A WONDERFUL TIME IN A SONY UNIVERSE
A new “experience” has opened at the Oakbrook Center shopping mall that just might be the perfect destination for your next party. WonderverseChicago is advertised as a “pioneering experience” where you are invited to sip, taste, play, and imagine while stepping into the worlds of your favorite Sony movies.
Admittedly, based on this description, I had no idea what I was walking into, but that’s exactly what it delivers. And Wonderverse is more than an accurate portmanteau. I would compare Wonderverse to a movie-themed Dave & Buster’s with the added delight of virtual reality (VR) experiences and escape rooms. The food is perfectly enjoyable (see the fall 2024 menu here), but that’s not the only highlight. I would also recommend grabbing a themed cocktail, of which there are many to choose from; The It Happened One Night (Monkey 47, Chambord, and Prosecco) is lovely, but You Can’t Handle the Truth has a bizarre flavor of mostly club soda, cinnamon, and lime, which just don’t go together for me. I say experiment!
Then head over to one of the themed experiences and get your name on the waitlist. Some lines are longer than others, and it’s best to sign up ahead of time here; I was able to try two experiences: Jumanji VR and the Uncharted escape room.
This was my first VR experience, and Jumanji delivered. Participants are fitted with a weighted vest and VR headset and then, just like the characters in the movie, they are thrust into the game and tasked with finding the stolen jewel to stop the spread of evil and “reverse the curse.” I had a blast, and I would definitely come back to try another of their VR experiences: Ghostbusters.
Uncharted Escape Rooms
Unlike VR, I am a seasoned escape room player. The Uncharted Escape Room was shorter than a typical escape room, taking us about 15 minutes to complete (there are three different experiences), but the puzzles were sufficiently challenging, and our team certainly had fun solving it. Overall, I’d say this is a great intro to escape rooms if you’re not already familiar, but it might not be worth the ticket price for escape room aficionados (The Church and The Auction are $25; The Galleon is $29).
The Ghostbusters-themed immersive Ghost Trap Speakeasy (21+ only)
Besides an outing for couples or with friends and family, I can see Wonderverse becoming a popular destination for birthday and office parties. I hope they periodically introduce new VR experiences and escape rooms. One of my favorite Sony movies, 13 Going on 30, had a prominent poster hanging from the ceiling, so I can only hope they open a 13 Going on 30-themed dance floor in time for my 30th birthday (hint hint nudge nudge).
WonderverseChicago
Oakbrook Center
Mon-Thurs & Sun from noon to 10; Fri & Sat from noon-Midnight
themed trivia night every Wed 6 to 8
50% off cocktails happy hour, Mon-Fri 4 to 6
entrance (except for special events) is free; attractions $6-$29
21+ only after 8pm
for more info and reservations, visit WonderverseChicago
