Photo TR: Return to Pemberton Place, Atlanta

jedimaster1227 · May 28, 2010

Thanks to a family friend's wedding conveniently taking place in Atlanta, GA, I had a chance to return to Pemberton Place for the first time since last year's Deep South Trip visit. For those that aren't familiar with it, Pemberton Place is the tourist area supported by the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. It is also within walking distance to the CNN headquarters, as well as the Olympic Centennial Park.

Unfortunately due to a lack of time, my plans to revisit Six Flags over Georgia fell through, but I still had a fantastic time at the World of Coke and the Aquarium, both of which have experienced some minor changes to keep them fresh.

I'll start with my World of Coke photos and then move into the rest of Pemberton Place in my next update... Enjoy!

Welcome back to the World of Coca-Cola!

What better way to welcome guests than with a delicious and refreshing Wall of Coke!

The entrance lobby has several cultural bottles designed to emphasize Coke's global presence.

Moving from the lobby into the first pre-show room, tons of memorabilia are displayed in a flood of red...

A guide tells visitors of much of the history of Coke, and this one didn't disappoint.

In what probably only takes a back seat to the former water vortex at Islands of Adventure's Poseidon's Fury walk-thru, the World of Coke's second pre-show entrance to the rest of the museum is amazing. The movie played, while entertaining has gotten a little old after my several visits.

That being said, it won a few film festival awards according to our guide.

"Getting punched in the spine...THE RIDE"

We are clearly a well equipped family... We've got our 3-D glasses and our stripped polos!

After the movie, we took a quick stop at the "Taste It" room to wet our whistles...

Preparation is underway for the July debut of a new art exhibit featuring the World Cup. An additional Soccer film will fill the 4-D theater as well for a short period of time.

Go to Nassau if you want to buy ten of these for $2.

Oddly enough, the New Coke (79 days) exhibit has always been a favorite of mine in the museum. It takes a good deal of courage for a company to so openly admit its faults, but to display them to those that would have never known, is certainly a step above.

Plus, Max Headroom representation has been found.

Good riddance.

Its good to see that things are being constantly updated here...

Another new mini-exhibit has sprung up in the main hall.

TPR-friendly.

3-D!!!

Not a TPR-friendly kind of censorship.

Cultural overload!

Yay for Creepy-Awesome Coke Polar Bear...

If only he had a Dharma logo stamped on his chest, he would be complete.

I'm a soda jerk.

Been der. Done that.

Another favorite display of mine. I want at least half of these for myself.

A look at the atrium...

This 4-D film is SOOO amazing, it deserves a second sign photo...

Or maybe its just for Larry and the index.

I didn't really appreciate this theatre much until my last visit. A near-20 minute loop of commercials for Coke products from around the world as well as some of the earliest commercials from the company's various marketing campaigns play in a dimmed room.

To hear the "Always Coca-Cola" theme song in its retro goodness still sends chills down my spine.

Several of these coin machines have been scattered throughout the attraction. One of them has joined by good luck charm collection in my camera case.

As of today, it was 64 different beverages to be exact.

Okay... Maybe 63 if don't consider Beverly to be a beverage. Its more of a poison really.

Limp.

Delaware Punch doesn't have a punch to it, nor does it taste like Delaware. I feel cheated.

Clever...

As always, guests get to take home a specially bottled (and labeled) Coke bottle produced and distributed solely at the World of Coca-Cola.

The corporate headquarters for Coca-Cola can be seen from one of the side rooms in the "Taste It" section.

Coke bottle 'splosion.

I got my photo with the creepy bear!

Just to note: It has red eyes. Its mouth, head and neck move. And it blinks!

Revenge of the Lip Furry!

"There's a place called tomorrow... A place of joy, not of sorrow... Can't you see, its a place for you and me!"

-Orlando Jones, The Time Machine

"It must be some sort of stereopticon."

"Stereopticon? No. I am photonic. A compendium of all human knowledge."

Lip furries!!!

Keeping it classy Coca-Cola.

I was very tempted to drop $26 on this creepy-bear shirt, but I worked up enough strength to pass... This time.

Do I have use for this? No.

Does it look cool? Sure.

Anyone else remember the original "5 Tastebuds" pre-show to the 4-D film? This little monsters were a part of the most dull experience imaginable. And now they are on clearance in the corner of the sales rack.

And yes, Umami was represented in the video, albeit poorly.

Edited June 1, 2010 by jedimaster1227

robbalvey · May 28, 2010

jedimaster1227 · June 1, 2010

The second half of my visit to Pemberton Place was at the Georgia Aquarium. Unlike the World of Coke, I had only been to the aquarium once before, albeit for a few hours with TPR on the pre-Deep South Trip day. Since that time, a few things have changed to make the attraction even better!

I spot something very TPR friendly...

Planet MegaShark is the new exhibit!

An entrance shot.

One more reason Coke is awesome.

Inner entrance photo...

MANTA!

SeaWorld needs like 7 of these!

Away it flies...

Dave!!! It exists!

And apparently this thing is related to the Megalodon as well.

One of the many fondle ponds in the aquarium... They are sheer awesome!

The aquarium has several Busch-style "pop-up" photo ops.

MEGA PIRANHA!

Attack!

The lady at this anemone fondle pond told us that these were safe to touch because the toxins are only slightly numbing our nerves. Comforting, right?