ticket prices are $39.50 plus tax for adults, $36.50 plus tax for seniors 65+ and $32.50 plus tax for kids 12 and under. Groups of 10 or more will receive 15% off. Special educator rates will be available for local area school groups during select times. National Geographic Encounter is a timed ticketed walk-through experience that lasts approximately 90 minutes.

To learn more, visit www.natgeo.com/info